Your favourite pair of jeans and your iPod. They’re the two things you never leave home without.

Now you only have one thing to remember because this week Levi’s brought to India its Redwire DLX jeans, that come with an integrated iPod-compatible docking cradle. Just slip your iPod into the watch pocket cradle and use the joystick to change music tracks and adjust volume.

The Redwire is currently available in India in one straight fit jean design, which is a smart cross between cargos and low-rise with a button fly for men and zip fly for women. The white dock and joystick contrast with the dark blue wash, making it a striking fashion statement.

Compatible with most iPod models, the Redwire comes with a tech pack that includes six docking cradles.

Trouble with crossed mobile and iPod wires? A one-touch retractable headphone unit takes care of your wire woes.

Just detach the watch pocket joystick when you’re ready to send your jeans to the washers. Though once you break them in, you may have a hard time parting with them for very long.

Mumbai: Redwire DLX jeans are available at the Original Levi’s Store, Shop No 182, Nalini Apartments, Khar Linking Road, Khar West, Near Sadguru Hotel. Telephone: 26001616.

Price: Rs 9,000.

We love wine – at the vineyard, the bar and by the glass. For the next few Wednesdays, Trendylicious brings you stories on wine. Why Wine on Wednesday? Why not?

Maximum city makes your head spin? Leave the toxic fumes behind for the delicately intoxicating. Go wine tasting at the Sula Vineyards.

Situated in the Nashik valley, Sula is 180 kilometers and a four-hour drive from Mumbai. You’ll know you’re close when you reach endless lush green fields, rows of seductively swollen grapes and air that will clean the Bombay soot off your eyes.

Follow the yellow signs with the Sula sun logo, and you’ll reach the winery’s tasting room. 100 bucks to taste five wines and watch the sun set. No wine for more than 200-300 rupees a glass. Simmering green wine bottles turned into-lamps, and ample space to cuddle up in a corner. Nibble nuts and assorted cheeses. Bliss.

Bring tents, and pitch them on the Sula grounds. Make love under a gentle moon, soaked in wine.

Sula Winery and Tasting Room, Gat no. 35/2, Govardhan, Gangapur-Savargaon Road, Nasik.
Telephone: 91253 223 1663. Website: www.sulawines.com

PS: If nibbles are not enough, try the new Sula Sunday brunch. Veg and non-veg salads and Sula for Rs 300-400. Or spend Christmas Eve at the vineyards. Indian food, Rs 1,600 per couple. Rs 800 if you come alone. A lot can happen over crystal clinking.

Next week: Shakespeare’s in wine at the Sailo vineyard.

She juggles playing caring wife, affectionate mother, beautiful maiden and shakti to reckon with when her world is threatened. Just like you!

Parvati in many forms – with Lord Shiva, as Gauri, as Kali, all painted by artist Gayathri Desai – will be on display from December 18-24 at the Museum Gallery. This series, titled Sadhana: A tribute to Gauri Shankar, uses gold, yellow, orange, red, white, blue-black shades to show Parvati as an embodiment of consciousness, power, loveliness, good fortune, and, above all, maternal love.

Mumbai born, Desai has shown her paintings and ceramics in Hong Kong, Muscat and Jakarta, as well as Dubai, where she’s currently based. She’s concentrated on spiritual art this time around.

Desai’s dynamic use of primary colours, exaggerated eyes, and bold, clean lines evoke a serenity and reverence that stays with you even after you leave the gallery.

After running at the Museum Gallery, the exhibit will move to DD Neroy Gallery at Opera house for January 2007.

Pop by, and you just might spot your reflection in there somewhere.

Sadhana: A tribute to Gauri Shankar is at the Museum Gallery from December 18-24, 2006, K Dubash Marg, behind Jehangir Art Gallery, Kala Ghoda, Colaba, Mumbai. Telephone: 22844484. Closed on Sundays. Admission free.

If you thought actions spoke louder than words, then you’re bang on. What better way to articulate the sound of silence than by putting brush to canvas?

In her first solo show, Resonance of Silence, artist Mona Singh, who can’t talk or hear, depicts humans in familiar domestic surroundings, where mundane objects acquire their own individual personae. The exhibition, which opened this past weekend at Studio Vasant, showcases 30 figurative oeuvres d’art and oils on canvas.

One painting titled Old Lady presents a rural Indian woman, her furrowed forehead and grey hair witness to the trials and tribulations of her life. The colours are muted, the strokes potent and the effect subtle, eloquent and mesmerising.

With strong lines and a riot of colours, each of Singh’s pieces is unique in technique and style, and initiates a dialogue with the viewer.

Now that gallerist Baljit Chada has helped her open the lines of communication, the world is Mona’s oyster and she will paint on.

Resonance of Silence by Mona Singh runs from December 10-20 2006 at Studio Vasant, 39 Paschimi Marg, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi.
Telephone: 46012292. Admission free.

Picture the typical 60s British stay-at-home woman. Think nylon skirts, blood red lipsticks, and the latest copy of Woman’s World magazine lying on the chintzy sofa next to her.

Collage artist and author Graham Rawle’s new heroine is 60s girl Norma Fonatine, who lives her life by strictly following the advice in women’s magazines. It’s literally a cut-and-paste job, with the words and phrases painstakingly collaged from those same magazines Norma’s reading.

Filled with dark humour, Woman’s World isn’t about a girl stumbling over her high heels, trying to pick her next bloke. It’s about a girl hungry for tips on beauty, career and romance, as if her life depended on them.

You’ll come away from the narrative with such gems as how to get rid of lipstick stains from shirt collars. Useful in case the dry cleaner is closed.

Don’t worry, you’re not going to turn domestic after reading it. Maybe you’ll just clean a room or two. But no one will complain about that.

Woman’s World by Graham Rawle, Atlantic Books. Price: Rs 680.

Goddesses can be playful, too. Not just serious objects of devotion.

Madhavi Parekh, back in the Capital after five years, makes this clear to her fans as she harks back to her relationship with Kali, Durga, and the other strong ladies of the pantheon in a show from this evening on at the Vadehra Art Gallery.

The goddess as an expression of energy has influenced Parekh since her childhood, and the memories of the Kali pandals in Calcutta remain vivid in her mind. She’s returned to represent the goddesses time and again over this past decade.

Parekh also chronicles her recent journeys abroad. She brings memories from Egypt of a Pharoah on whom the benevolent sun god shines, replacing hieroglyphs with her own take that traces shared mythologies. The vivid blue waters of Mauritius spreading over the canvas, the figure of Christ in Israel - Parekh paints her impressions.

The goddesses have been good to Parekh.

World of Memories by Madhvi Parekh runs at the Vadehra Art Gallery through January 6 2007, D 178, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase I, New Delhi. Telephone: 65474006/5.
Closed Sundays. Free admission.

Move over JLo. Our bride-to-be is the real wedding planner, getting ready for her February bash. She’s passing the secrets of her bridal look to the many of you also planning for a spring celebration.

Makeup artist pick: Ifti: 98201 25643
Why: He gives a very natural and subtle look.
Or else: Mickey Contractor: 23078361, Vipul Bhaga: 98200 55381, Cory Walia: 98200 09489, Jaywant: 98200 67920, Subu: 98200 87082, Mehra: 98212 11237
Bridelicious advice: Schedule a trial with your artist if possible, and insist he or she comes in person on your wedding day, rather than sending an assistant.

Jewellery pick: Nirmal Zaveri/Shaze: 23687116/8
Why: Exquisite patterns, high quality diamonds, and an in-house silver store
Or else: Various on the Opera House stretch at Hughes Road.
Bridelicious advice: Go for quality over quantity to ensure high resale value. And make sure your fiance’s and your rings are the right size to avoid embarrassment.

Outfit designer pick: Private Collections at Mahalaxmi
Why: Clothes with fantastic fit and finish. You’ll want to be married in them.
Or else: Tarun Tahiliani, Surily Goel
Bridelicious advice: Get your trousseau there, too. Then head to Rinaldi or Catwalk for shoes.

Bridal spa picks: Rudra: 23872530
Why: Members get their wedding services free.
Or else: Parcos (Clarins): 23643685, Blush: 23682255
Our advice: A little pampering will de-stress and beautify you. Ask for wedding packages.

What else? Trendylicious gifts you a little (but very useful) pre-wedding present.
Just click here and viola, your wedding checklist. Keep ticking and let the countdown begin.

• Plan your budget
• Select your wedding dates
• Book your venue
  Taj Mahal Palace & Towers: 6665336
• Book your wedding pundits
• Pick a caterer and select menu and drinks
  Thacker’s Caterers: 23649300/1
• Order pre-wedding invites, wedding cards and thank you notes
  Nisha Shah: 98200 64742
• Select a stage decorator
  Imran: 98202 94323
• Pick a flower decorator
  Parulekar: 98213 34388, 2843752
• Plan for Mehendi artists and gifts
  Veena Nagda: 98204 21717, 23455785
• Choose sangeet dance choreographer
  Brinda: 98202 43999
• Book a makeup artists and schedule a trial session
  Ifti: 98201 25643
• Block rooms and hire transportation for out-of-town guests
• Choose a DJ or band
  DJ Suketu: 98330 59545
• Hire a photographer and video man
  Mandeep: 98704 60602
• Shop for your rings and other jewellery
  Nirmal Zaveri/Shaze: 23687116/8
• Purchase wedding outfits, shoes, and trousseau
  Mahalaxmi (clothes), Rinaldi or Catwalk (shoes)
• Research bridal spa packages
  Rudra: 23872530
• Buy gifts for your groom and other family members
• Plan your honeymoon (don’t forget the passport and visa)

Did yesterday’s tips from our Trendylicious bride-to-be leave you longing for more? Here are some more gems she’s uncovered that’ll make your big day as dazzling as you are.

Mehendi artist pick: Veena Nagda: 98204 21717, 23455785
Why: She’s done Mehendi for Karishma Kapoor, Farah Khan and many more. You’ll make decisions and payment way in advance, leaving you carefree on your day.
Or else: Usha Shah: 23692976
Bridelicious advice: Pick up bangles, Dupattas, Payals or silver boxes for your guests from Nisha Shah of Mystic Packaging emporium: 98200 64742.

Sangeet choreographer pick: Brinda: 98202 43999
Why: She’s easy to work with, full of ideas, and reasonable in price.
Or else: Rekha: 98202 18262, Kaumi: 98208 51559
Bridelicious advice: Keep your skit shorter than a half hour, or your guests may head for the bar instead.

DJ pick: DJ Suketu: 98330 59545
Why: You’ve seen his videos on TV and heard his Bollywood number mixes.
Or else: DJ Aqeel: 98200 69110, DJ Akbar Sami: 98200 80992
Bridelicious advice: Make a list of both must-plays and the songs to avoid.

Photographer/video man pick: Mandeep: 98704 60602
Why: His reputation for innovative ideas at a good price.
Bridelicious advice: Make sure you and your husband pose for one key snap with both sides of the family. Otherwise your apartment will forever be cluttered with frames.

In Bridelicious Part 3, we’ll tell you how our bride-to-be is planning her wedding look.

If you were one of the lucky ones, you were among Delhi’s stars that snagged a seat at the India International Centre on Tuesday night.

William Dalrymple himself was there to read from his latest, The Last Moghul: the Eclipse of the Dynasty, Delhi 1857. All manner of book enthusiasts thronged the auditorium and the foyer to ‘have a dekko’ of the writer who sadly doesn’t speak a smattering of ‘good decipherable Hindi.’

The Scottish writer, whose works act as a ready reckoner to India’s turbulent times when the British ruled the country, makes India’s recent past an accessible, exciting place. After his first two successful histories, The City Of Djinns and The White Moghuls, his third, The Last Moghul, is an insightful journey into the freedom struggle of 1857.

Dalrymple doesn’t get entangled in silly semantics. He simply calls it ‘the uprising’ against the British, and goes on from there.

You’ve heard the man. Now read the book.

The Last Moghul: The Eclipse of Dynasty, Delhi 1857, by William Dalrymple, Penguin.
Price: 695