Fashion Alert: Give the rubber band a break, try hair accessories. 

So its a weird, hot and sweaty summer afternoon, and you are far from a "Good hair day". Don't stress. Only open, smooth, silky shiny hair that just do not tangle are no longer required to put up with a good presence, even at a party!

All you need now girls, is the correct hair accessory for the occasion, your outfit, and your hair.A hair accessory could be anything ranging from a dramatic embellished headband, to floral clips. Just pick the right one from anywhere around and you are definitely good to go.
However, all you need to really take care of, is how you pull off a hair accessory without looking like a child. A hairband for instance is something very 12-13 year old, when seen individually. However, wearing them up with a messed up side bun will just finish out your look very well.
And if you by any means think that long hair is necessary for a hair accessory to compliment, then babe you are just not right. Wait till you see some of the very short haired actresses, from both Hollywood and Bollywood, use crystal hairbands and bows to their hair. They have all ended up looking superb.

Here's how you should use some of the hair accessories:

1. Flowers: Think Flowers and think of the beach and the summer. The trick behind using flowers as a hair accessory is that they should be used lower than the level of your eyes. That is basically in the lower half of your hair.Never, wear them on top of your head. They will lose their grace and look just too historic.
   
2. Fabric: In other words, silk headbands. They may not necessarily make you look retro unless you want them too. The trick is to tie it loosely on open hair and just make it look fab. Brownie points for matching it with your outfit.
   
3. Scarves: Choose your color and the way you want to tie it up. You could give it a chick turban look or a headband one. Just be sure of how experimental you can be.
   
4. Barrettes: These are traditionally chunky wooden hair clips that use a wooden stick to hold the hair together. Today however you have plenty of fancy embellished, colorful and dreamy options available. Go pick one up and you can get sorted for almost any outfit.
   
5. Headbands: Headbands are easy to use, commonly available and I would say the least experimental of the lot. However I would say that most of us go wrong while using it. The trick is first of all not to end up looking like a child, who's mommy just did her hair. The second would be, not to pull back your hair very tightly with a headband. To add some drama, always leave some hair out, or just make it rest on your hair like a pair of sunglasses. 

Not only does the fictional character of "Blair Waldorf" play around with hair accessories, our very own Bollywood damsels have used this to enhance their hairdos many a times.

I think all of the above just look wow. From Deepika's retro bow to Sonam's headgear in Aisha. Blake Lively does just perfect justice to her plain white maxi by adding this blingy chain which she ties around her loose bun.

So use the tips above, ditch the elastics and go very very trendy. 

Make 2014 your year, and guess what, it has merely begun! ;)

Fashion Alert for Men: How to rock the Bow Tie Look.

The traditional bow tie consists of a ribbon of fabric, tied around the neck such that the ends form a loop. However now, ready-tied bow ties are also available. The bow tie was originally associated with fixed professions like architects, attorneys, waiters, professors and politicians.

Today , it is viewed more as an article of formal wear.It is a traditional accompaniment to a tuxedo, which is what distinguishes a gentleman. So for all the events, that would require you to put your 'Finest' foot forward, it would be a great idea to enhance your tuxedo's look with a bow tie.
You should try and pick a bow tie that plays with the colors of your suit and shirt. Don't be shy to sport a solid graphical design or a playful print that compliments the entire look. 
For a black tie event however, its best to go with solid black and white colors. 

Wearing a bow tie however, requires a lot of confidence and attitude. While it is associated with being adorned at formal occasions, it distinguishes a man who cares about his appearance and is proud about dressing up well from a man who wears a is just normal because he chooses to wear a normal tie. They say, that the wearer of a bow tie should have a character as well sculpted and established as the bow tie itself. 

Bow ties are more often than not, associated with formal events and weddings, however its a great idea to wear it for a date night. Whether its simply a movie or a dinner date, women love men who can pull off the bow tie look. That probably explains why they all drool over the fictitious characters of "Chuck Bass" and "James Bond". They are both ladies men, and yes! they look extremely sexy when they . 
They both epitomize the bow tie look in the fashion world today. While James Bond character usually opts for solid blacks and whites to go with his well fit tuxedos, Chuck Bass is always seen in offbeat colors and distinguished prints.

The above picture has the Iconic Amitabh Bachchan wearing a polka dot bow tie along with a sequin tuxedo. This man surely has some love for fashion and some will to make a statement that he actually combines the polka dotted bow tie with a sequin tuxedo. Mr. Bachchan surely used the glory of his personality and made this look a hit.

There are 3 pictures of Ed Westwick, or more popularly known as the fictitious character of "Chuck Bass" wearing printed bow ties in the Gossip Girl series. He literally plays around with prints like stripes, polka dots and florals and each time makes his look a killer one.

The last picture is one of Siddharth Malhotra in the"Disco Deewane" song. He wear a greyish silver sequin bow tie along with his baby pink and white tuxedo. Its definitely a great choice.

So spice up your formal look, ditch the long normal neck ties and this season try something that is sure to give you an edge over almost everyone else around.
Be your girls very own Chuck Bass and let her drool over you. ;)

Fashion Alert: How to pick the perfect Anarkali Suit.

The Anarkali suit is basically a suit, in which the shirt is fitted from the sleeves and the bust, but flows into lots of gathers below. The shape resembles that of an umbrella.  These suits can be knee length, ankle length or floor length.

The Anar Kali suit derives its name from a famous courtesan named "Anarkali" in the court of Emperor Akbar. It is said that these frock-like gathers of the suit would entice the men in the court when the courtesans would dance wearing them. 

As the wedding season begins once again, with much celebrations in the air, the one outfit we see almost at every event, worn by girls who are 14 to ladies who are 40, is the Anarkali suit. Irrespective of age, body type and culture, this attire is worn by many. Hence it becomes all the more important to be able to pick up the best one from the showroom in accordance with all the highs and lows of your body. To highlight your highs and hide your lows. 

Here are a few tips that can guide you, depending on your body type and body frame.

Tall Girls: It is needless to say that tall girls are actually quite lucky since almost any kind of Anarkali suit would compliment them. The best ones being ankle length or floor length Anarkali suits with broad borders. These broad borders would suit them since they make one's body look more fragmented. As a result of this, if short or plump people wear such Anarkali suits, they would end up looking chubbier and shorter. 



Slim Girls: Slim girls who are niether too short, nor too tall are also at a "Nothing to lose" position. They can wear knee length, ankle length, as well as floor length Anarkali suits.The style of their borders would depend on whether they are towards the taller frame or a shorter one. If they are short, it would be best to stick to thinner and lesser number of borders.



Plump Girls: An Anarkali suit has the capability of making a very plump girl look very thin, which is due to the illusion that it's gathers or " Kalis" give. However what needs to be kept in mind is that such girls should opt for longer Anarkali suits, with little or no fragmentation and absolutely solid colors. Borders can be both broad or thin, but the bodice should not have any cluster of colors. It is also advisable for girls with this body type to wear broad and relatively lower necklines . This also creates an illusion, which makes them look much thinner than they really are. Magic!



Petite Girls: Anarkali suits basically add volume to the body that wears them. Hence they work best for any petite girl who would want to add just a little volume to herself, while keeping in mind that she would never want to look fat. It is therefore best, for petite structured girls to wear Anarkalis that have a relatively lesser number of kalis. This would give them the necessary volume, but also not make them look lost in an entire mass of cloth.



Broad Framed girls: If you have a broad frame, then it is best to go in for a broad and a deeper neckline. You could accessorize by wearing a state of the art neck piece. Since broad structured girls have the added advantage of a broad back, this gives them the pass to opt for a deep back or backless Anarkali suit.



Narrow Framed girls: If your frame is narrow, that is your shoulders aren't wide, then it would look great if you could experiment with a high neck or a boat neck Anarkali suit. High neck Anarkalis look simply classy and chick.



For more Fashion Tips and Alerts,keep checking this space. 

Food Review: Wood Box Cafe
Hudson Lane, North Campus

   Photo Courtesy: www.thecityguide.in


As much I would want to love this place, since I had heard so much about it, with its superawesome zomato reviews and other friends from North Campus, I am actually very disappointed and disheartened to state that I did not like the place one bit.
So wood box cafe is located in Hudson lane, close to North Campus.The place was easily located and from what I gathered, its target customer base is North Campus Students itself.

As we reached the place, to be honest it looked quite appealing and spacious from the outside , however once we entered, we were slightly taken aback by the fact that the ground floor hardly had any place to sit. Hence we climbed their dingy wooden stairs and no offence but if I would have been 10 kgs above my weight, I would have lost my balance and fell. The staircase did not have a proper railing. :/

We finally got comfortably seated at one of their tables and observed how the eatery was decorated. I liked the way they had made walls out of used wine bottles, tissue stands out of empty vodka bottles and white cloths to give it a canape look. Innovative and cool I would say. 

We ordered for a jumbo Ferrero Rocher shake, a regular Mixed Lemonade. Along with these, we ordered a Mexican Corn Salad, a Cheesy Chicken Sandwich, a Grilled Herbs Mushroom Sandwich and a Penne Milano.

First arrived the Mexican Corn salad. Well frankly it had nothing but nachos, broken into bits, shaken up with corn, chopped bell peppers and some other vegetables. It had no (or hardly any) salad dressing or seasoning. Definitely something I can make at home within 5 minutes for a snack.

Then came the 2 sandwiches we had ordered. The Cheesy chicken sandwich lacked flavor and the quality of chicken was not up to the mark. It was not even soft or juicy. It would be safe to say that it had absolutely no cheese.
The Grilled Herbs Mushroom sandwich was the first saving grace. It had ample mushrooms, lots of cheese and was very flavorful. The herbs could be easily smelled as well as tasted.

Next came the Penne Milano. Now I was honestly very hopeful about the dish because it was basic Penne in white sauce which most of the cafes manage to do justice to. However, I was simply surprised and amused as to how they went wrong with this one. The white sauce had no cream or cheese. I could taste the flour in it which meant it wasn't cooked well. Hardly any mushrooms and absolutely no salt.

Somewhere in between, while we were eating our food, our drinks were brought to us by our server. This made way for Saving Grace No 2: The Ferrero Rocher Shake. It was served in a very tall glass, Rich creamy and sinful. Perfectly topped with a crushed Ferrero Rocher chocolate.Honestly I loved it. It was just gorgeous.
The lemonade was just average though. Nothing too spectacular.

It is also worth mentioning that they have rather small portions. So much so that we were 3 people and despite the ordering that we did, we left the place in search of another "Good" cafe to eat. Comparative to its competitors (located in the same area and serving the same kind of food, with the same customer base) I found it priced slightly higher as well. 

Now again, I don't know if our ordering went wrong or it was just a bad day, but if a place can prepare a bland e chicken sandwich and serve uncooked white sauce, I doubt if I will try it out again

All in all: 
Ambiance: 3.5
Service:3.5
Food: 2

10 Ideal Places to spend your Valentine's Day:

So if you are a mushy couple and are already making plans as to how you want to make this valentine's day special, these are the few places where you would simply love to spend your 14th February. Also, if you think valentine's is "Oh so over hyped!" and "This is highly lame", let me tell you , there is nothing wrong with having yet another day to show your love. 

It is absolutely perfect to fall in love with the same person, over and over again. :)

So bring out the lover in you, and let these majestic places help you with that.

1. Sevilla, The Claridges
    New Delhi

Sevilla is located in The Claridges, Aurangzeb Road, New Delhi. It's cuisine ranges from a little bit of Italian, a dash of Mediterranean and mostly Spanish. The place just epitomizes romance, with it's beautiful, candle lit and rose petal decorated cabanas. Tiny bodies of water ripple under your feet, and make the experience just magical. The place opens only for dinners, and it is advised that one books it in advance since the number of cabanas are limited.

2.  Olive Bar & Kitchen
     Mehrauli
   

Olive Bar & Kitchen has been consistently serving quality food and delivering efficient service since 10 years now. The cuisine they serve is mainly Italian with just a touch of Mediterranean. While the inside is done up in pastel hues and white furniture, the outside is also decorated very tastefully, with pebbled floors. The lovely ambiance gives it a Greek feeling, and also makes both day time lunches as well as evening meals, very romantic.

3. Lodhi- The Garden Restaurant

                          Courtesy: Lodhi: The Garden Restaurant

This restaurant is shyly tucked away in one corner of Lodhi Garden itself. The ambiance is brilliant with the high point being its lush green surroundings and how close it takes you to nature. The solace of the place just enhances romanticism. Apt for both, an evening date as well as a lunch.

4.My Humble House
   ITC Maurya Sheraton

My Humble House is located at the topmost floor of ITC Maurya Sheraton, New Delhi. The cuisine it serves is mainly Chinese. The one thing about this rooftop restaurant is that they give you a picturesque view of Lutyen's Delhi under twinkling stars, and at the same time a feel of the most exquisite dining in Delhi. With its contemporary interiors and everything just perfectly in place, it is surely going to get your affectionate side out.

5. Fio
    Garden of Five Senses

Just when you don't want to be in the hustle bustle of the city for your Valentine's date, this is where you should be. This place is set inside the Garden of five senses, which owes to it's extreme proximity with nature. The seating is such,that gives you the necessary exclusion from the rest of the world. The cuisine served is both Itaian and North Indian, so you can be sure nobody leaves hungry from your 'Date'.

6. B Bar
   Select Citywalk, Saket

I wouldn't call this place exactly quiet and romantic, but it definitely is class apart when it comes to ambiance and crowd. You can be sure to spot Delhi's niche crowd here having their gala time with a glass of Champagne or Sangria, to the tune of their signature B-Bar music. This place is simply, very stylish. 
So if you and your loved one are tired of going for quiet meals and want to do something different, and at the same time don't want to be pushed into a club, this is the ideal place for you. 

7. Mia Bella
    Hauz Khaz Village

Mia Bella is a multi cuisine restaurant located in  Hauz Khaz Village. Like a lot of other places there, this place boasts of a view of the Hauz Khaz lake as well, however the distinguishing factor is that it provides the best and highest view than other restaurants in HKV. 

8. Thai High
   Mehrauli

Thai High is located in Mehrauli, set up on a rooftop which gives a beautiful view of the Qutub Minar. The ambiance is just lovely because it is decently aloof from the city's business. While reaching the place might scare you, since the roads are a little deserted, once you reach it will look like a different world altogether.
Not just this, the restaurant is considered one of the best for Thai Food in Delhi. You can hence not just enjoy the mystique of their location, but also treat your taste buds with Thai delicacies.

9. Magique
    Garden of Five Senses, Saket

                               Photo Courtesy: Magique

Magique is set amidst the perfect setting of the Garden of Five Senses. Serving Thai and Mediterranean cuisine, and some signature cocktails, the hideaway is owned by the culinary magician "Maarut Sikka". This joint, true to its word, creates magic in the hearts of those who pay a visit. Its serene, close to nature and divine ambiance makes it a perfect Valentine date option.

10. Sky Lounge
      Park Plaza, Sushant Lok, Gurgaon

Double Trouble! Not only is this swanky restaurant a rooftop one, giving a gorgeous aerial view of Gurgaon, but it is also a pool side bar, complete with charismatic seating arrangements. They have bar chairs that directly overlook the view. It has an impeccable view and a  captivating ambiance. Less known to most Delhi-ites, this place comes as a pleasant surprise.

Keep Checking this space for more food and fashion related posts.

Fashion Alert for Men:

Why should girls have all the bling? Part II

Sequin Jackets and Tuxedos for Men

Before you all jump to conclusions, that I am talking about some Big Fat Indian Wedding attire here, where the more the sparkle, the better it is, let me tell you:

The Sequin Jacket for Men was first popularized by none other that Legendary Micheal Jackson when he first wore it for his historic performance, way back in 1983.

Ever since then, this look has been an iconic one, with very few brands and people daring to play with it.

Now that I have your attention, let me tell you one more thing:

Wearing sequin is not girly! A "Man"  can make it look as masculine as he may like it.
It is hence important to keep all those misconceptions and conventions aside. If you really want to kill it at some life changing event you have, don't be so afraid. Carry the right attitude and the right smile. The only accessories you will require.

It is also not necessary to fill the entire piece of cloth with sequin here, sequin there and sequins everywhere.
If you are not that experimental, or are just doubtful as to how wearable the jacket will be if its full of sequins, opt for a tad bit of glitter here or there. These places could be the collar, the cuff or the pocket piping. Its perfect for any event where you want all the attention. It is a statement on its own, let alone how you wear it and with what you team it up.

Dolce & Gabbana was so inspired by this iconic look of Micheal Jackson that they launched their own collection of sequin jackets and tuxedos for men.

A few celebrities have also donned this attire very successfully.

That is Brad Goreski, who wore this Dolce & Gabbana Sequin jacket at the premier of "Its a Brad Brad World". Love the way he wore those full-framed glasses to complete his look.

Above, is David Furnish, a British/Canadian Filmmaker. He wore a Dolce & Gabbana sequin jacket for Philips British Academy Televison Awards.

And, That is our very own Salman Khan, who made a huge statement when he wore this for Big Boss Season 7's Grand Finale, Needless to say, he looked great!

So this is for all the gentlemen, who want to look classy and at the same time, a class apart! ;)
Lets see how you do it.

Keep checking this space for more posts from this series.

Mistral

Vasant Kunj

I got to know about Mistral much before it started functioning. Ever since I got to know from a source that they have the same management as that of Setz and On The Water Front, I just knew I would love this place.
It is located at Level 3 of Ambiance Mall Vasant Kunj. right next to PVR Directors Cut. It has been opened as a replacement of the restaurant that was earlier owned and operated by Directors Cut itself.So when I entered, this place looked and seemed like a clone of the other 2 places. Lots of live kitchen counters, huge stone walls and tables, spacious seating, soothing lighting, classy and sophisticated ambiance and not to be missed was the huge wine cellar they could boast of. This place was already making me happy. It was meant for the exclusive and the niche crowd of Delhi.We were greeted by the courteous staff, who was extremely polite and polished. Later we got to know that a lot of their staff has also moved from Setz to here.So we ordered 2 Sangrias to begin with. One made of red wine and grapes, the other of white wine and orange slices. This was the first place that offered us this variation in the drink. They were both very well prepared. Just the right amount of fruit and sweetness to them.Later we ordered a Palm Hearts Salad, A Veg Pizza with our choice of vegetables and a Pasta in Mixed sauce. The salad was made from the heart of the palm tree, an ingredient I had never heard of, yet it tasted very good. A little offbeat for sure, but for someone experimental, it was great. The Pasta was perfect. I had asked for mushrooms and sun dried tomatoes to be used in it, and it was made absolutely the way I had wanted it. This was probably the good part about their staff. They make sure not more than one table is given to one staff member to be taken care of. The pizza was thin crust, baked in their in house brick oven, and generously topped with vegetables. For main course we ordered anda parantha which was recommended by their staff itself and Dal Makhni with Butter naan.At first we felt funny, ordering anda parantha as a place so fine, but to our surprise it was the tastiest dish we had there. Brilliantly spiced, soft to eat and shallow fried to perfection. The Dal Makhni however was not upto the mark because it was less Makhni, for me atleast. The butter naan was soft, served piping hot and well done.
All in all, The place was a hit for me. Apt for an exclusive and quiet lunch or dinner with special people. The good part is that it maintains its class, without being that heavy on the pocket as its counterparts.
Taste: 4.5Ambiance: 5Staff: 5