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Haute mums
Not long ago, the very mention of ‘mommie-to-be’ meant some big-bellied, nightie-clad woman, devouring everything from desi ghee-dripping pinnis to ambitious ‘super baby’ books. Not any more. For, the city’s mommie-circuit is fast moving beyond concealing bulging tummies by fitting into their husbands’ shirts or mom-in-laws’ nightgowns. Bidding bye-bye to the oh-so-boring clothing, expecting moms in town are fast embracing chic clothes.
Isn’t the arrival of their precious bundle of joy the most breath taking and incredible ride of their lives? And with so much hoopla going into today’s weddings, why should mommydom be left behind? No wonder, the city seems brimming with everything from branded maternity wear to massage oils and tummy trimming belts. ‘Mommydom,’ means the mother of all adventures and the city seems to know it well. Perhaps that explains the bevy of mother and childcare products flooding the fashion hubs in town. Right from rejuvenating massage oils and frothy lotions to designer feeding gowns, fluff chappals and chic capris, there’s everything to make the ‘mom-to-be’ feel like a queen. And for all those who’d like to stuff their shopping bags with products for their about-to-arrive little ones, the list seems endless.
Mums Mall, the one-stop solution for moms-to-be, promises to equip the city’s mommie brigade with all essentials. “Whoever visits us is given a list of products they’ll require for the pregnancy and post pregnancy years. Whatever they choose is made available to them,” beams Tanu Mehtani, owner Mums Mall. So, the baby-stuff includes nappies, nappy liners, naval binders, diaper alarms, vests, socks, mittens and caps (in both cotton and wool), baby bed sheets, neck support pillows, massage mats, macintoshes, sleeping bags, feeding bottles and baby cots. And mommies can rejoice too, for the mall is strewn with everything from feeding-friendly gowns and tees to hip capris, jeans (Rs 800-1,000), pampering massage crèmes (Rs 375-1,000) and branded slimming belts (Rs 1,000 onwards). The hip maternity boutiques abroad had banished the outdated maternity pants long back. But now, even the Indian stores are stocking feisty and fun clothes for moms-to-be. “Many current jean designers are now making maternity versions of their denim styles. Most expecting moms continue to work and socialise normally today, so even during pregnancy they require trendy wearables like jeans, capris, skirts, t-shirts, kurtis and formal tops. And so we’re stocking full length jeans and dungarees in small, medium and LXL sizes,” informs Param Toor, assistant manager marketing, Ebony. And it’s not just about comfy clothes, the would-be moms in town are indeed very brand conscious.” We are very particular about stocking only branded stuff, as moms today want style, comfort and quality. Some of our fashion-forward maternity lines include Mother ware, Petals, Mama & Bebe and Mums to be,” says Yogesh Bhatia from Mums Mall. City-women today are investing in tops that are not too blousy, until their tummy becomes more pronounced. Avers Pallavi from Fab India, Sector 9, “Though our maternity range includes everything from empire-line-elasticised shirts and comfy pants to angrahka-styled kurtis and box-pleated dresses, most ‘expecting’ women like to pick up large-sized kurtis from our casual-wear section. Front open shirts in mulmul, maheshwari and chanderi cotton, kaftans in satnapali (khadi) and kurtis in pintuck fabrics remain their hot faves. Pregnant women prefer these in the brightest of colours (yellows, oranges, mustards, turquoises, leafy greens and guava pinks) and varied prints (kalamkari, aajrakh, mangalgiri, dhar and jaipuri). And even if they pick up something simpler like a bias-shirt from our maternity section, they jazz it up by picking some funky accessories along. Laughes Sanjeev Giri from Sparkles, Sector 35, “Did I tell you that accessories are a pregnant woman’s best friend? Well, so it seems as many would-be moms are picking up jazzy kurtis, funky earrings and printed scarfs to brighten up their attires.” With the city stores offering so much to pamper the pregie-brigade, it is time for the fashionistas to begin shopping. For, pregnancy is the time to indulge in relaxation therapies. And when it comes to women, can anything ever be more therapeutic than retail therapy? anandita@tribunemail.com
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Making the right choice
They may be admiring the men in olive for their valour or looking up to their favourite school teacher as their mentor but the school going kids today plan their careers keeping the practical prospects in mind. Hence, it’s not only passion for something that convinces these youngsters to choose their subjects. Rather, it’s their realistic approach that governs their career choice.
Some opt for studies while others prefer to pursue their hobbies to earn a livelihood. Smiles Himanshi Makkar “I enjoy cooking at home and want to do a course in hotel management.” “Becoming a teacher is not my cup of tea as I cannot handle students, “ she justifies. But then there are the more practical students like Aneesh Gulati, who has taken up Maths in Class XI. Following in his father’s footsteps, Aneesh says, “My father is doing very well and he is an engineer that encouraged me to go for it.” Though I enjoy playing cricket and dancing in free time but there is no secure future in them so I didn’t even opt for them, he avers. Quite practical!
Opt for... As per Rajneesh Kumar, director of
IPAT, the following courses will be in demand for next five years: Genetic Engineering, Forensic Science, Aviation, Aneesh plans to do MBA after completing his engineering degree as this combination is in demand. Striking a balance between his passion and an ideal career choice is Prateek Kapur, “I have taken non-medical and want to become a commercial pilot because flying is my passion. The best part of being a pilot is the excellent pay package and less hectic schedules,” he smiles, “But my first priority is engineering, as one is more prone to accidents in this profession,” he explains. “After Class X, most youngsters are usually confused on what subjects to take up. Ideally, only those courses should be taken up for which the child has an aptitude, interest, intelligence and personality,” points out Rajneesh Kumar, director of Institute of Personality and Aptitude Testing (IPAT). Also, the utility of the course after you finish it should be kept in mind as most of the degrees become redundant later. Practical training is a must after Class XII as work experience is a must,” he adds. |
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Far from the madding crowd
Zipping down the fast track is the boogie-woogie brigade, driving away from familiar environs of city, into serenity and anonymity of countryside for savouring the taste of good life in food and party joints set up in the farmhouses.
Gone are the days when the farmhouses were only for private parties where only friends of friend’s friends were called strictly through invites. Now, it’s free for the young, and not so young, willing to enjoy an occasion called life by pulling out crisp currency notes from their wallets. Just in case you haven’t tasted the excitement, hop into your car and drive down the road meandering away from the hustle and bustle of daily existence for reaching Manor Exclusive — the first of its kind high-end restaurant. Thrown open to foodies Friday afternoon by Manor group director Munish Bajaj, it is designed for catering to the needs of an elite clientele and houses the group’s other ventures, including banquets and nightclub. Right guys, an astronomic extravaganza is all set to touch new heights at the erstwhile Chimney Heights premises. One look at the menu is enough to confirm the assertion. Tastefully, you have everything, right from European and Indian to Kashmiri cuisines. “The soups, the starters and the appetisers are a culmination of ultimate Indian and European recipes,” says manor’s Chief Operating Officer R S Rawal. “Ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 595, the stuff is simply hard to resist”. Taking you around the place, he says: European cuisine soups like Cappuccino of broccoli, Consommé ala polo, Summer Minestrone, Sopa de amoral tomato and Serbian delicacy Vichyssoise will simply leave you craving for more. You have shrimp cocktail, caesar salad and greek salad, along with exclusive appetisers like gambas al ajilo, peppered sole fish, chicken pepper sticks and hunter style chicken. If it is the Indian cuisine you crave for, the variety is endless here. Adding class to your eating experience is the ambience. Standing there looking at the lush green lawns, you get the feeling of being at an old British outhouse situated in scarcely populated countryside. So guys get ready and get going. Life’s party is waiting for you. saurabh@tribunemail.com |
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Dazzling delight
All of city’s lovely Lolitas are likely to raise a toast to this. The town, after being home to some high-end luxe couture is now offering a touch of the whimsical. Transforming those on the fringes of the fashionable world to divas of style are these trendy trinkets. Lush, delicious and dazzle-worthy, these baubles are enough to set your sizzle-quotient soaring. And as most of our glam goddesses must have guessed, these are none but the hottest, must-have accessory in town — earrings.
Fascinating colours (leafy greens, guava pinks, sunflower yellows, inky blues, bridal reds and sizzling silvers), intricate designs (feng shui patterns, weeds, rabbits, guitar, trumpets and jaipuri motifs) and stunning embellishments (coloured stones, beads, platinum finish and polki studded pieces). Could it get any better than this? But hold your horses, for the real icing on the cake is yet to be named. It is, indeed, the pocket-friendly prices of these earrings.
And of course, the town has much to offer for the more discerning fashion victims. There are earrings in pure silver or silver plated with gold, both small studs and hanging strings (Rs 1000 onwards), silver based pearl earrings (Rs 100 to 800), ethnic earrings in oxidised silver and stone work flaunting studs (Rs 500-1100). Heavy earrings in kundan and jarkans (Rs 400-1200) are hot for parties too. Besides, there are silver and gold-plated earrings studded with semi-precious stones (Rs 2200-5000). If this, however, does not satisfy the designer-savvy among you, you can frequent the Ivory collection at Ebony. What you’ll get is a mesmerising range of highly ethnic, silver based and gold plated earrings in real stones, designed by Mumbai-based designer Pawan Anand. These traditional and heavy designer loots are available in an interesting palette in colours like mauve, purple, beige, blue, red and orange. Another range is by Zoya Enterprises from Delhi, which is again traditional and made of stone (Rs 200-600). The earrings in imperfect shapes of jaded gold colour matched with red or blue artificial stones, in fact give one a feel of being in ancient times. Another big draw this season are beautiful pieces in Indian, Victorian and Romanian earrings. The Victorian range is mostly about sparkling silver earrings, embedded with multi-coloured real stones like rubies, sapphires and emeralds (Rs 500 onwards). The Indian Victorian range starts from Rs 1000 and can go higher on the basis of the workmanship and the stones used. Jaipuri earrings in semi precious stones (Rs 300), Italian stone jewellery in exquisite designs (coral and turquoise drops) and polki-studded diamond earrings in platinum finish are also doing well (available at Silver Haze, Sector 9, Chandigarh). Well friends, time to get drenched in a dash of dazzle. With so much of costume jewellery glittering through the aisles of various city-stores, one can pick up a few stunning pairs that can go with various outfits. In fact, looking at the luscious loot available, there’s no escaping the latest earrings even for the fashion illiterate! (With inputs from Akanksha Bansal)
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Win hands down Pammy Kaul If you ever got to know how many people notice the way your nails and hands are kept, you would be surprised! Nails play an important part in our appearance — well-groomed nails are a real treat to the eye. In the business world, well-cared hands and shoes are considered most vital part in your presentation. Manicure is no more a luxury. In fact, it is almost a necessity. Looking after your hands with religiously done manicures will add more than style to your appearance. Whether you choose to do a manicure or have a professional one, here are a few things to keep in mind. *
Add some aroma oil when you soak your nails in a bowl. *
The half moon area of the nail is very sensitive, treat it gently at all times. *
Clean nails gently around the cuticle area. Never remove the cuticles, gently push them back, rub them with moisturiser. *
Apply a light scrub to exfoliate dead skin. *
Never file your nails when they are wet. *
Leave the old theory behind that suggests nail polish to be bad. *
If you must wear nail polish, don’t wear the one that claims to stay long on nails and is chip proof. *
Invest in a remover that is acetone free and has castor oils in it. The best way to care for your nails is to eat a balanced diet. Include lots of dairy and foods rich in Biotin such as eggs, whole grains, soya and liver are known to promote healthy nails. Sulphur rich foods and minerals like apples, cucumbers, grapes, garlic and onions are also a must for strong nail growth. The essential oils in fish, seeds and nuts encourage to keep nail shiny and pliable. A daily moisturiser will prevent those ragged cuticles and hangnails. Rub lip balm into the cuticles to keep them soft. *
My nails are very brittle, soft and keep on breaking. I also have white spots on my nail plate. What is the reason? Brittle nails are thought to be result of calcium deficiency. Nails contain very little calcium and the problem could be because of lack of zinc in your body. Brittle nails are also considered to be telling about unhealthy liver. Caffeine hampers iron-absorption , so don’t have coffee in between your food and even after. This mineral can be found in meat, fish, eggs, cheese etc. This could also happen because of iron deficiency, especially after childbirth. A good trick for the body to absorb iron is to increase the intake of Vitamin C-rich food. So next time, before you step out of home remember hands are our best assets. Groom them and win hearts! (This column appears fortnightly) Pammy Kaul is a UK-based beauty therapist. |
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Lara’s ticket to luck
Anandita Gupta When this dusky damsel first treaded into tinsel-ville, all she could boast of was the tinkling Miss Universe tiara, which had rested on her intelligent head ‘once-upon-a-time.’ Today, four years have rolled by and the elegant Ex-Miss India Universe looks prettier, happier. And why not, for the daring Dutta is finally in news. Not for living in with her beau Kelly Doorji, this time (and thank God for that!), but for being casted in Yash Raj’s Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. We catch her swinging to the tunes of her newly found stardom. Tell us something about your character in Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. Sophisticated and suave are the two words that summarise my character in the film. I play a half Brit, half Pakistani lady who’s the manager of a hotel in Paris. Ironically, I’m in love with a character, totally opposite to mine in the movie. You’ve played a Pakistani French girl in JBJ. How did you manage speaking Hindi with a French accent? Speaking Hindi with an English accent is something that all Indians do but French was the tough part. Initially, the right tone and diction would just not come. But, I picked up the right accent by observing the Frenchmen in the crew. You sport a revamped look in the film. Tell us more about that. The credit goes to Corry Walia who gave me short tresses and designer Aki Narula who draped me in flamboyant, fresh styles. Is this like a dream role for you? Every actress wants to work once with the Yash Raj banner. But believe me, once is not enough for a lifetime. It has been great to be a part of JBJ, as it is a fun film, all about absolute craziness. You’ve often named Amitabh Bachchan when asked about your sabse avourite actors. How was it working with him in JBJ? He looks like a Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean in JBJ. He is unarguably the most professional and dedicated actor on the sets. He puts you into perspective where you stand and what a long way you have to go. And guess what, I even cooked vegetable stew and some other wonderful veggie dishes for him!
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Walking is the perfect exercise to begin with as it puts no load on the joints. Cycling is another good option as it puts less stress on the foot, ankle and knee joints. — Dr Ravinder Chadha
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We peep into the hearts of some such youngsters and find out what all do they keep in mind when deciding upon their subjects? “ Every young student today wants to opt for a profession that is in demand and also promises a good pay package,” smiles Nitika Gupta, a student of Class X. “ I enjoy practising Maths so I have taken non-medical in Class XI,” avers Tanvi Behl, of SD School, Sector 32, who likes challenges in life. 
Before you decide to rush to the nearest accessory store and lay your hands on this treasure trove, here’s a style check on the hottest sizzlers in town. While the funky stuff available across the city includes button earrings in the prints of rabbits, feng shui and weeds (available for Rs 110-200 at Dewsons and Jewels), big balas and chunky circular loops in bronze and copper, besides the usual plastic ones in feisty colours (available at Sector 17, 22, 19 in Chandigarh and Sector 7, Panchkula and ranges from Rs 25 to 300).
* I would love to have nice, healthy glowing nails. Please suggest a diet that would help. I also have hangnails. How can I get rid of them?
Nail problems with white spots are not dietary deficiency but minor trauma to the nail. Nail knocks, bangs, scrapes and constant tapping on the computer are the real culprits. Going underneath the cuticles, where new growth generates, can also cause spots and weaken nails.