June 2014

India Couture Week 2014 {Preview}

June 28, 2014

Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI)’s much coveted India Couture Week is scheduled to be held in New Delhi from July 15-20, 2014 at the Taj Palace Hotel. The revamped six day event will have new partnerships Shree Raj Mahal Jewellers as title sponsors, and Logix Group as its associate sponsors. The event will showcase India’s finest design talent in exclusive shows by top Indian Couturiers. Announcing this association, Mr. Sunil Sethi, President FDCI said, “It gives me immense pleasure to bring you the 2014 edition of India Couture Week. After the roaring success of the past events, we at the FDCI are delighted to present an extravagant couture week. Our event is synonymous with luxury and we have the finest participation from Indian fashion fraternity.” Anju Modi, Manish Malhotra,   Varun Bahl  Monisha Jaising (L-R) Anju Modi, Rohit Bal, Manish Malhotra, Sunil Sethi, Varun Bahl, Monisha Jaising   Gaurav Gupta  Mr. Sunil Sethi, President FDCI  Rohit Bal  Gaurav Gupta Manish Malhotra  List of Designers  Anamika Khanna Anju Modi Gaurav Gupta Manish Arora Manish Malhotra Monisha Jaising Rina Dhaka Rohit Bal Sabyasachi Mukherjee Varun Bahl Photographs – Prateek Ahluwalia for Kalapalette Follow me : Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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Ssence, The Suryaa Hotel Delhi {Food Review}

June 27, 2014

Normally showcases are those that are only meant for display. Look but don’t touch. However, if you happen to be dropping by the Ssence at the very lush The Suryaa hotel you are surely not to be disappointed. Located in one of the best areas in Delhi, Ssence a Culinary Showcase is truly an extravagant experience offering a wide variety of cuisines which you can not only feast your eyes on but also pick and savor.  I-Menu They have a variety of coolers, mocktails and cocktails to offer. Even the ‘normal water’ gets a refreshing twist here. An expected dilemma we faced in the beginning was where to start from. The Sunday Brunch celebrating Father’s Day had a horde of desserts to offer from tarts and donuts to blueberry cakes but later on that. I realized it is improper to start from the desserts so I rushed to the starters.   Kids Corner  Mini treats for the kids Candies, Popcorns, Muffins and Cookies. While usually vegetarians are made to be disappointed, here it was not so with Vegetable Lasagna exuding with a crusty cheese layer on top and stuffed with mushrooms and veggies.. Next to it rested the pickle-like Mushroom Goulash and tossed colourful vegetables in Olive Oil.  Going in the oven South Indian Dosa Platter  Chaat Counter  Vegetarian Galouti Kababs From herbs to homemade mustard sauces, nothing was left out from the menu.   Sizzlers Counter Other notable dishes included the divinely soft Mango Crusted Fish with Avocado & Olive Salsa apart from Se Salt and Lemon Rubbed Chicken freshly prepared and exposed in the pan.I made it a point to try the sizzlers that ranged from shrimps to chicken, fish and pork. The Salad Counter  Maneuvering towards the cool salads in sync with a choice of seasoning like Hummus among others, I stopped to try the four …

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Bottega di Lungavita – Balsamo Conditioner {Hair Care}

June 25, 2014

My ‘Hair Care’ regime usually suffices on Oil-Shampoo-Conditioner ritual. If I feel like extending the ritual, then maybe a leave in hair mask. Although, I always wonder how much of that conditioner actually stays back to nourish my hair? Having a super oily scalp anyways, I take extra precautions while conditioning. But the thickness of those conditioners always leaves my hair heavy and greasy in no time. Bottega Di Lungavita, the Italian skin care brand, have recently introduced an interesting ‘Hair Conditioning Spray Balm’ in the Indian market. Balsamo Spray Conditioner Balm This innovative hair care spray features active ingredients that prevent dehydration, fragility and split ends. It stimulates repair of damaged hair while increasing its volume. Practical and quick to use, this spray conditioner requires no rinsing. Spray lightly onto rebellious and dry hair to aid styling even on days after shampooing. It envelops the hair and restructures it while adding softness and moisture. Directions to Use Spray uniformly onto hair that has been washed and patted dry. Leave on for a few minutes and then comb, without rinsing. My Experience My hair type : Long wavy oily hair. After using this spray for almost 2 weeks now, I can say that it does help detangle long hair. Gives a subtle shine to the texture and promises a super light coat on the tresses. Ideal for hot summer days, this spray balances the moisture during humid days as well. Likes Easy-to-handle plastic spray bottle packaging. Mild fragrance Super light texture Does not stain C.O.D. available on purchase HERE Dislikes Priced at Rs.990/- this win-win product might be questionable (to buy) for the first time users. How I Use It? Post the Shampoo-Conditioner ritual, I crunch my hair dry with a towel and spray the balm all over. Main focus …

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Tarani’s Low Calorie Kitchen – Gourmet Diet Meals

June 19, 2014

Talk about dieting and the ghosts of masala-less meals, boiled vegetables and everything that we usually avoid starts haunting us. The biggest agenda of loosing those macaroon cals is sticking to a diet that we’d trade for even a piece of cheese. What if eating a pizza, smoked chicken, kathi rolls and winding it up on a sweet brownie note meant losing calories anyway? Heavenly, right? Well, a food lover like us actually took this up as a challenge and has made our dreams come alive. Presenting to you – Tarani’s Low Calorie Kitchen. The TLC kitchen is the brainchild of promoters Tarani Kapur, and has on board well known hospitality consultant, Sohrab Sitaram, who is the name behind many successful hospitality concepts and ventures. TLC offers four basic meal plans, each of which has a customized and calorie controlled menu, are designed for Healthy Living, Weight Management, aiding in meals for Type 2 Diabetics, and helping with nutritious meals for Cardiac Health. The meals are portion controlled, fresh frozen and ready to eat. Each of the meals has been specially prepared according to the customized meal plan, in the state of the art TLC Kitchen in Delhi. The meals are best described as fine dining and offer a fabulous way to stay healthy and fit, all the while dispensing with the need to cook special meals at home. They are ideal for working couples, singletons and anyone who does not have the time or resources to cook healthy food at home. The first time I tried TLC meals was during the Wills Lifestyle Fashion Week. I did hear about how many designers suggested FDCI to include TLC services in their cafe lounge menu. Tarani’s gourmet meal services are becoming a rage among those who don’t have time to even …

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Kama Ayurveda – Pure Mogra Water {Skin Care}

June 13, 2014

Scorching heat is still bearable, but as the monsoon settles in and brings along an intense cloud of moisture that we call humidity; shit gets real! Acne, tan and dull skin are some of the curses these romantic monsoon clouds bring with it. It gets worse if you are in a work program where hopping around the city on (almost) a daily basis is the regime to follow. Being a blogger and surviving a 9-to-6 work profile does not go down well during this season. I have days when a party/meet/event right after my working day becomes one hell of a task. Stepping into a party with that exhausted face is a big no no. And to freshen up, one needs to wash off the entire makeup, moisturization and then re-do the entire process. Ain’t nobody got time for that! Even since I have introduced to the concept of ‘scented distilled water’ by Kama Ayurveda, it has become one my must – have – in – your – (summer) bag product of the season. My Experience A divine concoction of  natural oils, perfume and the freshness of distilled water. Kama Ayurveda offers a variety of distilled water ranging from Pure Mogra Water, Pure Rosewater, Pure Vetiver Water to Pure Sandalwood Water. Perfect for the hot & humid summer days, this water energizes the skin and makes you feel fresh and calm instantly. Likes Refreshing. Perfect for summers Re-hydrates the skin instantly Absorbs easily Mildly scented Convenient Packaging Works on all skin types 100% Natural Dislikes Can’t really think of any. Although Kama products are priced above the average expected cost, but the quality of the products makes it worth it. How I use it? After a hard (and hot) day work, this comes as an instant relief. After cleansing, I simply …

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Quirk up your Planner – Letternote.com

June 9, 2014

For those who think that a blogger’s life is chilled out, full of leisure and tension-free work environment; then you are absolutely wrong.  Not to forget the fact that most of us have a full time job as well! There is something about blogging that keeps us stay awake even at wee hours, trying to work up a blog post or edit a vlog post; with hopes that you our readers/followers will appreciate it. This blog post is not about pouring my heart out (on behalf of fellow bloggers) about the hardships challenges a blogger faces, but why staying organized becomes a top notch priority. Being your own boss is a blessing. But if you don’t take the boss in you seriously, it might affect the work log that you have around as a blogger. In today’s technologically advanced time, Android has become our world and Google Play Applications our secretaries to trainers. When you have a 9 to 6 job and a passion to freelance at the same time, forgetting important notes, meetings and deeds becomes a daily issue. What if you can keep your notes yet not look like a nerd? Well, I am talking about the quirkiest stationary store in the market.. Letternote. Their wide range of colourful and eclectic stationary will make even a non-planner start scribbling some notes. Priced at a nominal rate, I absolutely loved the quality of their products. The first time I stumbled upon www.letternote.com, what really caught my eyes were the lovely prints that they have to offer. With a twist of Indian tadka, letternote’s stationary collection is artistic and apt for those who just can’t do with boring grey diaries. If you are one hell of a busy person and yet believe in keeping yourself and your work stationary as …

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