There’s nothing quite like luxe lingerie to power the pamper factor. So come Feb 14 if you’re a deux or splendidly single, indulge your inner diva with retail therapy from Trendy’s top lingerie picks in town.

Boudoir London: Sumptuous lacy bits, satin near-nothings, skimpy thongs and enticing teddies from Calvin Klein, Lejaby and Rosy. Plus bras for larger sizes from Fantasie, Panache and Freya, available up to FF cups.
Shop No. 8, Ground Floor, Juhu Tara Road. Telephone: 26607940.
Prices start at Rs. 900.

La Senza: Pretty cotton bras, panties, sleepwear, swimwear and loungewear. And the Ultra Soft collection, which uses Modal, a soft and silky fibre spun from beechwood.
Corinthian Building, Linking Road, Khar.
Prices start at Rs. 600.

Passion d’Elle: Choose from delicately crafted European lingerie by Perele, Lise Charmel, Chantelle, Hechter Studio and Passionata.
Shop No.4, A.N. Chambers, Turner Road, Bandra.
Prices start at Rs. 400.

Intimisso Organicaa: Fruits, herbs, infusions and marine bath and body products from Voda Soaps, Philip B and OC-A prep the body for innerwear by DKNY, Christian Lacroix and Princess Tam Tam.
Shop No 1, Pluto Building, Turner road, Bandra (W), Mumbai. Telephone: 55248203.
Prices start at Rs. 450.

Aubade: From bras with crystals on the cleavage to the fun Bollywood collection, and Romance a Venise range with intricate detailing and garland embroidery.
High Street, Phoenix Mall, Lower Parel. By appointment only. Telephone: 9820686018.
Prices start at Rs. 3,100.

Tables groaning under butter chicken, plates slopping over with rogan josh, platters heaped with greasy naans. If you’re tired of tandoori nights, head to the latest dining option in Saket.

Inspired by the small-food phenomenon flooring the west, Tabula Rasa serves up less-than-regular helpings of soups, aperitifs, entrees and desserts. Its Greek name, meaning “blank tablet”, implies limitless possibilities: sample many appetizers, or two main courses and three desserts.

Set up by Sohrab Sitaram and Rohan Gupta of the uber-cool eateries Shalom, Laidbackwaters, Ploof and The Kitchen, this restaurant small-dishes European and Oriental food. Think crudités with a chilli orange dip and salmon avocado rolls, followed by meatballs in a garlic-tomato sauce, and pan-grilled Maldivian crab steaks.

Think, also, long, languid evenings, intervals between courses for conversation and, such a relief, that rare, unstuffed feeling after a meal out. The décor is as easy and calming: Sheer white curtains and tall lamp shades. There’s a terrace, too, for the balmy weather.

No dance floor though. Pity, when you’re feeling so light on your feet.

Tabula Rasa, Square One Mall, C2 Saket, Saket District Centre, New Delhi. Telephone: 29562666.
Meal for two: around Rs. 2000 (bar licence expected shortly).

A decadent aristocrat with a love for lady footballers. A psychic cartographer. Eccentric zamindars. And a wandering Jew. Sarnath Banerjee returns with his rollicking new graphic novel, ‘The Barn Owl’s Wondrous Capers’.

If you grew up on your parents’ zealously horded stash of Amar Chitra Kathas and their superb line drawings, graduate to Saranth’s witty graphics which delve into the past, and entertain.

The author who aspires to be the ‘great uncle of graphic novels in the country’ puts his tongue firmly in his cheek as he goes about trawling through the scandal-ridden lanes of 18th century Calcutta. Especially delightful is the Jew from Syria, who trades in novelties like corsets, zebras and aphrodisiacs, and becomes a chronicler of his times.

Trendy gives a huge thumbs-up to the cool and quirky author who specializes in what he calls ‘pedestrian history’. He will not know when the Berlin Wall fell, but knows what brand of cigarettes people were smoking at the time. He will not know Calcutta’s history, but can discuss the etymology of the city’s name and compare it to that of Budapest!

If you liked ‘Corridor’, his first work, then this one is for you: postmodern, sharp, and very, very funny.

The Barn Owl’s Wondrous Capers by Sarnath Banerjee, Penguin.
Price: Rs. 395.

Ethereal clouds. Eerily life-like rocks. Exquisite women. Prepare for an assault on more senses than the visual when you encounter the 45 black-and-white frames hung across the gallery walls.

‘Rocks, Clouds and Nudes’ is a collection of largely unpublished photographs by ace lensman Raghu Rai. Don’t expect his iconic shots of the old Delhi skyline or his power portraits of Indira Gandhi: This is photography at its purest.

Discover a woman’s innermost secrets in the contours of a lotus leaf. Share the reverie of an emaciated sadhu perched atop the rocks at Hampi. Feel the lump in your throat as gnarled old hands lace with tiny fingers. And, for the first time in Delhi, let your eyes linger over Rai’s female forms – drenched in water, draped in sheer fabric, juxtaposed with pottery and marble.

This is a show that demands time and attention. If one speaks to you, you could even take it home. But be warned, it could be the conversation piece that evokes silence.

Rocks, Clouds and Nudes opens at 6 pm, Feb 7, at Gallerie Romain Rolland, Alliance Francaise, 72, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi.
Telephone: 24651445, 9871381167.
On view till Feb 15, 11 am to 7 pm.
Prices on request.

You and your girls aren’t up for dressing up and heading downtown, but you don’t want to sacrifice on a hip night out either.

You might want to try Ginseng, which opened a few weeks back with a fresh twist on the Chinese food experience.

Start off with drinks in their lounge bar, complete with DJ console, psychedelic lighting and plasma screens.

Then move down a level for dinner. If you’re with a group, ask for one of their screened in, discreet dining nooks.

The vibe outshines the standard Chinese menu’s soups, rice, noodles, chicken and vegetarian dishes. Our Trendy Taster recommends the bacon-wrapped prawns starter and the butter pepper squid, which is slightly chewy, but delicious. The Yam Mein noodles and pot rice are interesting and satisfying. For dessert it’s the usual suspects – date pancakes and honey fried noodles.

The décor swings in a minimalist direction: Bamboo reeds, a Buddha bust here and there, and, thankfully, a dash of warm muted reds and golds. Spot lighting that lets you see what you’re eating is a nice touch.

The best part? No pseudo-calming zen muzak to cause indigestion.

Ginseng, Gazebo Plaza,
Plot No B-313, Linking Road, Khar.
Telephone: 26052828/2626.
Dinner for two (without alcohol): Rs 1,500.

Over 18, but not over Barbie? Playtime begins now.

Barbie manufacturers Mattel and Canadian pro make-up brand MAC are about to unveil a limited-edition cosmetics line this month in India and internationally. Expect Barbie-inspired bubble-gum coloured lipsticks, minty eyeshadows and glitter-packed face-highlighters.

MAC’s being hush-hush about the exact line-up, but MAC senior artist Vimi Joshi gave Trendy some advance do-dolly pointers.

“Give those peepers an exaggerated, round shape by lining your lower lid with a silver pencil, and tracing an outline with black eye-liner. Invest in false lashes.” She advises using glitter to make your nose, cheeks, temples and chin look shiny and plastic.

Can’t wait till the Barbie products hit the shelf? Try the already available Mineralized face-powder, Beauty Burst and Skipper eyeshadows and the Coral blusher. Their sell-out glitter product, Glimmer-Shimmer - soon to be reintroduced through the Barbie range - will add the finishing touch.

MAC and Mattel will also sell a made-over Barbie, with the make-up. Between the two of you, we’d have a hard time telling who’s the real doll.

One more scoop: MAC’s opening their first Delhi outlet come May.

PS: The girl in the pic is Ankita, not Barbie. Vimi almost had us fooled there.

In Mumbai: MAC Shop, Dynamix Mall, Sant Dhyaneshwar Marg. Telephone: 26705603
In Delhi: Kunchal’s, M-15, M-block main market. Telephone: 29281863
Price: Rs. 1330 for face powder, Rs. 750 for eyeshadows, Rs. 1000 for blusher, Rs. 790 for glitter.

The old glam heavy eye look you love gets a twist this spring in all-new silver or gunmetal. Our Trendy Tester rates the best smoky eyeshadows.

Shiseido Makeup Silky Eyeshadow Duo in Icy Coal, Rs. 1,350
Black Track: Sharp, deep black with subtle shimmer. Silky, matte white. Colours blend into a chic translucent sheen.
Trendy Take: Our Tester’s fave. Best texture, colour palette. Ideal for lighter skin.

MAC Eyeshadow in Black Tied, Rs. 750
Black Track: Intense velvety black with silver shimmer. Little goes a long way and lasts for a disc-hopping night.
Trendy Take: Best longevity. Works best for dusky divas.

Chanel Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Eyeshadow in Ebony, Rs. 1,500
Black Track: Soft charcoal grey with dry applicator, intense hue with wet.
Trendy Take: Classic grey. Super for lighter skins.

Elizabeth Arden Colour Intrigue Eyeshadow in Urban, Rs. 510
Black Track: Intense matte black goes on smooth and lasts. Great for ethnic looks.
Trendy Take: Best black for all skin tones.

Bourjois Effet Lumiere Trio Eyeshadow in Les Argent, Rs 550
Black Track: Satiny white, silver and shimmery black blend well for day or night.
Trendy Take: Most VFM. Good for most complexions.

Red Earth Eyeshadow in MS111, Rs 510
Black Track: Use a single dab of this matte dark grey for work, or layer for more intensity.
Trendy Take: Great blendability. Works for most skins.

Trendy Tip: Sweep the dark shade over the lid, stopping at the crease. Then blend in silver or white from the crease to the brow bone.

Shiseido. Delhi: Shoppers Stop, Ansal Plaza, Khelgaon Marg, New Delhi 110049. Telephone: 26258866. Mumbai: Shoppers Stop, Dynamix Mall, JVPD Scheme, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai 400049. Telephone: 26256271.
Elizabeth Arden. Delhi: Shoppers Stop, Ansal Plaza, Khelgaon Marg, New Delhi 110049, Telephone: 26258866. Mumbai: Shoppers Stop, Dynamix Mall, JVPD Scheme, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai 400049. Telephone: 26256271.
MAC. Delhi: Kunchal’s, M-15 GK-I main market, New Delhi 110048. Telephone: 29281863. Mumbai: Dynamix Mall, Sant Dhyaneshwar Marg, Juhu, Mumbai 4000049. Telephone: 26705603.
Bourjois. Delhi: Kunchal’s, M-15 GK-I main market, New Delhi 110048. Telephone: 29281863. Mumbai: Parcos, White Hall Premises, Next to Hotel Shalimar, Kemps Corner, Mumbai 400036. Telephone: 23643685, 23610824.
Chanel: Delhi: Chanel boutique, The Imperial, 1 Janpath, New Delhi 11000. Telephone: 51116840. Mumbai: La Galleria, Landmark Building, Bandra (W), Mumbai. Telephone: 55033691.
Red Earth. Delhi: Not available. Mumbai: Shop No 12, Atria Mall, Dr Annie Besant Road , Worli, Mumbai 400018. Telephone: 24813523.

Going from Point A to Point B? Give those four wheels a rest. Pick up a gorgeous girly two-wheeler in bright orange, blazing red, silver grey, metallic blue, aqua green, light purple or moon yellow.

And choose your ride from the Just 4 Her showroom, a Hero Honda initiative for its female customers. To match its wares, the showroom is done up in electric green walls, with red window frames and aqua display shelves.

The Just 4 Her showroom has swapped the standard stuffy male attendants who view women as mechanically challenged for a pleasant staff that will patiently help you choose your two-wheeler, as well as a matching helmet.

The best part: buy your scooty and you automatically join their Lady Rider club, which entitles you to discounts on spares, and exciting gifts. If your ride breaks down between 8 am and 8 pm, their emergency staff picks you up and takes care of your whirring baby. And when servicing is due, they pick up your scooter from your doorstep, and then drop it back.

As their tagline goes, why should boys have all the fun?

Hero Honda Just 4 Her showroom, 158-159 Master Block, Near Madhuban, Shakarpur East, New Delhi. Telephone: 22026966/67.
Price: Rs 39, 000.

Don’t forget to enter our Valentine’s Day Giveaway.

Whispered conversations over low tables and Turkish coffee.

You can transform your living room into a Middle Eastern loveshack with some sequinned cushions, Moroccan lamps, and a sure-fire scene stealer: a superglam sheesha.

Arabian Nights’ recently opened outlets have hookahs in their fragrant, flavoured avatar. Owned by one of India’s leading tobacco exporters, this first-of-its-kind chain caters to the sheesha lovers’ every need.

These lab-like shops don’t have fez-capped salesmen, but their selection is as rich as Turkish Delight. Dainty portable single-users to mammoth ones with multiple pipes. Models in brass or acrylic that are made-in-India and gold-encrusted or cut-glass hubble bubbles from Malaysia, Iran or Egypt. Blood reds, burnished oranges, desert sky blues, shimmering emeralds - they have the magic of Aladdin’s cave of treasures. And their menu of 29 fruity, spicy, exotic tobacco flavours will fill your cosy bachelorette pad with delicious aromas.

These sheeshas are being eagerly snapped up by those hooked on hookahs, divas with a yen for decoration, and tourists with luggage space to spare.

Note: Veiled bellydancers and handsome Moroccans not included.

Arabian Nights. In Andheri: Opposite Mc Donald’s, Lokhandwala. Telephone: 26396440. In Bandra: Next to KFC, Linking Road. Telephone: 67104755. In Colaba: 14A Grants Building, Arthur Bunder Road. Telephone: 22876529. In Haji Ali: Heera Panna Shopping Arcade, Shop No 33. Telephone: 65527520. In Nagpada: Patel Arcade. Telephone: 65522200. Website: www.arabiannights.in.
Price: Rs. 625 - 25,000 for sheeshas. Flavoured molasses start at Rs. 35 for a 50 gm packet.

Don’t forget to enter our Valentine’s Day Giveaway.

As winter melts away, you spring from hibernation, ready to scale fresh challenges. A job switch? Perhaps. A new boss? Bring it on. A new relationship? Even a femme fatale like you might need added ammo to tackle that one.

Might a squirt from a bottle of sensuality do the trick? Our Trendy Tester thought so after spritzing on Femme de Montblanc, the latest fragrance from the masters of the luxury pen.

The amethyst-coloured perfume is ensconced in a glass likeness of the new Montblanc Diamond. Commissioned for the company’s hundredth anniversary, the all-new 43-facet Montblanc Diamond will be used in its watches and pens.

The perfume, too, is beautifully faceted. Its spicy oriental bouquet has deep gourmand notes that offset the vibrancy of mouth-watering fruits. Key ingredients include peach, Turkish rose, tonka bean, and vanilla.

Perhaps a tad too strong for the romantic lunch. Perfect for a candlelight dinner or close dancing. Let your man enjoy the scent of your success.

Femme de Montblanc is available at Shoppers Stop and all leading retail shops.
Price: Rs. 2800 for 50 ml and Rs. 3750 for 75 ml.

Don’t forget to enter our Valentine’s Day Giveaway.