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Shop till you pop Sale season is in full swing. Even the most seasoned shopper would have at some point returned home with a hideous shirt. Some tips to help you manoeuvre the treacherous good bargain path Love it or hate it. Compulsive or occasional. Need it or want it. Rich or bankrupt. Men or women. Admit it or deny it. We all love to shop. After all, a new pair of denims in the wardrobe, a li’l trinket around the dainty neck, a classy lampshade for the living room, a handful of latest DVDs and an unusual watch doesn’t really hurt. Plus, what can be more satisfying than walking home with loads of shopping bags? And what can be a better time to shop than now? Tags with two prices, a huge range of trendy and outdated products, puzzled salesmen running from one end of the store to other, a huge crowd threatening to turn into a mob, and then the pressure of making it at the right time to the store before you miss out on the best deal. Phew, now who said shopping was a fun, tension free and relaxing affair? But, the good news is that with just a little planning you can make the sale season your favourite season! Here’s how to grab the best of what’s on offer. Need or greed?
Deciding between what you want and what is cheaply and easily available is a tough job. Tees neatly laid out in rainbow hues at half price are bound to tempt. And then there will be a lucrative offer on a DVD player. But, the question is why take home something that you really don’t want. Smart
advice: A heavy discount does not mean that you have to buy it. No kids, please
Smart
advice: Lovable and cuddly, there are times when they can stay at home. Early birds
Be an early bird. There are many who actually make a mental note of when the sale season begins. So ensure that you reach the shop at the right time. If not in the first week, then try checking out the shop in the first ten days of sale for sure. Smart
advice: First and last day are the worst to visit. Do your homework
We all have our fave stores and have a fair idea of when they go on sale. Make a mental note of the time of the year. Keep track of the stuff that you may want to pick if the price is right. Smart
advice: Do a general recce of the market before the season begins. Shopping mate
It’s a holiday
You’ve got the day off, but so has the rest of Chandigarh. So don’t be surprised if you bump into colleagues,
neighbours, relatives, boss, friends and ex-classmates. Smart
advice: Try scheduling your shopping trip on a weekday and start a little early from office. Don’t shop with a colleague, boss, neighbour, chachi, bhua etc just to please them. After all, it’s your money, your style and your time. On the flip side, boring shoppers may prove helpful in case of buy one, get two offers! Smart
advice: Shop alone if you don’t want to pay for stuff that is not exactly your choice. Feel good,
look good
Retail therapy may be the best thing to do when you are upset, bored, angry or hassled. But, then remember, the most expensive designer outfit can look horrible, if the smile on your face is missing. If buying shoes, paint your nails before you set out. A word of caution: Everything will suit your feet! Smart
advice: Happy mood spells a happy shopping experience. purva@tribunemail.com |
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Singing in the wings City lad Harpreet in Sa Re Ga Ma top 13 The
anchor shoves a microphone down the esophagus and demands— tell us how did you feel? The contestants (still gasping for breath from their performances) brace themselves as the judges declare their verdicts. Chances are, we end up feeling emphatic , wondering how they must be feeling — rotten, pained, in tears. But wait before you picture these youngsters nervously bunched up backstage. For, we chat up a happy Harpreet Deol, who’s made it to Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’s top 13. Being weighed down by the unbearable grief of losing is the last thing on his mind. As we call up Harpreet at the Mumbai Studio—where this 22-year-old’s recording, he sounds joyous. “I see Sa Re Ga Ma…as a great platform.” Recalling how he made it to the show’s auditions, Harpreet chirps, “I dropped my B.A. Final exams. It was pouring at the auditions. I got late, but coaxed the selectors to give me a chance.” His taut frame might have managed to stand out in the auditions. But how did his nimble feet safely navigate the uneven patch of reaching the semi-finals? “ All I do is sing. I’m on a special diet of soups, milk and water,” he tells. And how about life post-Sa Re Ga? “ I’ll sing and, of course, compose music as well. Himesh Reshammiya’s been my inspiration.” Well Harpreet, Himesh may sound a wee bit far away for the moment, but we wish you all luck. For, isn’t laying your hands on a cool 50 lakh and 50,000 every month besides the nationwide publicity, at 22, good enough?
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Life’s beautiful Her zest and attitude could put any PYT to shame. At 96, this feisty nonagenarian loves playing cards, eating out, watching Bollywood flicks and drooling over Salman Khan Her
heart beats like that of a 25-year-old as she gracefully glides through the events that make up her day. Miracle water from the fountain of youth circulates through her petite frame, pumping through her veins and bestowing her with an abundance of life and endless energy. At 96, Kartar Iqbal Singh is breezing through life. “I feel very young. I don’t think I’m old and neither does anyone else think so,” says the Sector 18 resident who can rival any pretty young thing, any day. Gifted with good health, Kartar attributes it to her active life style since youth. Horseback riding, badminton, and walking, were among her favourite activities. “I have never taken any medicine, tonic or vitamin and believe that is the secret to my long life,” she says. Kartar refuses to let others do things for her and cleans her room herself, makes her bed, dusts, washes her clothes and does her own ironing. “I have help but I like to make my own tea and engage in household chores. It also helps me keep active.” Kartar says two other very important components to living a worry-free life are diet and routine. She always eats in moderation -- small meals at set times. “I never break my routine. Having a routine is good for health and has helped me live a long life.” For breakfast she takes one missi roti, a banana, and a cup of milk, for lunch she consumes one chapati, a bowl of yogurt, sabji, and fruit. Dinner is daal, sabji, or a meat dish with a chapatti. “I take care not to overeat and only take one small sweet after dinner.” The lively lady is certainly the busiest woman in the 90s Life Style has ever met! One would find it difficult to imagine the extent of her social calendar. Twice a week Kartar plays Canasta, a card game, with friends for five hours and once a month she attends an Air Force kitty party. One day every month is reserved for lunch with the family in a restaurant chosen by consensus. Similarly, an evening is set aside for catching up with the family over dinner at Golf Club. And now for the best – Twice a month Kartar must catch a Bollwood flick at Fun Republic! An avid film buff, she’s a big fan of Salman Khan. “I have to watch any film starring Salman,” announces Kartar. “She doesn’t admit it but we are certain that she is in love with Salman Khan,” gushes her daughter. She recently caught Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, Tara Rum Pum, and Metro. So what’s Kartar’s usual day like? She reads the paper, listens to Hindi film songs, plays Scrabble and cards with her daughter, watches television soaps and the news. A mother of three, she lives with two of them, and her eldest child is 77. She dedicated much of her life to social work and was the secretary of the Hospital Welfare Society even way back in 1949. She feels her biggest achievement in life has been the love and affection showered upon her by all of her family members. “They visit me often and give me so much respect. I am blessed to have this amount of love all around me.” Kartar’s one fear in life is becoming ill and bed-ridden. “I want to die peacefully; I don’t want to linger.” Her peace-loving nature has helped her sail happily through the unpredictable tides in the ocean of life. “I forgive and forget. I don’t hold grudges. It is important to rid oneself of the ego.” She claims she has had no downs in her life. “It is all about positive thinking”, she says. “You can turn any bad situation into a positive one if you have the right attitude in life.” Cheers to that! lifestyletribune@gmail.com |
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Queen of Hearts Viewers are waiting to watch model-turned-actress Urvashi Sharma in Naqaab. And she does not disappoint. The pretty girl has already got an eight-film contract with Tips Films. Urvashi, who started her career as a model for brands like Ponds, Garnier, Globus, Airtel, Kit-Kat and Maruti Swift later won many hearts in tinsel town with Mika’s Something Something followed by Pakistani singer Atif Aslam’s
Doorie! Tell us about Naqaab… It is the most shocking thriller of the year. It’s a fast-paced love triangle with suspense, lots of drama and action. How does it feel to work with Tips Film? An absolute honour. This film is exactly what I was looking for. What motivated you to become an actress? Modelling helped me to start my journey towards it. My modeling assignments caught the attention of the producers and director duo Abbas-Mastaan. How would you describe Urvashi Sharma? A beautiful, hard-working Punjabi girl from Delhi with a background in science. Your hobbies… I love basketball, volleyball and swimming. — Dharam Pal Mika’s Something Something girl gets caught in a love triangle in Naqaab |
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Naqaab Thrills & Twists
Starring: Bobby Deol, Akshay Khanna, Urvashi Sharma Director duo Abbas-Mustaan is back with another thriller. Naqaab starring Bobby Deol, Akshay Khanna and debutant Urvashi Sharma is a love triangle with a surprising twist. It is the story of a young girl from a middle-class family who is engaged to a millionaire. Whilst engaged, she falls in love with a struggling actor and that’s where the problem begins. The focus of the film also shifts to the shady past of all three characters. It is produced by Kumar S Taurani and Ramesh S Taurani and comes with a tagline, ‘Disguised intensions.’ Showing at: Piccadily, Fun Republic, KC Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson This is the fifth in the series of J.K. Rowling’s teen wizard creation. Schoolboy Harry Potter battles for recognition as a grownup man and finds himself torn between good and evil. The film has some stellar visual effects and fast paced action. Produced by David Heyman, Lorne Orleans and David Barron, the multi-billion dollar movie has a different appeal and is emotionally more intriguing. Showing at: Batra (in Hindi) — Dharam Pal |
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Let’s party Madhur Sharma This concept has rapidly increased in discos, lounges and bars. Now youngsters can enjoy these parties in afternoon and at night as well. Charm is added to these parties by the presence of renowned celebrity from the tinsel world that attracts party freaks. Twirling all around the dance floor are not just teenyboppers, one can spot professionals who are eager to lose their office blues amidst the melodious tune. Afternoon dance parties are also popular among youngsters. There is rapid increase of IT sectors and corporate companies in town. These parties suit young couples, who have hectic schedules at IT companies. If you have seen the sleek invitation card for any dance party just grab the party. Enjoy! |
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Canning a Lifestyle Purva Grover Natural and trendy, good ol’ cane is perfect for modern homes As a child Singh was always fascinated by cane. After working for two decades, it was in 2005 that he decided to take the risk and follow his heart. He sold off his home in Mohali, moved to Chandigarh and set up this tiny store. Finding that the city was not open to the idea of cane furniture, he decided to concentrate on cane adornments and everyday products. You can pick a small basket for mere Rs 30, and store your knick knacks or even make a cosy room for your pet in there. Or may be pick a larger cane box to stock your laundry in style. Rectangular, cylinderical and triangular, the lamps priced from Rs 600 onwards are sure to add the right natural and classy touch to your walls. The table lamps in bamboo come for Rs 500 a pair. For college goers a bag at Rs 150 is a good deal. And, if you have a particular design in mind then just leave it with Singh and take home the piece within three days. He advices to keep cane products away from water as it sucks water and also to get it polished on a regualr basis to keep it in shape. An M.A (Applied Arts), Singh explains the process behind the creations. “Bundles of long cane sticks are procured from local people, next they are peeled for a smoother and neater look. After they have been given the shape and nailed to perfection, if needed they are coated in shades of light and dark browns.” One can also find a handful products in wood, handmade paper and wire mesh amidst the cane creations here. “I don’t mind experimenting with any material, as long as it is eco-friendly.” And, not surprising plastic products and carry bags are a total no-no here. He signs off, “I am in no hurry, all I want to ensure is that cane makes its place in people’s hearts and homes gradually.” purva@tribunemail.com
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Seems like Deepa Mehta’s Water has inspired telle-ville as well. No wonder, a social issue like widow remarriage, after setting the silver screen on fire, has now been captured by Sahara One’s Solhah Singaar. The serial captures the saga of Meerra— a window, who’d fought against social prejudice to get her own widowed mother Alaknanda remarried. For Meerra, life has come a full circle. Now, her mother Alaknanda wants to bring back the same happiness in her life by marrying her to her ex-lover Abhimanyu, while Ammaji wants her to marry her brother-in-law Shakti. Meerra’s ex-husband Sumer’s step-mother Triveni and stepbrother Shakti start troubling her. —TNS
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Glimpse of glitter If the Mughal Age inhabitants ever decided to leap out of those voluminous history books and visit our city, they’d surely find themselves in ‘glittering’ company [pun quite intended]. For, Art Karat’s back with its annual jewellery fiesta— ‘Wear an attitude.’ And though the show boasts of glittering semi-precious jewellery, set in sterling silver, Mughal theme remains the jewellery’s highlight this time. We peep into Kidar’s Gallery—the show’s venue— to catch a glimpse of the fabulous world of fantasy jewels that lies inside The super-league jewellery lovers may love to talk in cut, colour, clarity and carat, but how about the swish set that wants to look chic without spending lakhs? Well, Nirmal and Radhika Maheshchand of Art Karat suggest you try semi-precious jewellery instead. Crafted by renowned designer Asha Kamal Modi, this exquisite line of semi-precious jewellery is eye candy for sure. However, it’s the bespoke pieces of their Mughal and Bridal collections, which can fuel the fancy, if not envy, of any jewellery aficionado. Mumtaz Mahal— as the Mughal collection’s aptly named— boasts of Kundan and semi-precious stones (Corals, jades, pearls, amethysts et all) set in sterling silver. A part of this collection are stunning neckpieces, jhumkas, bracelets and tikkas. The price remains quite within reach, extending from Rs 20,000 to 30,000 onwards. And then, there’s the exotic ‘Bridal Collection,’ with jewels, not just for the wedding but pre-wedding bashes as well. So all you wannabe brides who wanna bid goodbye to the oh-so-chunky gold, here’s a chance to sizzle in silver. You could choose from an eclectic range— bridal sets (Rs 20,000-45,000, neckpieces, jhumars ( Rs 8,000), paijebs (Rs 15,000), jhumkas, bracelets (Rs 6,000-15,000) and tikkas ( Rs 2,000-7,000). And, of course, you can obsess over this jewellery, without actually making your spouse snort. For, set in sterling silver, this semi-precious jewellery remains quite affordable. Starting from Rs 800 onwards, it goes upto Rs 50,000. On till Saturday
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When does parenting end? Joyshri Lobo Raoul rang up from Seattle. After the initial “I miss you and love you tons!” he casually mentioned he was on crutches as he had twisted his ankle. But, he assured me, all would be well by the time he drove down to Los Angeles for the basketball match, scheduled a fortnight later. A good 10,000km away, I swallowed hard and ordered him to forget the match. He was very annoyed, told me he was 19, and had, as always, expected a hysterical reaction. Would I please hand the phone over to dad, who was much cooler and would not screech over the phone? Hurt and confused, I retreated into my kopkhana and wept. I was sure my star shooter’s already damaged foot and back would make him a cripple for life, post-back and forth journeys and back stressing jumps on a hard court. He not only survived, but lost match and hoop and drove back in one piece, to Seattle. I sulked for a week and did not call him. Finally, I gave in and asked why he had told me if he did not require fussing? He said I always wanted to know how he was, so he kept me updated on all health problems. To us mothers is assigned the task of band-aiding knees and wiping away tears. Dad, who is Cheque-Point-Charlie, handles and argues over expenditure and fees. He revels in baskets achieved, tournaments won and vanquished rivals. He even takes pride in the hearts conquered and the many toasts drunk. He never enters the kopkhana. All three sons have stood by me through years of peaks and troughs. I am insanely proud of their achievements and spend a lot of time boasting about them. Yet they still give me sleepless nights. To date, I feel the need to protect them from people taking advantage, using them or worse still, duping them. Being a woman and mother, (now hold it ladies!) I find my ilk very different. We nurture and connive; sympathise, worm out information and then use it against them when they least expect it. We refuse to hammer in a nail into the wall though we have steel instead of bones. And, we hit them below the belt with their favourite recipes. How can I then not save my men from types like me? Am I paranoid? Certainly! For, men are simple and straightforward; chivalrous because we are the ‘weaker’ sex and macho for they can never cry. They do what they say and sort out their differences with their fists on an open field, after which the matter is over. My mother clucked over my drooping eyes and furrowed brow as I worked to meet a deadline. It worried her to see me so stressed and fatigued. She even stitched me a golden skirt and wanted to embellish it with a peacock blue, sequined cushion cover, as a sort of Miss Muffet pocket cum sewn in bag. She is 83 and I am proud of whate she made but drew the line at the embellishments. Human progeny are the most troublesome and demanding offspring. They take years to be weaned. Yet we parents love, care, nurture and worry about them until we die. Even after that, our guiding, intrusive souls may hover around keeping a watchful eye. What a bonding!
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Health TIP OF THE DAY
Individual suffering from osteoarthritis knee joint should avoid high impact sporting activity e.g. running, tennis etc. and change over to low impact sports e.g. walking, cycling etc. — Dr Ravinder Chadha |
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TAROT TALK
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Agreed you love them and can’t leave them home while you have fun shopping. But at the same time, what if the shopper on your left picks up a set of five CDs for a mere Rs 300 while you are cajoling your five-year-old into hanging around a bit longer? Crying, pulling, falling, shrieking, kids do distract. 
Director: Abbas-Mustaan
Director: David Yates 
Over
Smar
ARIES:
The Hanged Man shows some decisive moments as well as surprises in store for you. Hard work will get rewarded. Put behind unpleasant events and look forward to a nice week. Lucky colour: Orange. Tip of the week: A positive and caring attitude heals old wounds.
LIBRA:“The Princes of Cups” infuses romantic moments. This is an excellent time to make presentations or try and resolve pending issues with loved ones. Lucky colour: Peacock green. Tip: You are on the right track; don’t allow others to interfere in your way.
TAURUS: The Universe opens up new horizons as a host of opportunities flow in. You can have all the fun you want, but make sure you have someone you can count on by your side. Lucky colour: Red. Tip: Do not overspend.
SCORPIO:
You are swift and strong like The Knight of Wands. Emotional impulses, childlike behaviour or desires dominate you.Romantic relationships can benefit from honest communication. Lucky
colour: Golden yellow. Tip: If you insist on leading a fast life, you may aggravate your problems.
GEMINI:The Knight of Disks supports you through a busy week. You work best with people who share a common vision. Pay careful attention to financial solvency. Lucky colour: White. Tip: Use careful judgment in handling issues involving property.
SAGITTARIUS: SAGITTARIUS: “The Priestess” infuses promise and commitment in relationship. Chance meetings could bring up memories of the past. Make an effort to network when socialising. Lucky Colour: Crimson. Tip: You have to tread familiar ground if you are to make a breakthrough in your career.
CANCER: Four of Wands advice you not to have any truck with a Gemini ora Leo. A close friend needs delicate advice concerning strained relationships. Past disappointments may now provide social wisdom. Lucky colour: Rainbow pastels. Tip: Understandg your priorities.
CAPRICORN: CAPRICORN: “ The Prince of Pentacles” infuses financial stability. Be honest with yourself before getting involved with someone. Colleagues will offer bold public statements. This is not the time to appear socially vulnerable. Lucky colour: Silver. Tip: Business problems must be solved without hurting anybody.
LEO:The Ace of Wands gives opportunity for expansion change, happiness and financial benefits. Activities with your partner and friends are likely to be good humoured and cheerful. Lucky colour: Cherry red. Tip: Be positive; you can make things happen out of unlikely circumstances.
AQUARIUS: AQUARIUS: “The Knight of Discs” supports you through a busy week with healing energy. Hurried actions lead to chaos. Appreciation and respect for others begets your love and support in turn. Lucky Colour: Scarlet Tip: Try to relax and devote your time to a hobby.
VIRGO: The The Moon brings many changes and insights. You will be focussed. Working with colleagues and gaining their support will lead to faster progress. Lucky colour: Brick red. Tip: A dissatisfactory phase will need gentle handling rather than
temperamental extremes.
PISCES: PISCES: “The Five of Pentacles” brings opportunities in life. Moneymaking ventures may turn your life around. Resist the urge to interfere in the problems of loved ones. Lucky colour: Emerald. Tip: “Where there is a will, there is a way” will hold true for you this week.