Betty and Veronica. Monica and Rachel. There’s nothing like having a best friend – someone who knows you since way back when.

Accessory designing duo Mumtaz and Pallavi, also great friends, will take you back to the good ol’ days with their latest Summer of ‘59 collection. Inspired by an era of sophistication, this elegant collection marries silks and chiffon with semi-precious jewels.

This range has a breezy look that’s perfect for the festive season. Team up the quartz cherry flower pendant enhanced with filigree silverwork with your fav shirt. Or go for the unusual silken necklace strung with filigreed dragonfly and bee pendants in sterling silver, zircons and crystals.

Best of all, some pieces are multi-purpose. So you can easily convert that chunky glass bead neckpiece into a bracelet.

Shine on, you crazy diamond.

Kimaya, One Style Mile, 6-8, Kalka Das Marg, Mehaurali, New Delhi. Telephone: 30988761.
Prices from Rs 2000 to Rs 15000.

It’s time to splurge on those finer details that make Diwali so splendid. Without these, your Diwali may be as bland as a girl who can’t gab.

Here are Trendylicious’ picks to make your Diwali shopping spree less bewildering and more fun:

For rangolis – Tresorie and The Bombay Store have unconventional cardboard versions with ceramic bits, mirrors and rhinestones (Rs 200 onwards).

For diyas – Earth has unusual copper leaf-shaped diyas with coloured enamel detail (Rs 65 onwards). And Rituals has a wide selection of candles, including various shapes embellished with mother of pearl or caged in metallic lattice work (Rs 450 onwards). Or do it yourself by painting and embellishing earthen diyas with festive trimmings.

For crackers – S.P. Khamkar & Sons’s vast variety will leave you confused. Our favourite is the Hollywood Park that sets off 124 colourful blasts in the sky (Rs 3600). If you’re not the hands-on type, book now to watch from the restaurants and hotels along Marine Drive (Priceless).

Here’s wishing you a Trendylicious Diwali!

The Bombay Store, Sir P. M. Road, Fort, Mumbai. Telephone: 2288 5048 / 49.

S.P. Khamkar & Sons, Lalbaug, Mumbai. Telephone: 24712593.

Today Trendylicious introduces an occasional series on the best places to hang with your girlfriends – from boys-keep-out spa days, to swank spots for a cocktail, to quirky activities all your gal pals will just love.

Your lover boy is spinning you into a tizzy and your boss is shaping up to give Hari Sadu, the terrible honcho in the TV ad, a run for his money.

But there’s manna to soothe your frazzled nerves at Agni, a night club where you get sophistication, glamour, and – a new ladies night every Wednesday.

The midweek tradition started a few weeks ago when Agni showed the rib-tickling play, The Vagina Monologues. They may also add ladies’ discounts and specials.

Sip your favourite chick drink (Classic Margaritas, Cosmopolitans or Cheekey Chocolate Monkeys) and gorge on mushroom kurkure, assorted fries and prawn satay. The DJ takes requests, so choose some groovy club, retro, lounge, or house music. Amber flames lick the walls and easy couches let you sink in.

Leave your date home and say cheers, woman!

Agni, The Park, 15 Parliament Street, New Delhi. Telephone: 011-23743737, ext. 1938.
No cover. Drinks and dinner for two: Rs.1500-2000.

If it’s A Hard Day’s Night, let the Hard Rock Café Light My (and your) Fire.

Hard Rock Café is back and they’ve got it right this time with their 123rd spacious, bright outlet – and first in India. And this isn’t the touristy, borderline-lame Hard Rock you’ve seen in other cities. Mumbai’s version is already a packed go-to night spot for the young party scene.

The rock classics (and decibel levels) are killer, and local bands on Thursdays will make you feel Alive. This week, the talented Something Relevant will play rock covers and originals.

Like Hard Rock Cafés worldwide, they have cocktails, shakes, burgers and mac-n-cheese, for when you’re Hungry Like the Wolf. Check out Elvis’s pants and Paul Stanley’s guitar hanging on the walls, and When the Music’s Over, hit the Rock Shop for tees, shot glasses, teddy bears, and key chains.

You’ll want to join the Shiny, Happy waiters doing the YMCA on the counter tops.

Hard Rock Café, BDMC Compound, Worli, Opp Kamala Mills City Studio, Mumbai. Telephone: 24382888.
Meal for two: Rs 2000. T-shirts- Rs 575- 975.

You appreciate good ol’ Hollywood action just like the best of them. And you’re more than willing to give yet another over-the-top Bollywood musical the benefit of the doubt. But given the chance, you’d love to take in the occasional Cannes nominee or offbeat French thriller.

Start filling your quotient for foreign cinema at PVR screenings of award-winning international films the likes of Danish thriller King’s Game or The Beat My Heart Skipped, a French film directed by Jacques Audiard.

Screenings run on Wednesday or Thursday evenings every week. To find out what’s showing, log onto the PVR web site on Monday nights, or check the Wednesday newspaper listings.

Coming up this week, French flick L’Enfant (The Child) which recently won the Golden Palm award. Fuse from Bosnia and Lemming from France will play later this month.

Most movies are under two hours, so you’ll have time to grab a snack at the malls afterwards and discuss your intellectual night out with friends.

On Wednesdays, PVR Cinemas, The Metropolitan Mall, Gurgaon.
Telephone: 95124-4018880. Site Cell: 9810037883.
On Thursdays, Spice PVR, Spice World, Noida.
Telephone: 95120-4389000. Site Cell: 9810770033.
For home delivery of tickets, call 011-51510787.
Web site: www.pvrcinemas.com
Ticket prices vary.

You appreciate good ol’ Hollywood action just like the best of them. And you’re more than willing to give yet another over-the-top Bollywood musical the benefit of the doubt. But given the chance, you’d love to take in the occasional Cannes nominee or offbeat Danish thriller.

Start filling your quotient for foreign cinema at PVR Juhu’s Monday night screenings of award-winning international films the likes of French flick L’Enfant (The Child) which recently won the Golden Palm award, or bittersweet Bosnian comedy Fuse. Another recent Monday night saw artsy Hollywood film, The Constant Gardner starring Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz. Coming up tonight: The Beat My Heart Skipped, a French film directed by Jacques Audiard.

Most movies screen around 8:30 pm and run under two hours, so you’ll have time to grab a quick cocktail, and discuss your intellectual night out with friends.
Try the nearby Prithvi Cafe for the legendary Irish Coffee, or Alfredo’s for a beer.

Sounds like no more Monday night blues for you.

PVR Juhu, Dynamix Mall, Above Shopper’s Stop,
Near Chandan Cinema, Juhu, Mumbai.
Telephone: 25657777.
Movie tickets: Rs 200.

Ask any woman, size really does matter. Yup, you’ve guessed what we’re talking about – this winter’s trends.

Here are the Trendylicious Top Five (literally) big trends to sport this season:

1. Big beads: Beaded neckpieces that hang low past your waist work with a basic white shirt or a deep neck formal top.
Scout at: B.g’s, G5/7 South Ex-I.
Telephone: 24633250.
Look for: Enamelled beads available in all bright hues.

2. Big belts: The latest waist cinchers ooze oodles of style.
Scout at: Nextt 2000, E-23 South Ex-I.
Telephone: 24640354.
Look for: Bejewelled big buckles with leather or suede belts.

3. Big stripes: Stripes are perennially en vogue, but the new avatar is big and bright.
Scout at: Nautica, E-32 South Ex-II.
Telephone: 46014011.
Look for: This brand is well-known for their stripes on almost anything.

4. Big collars: Jackets and overcoats with oversized collars have come from the international runways to the desi racks.
Scout at: Mango: F-48 South Ex-I.
Telephone: 51646313.
Look for: Big-collared jackets in short lengths, paired with short skirts or pedal pushers.

5. Big totes: Load in your planner, cellphone, wallet and still fit in your hairbrush. These utilitarian bags will announce your arrival on the fashion map.
Scout at: Ogaan, H-2 Haus Khas Village.
Telephone: 26967595.
Look for: Totes with bright leather appliqué and interesting leather cutwork.

If we suggested bringing the city into your home, you might think we were going a bit psycho. You’d start having visions of exhaust fumes and packed local trains.

But fear not. Some of Mumbai’s best boutiques are polishing up the city and presenting you her finest gems in a funky avatar.

Introduce the cityscape to your couch with cushions emblazoned with Mumbai landmarks in sepia tones. We can’t think of why our nether regions shouldn’t lean against the Rajabhai Towers, or teeter on a tonga outside the Taj.

Try dabba lamps or tea and coffee cups embossed with aamchi Mum ‘bai’ swinging her ample assets. Pick up coasters stamped with logos of train stations. Or more cushion covers with sequinned autos that are glaringly haute.

Conjure up a bygone Mumbai with lithographs of the city from the 1800s, and reprints of photos of sweeping vistas of Marine Drive you won’t recognise.

Contemporary Arts and Crafts, 19 Napean Sea Road, Mumbai. Telephone: 23631979.
Loose Ends, Waterfield Road, off Linking Road, Mumbai. Telephone: 26453777.
Phillips Images, opposite Regal Cinema, Mumbai. Telephone: 22020564.
Price: Rs 200 (for mugs) – Rs 5000 (for sequinned cushion covers).

What do glam girls Preity Zinta, Gauri Khan, Sussanne Roshan and Malaika Arora Khan have in common – besides showbiz of course?

The answer is designer Seema Khan, who’s married into the famous Khan family. Yes, she’s Salman Khan’s sister-in-law.

Seema’s recently-launched festive collection at Aza gives traditional looks a contemporary twist. Heads will turn as you shimmer in her vibrant chiffon saris teamed up with jewelled blouses. The collection is high on the bling factor – hand-painted stones, mirrors, crystals and jewels accentuate her designs.

But there’s more than just ethnic wear. Select from sexy backless tunics, crystal-embellished short chiffon tube dresses and animal print georgette cowl tops with crystal under-the-bust belts.

Dazzle in her creations this season, especially if you have a Diwali bonus to help you indulge.

Aza, 21, Altamount Road, Mumbai.
Telephone: 23530212/ 23517616.
Prices start at Rs 2500

Breathe in deeply through your left nostril and breathe out twice as slowly through your right? If yoga isn’t for you, then try the world’s next best stress reliever: painting. You don’t have to be Vincent van Gogh or M. F. Hussain. Remember what it felt like to mess around with colours in playschool when you head for The Colour Factory at the Mega Mall in Gurgaon.

Football-shaped mugs, ashtrays posing as racing cars, toothbrush holders that look like wash basins – these are among the bits of pottery waiting to be painted. Pick your piece and within minutes a bowl of water, a mug full of paint brushes and a colours palette arrive at your table. Order some coffee, let your hair down and paint.

You can collect your masterpiece in four days (fully glazed and fired). You’ll be surprised at how good it looks.

Your old playschool style still works wonders. Feel good to be you – and even better when you discover that your stress buster costs a lot less than most yoga classes.

The Colour Factory
In Bangalore: No. 3, Curley Street, Richmond Town. Telephone: 08041240090.
In Delhi: Mega Mall, Gurgaon. Telephone: 01244370958. Prices from Rs. 150.
In Mumbai: 2nd floor, InOrbit Mall, Link Road, Malad (W). Telephone: 28779911. Prices: Rs. 225 for pot-making; Rs. 100 - 500 for pot-painting.
Short pottery courses also available.