Venezia. Milano. Florenza. Your itinerary this summer includes serious-sightseeing. And culinary stopovers. But you can go easy on packing your Louis Vuitton cases with Italian high fashion pretties — it’s all happening back home.

Say hello to GAS (stretch out the ‘a’, and say it right, ‘Gaas’). The premium Italian apparel and accessories brand is now here, in the heart of the city.

Slip into soft, summery cuts, styles and colours in GAS mainstay, denim. As well as dresses in lightweight cotton muslin with Balinese prints, and shirt dresses teamed with capris. For that careless just-put-myself-together look, team a sensual tee with ultra-high denim shorts or a denim skirt with studs and rhinestones.

Pick up, for him, cool cotton things. Our Trendy Shopaholic loved the floral shirts — digital flowery prints superimposed on classic pinstripes. The tees will make him smile.

Accessorise with their oversize belts, for the moment: bags and caps will be here soon.

Fly back light, with just some angel-hair pasta.

In Bangalore: Shoppers Stop, Garuda Mall, Magrath Road. GAS store also coming soon.
In Delhi: F-29, Malhotra Building, Connaught Place. Telephone: 64597220.
In Mumbai: Baba Art Gallery, Ground floor, Meharabad Cooperative Housing Society, Warden Road. Telephone: 65173040.
Prices: starting at Rs. 850.

Instant messaging and quick-dry nail paint. On-the-go meals and lightening-fast deals. You’re living life in the fast lane and want everything else to match your zip-zap-zoom. Which is why the Trendy Critic thought you’d love this one.

Two Plus Productions, the same guys who run the Mocha Film Club, promise to liven up this weekend for movie buffs. They’ve organised a festival of short films by independent filmmakers. With no film running longer than half-an-hour (the shortest is just a two-minuter, while most average about 11 minutes), you’ll be exposed to a wide variety of very young, very fresh thoughts, subjects and ideas in less time than your average visit to the salon.

Called Shamiana because it’s an open-air venue, the fest kicks off with talented director Ashima Narain’s documentary ‘In the Pink’ on flamingos visiting Mumbai. The finale is her film on the pitiful plight of dancing bears entitled ‘The Last Dance’. Between these two bookends for animal lovers, you’ll find all kinds of stories making you laugh, cry and maybe even cuss.

They make the cut. Just like you always do.

Shamiana Short Film Festival, on the terrace of Oceana building, next to Hotel Marine Plaza, Marine Drive. Telephone: 9867431000. Dates: April 27, 28 and 29. Time: 7pm onwards. Tickets: Rs. 50 per day.

Day 3:
Naxalism, 21 mins, director Taher Mithaiwala: About the growth of the Naxal movement.
Bilori, 12 mins, director Sandeep Modi: A must-see, cute and touching film about gender discrimination in rural India.
Mochi, 11 mins, director Praveen Bhamre: Story of a shoemaker’s young son who wants the sky.
Aids, 3 mins, director Rutwij Vaidya: Beautifully animated take on a social issue.
The Last Dance, 11 mins, director Ashima Narain: Premiere of the film that documents the crime and cruelty committed upon the sloth bear across India.

White light? Yellow light? A mix of both? Have you ever scurried from mirror to mirror, checking your make-up, wondering how the party venue will be lit?

Ever daubed on blue eye-shadow that, at the garden party, added two decades to your skin? Do you often wonder how the Malaika Arora-Khans and the Preity Zintas never seem to suffer bad face days? They’re pros, you console yourself. And their make-up is, too.

Now, the celebs’ fave brand of colour cosmetics is in town. MAC, the professional brand from Estee Lauder, will sell the very same lippers and lacquers that make every Bollywood babe’s heart go mmmm.

Begin with the silicone-loaded Primer that’s skin happiness in a bottle. Follow up with a cream colour base (bearing wicked names like Premeditated, Fawntastic and Fabulush) for a flawless finish, topped by a powder, pressed or loose, that brightens the skin and adds a glamorous shimmer.

Then comes the tough choice: the fabulous range of eye-shadows, lipsticks (more than 100 shades, from the outrageous Exhibitionist to the so-sweet Plink!) and blushes, each of them a treat for Indian skin tones.

Because every girl is a celeb at heart.

Opening this Saturday: MAC Cosmetics, Magrath Road, next to Home Stop, Bangalore 25.
Prices start from Rs. 750.

Oh these crazy hazy lazy days of summer. Mangoes and litchis. Coolers and sherbets. And, slurp, soups and never-ending salads. Bliss.

Get a laaarge bowl out and get ready for your delivery from Kanu Somany’s home farm. All veggies come lovingly nurtured and fresh-harvested, right to your doorstep, Tuesdays and Fridays.

Crisp cool cucumbers. Tomatoes in all hues from currant-sized beads to hefty beefsteaks. Multi-coloured cauliflowers. Batavian ruby red lettuce, freckled romaine, piquant sorrel, peppery cress, lamb’s lettuce, spicy wild rocket, crimson beet leafs. Nutty parsnip roots. Tender zucchinis. Rosy eggplants. And half a dozen herbs. All pesticide free.

Then there are other goodies — henna for your hair, banana leaves for your steamer basket, aloe vera for your skin, and wheat grass for your immune system.

It started with Kanu’s hubby missing the greens they took for granted in London, and her list grew as expat patrons requested other veggies they were homesick for. Why pesticide- and chemical-free? Because she’s her father’s daughter — he’s only ever eaten his veggies raw.

The best way to a slimmer, trimmer you.

Email Kanu Somany at kanu_somany@yahoo.com.
Price: a bag salads (200g) for Rs. 200, vegetables for about Rs. 50, herbs for Rs. 30.

You’re walking on sunshine. Your soul soaks up the energy, your mind revels in the power of the rays. You know everything is possible.

Your skin agrees. But summer means tanning, burning, sweating, dryness. What do you do when you have all the elements to battle?

Take a shower with Lush’s summer-spesh line-up. Choose between the pina colada-flavoured Big Calm and the jasmine-scented Joy of Jelly body cleansers. You can use them at room temperature, or chill ‘em for an uber-cool bath experience. The coconut and pineapple infusions and the orange oil in the Big Calm cleanse and soothe, while the jasmine, tiger lily and rose extracts in the Joy of Jelly wash away your worries along with the grime.

For the final touch, try Almond Kisses, the rose-and-carnation super-softening body cream with almond oil. Or go for Gorgeous, the honey-and-olive oil-laden moisturiser.

Slather them on, and keep your cool. And your skin sun-kissed.

Order Lush products online at www.lushindia.com.
Or shop at their two Bangalore locations: first floor, The Forum, Koramangala, (tel: 22067611/99); and first floor, Garuda Mall, Commissariat Road-Magrath Road crossing, (tel: 66641110/11).
Big Calm (100 gm): Rs. 250. Joy of Jelly (100 gm): Rs. 275. Almond Kisses (45 gm): Rs. 2,215. Gorgeous (45 gm): Rs. 4,320.

For ages, you’ve disciplined your hair with straighteners, relaxers, rebonders. It’s time to let those ringlets bounce free. Four hair experts put their heads together on twisted tresses.

Ay’sha Riazuddin, Bollywood star stylist
Chop: Layers reduce bulk which weighs down curls.
Hue: Placement’s essential. For global, choose glossy plums. Avoid blonde.
Goop: L’Oreal’s Serie Expert range.

Godwin D’Cruz, Lara N Lee Salon
Chop: Trust a stylist who loves curly hair.
Hue: Chunky highlights.
Goop: L’Oreal Shine Curl shampoo+conditioner, Curl Memory Down Cream for definition, Keune Phyto Protein Spray post-shower, L’Oreal Play Ball Beach Cream for a messy look.

Savio Pereira, Magic Salon
Chop: Disconnected haircuts, round/long layers or natural inversion.
Hue: Block colouring, or on ends or distinct waves.
Goop: For styling, mousse, moisture-kick spray, Magic serum, curling balm and product-maximising diffuser. Any good brand will do.

Chetan Rao, Hue and Me
Chop: Layers lend texture, distribute volume, make curls visible.
Hue: Highlights, not global.
Goop: Wella Curl Shampoo and Curl Conditioning Mousse (leave-in), Hydro Shampoo and Hydro Mask, Wella High Hair Jelly Waver.

Puts the spring back in Spring, doesn’t it?

Salon Ay’sha : Shop No 1, Clifton Trishul, Oberoi Ravi Raj Complex, Off Link Rd, Andheri (W); Tel: 26314975.
Lara N Lee: Shop No 1, Elcid Bldg, Dr Ambedkar Road, Pali Naka, Bandra West; Tel: 26495738.
Magic: Ground Flr, Leela Bldg, KD Rd, Near Ras Raj Restaurant, Vile Parle (W); Tel: 23951001.
Hue n Me: B-802, Vasant Galaxy, Bangur Nagar, Link Rd, Goregaon (W); Tel: 28767216.

You’ve spent a lovely languid morning stocking up on fresh seasonal musts from Ogaan and Anokhi, pretty fabrics from Fabindia, and scented candles from Good Earth. Now for a spot of relaxed lunch.

Step away from the crowds and queues at the cafés, diners, and bistros, into the pan-Asian Sidewok, which matches your high-steppin style. Walk up the stairs to its bright lipstick-accented interiors, and you are instantly away from noise and bustle, a perfect spot for stowed shopping bags and easy conversation.

Before you even crack open the menu, order Fat Horses. No equine flesh, never fear: just Thai-style dumplings steamed under eggy blankets with a touch of palm sugar and coconut milk. The Tom Yum Kha is just right, too. Pig out on anise-y sticky Cambodian pork ribs, or stay saintly and share a gentle Malaysian-spiced Kamling curry, with Korean chap chee veggies.

Skip dessert, says our Trendy Taster, unless they have the heavenly Tub Tim Grob. Or, trip downstairs to the Kasa Gelato outlet, for afters.

Sidewok, 45 Khan Market (end of middle lane), first floor, New Delhi 110003l. Telephone: 43587122/33.
Meal for two: Rs. 1,500 (alcohol not served).

Dance-aerobics is for dummies, treadmills are trivial. Real women swear by Pilates. Count, among them, Oprah, Madonna and Jen Aniston.

And the savvy women have signed up for classes at Active Canvas, South Bangalore’s new activity and arts school. At Yellow Barn, their movement studio, our Trendy Tester was put through the paces by instructors from the eponymous dance company set up by London-based ballerina-choreographer Yana Lewis.

Focus, stretch, focus, hold, focus, repeat. Pilates, unlike regular aerobics, depends on the mind to do at least part of the hard work. Many of the stretches resemble yogasanas, but on a more extreme level. Our Trendy Tester found herself concentrating deeply on the body parts being exercised, from the stomach to the hips. The Greco-German inventor of this fitness regimen called this core area — from the tum to the bum — the powerhouse. An hour of intensive stretching left our tester feeling lean, invigorated and wonderfully virtuous.

So go ahead, do the stretch. Sculpt out the goddess within. Maybe she’s Greek.

Active Canvas, 343, 10th A Main, 3rd Cross, 1st block Jayanagar, Bangalore 560011. Telephone: 41609122/9980129768. Classes on Tuesdays (7.30-8.30 pm) and Thursdays (11am- noon). Fees: Rs. 800 a month.

You’re a head turner on your own. But it’s even easier when you’re in one of French Connection’s sassy yet smart logo tees. The brand that made FCUK a household word is finally here.

Now get your fix of French Connection skirts, pants, shirts, blouses and accessories, too. Clean and classic silhouettes in bright, summery colours with bold prints. These clothes are flattering on skinny and curvy women alike, and raise the bar on the style meter.

Their jeans — known for their cuts as much as the colours they come in — are a must-have for your summer wardrobe. And if you’re looking for something trés feminine, slip into one of their extremely with-it dresses and cinch with a wide belt from their collection.

Like the style, the French Connection section is functional and fuss-free, being brightly lit and easy to browse through.

Too chic to FCUK? We think not.

French Connection, Shoppers Stop, Dynamix Mall, Juhu, Mumbai 400 049. Also at Vama, Kanchanjunga, 72, Peddar Road, Mumbai 400 026; and Shoppers stop, Inorbit Mall, Link Road, Malad (w), Mumbai 400 064. Prices start at Rs. 2,500.

Kantha kurtis. Lahori patialas. Jaipuri jooties. You ticked them all off your list. But your revamped wardrobe is still missing those dream denims.

Give us your ears. Our Trendy Fashionista has found Italian brand Miss Sixty’s array of gorgeous jeans in its first just-opened Indian store. Couture and pret blend to create sexy sophistication in Miss Sixty’s range of light-as-air fabrics in washes and textures, spanning classic blue to edgy grey. There’s a fit for every body type, and every style — wide legs, comfort fit, ultra slim.

It’s not all just jeans, but a whole cotton-lycra feast. There are fitted blouses, spaghettis and tees in purple, ash blue, and classic white and black. And skirts which can double up as work and party wear. You’ll love the little black and white dress with a red lining, a cute multi-tasker that looks luxe both day and night. Uber feminine, young, understated.

That’s your look.

Miss Sixty, M-56, M Block market, GK Part-I, New Delhi. Telephone: 46536107/108.
Prices: Start at Rs. 1,999 for tops, Rs. 5,000 for jeans. Opening in Mumbai soon.