Trawling one store after another to satisfy your fashion fixation can be hard on you. Instead, opt for Samsaara, the newest one-stop designer shop in Mumbai.

Spread over two floors, Samsaara has soul candy galore. Dressing areas filled with fragrant potpourri, cushioned benches, bright lighting set against soft music. And the piece de resistance in the centre — a Swarovski-strewn garden with splashing water and graceful green bamboo clusters.

And then there’s the shopalicious stuff, of course. Creations by fashion biggies like Satya Paul, Deepika Gehani, Valaya Quantum, Shantanu & Nikhil, Rocky S, Aparna Chandra, Manish Malhotra, Rohit Bal, Manav Gangwani and TT by Tarun Tahiliani amongst others. Menswear by Gudda and Raghavandra Rathore and Satya Paul ties, a spot of elegant Western wear and accessories for women round off the range.

But our Trendy Fashionista says the highlight at Samsaara right now is columnist Shobhaa Dé’s cocktail saris in a spectrum of bright hues with attractive detailing and sexy blouses.

And whether they go the distance with you or not, this store goes the whole nine yards.

Samsaara, Unit 3, B Block Dhanraj Mahal, Chhatrapati Shivaji Marg (Opposite Indigo Deli), Colaba, Mumbai. Telephone: 22023061.
Prices: Start at Rs. 5,000.

The wait for seats at Sakura is old. What’s jumping-out-of-the-sea fresh is Sushiya, the new kid in town bringing your favourite Japanese rice rolls home to you.

Call and they’ll email you a menu. Choose your tray from 10 options. On your order, a small army of chefs and helper elves get slicing, dicing, rolling — bright Norwegian salmon, rosy Trivandrum tuna, tender asparagus spears, creamy avocado. They smear on wasabi, pack in anti-bacterial leafy ‘hedges’, seal the moisture-proof packaging and hurry it over chilled.

Teriyaki chicken, smoked salmon roll and prawn nigiri are easy entries for sushi virgins. Our Trendy Taster was charmed by a tangy orange slice in her maki. Is it a carrot? Is it the curl of Supergirl’s cape? No, it’s a piece of papaya.

Growing up in Japan, CEO Varun Modgill fell for the ‘queen of all foods’. Back in Delhi he encountered sushi cravers. So when he met his Japanese business partner during a stint at Selfridges in London, the 22-year-old bravely decided to deliver.

Sharpen those chopsticks. Set out the wasabi. Smile.

Contact Sushiya at 9312444086. Prices: Rs. 280-370 for non-vegetarian sets, Rs. 200-250 for vegetarian sets.

Trendy is taking a three-day summer break beginning May 23. But before we go, here’s the third part of our summer getaway series.

Coffee toffees, coffee breaks, coffee liqueurs. All part of your day — and night.

Now wake up and smell the real thing. In a coffee plantation. Of all the estates that dot the hills around Bangalore, our Trendy Traveller recommends Nature Nirvana, six hours away from the city. A sprawling mansion that once preened over acres of coffee plantations, it now serves as a guest house for up to 45 people at a time.

Built in the colonial style, the plantation bungalow has old Indian furniture, high ceilings, Mangalore tiles and wooden beams. Perfect to zoom you back a century in time, whether you opt for the double rooms or the dorms.

The service is impeccable. The food, amazing. Especially after a one-hour trek to Sunset Point, with its breathtaking views. In the evenings, there are barbeques and bonfires — just perfect to get the kindle the sparks again.

In the sunlight, soak in the views of the plantations. Or explore the stream or the small lake for fun boating — or the nearby caves, peaks and even a whole sanctuary. Or just luxuriate in the quiet.

It redefines the coffee buzz.

Nature Nirvana (www.naturenirvana.com), NH4 to Nelamangala, turn left for NH 48 via Channarayapatna to Hassan, take SH 57 to Chikmugulur via Belur. For enquiries and reservations: 0824-4279152, 098440-42152, 094483-64152. Costs: Rs. 1500 per day per person.

You’ve got a summery garden buffet planned, but for dessert — iced flowers will droop, and it’s too early for teacake. Besides, you’d prefer a scoop of cold or just the one itsy-bitsy bite.

Trendy’s fantastic foursome to the rescue.

Preah Narang: After airy-fairy fare, her ultralight fruity sorbets and nothing-artificial ices are the way to go. Bailey’s, Pimm’s, mango, chocolate. Egg-free too. Send your icebox over.

Arshi Dhupia: When you need an after-eats showstopper, order her toffee-walnut tart. Or pull out all stops with classic baked New York cheesecake with cherry topping.

Prabha Gulati: What’s a farmhouse-style orchard luncheon without apple pie a la mode? She’s got the right crust, and a unique guava cheesecake, too.

Vandana Singh: Wickedest, fudgiest (eggless) brownies. She also has the perfect petit fours for coffee: dates stuffed with dried fruits, enrobed in chocolate.

Preah Narang, 23 Prithviraj Road, Flat 3B, Tara Apartments, Delhi; Tel: 9810007997. Arshi Dhupia, 100 Golf Links, Delhi; Tel: 9811296858. Prabha Gulati, SDF 38A, Sector 15A, Noida; Tel: 9810669213. Vandana Singh, 109 Arjun Marg, DLF I; Tel: 9810384284.
Prices: Toffee tart Rs. 450/kg. Apple pie Rs. 350/kg, Sorbets Rs. 600-1,200/litre. Chocolates Rs. 650-1000/kg.

Click here to read yesterday’s Sweet Treats Part 1 on homemade cakes.

Trendy is taking a three-day summer holiday starting May 23. But before we go, here’s the second in our four-part summer getaways series.

The air-conditioned city rep is taking a beating. Malls and movies are for 12-year-olds. For us big girls to cool off, we need supersized chill-out spheres.

In lieu of a whole new planet, consider the open-air rock pool at Jungle Retreat in Masinagudi. Surrounded on all sides by mountains, you can float forever in its aquamarine waters and watch the mists creep in to wrap you like a satin stole.

Go away with your girl gang. Or bike it with the boyfriend. Have a pyjama party in the warm wooden dorms, or turn in in those cosy log cottages. Our Trendy Traveller spent most of her weekend in the pool, but she vouches for the comfort factor of the beds too.

Nestled at the base of the Nilgiris, the resort also dishes up some scrumptious Continental and Indian buffets. In the evenings, you can bond over bonfires on the sprawling lawns. In the day, challenge your inner adventurer with a jungle trek. Or nurture your dreamy side on one of those inviting hammocks.

On your return to the city, don’t be surprised if the mall-rats ask you enviously, “How do you look so cool?”

It’s a secret you carry inside you.

Jungle Retreat, Masinagudi, near the Bandipur forest reserve. Two-day getaway will cost around Rs. 3,000. Call 04232 526469 for details and reservations.

5th Avenue, Rodeo Drive and Newbury Street. You’ve often wondered why you had to suffer jet lag to fill your shopping bag. Now, finally, some of that same casual couture is within easy reach.

The just-launched Calvin Klein Spring/Summer 2007 Collection brings in the best of fresh American fashion. Just as this classic brand took white innerwear from boringly functional to fiendishly sexy, you’ll find they’ve done the same for their summer line, too.

Look out for flowing, knee-length chiffon skirts and printed dresses, tiny shorts in yellow or royal blue, tees with very edgy metallic prints and extremely chic jackets. Other goodies up for grabs: their fab bags and belts.

And then there are their famous jeans. Faded, ripped, solids, lights, darks. Our Trendy Fashionista rates these a definite must-buy. They’re so bootylicious — they’ll make you look and feel like JLo.

Admit it, when it comes to being a diva, you like to pull out all the stops.

At Shoppers Stop, Dynamix Mall, Juhu, Mumbai, and Vama, Kanchanjunga, 72 Peddar Road, Mumbai.
Prices: Jeans Rs. 4,000-Rs 8,000. Skirts, tops and dresses Rs. 1,500-4,000. Bags Rs. 5,000-15,000, innerwear (in stores from July) starts at Rs. 400.

You’re in Mumbai, but your heart is on holiday in Tuscany. Such is life. Yet you dream of a cafe on home turf with all the drama of the opera and wholesomeness of the Italian countryside.

Discover Cafe Penne nestling quietly in Juhu. Cleverly divided into an outdoor space for al fresco munching and a fine dining indoor section, this place oozes languorous romance with its combination of polished wood, colourful runners and tea lights a-twinkle.

The menu doesn’t disappoint either. A culinary serenade that woos all your senses. Fresh prawns styled in a risotto with fleeting hints of saffron. The perfect mating of olive oil and lime juice in the carpaccio of Norwegian salmon. Crunchy asparagus heads snuggling with juicy orange slices in a zesty salad. Succulent lamb in a rich oyster sauce. And how can you forget the designer pastas? Team a Fusilli Giovanni Pisano or a Spaghetti Fruitti D’mare with your choice of wines from their library.

After all that gastronomic music, end your meal with a sweet crescendo: the gelato bar has 16 flavours. Let it play on.

Cafe Penne, 14 Silver Beach Estate, AB Nair Road, Opposite Juhu Post Office, Mumbai. Telephone: 26255706/13. Dinner for two: Rs. 2,500.

Hey, hey, the gang’s all here. You’ve planned the perfect brunch, and you want to round it off with something equally special.

No five starry show-offy creations that are more frosting and icing than the real thing. Instead, call on these fairy godmothers who turn out scrumptious tortes — and other treats — at home.

Choose one in your neighbourhood, order ahead, and drive over with your goody bag. Here are Trendy’s top four picks for cakes to carry home.

Jaya Kochhar: Sugar-paste flowers cascade over fondant-quilted devil’s food or lemon curd-filled vanilla chiffon sponge. Heartache to take a knife to.

Mala Bindra: It’s her gorgeous chocolate cake that got her famous. A slice is never enough.

Niloufer Dhondy: This saint uses oil (never butter or cream) to turn out addictive apple cake, Belgian couverture-cloaked chocolate sin, and other luscious fruity numbers.

Neeru Sahni: Her praline-encrusted chocolate cake looks as good as grandma’s — until you hit the out-of-this-world chocolate mousse filling. Can’t wait for her strawberries-and-cream sandwich, next on the menu.

You can pass them off as homemade. Because they are.

Jaya Kochhar, A1/278 Safdarjung Enclave, Delhi; Tel: 9818077161. Mala Bindra, 2 Palam Marg, Delhi; Tel: 9811039894. Niloufer Dhondy, C298 Sushant Lok I, Delhi; Tel: 9810173833. Neeru Sahni, 8 Shriram Road, Civil Lines; Tel: 9811511115.
Prices: Rs. 400/kg to Rs. 750/kg.

And tomorrow read about our fave desserts from home chefs, for when a cake won’t make the cut.

Trendy is taking a three-day summer holiday starting May 23. But before we go, here’s a four-part series with some ideas in case you need a getaway, too.

You’ve saved Marrakesh for the monsoons, Spain for New Year’s. But jeez. You really could do with a spur-of-the-mo, wallet-friendly break right now.

Stop by RK Farms in Coorg. It’s five hours away and offers better-than-Bangalore weather. And it’s run by Kushi (a just-like-us gal) who makes sure you take on a typical farm-hand role at the place and eat hearty with some authentic, fiery Coorg cuisine.

Pick from six cosy cottages, basic but charming with a verandah, a bedroom and an attached bath. The cottages are nestled among puddled paddy fields, lush hills, neighing stables and a sunshiny lake.

Peace and quiet apart, there’s a bit of Enid Blyton-style farm fun in store: Horses to gallop on and the lake to picnic by. And oh — the golf course to tee off on, the hills to scale and the Coorg oota (food) to come home to at sundown.

And in true local style, you can stay up till the wee hours on the verandah with a bottle of vino and a headful of scary stories.

Drive up or bike up. Whatever you do, we’re sure you’ll come down smiling.

Rs. 800 per cottage per day. Food and activities extra. Contact Kushi Bhimaya on (08274) 258403/ 98807 03150 or kushibhimaya@yahoo.com. Visit the blog at http://rkfarms.blogspot.com.

It’s about time you made that long-awaited summer getaway. Pack the essentials. Sunblock and shades. A copy of The Lollipop Shoes, Joanne Harris’ sequel to the scrumptious Chocolat. Justin Timberlake’s Summer Love on your iPod. And one of these interesting fashion finds that’ll make heads turn wherever you go.

Aigner’s 1970s-inspired range of summer bags merges the brightness of the decade with far more contemporary shapes and styles in soft calfskin, patent croc leather and even fine Greenland Fox or Silver Fox fur.

The Trendy Fashionista says their Gloria Bag — all curvy sophistication in four sizes — redefines femininity with its fashion colours (quicksilver, gold, powder pink and even lavender) and equestrian detailing. Perfect arm candy for that romantic restaurant rendezvous. Or try the XL holiday totes — Marisa and Diana — ideal slouchy shoulder-mates for the beach or Swiss chalet. Pick from the regular hues or choose navy or avocado for a fresh take.

Bet you’ll find the bag that’ll hold just everything you need this summer. Just not that intrusive Blackberry.

Delhi: Shopping Arcade 2, Maurya Sheraton, Sardar Patel Marg. Telephone: 011-41000261/62.
Mumbai: The Grand Hyatt Plaza, Off Western Express Highway, Vakola, Santacruz (E). Telephone: 022-56761234.
Prices: Start at Rs. 10,000.