LuLu in London

Moving on

2008-01-15T05:24:00.000Z

It's time to move on.
As I type the time on my laptop is 5.24 am GMT time. And the location on skype says Pearl in London.

Reality check: I am in Bombay - Mumbai -whatevar.
Its is 11 am. I have a new blog http://luluandtheworld.blogspot.com

Kisses

Updates -

V is kicked out of my life - blocked and deleted
M is also kicked out of my life - not blocked nor deleted but definitely out
And umm I'm happy single its not even funny.

Catch me with her new real world.

butterflies

2007-11-30T14:26:00.000Z

It is with butterflies in my the pit of my stomach that I write this post. I leave London is less than 24 hours, leave a life behind - I've made some of the bestest friends here and I am confident of the fact that we will remain close friends for life. I share my secrets, my fears, my hopes and my life here with them and vice-versa.
This transition to Bombay, that I was so looking forward to when I came to London 2 months ago is now making my heart flip and my mind wander.
I will miss everything and everyone so much. So so so much. Walking around, Starbucks, meeting up with friends, running up the stairs at St. Martins, night outs in bars and being a student and the independence it offers. Most of all though, I will miss all my favourite people - they have made a difference in my life in more ways than they can imagine.
I had a great party on Wednesday with my class, a super night out with my best friend in London C, ending up pissed drunk in Koko and dinner last night at Neems, like a couples thing with M visiting me, bringing some wine- very cosy and sweet. Tonight I do my final dinner in Camden Town, and I'm sure it's going to get very emotional for me.
It is hard not to feel a pang of nostalgia or tears pricking at the corners of eyes. I woke up this morning and wanted to sob, it so hard to let go when you've finally found your spot in the world.
One last post to go before I board the flight tommorow. And then Goodbye London, Hello World.
Thank you. I love you very much and hope to see you soon in February.

Change of plans

2007-11-27T10:44:00.000Z

This blog is turning more and more into a new version of Bridget Jones's Diary. So I have decided to take a step back from my personal life and talk more about other things that I enjoy doing or have discovered in London.

1>Eating Falafels at the Camden Loch and browsing around the Camden Town street market. Psy lovers should check out this little store in the corner inside the canal market called Cyber Dog. Infected Mushroom played in-store this weekend and their website kicks ass -
http://www.cyberdog.net/about.html
They retail very crazy digital art and UV reflecting tee's. I also found this stall with pretty mirrors, but he seems to have vanished - and there's one from Mexico with intricate bead work done by indigenous tribes. Refuse to buy anything that's made in India - Pashminas, incense, brass knick-knacks, silver trinkets and what-have-you.
Nearest tube: Camden Town

2> Rock Climbing at Castlerock. It is worth a try, even if the back and various muscles you never knew existed in your arms and legs hurt like mad the next day. Great workout and an adrenaline rush at the top.
http://www.castle-climbing.co.uk/about-the-castle/routes-and-bouldering.html
Nearest tube: Manor House

3> Hanging around South Bank. This i've written about so many times I won't mention it anymore

4> Carnaby Street with christmas decorations. Beautiful.

Freak Chick

2007-11-26T12:32:00.000Z

Ok i know i'm a freak, and I totally freaked M out last night for cancelling our weekend date.

I have reason to believe one of the following possibilities -

1> In a long-term relationship with a girlfriend who might be on holiday at the moment
2> In a live in relationship with someone, perhaps the lead singer of his band
3> could have a wife and three kids (no ring but 4 door car)
4> He could be unemployed, paranoid with ocd or simply normal and i'm the freak.

I have reason to believe all of the above -
1> He always cancels our dates on weekends for strange reasons
2> He never invites me over to his, when i offer to come down to his place instead to save him travelling after work, he behaves very understanding - and 'understands that I have lots to do and London is obviously more fun.'
3> He never answers my calls first, but calls me back at a time suitable to him (my flatmate thinks this is the most obvious sign of marriage!!)
4> He only wants to see me mid-week i.e excuses to wife could be - business trip to London.
5> He's super charming, and knows the right things to say to me all the time

Or

It could just be that i'm seriously a freak who over-analyzes everything and is going over-board with my assumptions. He does send me the most beautiful text messages though. J'adore!!

Date tonight - London Bridge Station at 7.30 - I have nothing to wear as usual so am going shopping for a pretty date outfit.

At this point - I'm hoping that he falls madly in love with me, decides to move to India and we live happily ever after in Goa or something. (And ofcourse, that he is neither or the above)

Hangovers

2007-11-25T14:28:00.000Z

Another night out in London, lots of sugary cocktails, some shots thrown in and I've woken up with the worst hangover ever.
And i've also managed to lose my voice. Now the facial has vanished, and I simply look pale and gray all over again.
The darned magic lasted all of one day. It's back to waiting for one bloody text so I can get on with my life and catch that flight.

Everythings Magic

2007-11-24T20:05:00.000Z

Everything, everything's magic
Just sit back and hold on, but hold on tight
Prepare for the best and the fastest ride
And reach out your hand, and i'll make you mine
Everything, everything's magic

I must have done something fantastic to deserve all the fantastic treats that have come my way this last week.
This evening, the first perk of my new job, a facial at the best facialist in town - Vaishaly Patel along with a goodie bag to match my skin type.
Last week has been extra special - the Irish guy i met on the weekend did call. He was supposed to come visit me for one evening and we ended up spending three days together. Absolutely divine, the feeling with butterflies and teenage crushes. It was almost like a dream, lying in bed until 1 in the afternoon, strolling around the canal, getting Starbucks and sitting by the loch- he smoking his first cigarette. It's amazing how little time one needs to know someone, then feel like you know them forever. And he comes into my life at the right moment, just when I was thinking that my life was over - that I would never be over V - I meet someone new.

Recommended date trip in London -
Go down to the Tate Modern to see the crack in the Turbine Hall. Stroll along South Bank with the twinkling lights and the London eye. Cross over the millennium bridge, into St. Pauls - walk over to the city of London and into Aldywch. Find the Opera pub, get cocktails. Walk over past Holborn and into Covent Garden, through the market - magical in Christmas with all the white lights. Kiss under the streetlight at the corner. Then walk on to Leicester Square and then into Soho - a lovely meal at Busaba with a big bottle of Shiraz (the queue is worth it and it's romantic holding hands in the cold. Smile.
Nearest tube stop: Waterloo (Start here)

I also did something extremely stupid, I called V - but it was only to clarify something - my aunt's been saying some very mean things about me - I'm happy they have their life back, apparently, it was gone since I was living with them for 2 weeks. Ah and I thought they were pissed off that I was leaving - but listening to this lovely story about me, I'm happy I did.

Treats also include -
A pair of black twill jeans at Armani Exchange
A red silk dress at Armani Exchange ( He's promised to wear a suit and take me somewhere posh)
Odd beads, a pair of shorts, panda pyjamas and 2 little dresses at Primark (Yes, I've succumbed to the low prices!! I've sold my soul to low quality and lower price tags)

Now I would like to buy -
A pair of sexy black shoes and silk stockings for the dress.
A Tiffany something for my mum's birthday next week.

Everything, everything's magic
Just sit back and hold on, but hold on tight
Prepare for the best and the fastest ride
And reach out your hand, and i'll make you mine
Everything, everything's magic

I don't like Ansel Adams but I sure love Vincent

2007-11-19T00:35:00.000Z

Which Famous Artist Are You?
	You are part Ansel Adams. Your artistic tool of choice is the camera, but you've got lots of other skills as well. Spoiled when you were young, you grew up to be a loving person and you have a deep affinity for nature and all things black and white.
	You are part Vincent van Gogh. You were troubled at an early age and your art showed it. You're still in a growing stage and much of your brilliance and bottled up expression has yet to be revealed. Keep at it and you have the potential to become one of the greats.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

Flamenco

2007-11-18T10:43:00.000Z

I love Flamenco, heard it live for the first time in a little bar in Barcelona. Last night, ended up with my lovely neighbours, at a small flamenco performance put together by one of their friends. Even better is was free, held in the Good Enough college common room. When you drink beer for a quid in union bars, you realise how bars and pubs in London rip you off!!
The guitarist, Fernando is playing today at a proper concert in Euston for those who want to watch it. There'll even be three dancers. Ole!

http://www.myspace.com/fernandodelarua

Nearest tube: Euston

Sunday, Bloody Sunday

2007-11-18T10:30:00.000Z

Good morning,

Another Sunday morning - gray, windy, cold. Winter is here. A brief update since i wrote the to-do list
I didnt do the following -
1>Walk around Regents Park
2>Book my tickets
3>Avoid alcohol and sugar

Instead i ended up in Tunbridge Wells, visiting an old friend. She lives in this cosy little house - and we were thinking of doing something relaxed, get a drink or two at the most. Even setting a budget - 15 quid. We spent the night at this pub which sort of turns into a club - very crazy, drinking vodka/diet cokes and shaking to the 80's. It was freezing in Tunbridge Wells - after a certain point I couldn't feel my toes no more, dressed as i was for London.
Met someone too, we were checking each other out all evening and I thought he might be Scandinavian because of his blonde hair and blue eyes. Turned out to be Irish, Sales exec in advertising, part -time guitarist in a band and a songwriter. We spent all night talking on my friends couch, In the morning I discovered he studied art history at uni. I might see him again today, which brings me back to - this gray, cold Sunday - couldn't it be blue and sunny, especially for me? today? It also sucks that i need to leave the country in 15 days or so, now i'm beginning to feel the first signs of panic.
Another thing is still disturbing me, something my friend said about not trusting me, hmmm not very nice and i've been thinking about it. Friendships are like relationships, so now i need to do something extra special for her. Comments?

To do lists

2007-11-16T11:41:00.000Z

Just as I logged in to my blogger account, I watched a Youtube video of a woman who has published a book with people's to-do lists. I'm inspired.

Here's mine for today -

1> Complete research and interview questionnaire for Vogue India.
2> Follow up on my fees
3> Make peace with flatmate
4> Get knickers out of the dryer and actually dry them
5> Check bank balance
6> Send thank you note to V
7> Stop obsessing over my email and check inbox only twice a day (!when Gtalk says there is only 1 unread mail - there is only 1 unread mail - no, he won't mail until Monday morning!)
8> Walk around Regents Park - twice
9> Weigh myself - avoid alcohol and sugar. Cellulite is not sexy.
10> Face reality - snap out of romantic fantasies, planning dream weddings, holidays, home decor and so on.
11> Change my ticket dates
12> Book a hair cut appointment avec flatmate - as a olive branch
13> Stop thinking about the bartender from Made in Brazil - He has your no. he will call or he won't call.
14> Dry my hair - which I should put on top of my priority list as it's still wet and I have a bad cold
15> Do some yoga - breathe deeply.
16> Drink 8 glasses of water
17> Do all of the above before 00.00

blank

2007-11-14T14:54:00.000Z

I'm just back from a run - I can still feel the cold air on my forehead.

Nostalgia gripped me this morning.What I would not give to have all of it back. I don't even know what I want anymore. I act on impulse and I'm crazy. Thats all I can say.

Every cloud has a silver lining

2007-11-13T09:30:00.000Z

Good morning,

I wake up to a phone call from my lovely parents. It always makes me feel so secure and happy to hear their comforting voice. To know, that they are always there for me, when I am in trouble, and always happy at my little victories.

I also received a sweet little mail from V, and I'm not so worried about staying an extra week in London for my rent anymore. The strange thing though, is that I still care about him. I worry that he has a cold.I hope he is drinking enough tea and sleeping well because I know his migraines can be a nightmare.

As human beings we have an amazing ability to forget and only cling to what we want to cling to. With some people, you want to cling to the bad memories, so you can never bring yourself to go back, with others, you want to cling to the sweet ones, so you can finally let go.

It is very cloudy, cold and gray outside. But I am smiling this morning. This blog is a thank you, to all the wonderful people who have made me smile after a whole week, this morning. And that for most people who know me, is a very long time indeed - i'm a happy fluffy bunny on most days.

On second thoughts, I need to thank Caro as well , the phone no. at the Brazilian bar did make me chirpy on sat night :)

Financial woes and domestic bliss

2007-11-12T12:53:00.000Z

I have never really been broke before, there's always been Dad to the rescue. This time it's different. I'm waiting for my university to refund some fees - ex boyfriend needs to pay me back some money I lent.
Now I wish
1> I had been smart and crosschecked with the university before paying them the extra fees.
2> That I had never offered any money, feeling bad that my poor ex would have no money at all and how he would manage.
3> That I had never been his girlfriend in the first place!

Now my jeans are torn - I have no money to buy a new pair, and I have to stay longer because of the fees, so the rent is driving me mad and my friends are sick of listening to my stupid stories, and sick of writing dumb money emails to the ex and well it's blog to the rescue.

I'm finding cleaning therapeutic. I've been sweeping the whole house, mopped the floors with nice lavender soap and cleaned the hob. My flatmates and me baked a lovely chocolate banana cake -perfect for Sunday afternoon, tea and cake. We used the new iphone to download the recipe from Nigella's website (grocery lists with pen and paper are so passé, then went hunting for ingredients in the Sainsbury next door. (In case you are so out of it - Nigella Lawson is the domestic goddess with tons of sex appeal)

It turned out incredible, although a little bit dry and I will share the recipe with my own personal changes -

75g (3oz) chocolate (we used the Lindt 85% cocoa version)

110g (4oz) soft butter (M&S softer yellow butter)

125g (4 ½ oz) caster sugar

2 eggs

125g (4 ½ oz) self-raising flour

1 level tsp baking powder

1 rounded tbsp cocoa (Fairtrade from Africa)

2 medium bananas, peeled and mashed (Organic)

Preheat the oven to 180oC/350oF/gas 4. Line with parchment paper a 900g (2lb) loaf tin. Melt the chocolate in a low oven, microwave, or in a bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water. With a wooden spoon, cream the butter, add the sugar, and beat well; then add the eggs one by one, beating all the time. Add the sieved flour, baking powder and cocoa, followed by the melted chocolate and the mashed bananas. Stir to bring together. Pour into the prepared loaf tin and place in the preheated oven. Cook for 50-55 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Cool in the tin for about 5 minutes before removing.

Lagerfeld Confidentiel

2007-11-09T11:42:00.000Z

"Fashion is transient, dangerous and unfair. If you want to do something safe, work behind a counter, get a promotion.If you want social justice then be a social worker."

English

2007-11-07T13:33:00.001Z

I've always had the impression my spoken English was fairly good and written English was very good.
Now, I've realized living with an English flatmate, who loves taking the piss of my accent, that I make the following errors -
VALK AND WALK sound the same for me - Now i'm trying to work on my W's, so when you chat with me - you'd know the difference between WINE and VINE
I also have a weird sound for the "th" - it's hard to describe - but this one i'm sticking to my own accent.
umm and i've changed CON-VER-ZAYTION TO CUN-VER-SAYTION

Fashion terms I'm picking up from lovely Ali, are DIVINE, KISS MY FACE, MAJOR, LOVE, BEYOND, FABULOUS,LOVING, FAKE, CHEAP TRASH LIKE CHANEL R-T-W, TACKY and VINTAGE.
Examples of fashion talk - Those jeans are "Major" - I "LOVE,LOVE LOVE"

Last night at dinner, my French ex-flatmate Caroline, and me were enjoying a lovely chat in a restaurant in Soho. She, with her sexy European accent and me with my mixed up sort of Bombay/Indian one, when a man across the table leans over and asks - "excuse me! I though it was very interesting, but what language were the two of you speaking in?" Caro says, "I'm French, she's Indian, we're sitting in London, what f*cking language do you think we are speaking in??"

Sod it.

Fashion moment of the year

2007-11-06T17:17:00.000Z

Cavalli dressed as Karl Lagerfeld for Halloween - HILARIOUS :)

2007-11-01T19:22:00.000Z

I just miss Ville so much today.

procrastination

2007-10-25T17:04:00.000+01:00

I am so not in the mood to do this silly market report about luxury or fashion or both in India.
I'd much rather do what I am doing right now : Drink tea, munch on biscuits, look at the boats from the big glass windows. I'd even like to go on a walk by the canal on to Regents Park, if only it weren't so gloomy and dull outside.
I'm also so broke, and I'm hoping that all the money my kind soul has lent to various not so nice people comes running back into my bank account. For starters, my precious room in Camden Town, with this incredible view and a Sainsbury entrance that is accessible through my back door costs me a sweet 195 quid a week.

F@#king Facebook Junkie

2007-10-09T11:41:00.000+01:00

I'm spending too much time on it. Randomly checking peoples profiles, commenting on their photos, posting random things on their walls. I will seriously try my hardest and stay away. I'm also doing that silly travel quiz everyday - there is a certain amount of pleasure when u click on the right spot! Gtalk is bad enough.
Quote of the day -

"I think Facebook promotes narcissism and nepotism" - Tuktuki

Sunday on the South Bank

2007-10-08T18:53:00.000+01:00

I adore big sunglasses. Somehow, on my face they look disastrous! My friend, Anshu has a lovely vintage pair she picked up in the Bricklane market. So my Sunday began with a hunt for super cool vintage sunglasses in the market but none to be found! Perhaps I was wrong to go alone - a second opinion helps me make a decision - since the approval comes quickly- with impatience or genuine praise. Call it a libran quirk, I'm perpetually confused and swaying between yes and no.
Spent the latter half of the afternoon with someone I met on the flight - probably the first time in my life I have had a conversation with anyone and ended up meeting them outside of the aircraft. I did give my phone no.s on impulse to a flight attendant once, en route to Kuala Lumpur - he seemed super slick - but the spell was gone once i was back. So, well walked and walked and talked a lot (mostly I did the talking- bad manners et all), I guess it's weird spilling secrets out to virtual strangers. But thats what cities do to you sometimes. Because somewhere you know - the connection ends with the city.
In the evening, met up with Ankx and her Italian date, Xi (i hope i spelt it the right way) a malaysian girl who is moving to Canada and Taeko, a cute Japanese girl who is not only married to Ankx (on facebook!) but also managed to do a dissertation on Irish pubs. Smart cookie!
4 bottles of wine later, stumbled on to Waterloo. The London Eye and all the twinkling blue lights on the tress were so magical - almost like a Disney fairytale. Sigh!
Ok and then, I am a crazy, evil, evil, girl - only I know why. Actually, I see that smile in my mind.

My own karma

2007-10-06T23:49:00.000+01:00

I'm making lists of my bad Karma.No point making a list of the good one's- they've been wiped out already!
Here's some reading -
One of the first and most dramatic illustrations of karma can be found in the epic Mahabharata. In this poem, Arjuna the protagonist is preparing for battle when he realizes that the enemy consists of members of his own family and decides not to fight. His charioteer, Krishna — one of the incarnations of God (Vishnu) — explains to Arjuna the concept of "duty" among other things and makes him see that it is his duty to fight. The whole of the Bhagavad Gita within the Mahabharata, is a dialogue between these two on aspects of life including morality and a host of other philosophical themes. The original Hindu concept of karma was later enhanced by several other movements within the religion, most notably Vedanta, and Tantra.

Karma literally means "deed" or "act" and more broadly names the universal principle of cause and effect, action and reaction that governs all life. Karma is not fate, for man acts with free will creating his own destiny. According to the Vedas, if we sow goodness, we will reap goodness; if we sow evil, we will reap evil. Karma refers to the totality of our actions and their concomitant reactions in this and previous lives, all of which determines our future. The conquest of karma lies in intelligent action and dispassionate response.

Karma is considered to be a spiritually originated law. Many Hindus see God's direct involvement in this process, while others consider the natural laws of causation sufficient to explain the effects of karma.[10][11][12] Karma is not punishment or retribution, but simply an extended expression or consequences, of natural acts. The effects experienced are also able to be mitigated by actions and are not necessarily fated. That is to say, a particular action now is not binding to some particular, pre-determined future experience or reaction; it is not a simple, one-to-one correspondence of reward or punishment.

Hindu scriptures divide karma into three kinds: Sanchita (accumulated), Prarabdha (fruit-bearing) and Kriyamana (current) karma. All kriyamana karmas become sanchita karma upon completion. From this stock of sanchita karma, a handful is taken out to serve one lifetime and this handful of actions, which has begun to bear fruit and which will be exhausted only on their fruit being enjoyed and not otherwise, is known as prarabdha karma. In this way, so long as the stock of sanchita karma lasts, a part of it continues to be taken out as prarabdha karma for being enjoyed in one lifetime, leading to the cycle of birth and death. A jiva cannot attain moksha until the accumulated sanchita karmas are completely exhausted.

time zone mind gone

2007-10-04T08:31:00.000+01:00

I am a little hungover, nothing a nuerofren won't solve. Last night was gorgeous, walked along the riverside in Richmond to a local pub with my Uncle and Aunt. Drank two pints of Peroni, some Rose wine- was gloriously drunk and probably spilled out a lot of secrets i shouldn't have.
Mind is messed up due to personal reasons- maybe when i look back at this diary a few years later i won't remember why I am so upset. But I am, ok this is a reminder for the future- i am upset because of a certain email i received in my inbox this morning from a certain someone who i don't like very much anymore.
So the time zone makes me wake up at 4.30 am every morning which is a real piss off because i feel tired all day long then. Going to college now - have to start work on market report- i'm super late -and scared to fail it!

I like reading old letters and get all nostalgic, found one from my first love in my first hotmail account- here's some of what what he wrote -

In short I am a fool to not have stayed with you. I had everything. I really love you and miss being with you. I am not even sure what is going on in your life. But I needed to say this to you. I want you back in my life and this time I am not letting you go. In fact I sat and wrote down all the things about you and there are so many things I have taken for granted. So many things...

Well obviously you know what happened next- I said no and to this day I wake up thinking if it was the biggest mistake of my life. That if i had said a yes to this email, how different would my life be now?

I wouldn't be here blogging in London for one or with the job at Vogue- and i feel like getting all philosophical here because thats whats blogs are for - and sometimes I like feeling bad - for the sake of feeling bad. So now it is 8.48 am and I have obviously not had a fantastic morning.

Still no positive flat hunt. Its like the whole universe is conspiring against me! And this ones true too- when one part of your life is going good it is for sure that everything else will fall gloriously apart.
Oh whats good? i have a possible job at the fashion bible

I am listening to Amy Winehouse- love her new album - download it for free now now now.

3 months and here i come

2007-10-02T18:03:00.000+01:00

Wow my last post was almost 3 months ago. I'm back in London - and this sort of reminds me of my very first posting. Same situation /same time of the year. Well life for you -
Updates over the past 3 months-
Back from Bombay
Still flat hunting
Back with aunt in pretty Richmond
With a possible job back home in Bombay
Actually with a job back in Bombay - begin Dec 1
A super cool designation at that
Suddenly single
Still attractive
Hoping Karma gets the better of me
Yet to enroll in college
Yet to start writing my research project (freaking out actually)
Already went shopping despite numerous promises to my self - the Missoni look alike at H&M was seriously hard to resist
So the maroon, olive and silver little top with an empire waist- 14.99 (read: necessity since single
Asked super hot surfer type boy on bike for directions to Covent Garden then me and my friend giggled like manic school girls.
Smarter than last year
Still a little bit vulnerable
Cold and jet lagged
Happy to see my friends and walk around familiar streets

"Sugar Pie Honey Bun
Lulu is back in London"

P.S Neal's yard is beautiful. Smells like heaven, feels like a bohemian rhapsody.

Bye bye, Holiday

2007-07-05T11:27:00.000+01:00

I leave for Bombay in a few hours from now.
21.25 Jet Airways LHR -BOM

It is with mixed emotions that I packed my various belongings from the flat. Thankfully Ville helped with the darned Tv and Microwave dumped into giant plastic boxes. It is insane the amount of junk I owned, collected over a period of 8 months in one country. Now everything I own fits neatly into one suitcase and 2 plastic boxes (tv/Microwave). The rest of my wardrobe is coming back to India with me.
I meant to get rid of the microwave, but the cheap neighbors backed down last minute. Whatever happened to the days when people kept their word.
And then, devoid of all paintings, photographs, postcards and my junk spread around it wasn't my space anymore. I left the street feeling absolutely nothing. It's the junk one is attached to, not the space.

I have avoided writing in the blog for a while now, laziness mixed with holiday bliss.
Once the stressful visa issue was sorted, I went down to Majjorca with my friend Caro, and two of her friends Andy and Badr. The first day was a culture shock. It was like Palma Nova had turned into Brighton. I will never forget the Prince William pub and streams of hens and bachelor party celebrants trooping out of each pub. Fish and Chips replaced tortillas, while one Sangria was nowhere in sight on the cocktail list. Even the Bartenders were English! Gone were the days, when one needed to struggle to communicate in Espagnol. Loved sunbathing in my new black bikini. Loved hiring a car and zipping through the hills of Majjorca towards Sollare. Loved the azure blue of the Mediterranean sea.

Once I was back, Ville and me hired a car and drove up to northern England and Scotland, as he hates London and well I'm always up for a holiday. We drove up the M1, me looking geeky as ever in my black framed glasses (Find it hard to read the signs in case we landed up not in Derby but Newcastle. It was a little blue Vauxhall Corsa.
The first destination was the Yorkshire Dales National Park, where we arrived after twisting through country lanes and avoiding the flood in Sheffield. Ville ended up giving an interview in a telephone box surrounded by cows and sheep in Bolton Abbey, from the only telephone box for miles together. That night we pitched a tent in Appletree-wick, apparently the loveliest campsite in all of Britain (as told by geek in pub and lovely couple in their 50's). Drank cider in an 18th century pub and froze in the damp. Ended up sleeping in the car till 10 am, before heading off to Skipton to buy an extra blanket.
In Skipton, over a casual cup on tea at the street stall, we met John and Sheila. A couple in their 70's who after some small conversation invited us to their home in Knaresborough for dinner. This was a little shocking, as rarely do people invite strangers home. They even offered us a place to stay, and while we had to politely refuse their kind offer, John fixed a bed and breakfast for us in Lauder. More later, Have to run to the bank now or i'll miss my flight.

Uncertainties

2007-06-12T14:03:00.000+01:00

Not knowing what lies ahead is the worst thing to ever happen. At this point for no apparent reason I have no idea about the following -
1> My GERMAN VISA
2> My trip to Palma (something i've been waiting for forever)
3> My internship status
4> My next flat
5> When I can go to India
6> Where I will be on Monday morning

I wish things could be simpler, that I could control but sometimes situations come up where one has no alternative but to wait and see.
Sigh! The longest wait of my life not to mention hearing the woman from the Embassy bark every afternoon from 13.30 - 15.30

MMMMMmmmm

2007-05-31T14:08:00.000+01:00

I love sweets, sugar and cake. I also love baking, hence I totally love this ad. My giant box of Geisha choc's is almost over. Sugar buzz, cavities and happy highs.

Rainy Saturday Evenin

2007-05-26T21:49:00.000+01:00

This is one of the rare Saturday evenings when I'm not doing anything. I spent an afternoon with tea and biscuits at my aunts. Next week hopefully I get do help with some DIY! Its exciting working on a house. I've spent so many mornings watching home shows, I feel like a property pro. From away in the sun or whatevar to the auction shows on BBC1. Britain is obsessed with makeover reality tele. It could be your wife, your home, your car, your skin, your wardrobe, your kid's school - make it all over. Experience the greener side to things. Maybe I should switch from fashion to interiors and lifestyle. Become and consultant. Who would hire me? Maybe become a London return in Bollywood and make-over their houses from leopard print Las Vegas to spiritual rustic retreats with a zen like appeal or then bring Palm Beach pink and greens to a Lokhanwala pallazo.
It's raining outside. The horrible drippy rain that makes you cringe. My internet connection has crashed as usual, the terrace is no use cos of the drippy rain so here I am, typing away in Cafe Amore waiting for a call on skype.
I could sleep, and yet I still have laundry to do! Alas... the harsh realities of life. Had no idea the colour from my pretty pink knickers would run, now my pleated Cos top in pristine white has streaks of shocking pink. Almost like I went mad playing holi in something white. Imagine that. I'm going to experiment with all sorts of colour run/protect liquid detergents tommorow. Will post results then.
Also have no idea whats happening with internship. I'm playing it cool, but secretly flipping out. Why won't the people at Vogue mail me!!!Not like am such a terrible writer. Sometimes, I regret giving it all up, but then, my life -
Still senior stylist at Elle
Still hanging out at Zenzi
Still eating at Out of the Blue
Still meeting same people crying I have no friends
Still battling torrential floods in july
Instead now
I have a totally insecure future
I have a new set of friends from around the world
I have a new food joint to try out at Soho
I have the riverside in the sunshine
I have depression in the rain
I have to practice my newly acquired writing skills
Which means
I have you dear blog
I also have someone super special (you know who you are!)

2007-05-23T22:24:00.001+01:00

You are me and I am you
- VS

Old habits die hard

2007-05-22T21:05:00.000+01:00

This is a confession to my earlier posts, where i declared war on consumerism, starbucks and my favourite thing to do - shopping.
I bought -

1> Black dress with cut work details for the summer 39 quid
2> Gladiator sandals (they were made in India, bigger guilt trip) - 29 quid
3> V necked my favourite t from Zara - 5 quid (I have same in grape and sea blue)
4> Red tee with a keyhole detail on the back from Neu Look - 7 quid (student discount)
5> Black camisole from Neu Look- 3 quid (to replace black gap one i lost)

I did go to Primark, but the queues killed me. Hence read edited why I despise Primark post.
Now I have too much black for summer!

I'm also fighting addiction to the Banana Java Frappuccino at Starbucks. It is divine with crushed choco chips. I indulge only once a week, when the class has our post class gossip/discussion sessions.

Jesus loves me now ;)

Surrealism at V&A

2007-05-22T20:33:00.000+01:00

Dali fan's will love the new surrealism exhibition at the Victoria and Albert museum. The exhibition isn't just about paintings but talks about the surrealist way of life. Everyday objects like the lobster telephone, the lip -sofa, billionaire homes with strange perspectives - you get the general idea. Also costumes and set designs by Chirico and lots of Miro paintings.
Freudian sexual theories - the works. Meaningless gossip: Gala, who lived with her surrealist poet husband, inspired her lover Max Ernst who happened to be the husband's friend later married Salvador Dali.
The fashion history enthusiast in me loved the Schiaparelli dresses. The one with butterfly print was divine for summer. She collaborated on a lot of prints with Dali, the famous lobster print dress was chosen by Wallis Simpson for her trousseau and Cecil Beaton shot it! Surprisingly Vogue and Harpers Bazaar also dedicated a lot of covers and fashion pages to surrealism. Amazing example of a period when fashion met art. I was very inspired by Man Ray's photograph of a beautiful woman in the wheelbarrow.

Model wearing Vionnet evening gown with wheelbarrow by Oscar Dominguez
1937

http://www.vam.ac.uk/vastatic/microsites/1558_surrealthings/about.php

Nearest tube: South Kensington

Cost : 5 pounds concession 9 pounds adult and leave 3.75 for a cuppa English Breakfast tea and banana date cake in the courtyard under a blue sky.

Rave Rave

2007-05-20T19:02:00.000+01:00

Went to a rave in London last night. Very hush hush, my friend's friend who got the link from another friend said. The website gives you a phone no. and at 10 pm you get the address.
And so it was that I found myself calling a mini cab to Streatham station looking for a Safeway supermarket parking lot at 11.30 pm. Round and round up the stairs, and then full on psy.
I was in my element or so I think, very sad at having none of my Goa gear! But it does get chilly in London. So ended up wearing jeans, black tee and shiny bindi's on my face. Yes I was also a wannabe, bought neon eye shadow and painted my eyes fluro green.
Simon played from 2.30 -4. V v trippy. People came up and whispered bizarre stuff. It was like being stuck in a school prom,in a tiny assembly room with lots of digital art work and the bar was an old refrigerator that had a ganesha bed sheet to tell it apart.

Rhyme for the evening -
I learnt to dance
when i discovered trance.

Danced I did!!!
Came home, at 4 or something in a mini cab that had a gps speaking in German.

German reminds me, new complication on visa scene. I have a german schengen visa, but want to go to spain first now. Can I ? Solve this.

2007-05-13T02:14:00.000+01:00

Today is gonna be the day
That they're gonna throw it back to you
By now you should've somehow
Realized what you gotta do
I don't believe that anybody
Feels the way I do about you now

Backbeat the word was on the street
That the fire in your heart is out
I'm sure you've heard it all before
But you never really had a doubt
I don't believe that anybody feels
The way I do about you now

And all the roads we have to walk along are winding
And all the lights that lead us there are blinding
There are many things that I would
Like to say to you
I don't know how

Because maybe
You're gonna be the one who saves me ?
And after all
You're my wonderwall

Today was gonna be the day?
But they'll never throw it back to you
By now you should've somehow
Realized what you're not to do
I don't believe that anybody
Feels the way I do
About you now

My shrink, my blog.

2007-05-11T16:55:00.001+01:00

It is amazing how when you love someone, that you are willing to accept all their errors, look beyond and find any excuse to stay together.
Is this really any illusion?
Just want simple things.
I only want to be happy, but I am looking for it with all the wrong people. I always have.
I have grown up suddenly. Learning to make peace with life and other people. It is hard to let go.
So many months full of memories, all fit into a brown A4 cardboard box. Now they hold no place in your space.
The ones who loved me the most, they were the one's I ran away from fastest. It's nature's cruel game this one. Like a cycle of leaving and loving.
I thought I found my moment, just as I was boarding my flight to Zurich in July. I thought I had truly left everything behind. I wanted to start a new life. Enjoy my vacation, live it up, have my fun. Start clean.
I left the web of lies and anger that we created behind. And then when I genuinely gave it my all, it was my past's way of catching up.
It's amazing how this never leaves. I want it all to go away.
I want to be back in my own room, spread out on my reading chair, lost in a travelogue , drinking a cup of chai, thats true happiness.
A place that is your's alone. No one can disturb this peace.

2007-05-11T13:04:00.000+01:00

There is no difference between me and her. We asked the same question to the same lover.

Beautiful sun outside/My best friends

2007-05-11T11:54:00.000+01:00

This morning is beautiful, all my best friends have been online, one is off to the himalayas, the other figuring out a new career path.
The biblical boy is celebrating his birthday today. I'm sure he's going to begin shrinking soon. :) I'm missing a party this evening! Bangalore, mad house, lots of people mostly drunk, some other rolling very bad J's, some rolling good ones... trying to play random party games.

2007-05-08T11:39:00.001+01:00

The most beautiful view is the one I share with you. ~Author Unknown

Moss @ Topshop

2007-05-07T17:12:00.000+01:00

Hundreds of eager shoppers lined up patiently for several hours to buy Kate Moss’s first collection for Topshop. The flagship store was surrounded by a huge crowd on all sides on the 1st of May. The hype was fuelled by previews of dresses, hot shorts, skinny jeans and waistcoats in magazines like Grazia and Vogue.
First in queue was Yasmin Kate, 16, from South London, who had been waiting for the doors to open since 12.30 that afternoon. Shivering, she said, “I love Kate Moss; I’m going to grab whatever I can.” Moss’s younger pre teen fans, (Amy, Molly and Lalage), specially missed school for K-day and had foreheads painted neon declaring their adoration for the model.
Chaotic as it seemed, the queue was well organised with everyone getting a coloured band stating what time they could get in. The crowd was allowed 20 minutes browsing time and could only buy eight items to avoid e-bay sales at inflated prices. Topshop staff distributed sweets, water and popcorn, all in special Kate Moss packaging.
The real excitement was bang outside the store windows on the pavement. Photographers and fans elbowed each other trying to get a glimpse of what lay behind the velvet curtain. Moss was scheduled to appear at 8 pm; however, every time the curtain moved even a little, a roar of anticipation went around.
Moss posed like a mannequin for exactly 10 seconds in a red maxi looking oblivious to the mayhem outside. Waiting paparazzi and media made snide comments about this brief appearance, angering teenage fans. One of the girls passionately yelled, “I don’t care if she came for a few seconds. This has been the best day of my life. I go to the same school she went to, I take the same bus home everyday. You people waiting to photograph her love her too.”
Inside the store, it was back to an organised shopping experience in a specially allocated section. There were several pieces available in many sizes ranging from 6-16. The floral pixie dress was a favourite, with many girls vying for it.
The fact that, these styles would suit someone with the same body shape as Kate Moss was oblivious to the crowd. It was ‘grab what you can while you can.’ 50-something, Ann, who claimed to be 29 years old was delighted with her shopping. “I love the buzz here. I bought the metallic vest because it was the same one that Moss wore on her 30th birthday.”
A few days later, while the crowds had died out, the rails in the store were still full. One could even buy online on Topshop.com. Limited edition pieces were completely sold out and can be found on E-bay if one wishes to pay the price for something that looks just like anything the high street retailer may have sold for spring.
Kate Moss can be assured that her fans still worship her. She is set to design three more collections for the brand, and is reportedly being paid 3 million pounds for each one. Will the public line-up again for Sir Philip Green’s experiment? We have to wait and watch. With the number of celebrity high street links ups launching everyday, it may be just another boring afternoon at the stores.

British breakfast

2007-05-07T16:58:00.000+01:00

Cold Porridge is the most disgusting thing on this planet.

Primark – Cheaper and Chicer

2007-05-07T16:55:00.000+01:00

Shopping at Primark is an experience. This is a store where trendy things are available at unbelievably low prices. The process begins the minute one walks in, across the road from Marble Arch tube station, right up to the moment when one steps out, with the booty in a brown paper bag.
I needed to see what the media fuss was all about. A store launch that required policemen to hold the mob would have to be fantastic. With is cheap is chic formula given the all clear by fashion bible, Vogue, Primark is an extremely popular shopping destination.
Walking in with a slight trepidation and excitement that a shopping treat holds, I made a mental check list of all the things I needed to buy. The yellow Maxi in the beautiful window display looked especially promising.
I was obviously not the only one who felt like a visit to Primark at an off-peak shopping hour, around 2.30 pm in the afternoon. Women, children, teenagers, their boyfriends, granny’s – they were all there throwing things by the dozen into big blue cylindrical baskets.
The night market in Bangkok felt like a simpler place to bargain hunt. Clothes were strewn all around. The yellow maxi was nowhere to be found, although there were hundreds of other styles to try out. A madras cotton shirt was cheaper than a sandwich at Starbucks.
With all these racks full of clothes, finding your size shouldn’t be that hard. But no, every single size 12 was sold out on most rails, with gigantic size 18 pieces crying out for someone to pick them up. When I made my way to the changing room; the queue was longer than the one outside London Eye with supervisors yelling like army generals.
Giving in to impatience, I, like most, tried on clothes in front of the mirror on the shop floor balancing my bag between my knees. Twenty minutes waiting time at the cash counter, clothes and a pair of cheap shoes chucked into a bag, I stepped outside and finally breathed.
Wearing the clothes for real was a disappointment. The blouse clung at all the wrong places, the shoe bite stung and the threads from a Gucci look-alike print dress were already unraveling. The thought of standing in another line to return these items was enough to think of the 45 pounds spent, as a bad debt.
Cheap prices come at a cost, lower quality. The labels do not carry the country of manufacturing. Primark has come under criticism from various campaigners for working conditions in their factories overseas.
Charity group, War on Want published a report ‘Fashion Victims’, in December 2006 on their findings, “Workers in Bangladesh are regularly working 80 hours a week for just 5p an hour, in potential death trap factories, to produce cheap clothes for British consumers of Primark. Employees interviewed for the report said their managers had been given prior notice of these companies’ social audits.”
Since then, Primark is doing everything it can to improve its image to the public. In a statement to their customers, they say, “Primark want to work with developing countries, not least because our business is very important to some of the poorest people in the world.” They have also signed an international trade agreement, whereby they state that they do not use child labour. Even the packaging has changed from plastic to paper bags.

Throw-in-the-bin fast fashion helps most fashion followers keep their wardrobe up to date without breaking the bank. Spending ten pounds more, being able to try what I buy, a feeling of happiness while browsing and purchasing something I would actually wear thrice feels like a more hassle free option. Would I ever do this again? Not unless I am forced to write another story.

Sense and Sensibility

2007-05-03T23:21:00.000+01:00

Watched the wonderful movie last night. I am besotted with romance. A magical countryside with sheep, rain and endless meadows.
Heartbreak, love and happily ever afters!!!

Excuse my beauty!!

2007-05-01T16:42:00.000+01:00

Excuse my beauty on COPS!!

Mad city this London

2007-04-30T05:40:00.000+01:00

Its turning me into a lonely psycho. Need normal group of friends like I have in general had all my life. Or i need to find Goa trance druggie group. Atleast I'll be trip happy.

Also need job. Need Gym. Need a new life basically.

Got visa date from embassy for the 3oth of May.
Danke.
My tickets are for the 22nd of May.
Do i really care?

Super New York designer exhibition at the V& A . New breed of American creators have made it big. Especially a fan of Proenza schouler if that's how you spell it , cannot be asked to google for spellings at precisely 05.46 GMT.

Saw organic cotton pants from a new denim brand for 280 quid. Is it really going to that village in Uganda? or do they get 2 quid and the advertising the rest??

Musings

2007-04-27T20:30:00.000+01:00

I've been out in Soho for quite a few lunches with my classmates. Loved Busaba, Thai cuisine for really cheap. Have mentioned the Blue room before and discovered a new falafel joint.
More often than not, when the sun in out we sit in the sun discussing things in general.
I've also booked tickets to Palma in Spain. Really cheap on Ba , it's 64.90 pounds. I don't know how because it said the minimum fare was 33 pounds each way!!
Now, a problem for someone from the third world - a visa! I can't apply for them in India, one can't call the appointment no. from mobile phones, Bt landlines or Payphone. One wonder's aloud then - where can i call to make an appointment then to the strong German voice booming on the other side of the telephone, 'Welllll Madame, have you tried zee corner shoppe??? '

Have been on Skype a lot, with my friend Kuntal in Singapore. Every evening I'm home at four bored out of my senses thinking what should I do next and there he is in the same situation, just a few time zones apart. I help him find Thai restaurants that deliver food in Singapore, while he checks some silly bits about London out for me. What would one do without Google?

Technology is brilliant. In fact the other evening, I was chatting on the free internet phone with Andreas, (Italian guy i met in Hard rock cafe in Bombay) and he was asking where he could buy some ingredients to make a pasta. I suggested Big Bazaar in Phoenix Mills, only to spend the next 15 minutes talking to his driver in Hindi, 'Bhaiya tumko Tulsi Pipe Road mallum hai??'
Amazing this technology, that helps me give directions to someone from Italy, going shopping in Bombay all from the comfort of my little couch in Hammersmith.

Drinking lots of JD cola at Distillers last night, with Ankeeta who just missed a flight to Barcelona. Tonight it's hitting the crazy bylanes in East London. ShoreDitch is calling.

2007-04-25T22:31:00.001+01:00

Love me
Hold me
Kiss me

Sub cultures in London

2007-04-25T10:05:00.000+01:00

The teds. The mods. The rockers. The Punks

Hippies were mainstream, not really a sub culture but a counter culture. I love the hippies.

Weekends and Monday

2007-04-23T20:26:00.000+01:00

Jazz was the music for the weekend. Saturday night, in a red basement club in Soho with a strange atmosphere, very smoky and girls with red lipsticks wearing swing dresses while the men lounged around looking very lost with gelled back hair. It was so small and loud, we didn't hear any music.
Sunday night was lovely, at a pub called Boaters. Swing and lovely jazz. Drank JD cola in the balcony and watched the moon reflect in the Thames.
Today was so cloudy and gray. I slept until 11 in my aunt's home. I feel so cozy and tend to forget all my everyday worries there. Bliss.
It rained a bit, the slight chill in the wind biting into your face. Why doesn't it smell the same as back home. In India when the first drops of rain hit the surface of parched dry earth, there wafts a fragrance so sweet, it takes me to heaven and drops me gently back.

Lines on a kiss

2007-04-23T20:24:00.000+01:00

Under the power station’s high ceiling white,

skin by quickening skin, we leaned into a Russian past

And in the blood hot heat the vapours of your perfume did

ignite,

And burned into my flesh and mouth and nose and taste,

And then free from the tyrant bare white hall

By the river, by the wind, in minute after minute

Drink made story, and made hours double and fold

And for an animal life your breath beat was within it.

I pace there still, beast and water and tide without end

Chasing phrase and word, pulse on pulse, blind on blind

And once and once and twice again

My invention brings your neck behind my hand

So I pledge a spell made words made belief

It is: your lips on tilted head mine will receive.

- RICK BENNETT

Fairy tale

2007-04-14T10:04:00.000+01:00

I woke very sleepy this early Saturday morning, and had a quick glance at today's headlines from a Mozilla Firefox shortcut Ville, so thoughtfully downloaded for me!

PRINCE WILLIAM AND GIRLFRIEND SPLIT!!!!

Maybe just maybe, just like the dumb teenage princess movie?????????

Holiday breaks and a zillion plans

2007-04-14T08:43:00.000+01:00

Shiva peak near Har Ki Dun in Uttaranchal (Nothing to do with this posting, just love the peak)

The best thing about being in London is you are only an hour away from mainland Europe by plane or Eurostar. The bad thing about having an Indian passport, I need the F**king Visa. Even worse scene, cannot apply in India anymore. Talk about bizzare.
I've been invited to visit several friends this spring and summer. Italy tops the charts, and have even been invited by Simone (Read birthday posting) to visit him and go to a lake near Verona with some friends. Am thinking about it. Might be super fun. On the other hand my conscience would not let me have that much fun. The bad bit about following Karma.
Will also spend weekend in Bologna, have already been there but totally adore the couple I'm visiting.They're very old friends and stay with my family in Bombay when they make a yearly trip to Goa each year. Have never met two people so much in love with each other, even at 40!
Late June will take me Spain with my ex flatmate, this one I cannot wait for. Endless nights of partying and having a lot of fun in the sun.
Sometime in may or june, I might have to visit my close friend cordi, her husband oli and my sweet little nephew Nico in Zurich. My mum's coming to visit so we'll go then.
In July am still hoping for the pillion ride, if not then a trek to Jomsom would be ideal.
It's amazing planning all these holidays on my own even though it might be a lot of fun to go away as a couple. Like a friend says , "I'm single in London" well in this case, "I'm single in London and the rest of the world too!! (Maybe leaving one little place in the Welsh countryside)."

A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. ~Lao Tzu

I found an old diary writing from my experience looking at this peak -

"Our job done and matches bought, we crouched behind one of the boulders, hidden from view of campsite. Stoned with some pure hash made fresh by the locals we looked in silence at the wonder around us. The peak ahead of us had the silhouette of Shiva. Its amazing how hashish and Shiva go so well together. Looked left and right and top and bottom trying to find more similarities. Was a thrill to our flying minds. The peak is eerie. 5 meters in front of me lay a clean white goat skull complete with horns and teeth. Its bones picked clean by insects or microorganisms. The river gushes deep down below. Thundering in this majestic silence."

Pearl Shah - 16 May 2004

Trees have bloomed!

2007-04-13T09:39:00.000+01:00

Ah back in my little space looking out at the branches have little buds of green sprouting up. It seemed only some weeks ago it was all barren and dry and now the miracle of life is taking place once again. It's been glorious sunshine every day.

Nature has begun to inspire me once again. In fact some of my fondest memories have been walking amidst Deodars in the upper reaches of the northern Himalayas. This weekend was spent whiling away time in a pretty garden complete with an apple tree. It is another thing, that the apples are the most vile sour apples one has ever eaten. Ladybirds crawled across my cold fingers while i sprawled on stone steps reading Madame Bovary. Hay stuck on V's lovely warm jumper but then that's nature for you.

I was in Wales for the weekend for Ville's birthday.

Relaxed some more on Pennard cliffs with B and V. The landscape was so beautiful. Sharp edged cliffs, strong gusty winds and a blue sky reflected in the choppy blue sea. The hello magazine and photos of Wayne Rooney and Camilla Parker Bowles came handy for saving my 7 for all mankind jeans from the grass! Drank cheap white wine.

Travel tip: catch the green bus that says Pennard Cliffs.

I haven't had anything to drink since that evening. I'm turning a new leaf. I'm trying to look at the other side of materialism. I haven't felt the pull from a Starbucks every time I walk past it. I practice Yoga, breathe in and breathe out. I haven't walked into a single ZARA. I was looking at the history of consumerism. George Bush, inspired people to go shopping post 9/11. It's a complete brainwash. I realise I come from a world where organic is 'in' and 'fair trade' and 'community share' are the closest you'd come to doing something good for the environment.
This is my bit to explore the other side of the fashion world. How we yearn for Dior sunglasses the minute we enter duty free even if we've never entered a Dior store. It's all about want.

I want too. But now I'm learning to appreciate and revel in simpler things. I yearn for simple pleasures. giving love, receiving love, books, opening my mind, learning about the Chakras, travelling ( I think the pokhra jomsom or somewhere in Arunachal would be perfect) Jedi - you promised a pillion seat!!

The white shirt I so wanted is already boring, the photos from my holiday in Barcelona with Bhav still make me happy.

Here's to happiness in spring.

Top happy tip :Mix lempsip (the lemony flu powder), with yoga and some times sips of alcohol.

Dawn

2007-03-20T00:50:00.000Z

It is 6.20 am. And I can hear many birds chirping away. I am not in London anymore. These are the birds from home.
I can only think of all the pigeons that have died in Jedi's house right now. It's like a dream from a bad movie.
I'm trying really hard to sleep but I can't. Its when you try too hard, you cant sleep. I tried reading Readers Digest, but even the boring inspirational stories about finding peace wont help.
And now a horrible car is reversing in the next building, with the irritating shrilly music.
So what exactly does one do at 6 am, with no sleep? Write a bizarre blog post I suppose. Sleep.
Wake up and realise all the emails and blog posts you wrote were a dream or a bad mistake.
This one will probably get deleted Since the blog is after all about London. Not Bombay.
The sun is shining now. I'll go take a walk and try to whack the dog that is barking away in the background.

Auguries of Innocence (Edited version)

To see a world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour.


A skylark wounded in the wing,
A cherubim does cease to sing.
The game-cock clipt and arm'd for fight
Does the rising sun affright.

He who shall hurt the little wren
Shall never be belov'd by men.
He who the ox to wrath has mov'd
Shall never be by woman lov'd.

The gnat that sings his summer's song
Poison gets from slander's tongue.
The poison of the snake and newt
Is the sweat of envy's foot.

The poison of the honey bee
Is the artist's jealousy.

The prince's robes and beggar's rags
Are toadstools on the miser's bags.
A truth that's told with bad intent
Beats all the lies you can invent.

It is right it should be so;
Man was made for joy and woe;
And when this we rightly know,
Thro' the world we safely go.

Joy and woe are woven fine,
A clothing for the soul divine.
Under every grief and pine
Runs a joy with silken twine.

The emmet's inch and eagle's mile
Make lame philosophy to smile.
He who doubts from what he sees
Will ne'er believe, do what you please.

If the sun and moon should doubt,
They'd immediately go out.
To be in a passion you good may do,
But no good if a passion is in you.

Every night and every morn
Some to misery are born,
Every morn and every night
Some are born to sweet delight.

Some are born to sweet delight,
Some are born to endless night.

We are led to believe a lie
When we see not thro' the eye,
Which was born in a night to perish in a night,
When the soul slept in beams of light.

William Blake

The bad mood syndrome

2007-03-15T10:51:00.000Z

I'm so annoyed today. I dont even know why. There are those days when you are so angry with with the world. My free internet has crashed once again and I've been sent down to the internet cafe. I have had no sweet phone calls, except from my parents who woke me up at 7 am!I have had no nice emails either.

Grumpy but Gorgeous.

I will pack in a bit, no presents for anyone since I'm so broke (read earlier blog).

Yesterday was great, I've discovered a wonderful agony aunt who will be publishing my problem on his blog shortly. We were discussing if communication works in relationships - I don't think it does anymore, because you know what the other person wants to hear.

Happy bits - All my friends have agreed to go to Goa. I cannot wait. I need the sea, salt and sand. Even bought v nice new swimsuit at Next (20 quid, no returns). Will buy presents for them cos they are being so nice.

The only thing that works on my spirit is retail therapy and hot cuppa chai tea latte at Starbucks.

Which brings me to another conclusion. People in fashion and related industries drink their lattes at Starbucks. Was chatting with Swapan, a friend from the luxury goods market from Antwerp who incidentally was sitting at Starbucks in Dubai. Last night, to ease my mind i was reading a chick lit called Bergdorf Blondes all about New York department stores heiress's and guess where the brunette drinks her coffee?? Starbucks. They probably should use this data and advertise on style.com

Fashion people - check super blog http://thesatorialist.blogspot.com

Spring break

2007-03-14T10:39:00.000Z

It's finally the holidays again. London has had some lovely sunny spells all weekend.
I had a really good weekend.
Friday night we watched the David Lynch film , I cant even remember it's name. 3 hour long epic with flashing images and my head buried in Ville's shoulder trying not to scream really loud. It must have hurt.
Saturday morning was strolling around Camden town with Bakyt, and then singing funny songs on a park bench in Hyde Park. I also wanted to go on the row boat and have someone read Keats to me. Incredibly romantic no?
In the evening, while the sweet smell of burning weed wafted into my room, my mind wandered back to life as a design student in Bombay. Cutting Chai cups, days of sitting on verandah's in Manali or Kodai Kanal, sitting in groups on the table at Just Around the Corner, a messy student hole in a circle, a group of chillum smoking Israeli's at a rave or a beach shack in Goa.
My life has been through so many phases that are distinctly different from each other. I genuinely enjoyed that phase the most. I've never travelled across India as much as I did with Bhav, my three years at Nift. Love it. I can never relive it.
Sunday was just the day for the riverside. We strolled hand in hand looking at beautiful houses, and discussing what car's we'd like to own. We walked all the way from the Hammersmith bridge to Chiswick, watching rowing groups practice and I was rather mean, I admit to many old people's pets.
In the evening, I attempted cooking Lasagna for Bakyt who was joining us for dinner. It was an interesting first experiment but I think the next time will be better. I'm not convinced it was good, but no one is ill yet.
Monday night i drew Ville's tattoo on my sketch pad. I have to hunt for Harsh, my illustrator friend who can make it more amazing. This was a memorable moment for me. That evening we spent walking on the South Bank. We looked at some Matisse and Amrita Sher-Gil at the Tate Modern. Then we walked all the way to Victoria and caught a bus home. We watched a documentary on the India Pak partition and I shed a tear.
Tuesday, he left.
I am so sad now.
Whats the point? I dont know.
My relationship confuses me immensely but such is life and I'm living in the moment even though I'm a dreamer.
But tomorrow I'm flying off home to Bombay and all will be perfect.

Emotional cruelty

2007-03-07T20:57:00.000Z

Shopping in London is cruel. Absolutely vile.
I love it.
I hate it.
The shop windows are calling out to me every day. My college is located in Soho, guess what's closest to it? Oxford circus. Guess the friends and classmates i'm surrounded by - extreme shopping lovers who never cease to encourage and bond on the same ritual. Yes, there's also Chai tea Latte at Starbucks we're all suckers for.
Anyway in the past one week i made notes of my shopping patterns. I am horrified at this new trend emerging - return things, feel less guilty, buy some more since now you have the money from the things you've returned.
All prices are in Great Britain Pound Sterling

ZARA
Cigarette Pants in black - 39.00
Black Jacket to match -59.00
Black shirt to wear underneath -19.00
Black court shoes -39.00
Black dress for fun -39.00
Had major guilt trip - Returned all the above except sexy black pants.

La senza (To spend money that was returned to me)
Mauve silk luxury lingerie set with matching boxers -40.00
Pale yellow little luxuries set -30.00
Cute hot shorts and matching camisole -15.00
Grumpy but gorgeous eye mask - 3.50

To return tommorow- hot shorts and matching camisole -15.00

Space Apothecary
Philosophy hope in a jar moisturiser - 35.00

It makes me feel good and Oprah loves it.

H & M
Black shirt to make up for Zara Black shirt - 9.00

Harvey Nichols
Seven for all Mankind skinny jeans -160.00
(agreed by bunch of 3 classmates they are so so hot)
(7 for all Mankind are the most sought after, apparently everyone in hollywood wears them!!!)

Zara

White balloon cotton blouse - 29.00

St. Martins at Olivier Bonaz
Printed tee -19.00
Dress -59.00
(To be returned tommorow)

Noa Noa
Butter yellow crochet top - 44.00
(To be returned tommorow)

Full on fun

2007-03-06T20:26:00.000Z

I have quite a few gay friends. It's one of the perks of being in the fashion industry. And I actually enjoy their company. They are sensitive, understand why boyfriends can be jerks and love a good gossip session.

This weekend I met up with a friend (who has nothing to do with fashion, is super smart, loves super hot men, likes Shilpa Shetty and speed dating ) and he took me to this posh gay bar called The Village. It was non-smoky and no one asked for my number. Was wonderful to have some conversation over sugary strong cocktails.

Since this page is after all about London, I'm going to give a list of gay/bisexual/polysexual and accidently straight places to visit.

The most popular bar's are in Soho. Just walk around. A really really funny shop is Scribbler which has the craziest card's in London.

www.scribbler.co.uk

Apart from the dozen or more sex shops, Soho also has some nice little bistro's and restaurants which are over-priced thanks to the tourist boom. Chinatown a couple of streets away is interesting as well, especially for strange medicines in the window. For a cheap Indian Thali, hop into the Hare Rama Hare Krishna cafe on Soho Street. Ed's makes the best milkshakes (love banana and peanut butter served out of an old fashion steel jug) and is an American burger joint.

There's quite a few stores for vintage magazine's and books on art, photography and fashion.

The blue room cafe is a charming little place. It is haphazard and has awesome cakes and hot white chocolate which has been called "liquid sex" by Georgy, fellow student at CSM. Customers mostly come from fashion, media and art.

Georgy interview: Coming soon

Nearest tube: Tottenham Court Road

However if it's club one prefers, then there's Fiction which apparently is Polysexual. Walk down the bridge from Fiction, and you will end up in a strange little bar (ofcourse i was too drunk to remember the name) but it does have an extremely humourous Irish bartender with very Irish humour. He gives triple shots to pretty girls. One of the largest and more popular clubs is The Cross with many floors.

Tip: How to identify a gay bar? You will bump into pretty boys in the ladies loo.

Nearest tube: Kings Cross St. Pancras

Next wednesday am going to a Bollywood night with Bakyt, which promises Indian boys in drag and a movie startlet called Chameli. Hate the music. Photos should be funny.

Child of the Universe

2007-03-06T20:11:00.000Z

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble, it's a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.

Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantement, it is as perrenial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be.

And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

- Max Erhman

:) I'm Happy Now. Reminds me of assembly in school. Reminds me of handmade paper from Munnar with pressed flowers and black ink on the wooden cupboards in my old bedroom.

I try to remember the peace in silence, but it's so hard to stop my 'enthusiastic' banter once i begin.

1989-1998

Isnt it high time they retired??

2007-03-01T08:46:00.000Z

Ban the national carrier I say. All this western nonsense that is corrupting the nation's youth. What will Raj say?? Rally in Shivaji Park??

The "Love-ly" air line that is the best airline experience on the planet.

Observer colour supplement. Feb 8 1971

And you'll still find the same innocent looking, virtuous young women who believe the customer comes first.

Observer colour supplement. March 8 1971

The copy cat

2007-02-28T17:01:00.000Z

Everyone knows the trademark Chanel logo...

During my research, I stumbled across a story about an affair Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel had with the Duke of Westminster. Without giving it too much thought, except for gossipy interest, i totally forgot all about it. This was till I was wandering around Westminster Abbey and Big Ben, and found a lamppost with something very very familiar.

She had almost married one of the richest men in Europe, the Duke of Westminster; when she didn't, her explanation was, "There have been several Duchesses of Westminster. There is only one Chanel." - Time magazine archive, June 08 1998

The English influence is also where her love of tweeds come's from. Seen below with friend, very forward thinking for the late 1920's in England.

Trippy Manish in outer space.

2007-02-13T01:17:00.000Z

News story aside, I wonder... Was he tripping to Skazi, high on illegal substances looking at the night sky in goa and imagining Ufo's??

Manish Arora set a strong sci-fi tone with an Autumn/Winter 07 collection at the Natural History Museum in London on Monday evening. This is the fourth year in a row at the London Fashion Week for the vibrant designer from Delhi.

Arora’s themes, “futuristic and geometric” were obvious from the high necked black tunic that opened the show embellished with planets and space crafts. Models wearing striking red wigs and alien inspired head gear combined with dramatic eye make-up walked down the runway to loud techno music.

Playful as ever, he composed scenes with digital prints of 3-D rocket launches, robots and glittering body huggers that would make every woman star trekker’s wardrobe dream come true. On a more serious note, the creations were well structured with immense attention to detail.

Arora is a genius at fusing Indian embroideries and techniques with the western shape. “If you see any of my pieces, you will know immediately that it’s from India. I always use a lot of traditional arts in my work.”

Shoulders were given a lot of attention, giving an armoured look to short jackets. The sixties were an important era with a lot of focus on space travel and the man on the moon phenomenon. It was no wonder then that the silhouette for the trapeze dresses, and clinched jackets in acid and metallic tones came from the same decade.

Designer Rohit Bal, who was watching from the front row was all praise for Arora’s collection. “What I love about Manish’s show is that it always puts a grin on my face. It was completely wild. I would say totally out of control.”

Manish will be presenting almost the same theme at the India Fashion Week later this year. A special line for Levi’s jeans is in the pipeline along with a new bright collection of specially designed Reebok shoes in Arora’s trademark shocking style.

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1079753

Alber Elbaz @ Lanvin

2007-02-11T20:32:00.000Z

Photo:ID Magazine

The bleak surroundings did not matter when one watched the Lanvin spring summer 07 show projected on a white washed wall. A club like atmosphere was created in the tiny room by a blue windows screensaver on the laptop. And the mind was transported to visions of Courregés and futurism with models walking to loud thumping music wearing short dresses accented with neon hues in wet look techno fabrics. So what if it was only a video, the fact that the maker of these modern wonders, Alber Elbaz, creative director of one of the oldest existing couture houses in the world was explaining the collection in person was in itself a very rare occasion.

Visiting renowned fashion college, Central Saint Martins in London, he was on a mission to recruit an assistant designer at Lanvin. Elbaz decided to be generous and spent time with a few students discussing the runway look for spring. Talking about his inspirations for the collection, the designer said “Somehow around the world, futurism is back. I didn’t know I did futurism. I was in New York to receive an award (the CFDA best designer of the year) at the National Library. And there were women in long dresses, one of those events where nobody eats, and is very rigid. Everyone was waiting outside and it started to rain. And I have never seen anything like that. I saw make-up coming down faces, dresses becoming transparent. Look what water does to you! So I developed a fabric that looks wet – I captured the best moment, a moment where nobody pretended. It was a human show and it turned into something I didn’t plan.”

Spring/Summer 07 Lanvin

Life, has taken many unplanned moves for this designer from North Africa. Born in Casablanca, Morocco, Alber went on to study fashion at Tel Aviv’s Shenkar College of Design and Engineering after serving in the military. Instead of becoming a doctor like his family wanted, Alber arrived in New York with only a few dollars and a dream to chase. Small beginnings as a designer at Geoffrey Beene in New York were followed by a few years at Guy Laroche. Elbaz went on to be the designer in charge of the YSL prêt line, Rive Gauche, only to leave when Tom Ford took over reins during the Gucci acquisition of the French brand. At 44, he now works in Paris at what can only be described as an enviable position - Creative Director at Lanvin, a house with rich fashion history.

With all this experience, it comes as a surprise when the stocky bespectacled man confesses, that even today, before every single show, he is still afraid. He describes a conversation with Yves St Laurent a few years ago, “When I asked Mr. St Laurent, who was walking his dog at the studios, Are you scared? He said I’m very scared and after so many shows, even more!” Adding to that he says, “That kind of scary moments give us the electricity. We start with a white page and we go to Portobello Market – we realise everything was already bought. Prada is already vintage. How scary is that? I’m never happy. Why do we love what we do? After the show I am so depressed. I see the video, and I am ashamed to see how ugly my work is. Then I wake up in the morning, and go back to work – to perfect what is not perfect.”

Elbaz designs for strong assertive women. With movie stars like Nicole Kidman, Chloe Sevigny, Sofia Coppola and Kate Moss as huge supporters, Elbaz is a thinking woman’s favourite designer. “With design you start with art and make sure people can wear it. The most difficult thing is to find that moment between dreams and reality – to find that equilibrium between the two and make it work. You look in the mirror and say ‘my god I look amazing’. I had a customer call me once to thank me and said every time I wear your dress, men fall in love with me. Then I called her back and I said, I want you to fall in love! The difference she asked?” After a brief pause he says, “active and passive.”

As a creative head at Lanvin, he not only oversees the women’s wear but also gives a guiding hand to the menswear designer Lucas Ossendrijver. Alber Elbaz has given a new image to the French house, without removing any of the refinement and elegance that has always been associated with it, changing the packaging to a lovely duck blue with black. Describing his job he says, “There are certain creative directors who get a manicure and pedicure, say I like this and I don’t like that. Option two is to be in the kitchen and work and work. I give ideas, give direction and help with the styling, fitting and fabric.” Always the one earliest to arrive to the atelier, Elbaz has stepped into a comfortable but stressful position of as head of the family. “I start very early and come in first, making sure everyone comes home on time. This is what a family does –worry! It is about collaboration and giving due credit to people in the atelier. I create a democratic show. The designer coming to take a bow is not the only one doing the work.” Keeping it in the family is another of the houses traits, including creating their own special fabrics.

Alber Elbaz is far off from an image of a glamorous designer (think orange tanned Valentino or suave Karl Lagerfeld) with his scruffy hair and a rotund body. He cannot stand the thought of a having a muse calling her nothing but “rich or beautiful”. Describing his customer he emphasises on how he designs for women from across the globe. “You dress many different women with different nationalities. I design for a mother and daughter. In our campaigns we have Kate Moss and Didi Blair.” In a contrasting opinion he then exclaims, “I don’t believe in globality. It is about being universal rather than being global. A woman in India and a woman in Paris both like chocolate and both will have a tear when their daughter gets married.”

Perfection is a hard thing to achieve. But for Elbaz nothing less will do. And it is this determined approach to fashion, as linear as his trademark look that has delivered fantastic new looks every season. “I love coffee” he says, “But not instant coffee. It is not enough to love clothes and think pink and white are awesome. To be a good designer you have to have your feet on the ground and your head in the sky.” With powerful words that were meant to inspire the stars of the future at Saint Martins, it was no wonder that his last words were drowned out by deafening applause.

Fashion Week Begins!!!

2007-02-11T17:03:00.000Z

Finally, the tired fashion journalists have arrived in London. After the big fashion circle from Paris, Milan and New York they have landed their jet lagged legs into winter chill to watch the Autumn Winter 07 08 shows.
I saw some this morning at South Kensington tube station, trudging along with their Louis Vuitton weekenders and Marc Jacobs totes before hailing a black cab to the Natural History Museum which incidentally is a 5 minute walk from the station. But will the louboutin heel hold that long on a london footpath??

Day 1> BFC tent

I had two invites, one for Caroline Charles and the other for Ben de Lisi.
Both designers appeal to mature (read old) british women who love buying their food at M & S, celebrating christmas with the family, taking a cruise with the husband, drinking earl gray and reading the Daily Telegraph.All out of sheer habit
So one can imagine, the tacky, inanely boring clothes that were showcased on the catwalk. Caroline Charles designed tunics in black, aubergine and olive satin with velvet trouses, prom style corsages on some more satin shirts, and long fish tail shifts with tacky gold and silver embroidery for the eager buyers. Ofcourse she knows her market and is not here to please the young, trendy lot. She knows who she is designing for, the faithful customer who will wear a label, beloved princess Di wore.
Ben De Lisi was obviously more stylish, but one cant expect fireworks !!

Perks were, free champagne (couldnt have any due to a sore throat), croissants, cream cheese finger sandwiches, bloody mary's for the vodka lovers and a long chat with Hilary Alexander which was a treat, because she is the fashion editor of the Daily Telegraph and an absolute delight. Very intelligent woman who knows her designers, and is friendly not like the bitchy snootiness one associates with fashion editors. Also got a quote for my story on Manish Arora.

P.S if anyone has seen absolutely fabulous the brit fashion comedy, the woman woke up with champagne, I now know why. Fashion Week spoils journalists!

Magazine Wonderland

2007-01-30T09:31:00.000Z

Harpers Bazaar April 1965
Model: Jean Shrimpton
Photographer: Richard Avedon, Guest Editor celebrating 20 years at Harpers Bazaar

Ah well, No fashion history class today. But some time browsing through 50's harpers. It wonderful how magazines reflect culture, art and lifestyle. We just think of them as things to browse and flip through. Central Saint Martins, has the best college library in the world in it's collection of fashion history book with a sprinkling of Proust. Apart from F.I.T in New York I think. Also Karl Lagerfeld, has the best collection of magazines in the world that he houses in his chateau in France.
Tube: Charing Cross Road for CSM

The National Art Library, by the way, is fantastic resource for books and manuscripts on art, culture and fashion. It is located at the V&A museum and is open to all.
Tube: South Kensignton

Gymbox

2007-01-29T12:58:00.000Z

I'm joining to coolest gym in london.
It has the coolest classes, like bitch boxing and salsa.
And the coolest atmosphere, Live dj's spinning some house.
Looking forward to losing the inches in time for summer.
I wouldn't call myself fat, but i'm so annoyed knowing that someone described me as that(#@!#).
Anyway cooler things- it's right next to my school - perfection.
and all the treadmills have sky tv , which is briliant since you're busy watching corny jokes on everybody loves raymond, you dont realise running for one hour!

Weekend was a disaster, with the nicest bit being pizza on the bench facing the sea. I'm not participating in any more dramatic situations with f**cked up people- sometimes without your knowledge, you get sucked into a twisted group psyche. I'm not twisted. And would not like to be in this company ever again in my life. Before you know it, you are only the topic of discussion and gossip leading to deep feelings of resentment.

Oh! Bombay Bombay

2007-01-25T15:34:00.000Z

Over the years when you look at the stars you will feel nothing has changed with them. But when you look at its atoms, deep down within, you will see that everything has changed and is constantly changing.
When I look at Mumbai it feels like looking at this star. And when Mumbai looks at me, she says she loves me too.

http://www.vikramchauhan.com/article.asp?storyid=63

Snowy Mornings

2007-01-25T14:30:00.000Z

I never imagined snow would thrill me. To wake up in the morning, and an etheral powder white setting in a boring suburban street view outside the window makes quite a lovely sight. To describe the correct emotion at the moment i can think of glee.

The eskimo speaks the truth, I should listen more and not jump to my own darned conclusions about horrifyingly cold winters in the laplands. When people in london were getting excited about the chilly winter(thats the crux of all conversations:weather), I scoffed and said well snow in london is mushy and digusting and there is no way I could possibly bear it. Alas the bbc for once forecast the truth. I admit my ignorance.

To recapture the pretty sight this morning, I kept an alarm for
2 am :No Snow
3.30 am : No Snow
6.30 am: No Snow
8.19 am: Very cloudy
10.12 am: Clouds with few snow flakes settling on my window sill
14.35 pm: Bright blue sunshine with open windows

This weekend will be like a movie in wales. A dinner party, varied bunch of characters, lovers, ex lovers, the other woman, friends, colleagues. I'm looking forward to my pims and lemonade and will hopefully hop onto the right train this time around!!

a new home in windy January

2007-01-15T20:06:00.000Z

No longer a stranger, you listen all day to these crazy love-words. Like a bee you fill hundreds of homes with honey, though yours is a long flight from here.
- Rumi

Raindrops on roses and brown paper packaging tied up in string..

2006-11-20T11:22:00.000Z

Carnaby Street: Where it all began

Liberty: Shopping Haven

Lights on Regent Street

Christmas packaging at Starbucks

I've been caught up in the whirlwind of christmas feelings. Material things that make me happy to be in London are -

1> Peppermint mocha at Starbucks in their red christmas take away paper cups. It is Beyond.
2> Lights on Oxford street buzzing with shoppers. Makes me feel like i'm not the only one getting happiness with something pretty sitting in my wardrobe at the end of the day.
3> The 2 nd floor of Liberty. It's gorgeous. Like a boudoir with old french wall paper packaging, delicious soaps doused with olive oil and sprigs of lavender, bubble baths with shimmer foam and mandarin scented candles. Divine.
4> Watching Love Actually. Lovedoes exist. Or doesnt it? Anyway temporarily makes me feel like it does.
5> All I want for christmas is youuu.....Maria Carey. Oh how I hate her music most of the days but this song at this time is mmm nice when combined with Love Actually; Only.
6> Comfort food and red wine.
7> Bridget Jones diaries one and two.
8> Hamleys the toy shop. Thank god they dont do these shops in developing countries or we dont give out toys at Diwali, parents would go crazy with whinning kids.

I know for a fact most people will be miserable, beginning January. Including me. I'll be back from a fantastic break back home. But i'll sulk later.

I am sick of Kate Moss.

I saw Borat at Vue. He is a sexist rascist animal, but sooo funny.

some more updates

2006-11-11T17:09:00.000Z

I am in Wales, using a Finnish laptop ;) ..when i should be working on a report comparing Kate Moss and Twiggy...please use google for explainations...you should know these people..

Also went for a long long walk with Ville to a little town called Mumbles, didnt meet fairy folk but ate a fairly decent English correction Welsh pub meal of jacket potatoes and beans. (how different the cuisines are! they even have Welsh skimmed milk here, in London i get British skimmed milk) Infact calling the Welsh English is like calling the Finnish Flemish. Also devoured a wonderful chocolate reindeer, fulfilling my Indian post meal sweet tooth craving.

hehe i feel like a sadist.....moondust got busted :P i was feeling miserable i missed it....but yaaay...all my friends went to die and dance to psyc ...while i was listening to bob dylan in my room.... and now who's had the last laugh eh..!

Bought the 90th birthday issue of British Vogue, It is fantastic. Something for keeps...

two mins of fame

2006-11-11T17:03:00.000Z

I went out for drinks with Arjun Rampal....the ex hot model till he became a sidey movie hero...what the hell i still went out for drinks.....umm ok was not a date...in a filmy group....! Went for oh so fashionable eeky cucumber sushi, sake and tempura to Nobu.....'
Second high was standing outside the victoria and albert museum in the cold, getting quotes from famous people at the British Fashion Awards....I spoke to Vivienne Westwood...who is the creator of punk style and official stylist of the Sex Pistols in the seventies..! She won Red carpet designer of the Year...but ofcourse she had no idea she was even nominated....She said "I dont read magazines or watch news, I just do my own thing". How then I was wondering did she know about the war, considering she was wearing one of her best selling t shirts which yelled...I´m not a terrorist,please dont arrest me!

Time Zones

2006-10-29T19:20:00.000Z

I am officially depressed today like most of the people who already are or will be very soon in the United Kingdom.
The time zone changed from BST (British summer time) to GMT (Greenwich mean time). Which basically means you turn your clock back by one hour and the freaking sun sets at 4.30 pm. It's horrible. To see your day end so early. I love sunshine and long days.
Infact It was a fantastic sunny day. Like the weatherman's way of mocking you. Ha ha it's sunshine but it will go away in 2 more hours never to come again.
Also my oldest friend is extremely upset with me over something I didnt create.
So apart from the sunshine today, winter is pretty shit.

Debauched Housekeeper

2006-10-26T10:18:00.000+01:00

Now while that sounds more like a, ahem* sinful video name. It is anything but. They are two different experiences lets just say condensed into one badly thought of title.
Last weekend as all god fearing Hindus would know was Diwali. I love Diwali at home; Diyas and sweets and the general happy family bonding thing. And since of course I am away this year, I thought I'd rather spend it with my oldest friend. To Swansea - boring little ex mining town. To wine street to Wine Street to get a little drink, It's Jack Daniels and Cola with a little Spink (meant spunk for the rhyme). Poetic license. Also watched Don in Cardiff (This is only extra information)
Ok so where is the debauchery? Waking up the next morning - mind you a holy morning, Hung-over like hell with a blonde haired boy next to me in bed. Ok so nothing exciting, just sharing space with friends Finnish/Flemish flatmate! But what the hell, who wakes up hung-over on Diwali?? Now Christmas I can understand....But what will the sadhu baba's in Rishikesh say to me when I visit them next? Boom Shanti.
Gush* I also met a sweet Spanish guy called Juan pronounced Khwaan or so I think. He has my no. Maybe he will call.
The housekeeper bit was yesterday. My mother will be glad to know I am officially "trained" to be arranged married. My future ma in law to be will think the same. I cooked, vacuumed, laundered dirty clothes, cleaned wardrobe and watched tele all in one. These are skills a good Indian girl must possess. I also bought flash antibacterial all purpose cleaning wipes from the supermarket.
Conclusion: I am a very bad good Indian girl.

The flexi mood changer

2006-10-19T00:22:00.000+01:00

The pleasure of washing down a bad day with a glass of wine. Pinot Noir for a long evening, or a muscat for aperitif happiness.
Last weekend my flatmate and I grabbed some great deals at our local wine shop which unfortunately is shutting down. Look out for oddbins, I think most areas have one.
This evening, which happens to be a not so great one for both of us - we uncorked a bottle of Soave Portone. Smoothly glides down your throat, and into the blood stream to calm fraught nerves.
The label reads - Portone is the product of a meticulous selection of Garganega, Chardonnay and Trebbiano grapes cultivated on the rolling hills of Verona.
A crisp dry white wine with a fruity apricot flavour, this unoaked wine makes an ideal aperitif.
Highly recommended by me. I always envy people who know exactly which one to buy and can distinguish between all the million kinds with a whiff of the fragrance.

!!!

2006-10-19T00:08:00.001+01:00

I hate to be emotionally twisted into feeling things i am not. I am who I am, and it is for me to decide what's good or bad for me. I owe no moral responsibilty whatsoever to anyone or everyone. And no one has the right to be all judgemental about me.
Infact why do we try to change people into who we want them to be? Isnt it just better to move on, or better still keep your trap shut. ..

P . S.

15/10

2006-10-17T12:49:00.000+01:00

My Birthday. The specialest day :). I am 24 years old, still have black hair and no fine lines. This one's for Jedi, at last count my chin had 2 spots.

I woke up to sunshine and a phone call from home.
We decided to go up the London eye. London eye is a huge giant wheel with capsule boxes and gives you a 360* view over the city. This was really fun spotting all the places we'd been to just the previous day. The wait was long, but it was totally worth it.
Nearest tube: Waterloo

A show on the south bank. Very funny british guy getting free from chains. A mini houdini show. I enjoyed it!
A long long lunch at iguanas, a Latin American restaurant - Mojitos, followed by Pinot noir from Chile, Tortillas stuffed with portobello mushrooms, totops with guacamole, chocolate banoffi for a birthday treat mmm and a smooth finish with espresso and twinkling eyes looking adoringly at me across the table. Perfection.
A walk by the river thames to the Tate Modern Art gallery. My favourite spot in London.

I also love Orkut. It tells everyone it's my birthday. I got 45 scraps. :) I also got a call from my best frnd Bhav, she never remembers the dates!. Many calls from bombay from all my other friends. Feels brillliant!
Thank you all.
Kisses.

The Tourist.

2006-10-17T11:49:00.000+01:00

This weekend, I played London Tourist to the max. Overdid it perhaps. I had a friend visiting London for the first time and had a list of must see's.
Portobello Market.
Ok this one was my idea. It is an antiques road market with lots of old paintings, clocks, china, porcelain, mirrors, marmalade jars, books, spoons, silver, vintage shoes, maps....and the list is endless. Now I am sure this would be a fantastic place to see things, browse but for a million other people who thought it might be a good idea to visit as well. The crowd just throngs here and it's quite insane. The street itself is cute with pastel hued terraced houses on both sides. (Some of you may remember seeing these in the movie - Notting hill). Why anyone would like a supposedly 1940's chamach is beyond me, but I loved the marmalade jars.
Nearest tube: Notting hill gate or Ladbroke grove.

The royal circle
Ok this one we followed from the map in the National geographic guide to Londra. Famished, we got a high calorie energy boost with a typical angrez lunch/supper/breakfast before we began the big walk. I ate jacket potatoes with melted cheddar and beans while Simone ate the Ham, eggs and chips with a pint of Guiness. Then came the coffee confusion, where we ended up drinking bad american black coffee on the steps outside the houses of parliament.
So the intenary is as follows - get out of Westminster tube station, Look up and you will see the Big Ben(Ding ding dong). Take some photos. I'm not explaining what the big ben is, look up wikipedia. Then move your eyes to the massive gothic Houses of Parliament (which remind me of Bombay high court near the oval maidan).
Walk to your right and check out Westminster Abbey. The stain glass is brilliant. I still dont know why this abbey is famous... but i know it's really old.
Keep walking down Victoria street and try to find Scotland Yard. Clue 1. Look for cops. It is Scotland Yard you get only one clue.
Then look on your right for the Buckingham gate road, and walk towards what else but the Buckhingham palace. I had a small flutter when i saw the Taj hotel, felt homesick. The guards wore gray instead of red , perhaps it is the winter uniform. Take some more photos.
Walk through st James Park. Hold hands. It is beautiful and reminds you of 18th century picnics. Weeping willows, squirrels and mandarin ducks provide the quintessential english garden setting.
Sweep through the Horses Guard Parade thingi, try to make the unsmiling guard smile. Walk walk.
Ten downing street. Google for Cherie Blair. She lives here.

Phew am exhausted.

Nearest tube: Westminster Abbey

In the night for my birthday, we went to the West end, Dinner at Angus steak house (Ha ha! Am vegetarian, but they had options :)) Followed by whisky cola in the bylanes of Soho.
Nearest tube: Leicester square

High Fidelity

2006-10-11T22:12:00.001+01:00

I’ve just finished reading High Fidelity (remember the movie with that Cusack guy and all his ex girlfriends?). Read the book because I vaguely remembered the movie.
Anyway for those of you who don’t, watch it and then come back and read my rambling.

What is it about ex boyfriends? You date people you’re happy, and then one guy comes along who you really went mad for and affects every single relationship after. Is it never possible to be truly content? Over and over again, the pull never ceases to exist. There are days when a mere memory makes me want call and seek clarifications on vague answers. But the point is that there is no point. There is no point to the call or to the answers, because they will never satisfy me. In this case I was the dumpee and not the dumper. It’s not like you even want the guy back or that you’re still the best of friends. And while I know ex’s are a thing to keep away from while in a relationship, I have come to realize that it’s best to make the odd call, feel stupid and give up on your own. Let the impulse pass. It’s fun to be impulsive but sometimes it can come up with equally crazy consequences.

It pisses me off.

Sulk. Sigh. Kick.

Right now it’s dvd and a rice bowl.

Kill Bill!

Swing my darling!

2006-10-11T19:59:00.000+01:00

A rainy day is best spent inside a museum...I love museums -The history, the story behind every object. Victoria and Albert Museum was on a list of things to do in London before class starts - huge list written down by the professor! The day was fantastic for me since they had on a special exhibition on fashion with focus on the swinging 60's. Twiggy met Mary Quant and Kings Road antique sales met Givenchy's classics. This was the time when the Mod's were cool, and the Beatles were hot. Music, art and fashion were almost going through a renaissance after growing up in the dull fifties. Personally I think the 60's would have been a fab time to be a teenager in, especially here in London. A copy of the 1966 Us Time Magazine said ' London has burst into bloom, it swings, it is the scene.' The psychedelic mini dresses, Long tee's, tights and the PVC raincoats in romantic bright colours brought out elements of fun, almost with a playful flirtatious feel. Then there was the video, In Gear, brilliantly reflecting street style. The 60’s, in fact were a time when fashion came to the youth, it got affordable and yet you were trendy. Street style from the youth hanging out in the pubs of Soho and Carnaby Street moved to the couture ateliers of Paris.
A must see if you are visiting London and love fashion, or the sixties which ever comes first in the priority list. Nearest tube: South Kensington and follow the signs on the subway.

What did i do this weekend?

2006-10-09T09:01:00.000+01:00

London is divided into two bits, the east and the west. I live in the west, but most of the 'hip' joints to go out with happen to be in the supposedly dangerous east!

This weekend was Shoreditch, around the Bricklane area. It is really vibrant and multi cultural with the buzz of Marrakech or some great market city like Constantinople in its peak. Kebab's, various exotic languages in the air, strange smells, feels like something's going to happen next....
This bar called 1000 cafe is the cheapest spot for a pint. The rest look really cool but they charge entry. It's got a good mix of the backpackers, yuppies, new in the city French and Europeans, desi's, rappers and British women. Based over 3 levels, they play house music and generally chilled out atmosphere.
Nearest tube: Aldgate east

Last evening I met a girlfriend over dinner, Walked around soho and Covent Garden. It is energetic on a Sunday night with neon lights from the west end cinema's beckoning. Expect to find only tourists though. We blew up a huge 20 quid on dinner at fancy Mexican joint called chiquittos if i remember correctly.
Also there is a lovely second hand book store called quinto's near Leicester square that I love with a mix of second and first hand books. It is possible to spend hours losing oneself here while waiting for friends who come late.
Nearest tube: Leicester square

The underground tubes are safe late night on weekends, the whole city is out innit?!

So today is the day - anxiety pangs

2006-10-06T11:50:00.000+01:00

In a world where everything comes easy, the land of easy is everything but. Multiple choices, multiple freebies with multiple asterix's, multiple customer care numbers with multiple digits that cost a quid a minute.
I have now discovered that moving into my perfect fashion student haven is going to cost me a lot.

The list includes -

1)Paying the BT guys £125 to create a new line for moi petite home.
2)Waiting for them to come on the 18th of October. (this one costs me time).
3)Paying Tiscali £12.49 to create a broadband connection using the £11per month and £125 in all BT phone connection.
4)Waiting until I have the BT connection i.e 18th October to order Tiscali which will reach me by the 30th of October.
5)Installing broadband (I will study fashion journalism for god's sake! I admit zero knowledge in all things to do with wires and connections, infact i scored a zero on a physics aptitude test i once took after my 10th. I prefer smart spectacled gentlemen to help me out in distress).

The Television which was in my perfect world something that came home, was installed and cable connected by various people on the flick of a cordless telephone on off button is a far away dream. More updates once i figure out if i need one cable or two, aerials, digital set top boxes, cheap 14" television from Argos.