Wedding and Jewellery

Friday, November 21, 2014

Trends for the new age groom

While women are unashamedly swooning over all things golden, men can safely dip their toes into gold through the sober matte and rose versions of the metal

SHINY ACHKAN

SHINY ACHKAN The achkan is a traditional mainstay. Enhance its appeal by picking one in an iridescent shade.Even better if it is subtly embroidered. Metallic clothing is ruling the menswear runways and an iridescent will bring that element of fusion. Keep the achkan open and wear a matching kurta underneath for winter layering.

ROYAL EXCESS

ROYAL EXCESS
This one's for men who are comfortable baring tradition and a rich sheen. Part Maratha prince and part Rajasthani royal, this look requires a golden pagadi and a three-piece heavy ensemble in rich winter fabrics like satin and velvet. Bring in a modern touch with a waistcoat decorated with oversized flowers.

MATTE AND ROSE GOLD

MATTE AND ROSE GOLD
While women are unashamedly swooning over all things golden, men can safely dip their toes into gold through the sober matte and rose versions of the metal. Think golden jootis and a rose gold sherwani, offset with white churidar pyjamas. Stick to animal and nature motifs for the embellishments on your sherwani.

BLACK AND GOLD

BLACK AND GOLD
The striking combination of jet black as dark as the night and stunning gold has trickled into men's festive wear too. Keep the pants simple, black and flowy and let the dupatta tie the look together through all-over jaali work. A pair of black-and-gold Jodhpuri jootis to go with the sherwani will be a match made in sartorial heaven.

GET WAISTED

GET WAISTED
Those waist cinchers that us Indians have been advocating for ages, and that westeners have taken to as cummerbunds, are back in the male domain. This is the accessory to wear at your nuptials if you want to go all out. Kalamkari, kantha, sequins, use any or all of these for a three-piece ensemble that could outdo the bride even!

HEAD-TO-TOE WHITE

HEAD-TO-TOE WHITE
Fans of India's first PM, Nehru sahab, could opt for this pristine look, since it reflects his simple traditional-meets-modern style and love for the colour white. Combine the reigning head-to-toe white clothing trend with the brogue shoe fetish currently gripping international celebrities, to create a striking look. The pagadi is the icing.

ORIENTAL SUIT

ORIENTAL SUIT
The fashion world is bringing Oriental motifs and cuts into formal attire in the form of samurai pants and kimono jackets. Make your wedding outfit a Japanese space-age entity even Mr Spock would envy through an A-line silhouette and rhombic motifs. Keep the pants fitted and the hair gelled and side-parted for a sleek finish.

RETRO IN MONOCHROME

RETRO IN MONOCHROME
For the groom of refined taste, whose actions speak louder than words, and personal sense of style whispers louder than brands, an elegant black-and-white ensemble is a clear winner. White or beige Jodhpur trousers that hark back to the 50s era and a sleek black bandhgala made of velvet, sparkling only at the collar is perfect.

The Bharatiya 1:25 PM

TV'S WITCH SIMRAN KAUR TO TIE THE KNOT TOMORROW

TV actress Simran Kaur, who was last seen in the show Anamika, is all set to get married in Chandigarh tomorrow. Simran will tie the knot with Sikandar Singh Birk, a pilot who is also based in Mumbai. The two met around a year ago and became good friends. While Simran had no plans to marry , Sikandar popped the question and she agreed after her parents gave their consent. She says, “Yes, I had no plans to get married, so it can't really be called a love marriage. We were just good friends, but both families felt that we should go ahead and think of a life together.“ The actress will continue working after marriage. While Sikandar belongs to Delhi, Simran is based in Mumbai. The couple plans to honeymoon in Mauritius and Bali.

TV actress Simran Kaur with Sikandar Singh Birk

The Bharatiya 12:26 AM

How to avoid chapped lips as the weather gets cooler

DRINK WATER Chapped lips are a direct result of dehydration. Even though it may seem unnecessary in the winter, drink eight glasses of warm water to avoid chapped lips.

A HUMIDIFIER
The air is much drier in the winter, especially if you use a heater in your room. Keep a humidifier to bring back the moisture in your room.

USE LIP BALM
The most obvious step is to always keep lip balm at hand. You should also avoid licking your lips as that actually aggravates chapped lips.

WEAR A SCARF AROUND YOUR FACE
If you are stepping out of your house early in the morning or later during the evening, always carry a scarf with you. You can cover your lips while travelling so that your lips do not get dehydrated.

DO NOT LICK YOUR LIPS
Licking your lips will make your lips even drier. It will take away the moisture from your lips and eventually make it dry and parched.

APPLY SPF ON YOUR LIPS DURING THE DAY
Before you step outside your house during the day, always remember to apply a layer of SPF. The sun during this season not only makes your lips dry out, but it can also lead to tanning.

USE A MOISTURISER BEFORE BEDTIME
The best way to treat chapped lips is by applying a thick moisturiser before you go off to bed at night.You can alternatively , also use a night cream on your lips that will hydrate your lips and will prevent it from getting dry .

APPLY A LIPSTAIN
This is a great time when you can go completely overboard with the application of lipsticks. The darker and the thicker your lipsticks are, the better it will be for your lips.

The Bharatiya 12:23 AM

PRE-WEDDING SKIN CARE FOR EVERY SKIN TYPE

With the wedding season on in full swing, here's what the bride-to-be can do to make her skin glow on her D-day

With countless treatments that are available in salons at this time of the year for brides-to-be, there are many therapies that you can do on your own if your wedding is around the corner (say at least two weeks from now). These therapies are pain-less and won't consume much of your time.

OILY SKIN
Making your face look flawless with an oily complexion can sometimes be a problem. However, you need not worry.

GO ON A FRUIT DETOX DIET UNTIL YOUR WEDDING WEEK
Swapping your normal meals for a fruit diet is one of the best ways to get your skin glowing on your wedding day .Fruits help detox your system and get rid of unwanted fat and oils from your body . Not only does it make your skin glow, but it also helps you lose weight faster.

SCRUB YOUR FACE TWICE A WEEK
Since your face gets sweaty and is prone to acne, it is best to scrub your face at least twice a week. Not only will it take out the excess oils from your face but will also help you get rid of blackheads and whiteheads which are a major cause of worry for those with oily skin.

APPLY A LIGHT-WEIGHT LOTION DURING THE DAY AND NIGHT
The application of a light-weight lotion twice a day (one time during the day and another time at night) will hydrate your skin, while taking care of excess sebum flow.A light-weight lotion also reduces the chances of developing acne and soothes your skin.

HYDRATING FACE MASKS THROUGH THE WEEK
Dr Aparna Santhanam, dermatologist, says, “ Apart from getting your facials done once every week, apply a hydrating face mask that will nourish your skin and will also reduce pimples and blemishes, if any . It will make your skin less oily, smooth and flawless when you apply makeup on your grand day . Seaweed, aloe vera face packs are ideal for those with oily skin.“

DRY SKIN USE A CREAMY CLEANSER
Ditch your normal face wash for a creamy cleanser. Since it's the onset of winter, those with dry skin experience flaky skin and cracking of skin during this time. Since applying a thick moisturiser is not enough, use a creamy cleansing lotion while washing your face every time.

EXFOLIANTS WITH AHAS
Dr Apratim Goel, consultant dermatologist, says, “ A cream-based scrub with AHAs is good for those with dry skin. It helps combat dry and dehydrated skin and also provides moisture to your skin. It battles an uneven complexion, while reducing the flakiness of your skin.“

APPLY A THICK MOISTURISER AT NIGHT
While during the day , you can go easy on the moisturiser and use a light-weight one instead, during the night, make sure to apply a thick moisturiser which will moisturise your skin well and will provide extreme nourishment.

USE THICK, NOURISHING FACE PACK
A moisturising face pack with avocado, banana or almond is ideal for those with dry skin. You can either apply this on its own, or mix all the ingredients together along with honey to make it thicker. Apply this paste once during the day until your wedding day for a glowing, smooth and moisturised complexion.

COMBINATION SKIN
Taking care of combination skin type can be a little tedious, since you have combination of both dry as well as oily skin.

USE A MUD FACE PACK EVERY WEEK
A mud face pack balances the oil around the T-zone area on your face and controls the excess oil in that region. It hydrates the rest of your face and helps combat dryness in the other regions on your face.

GET A CREAM MASSAGE DONE ONCE IN EVERY TWO DAYS
A cream massage will nourish your face and provide the right amount of moisturisation that is required. It will also increase the blood circulation, which will then control the excess oil that accumulates around your T-zone.

EXFOLIATE WITH NATURAL INGREDIENTS
Since you have combination skin, it is best to use a natural exfoliant, which will not make your skin too dry or too oily .A walnut-orange peel scrub can be easily made at home and is suitable for those with combination skin.

APPLY BENZYL PEROXIDE ON A DAILY BASIS
Apply benzyl peroxide on your face before you retire for the night. This will help remove excess oil (wherever present) on your face and will moisturise the other dry areas. It also naturally exfoliates the skin by giving a smooth, soft and flawless complexion.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

The Bharatiya 11:46 PM

Mitali Nag, who has featured in several shows including Afsar Bitiya and Anudamini, married with Sankalpp Pardeshi in her hometown

AFSAR BITIYA GETS MARRIED

Neha Maheshwri

Mitali Nag, who has featured in several shows including Afsar Bitiya and Anudamini, tied the knot with Sankalpp Pardeshi in her hometown, Nagpur, on November 10.Sankalpp is an interior designer by profession. The South Indian style wedding was spread across six days and included various functions like Mata ki chowki, haldi, mehndi, cocktail, pandakalam and sangeet followed by a reception. “I was shooting till November 3, and went to Nagpur just five days before the wedding,“ says Mitali. Talking about her love story , the actress says that she first met Sankalpp at a BPO in Mumbai, where he was a manager. “We never interacted then. But post Afsar Bitiya, one of his bhabhis, an acquaintance of mine, played Cupid when she came to know about our BPO association. We had a courtship period of a year-and-a-half. There was no formal proposal from him, as it was always understood that we will be togeth er. His family accept ed me with open arms from the very begin ning. I missed the going-down-on one-knee propos al, but he sur prised me by doing that dur ing the ring ceremony in front of everyone,“ she recalls. Mitali says she feels lucky to have him as her husband, as he is supportive of her career. She says, “God has always had special plans for me. It's with him that I realised the rea meaning of a relationship.“
The couple will be honey mooning in Italy.

Mitali Nag Afsar Bitiya and Anudamini, tied the knot with Sankalpp Pardeshi

Sunday, November 2, 2014

The Bharatiya 6:09 PM

Opt for personalised items and smaller innovative concepts that blend well together for a holistic look

Combine diverse elements

Opt for personalised items and smaller innovative concepts that blend well together for a holistic look

They say a home should reflect the personality of its occupants. One option is relying on a professional to comprehend the mindset and preferences of the family. Another, simpler option, is to simply ask each member what they like and then try to incorporate it as a whole.

For instance, if the family members are fond of accessories like flowers, but do not have sufficient time to take care of live indoor plants or would like to avoid the hassles of cleaning the fallen petals or watering the plants on a regular basis, there is a simple solution.

You can find a varied array of magnificent trees, graceful artificial plants and exquisite silk flowers, which are all elegant and life like.

Flower power

Thanks to the improvement and advancement of the artificial botanical technology, silk greeneries and flowers look simply incredible and real. As compared to the offerings a decade ago, the petals and leaves components are breathtakingly authentic. Their easy availability and comfort is a boon for families that have a busy lifestyle.

If you require alluring height and enticing colour for the empty corner of the living room for instance, then silk flowers and artificial trees offers the perfect solution. You can choose from different varieties for adding the right colour and enhancing the appearance of tables, counters, shelves, cabinets and bookcases.

Ideal accessories

To create the right ambience, you can get varied selections including acrylic water that gives a much more realistic appearance and as the team at Quality Silk Plants points out, visitors will hardly be able to differentiate these from real ones. From tropical silk arrangements, roses, bromides, orchids to hordes of fascinating choices, they provide an ideal solution to spruce up your home.

Similarly, hand painted canvas art is also considered to be one of the best ways to improve the look and feel of your home interiors. If you actually don’t have enough time and finance for a complete renovation or makeover then the best alternative is making use of a good wall art in the form of canvas art prints.

Canvas art

A hand painted canvas art can be one of the best ways to improve the look and feel of your home interiors without compromising on your budget, according to the team at best art deals. A tastefully chosen image printed on canvas of a well-specified size can serve as a fantastic decoration to spice up your home’s decor theme.

If you like a particular form of art, such as abstract, classical, primitive, impressionism, modern, or others, there is a wide range of choices to choose from. You could also choose a specific image of your choice and get the canvas art print made for yourself in the desired size, frame, etc. Not only that you could also get any world-famous painting on a hand painted canvas art.

Personalise walls

If you desire to set your sights to personalized wall art, you could even use your own personal photo for ready to hang canvas art, thereby creating a stunning decoration for your house. It is advisable to keep in mind certain factors while choosing an image for your ready to hang paintings, for instance the right colours, the right dimensions, and essentially an appropriate subject for your room.

One great choice for hand painted canvas art can be an enlarged photo of your family. This is an amazing way to show off your favourite family portrait. These ready to hang canvas art prints are bound to leave your guests and relatives awestruck and impressed at your sense of interior home decoration. You could make use of your creativity in ready to hang art to get a really eye-catching piece.

The Bharatiya 6:05 PM

how to create a special, festive ambience in your home

Opt for curvaceous and contemporary decor

Leading designers share their views on how to create a special, festive ambience in your home for the parties that will be held during the last two months of 2014 and while ringing in 2015

Diwali has just finshed dazzling us and now, the focus is on gearing up our homes for Christmas and New Year celebrations. So what are the home decor trends and styles that would be in vogue through 2014 and beyond?

Yamini Agarwal, Founder, H5 Design, feels that play of textures added through an assortment of materials such as wallpapers, fabric and leather panelling, wood, metal, stone, tile and glass cladding in various effects on all surfaces is trending. Furniture is simple and accessories are added as loud accents in metals and abstract forms. Precision and perfection achieved through technology is marvelled in the market.

Decor styles change every year with new collections, colours and materials. Practical, comfortable and eco-friendly designs are everlasting. The trends are moving slowly from a straight line modern form to a curvaceous contemporary. We are looking forward to a future of design that is easy on the eyes, comfortable yet creative, redefining ergonomics, Yamini explains.

Mumbai is high on humidity so materials such as leather, wallpaper and certain metals react to the weather and may not have a long life or demand heavy maintenance. There are plenty of treated materials available in the market, which can be suitable instead. Engineered wood, laminates, glass, corian in addition to stone and tiles are ideal, Yamini points out.

Nothing is more comforting and rewarding as making a rangoli at the entrance of your home with a bandanwar hanging above the gate. Trends have moved from traditional diyas to scented candles, lanterns and decorative hanging tea light holders.

Furnishings are the easiest to redo in order to transform the look of an interior. A few new cushions, throws, rugs and a textured wall can be done without much effort. Invest in a good painting or artwork to add that special focus in the space, Yamini recommends.