Where are Rohit and Rahul hanging out these days?

The boys of fashion have hung their threads at Chamomille in Delhi’s GK N-Block. (click here to read our 01-19-2007 review.)

The fabulous store opened this January and has also lured the likes of Abraham and Thakore, Pankaj Ajuja, and Anupama Dayal.

Western fusion designers Kavita Bhartia, Shantanu and Nikhil, Namrata Joshipura, Priyadarshini Rao, Varun Bahl and Puja Nayyar show their stuff there, too.

After you shop for clothing, dress your home at The Next Shop. They have great taste and a constant stream of artists how exhibit their wares for a limited showing.

And when you’re shopped out, lounge at Shalom. The music, the food, the drinks and the chill vibe is just right.

Shopping’s hard work, but someone’s got to do it.

Chamomile, N-11, 2nd Floor, Greater Kailash-I, New Delhi. Telephone: 29238605/46536282. Prices: Rs. 2000 onwards.

Shalom Lounge: N-18, N-Block Market, GK-1, New Delhi. Phone: 41632280-83. Meal for two with drinks: Rs. 2,000.

Click here for more Trendylicious picks in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore.

Helen of Troy’s face launched a thousand ships. GI Jane made chicks in the army cool without sweating it out like the average Joe. You too, don’t have to fight for attention. You prefer to play it neutral. Like the Swiss.

Which is why you’ll like Victorinox’s Swiss Army fragrances. The brand known for its multi-use switchblades, sportswear and camping gear, now woos your olfactory senses with elegant and subtle scents.

Spritz on a heady mix of fresh and tangy notes: citrus blended with lavender and apple. Swirling in a tall, slightly curvy, glass bottle with clean lines, the version for women is sweet on the nose, though the red-coloured liquid fire seems like it will scorch the senses. And if men in uniform turn you on, gift your man a Swiss Army or Attitude EDT spray. He’ll smell delish enough to nibble on.

The spicy-sweet, woodsy notes of all three are refreshing yet restrained, perfect to wear to a boardroom battle.

Trust the Swiss to show us how to win without trying too hard.

Victorinox fragrances are available at La Galleria and Lifestyle stores across India. Price: For Her EDT: Rs. 1,850 (50 ml); Swiss Army and Attitude EDT: Rs. 2,250 (100 ml) and Rs. 1,750 (50 ml).

You shut eyes (and ears) to ‘leaks’ all month. You placed your preorder and conducted a final re-read of 6 volumes for clues. Now you’re gripped, semi-Stupefied, somewhere in the middle of Book 7. And you don’t want spoilers in your inbox, thanks much!

No worries: no spoilers here. Just a warning: Better put a Bodybind on your other hand — the one not turning pages — if you don’t want your nails bitten to the quick.

Because there will be chills and cheers. Tears, yes; but a surprising surfeit of chuckles. If you’ve been a good sleuth of Chekov’s guns and red herrings, many pats on the back — though perhaps the odd smack to the forehead.

You’ll meet old friends, revisit favourite haunts. The Weasleys at The Burrow. The Dursleys at Number Four. The DA from Hogwarts. The goblins of Gringotts. The Order out of Grimmauld Place. The flying motorbike. Twin mirrors. A certain locket. As Harry finally looks back over his shoulder at his choices, it’s one long, straight corridor lined with many doors stretching back — delivering him inexorably to this last threshold.

And still so much to speculate about! Spellbinding.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by J. K. Rowling. Available at all major bookstores. Price: Rs 750.

It’s Potter month for moviegoers and bookworms alike, but you’re spoiling for a more grown-up dose of thrills and chills. Reach for a tub of gooey chocolate and browse these new offerings from the dames of detectivin’:

J D Robb’s Innocent in Death: Part of the ‘In Death’ series, where Lt Eve Dallas investigates crime scenes in futuristic New York. Queen of romance Nora Roberts pens, in alias, genre-crossing futuristic thrillers, with a twist of amour. (Rs. 560)

Jill Paton Walsh’s The Bad Quarto: The one-time Dorothy Sayers collaborator now has her own whodunit series, starring Cambridge college nurse Imogen Quy. This book, the fourth, takes its cue from the Bard’s Hamlet. (Rs. 1050; paperback out in September)

Susanna Gregory’s To Kill or Cure: Quite another Cambridge, this – messy, medieval. Writing under a pesudonym, former coroner’s officer and Cambridge academic Elizabeth Cruwys distills her experience into scholar-doctor-sleuth Matthew Bartholomew. Not acquainted? Start with A Plague on Both your Houses. (paperback Rs. 350; hardback Rs. 1075)

Charlaine Harris’s Grave Sight and Grave Surprise: And now for a paranormal mystery series. Introducing Harper Connolly, who makes her living telepathically locating dead people. (Rs 350)

Knock, knock. Who’s there?

Available at major bookstores.

You always put it together. You walk into stores, pick up this and that, and come out, perfectly ensembled But once in a while you long for a collection where your homework’s already done. Where the pieces are so easy to mix and match, you don’t need to plan, coordinate, accessorise.

Check out Miss Players. ITC’s brand new line, which takes the hard work out of assembling that dream wardrobe. Our Trendy Fashionista loved nearly everything in their store, ranging from casual-wear, party-wear and chic office-wear.

Tops in bright ice cream shades — especially the shirts with the knit tops that make you feel like you’re a varsity chick — funky denims, smart trousers and cool summer dresses are on offer along with some must-have fashion accessories — funky suede, studded, and canvas belts, adorned with neon crystals, and nifty badges.

Fitted embroidered tops for nights out. Banker shirts to impress that new guy coming in for a presentation. Corporate, yet cute.

All work. All play.

Miss Players, 48 Commercial Street, Bangalore. Telephone: 080-5118719; Shop No. 33, MGF Mall, First Floor, Gurgaon. Telephone: 9873056595; 20, Cusrow Bagh, Colaba, Mumbai. Telephone: 9820020103. Prices start at Rs. 495.

Jewel-toned blinds. Water hyacinth recliner. Antique Burma teak centre table. Kitschy coasters. You know you’ve got your home accessorising honed to high art.

Until you see MoonRiver’s all-new collection. Donna Karan home accessories. One-of-their-kind ceramics. Glassware from Moser to Murano. Our Trendy Home Dresser especially loved the designs from LSA International, so cutting edge they almost give you a nick. Vases in the palest aqua and leaf to solid Oriental black-and-red. The showstopper? A spectacular clear glass one that’s almost as tall as you are. Fill it with their enormous ivory silk roses. No wonder they call this the Easy Glamour range.

Owner Radhika Gupta, a clued-in, 28-year-old lawyer, has probed and sourced all over the world. Her evolved collection allows you the luxury of looking no further.

Another first: All 50 types of the very French, very exquisite Diptyque candles which are hand-poured and exude fragrance up to 50 hours. Including the one created by designer John Galliano.

Conversation pieces that speak volumes.

MoonRiver: D-16 Defense Colony, New Delhi 110 024; Tel. (011) 51617103; and #1, The Courtyard, 41/44 Minoo Desai Marg, Colaba, Mumbai; Tel. (022) 56385460. Prices: Start at Rs. 500; Vases: Rs. 2,500-20,000; Diptyque Candles: Rs. 2,450 for standard size, Rs. 3,500 for set of three small, Rs. 2,500 for diffusers with essential oil.

For the gang, you’re the Design Diva. At your front door, they stop to admire the earthen urn with the dried flowers. They ring the buzzer and ask where you picked up the beautiful brass bell.

Now put yourself in their shoes.

Walk in through the gates at Industree and swoon over the banana- and rivergrass-fibre chairs, tables, bean bags strewn around the lawn. In the drawing room, eye the Bengal pats, Rajasthani phads and Mithila brushwork. Play with a trinket from The Next Shop — Turkish evil-eye beads or hand-crafted paper diaries — and bask in the glow of an artisan-crafted lamp shade.

Drift upstairs. Check out EXDL’s animal-shaped cloth stools or the checkerboard tablecloth. Slip on a Japanese-designed yukata, a cotton kimono. Or one of the Plantation House tunics in earthy shades.

Drape a Weaver’s Studio saree over yourself and peek in the mirror. Complete the look with exquisite silver jewellery from Amrapali.

Now the bad news: No, you can’t curl up on the chaise-lounge in the lawn for a cuppa and a goss session.

The good news? You can take everything home.

Industree, 84, 16th Cross Main, 4th Block, Koramangala, Bangalore. Telephone: 41217516. Baseline prices — Industree: Rs. 300; The Next Shop: Rs. 60; EXDL: Rs. 2,500; Plantation House: Rs. 2,000; Weaver’s Studio: Rs. 300; Amrapali: Rs. 300.

Your conduct is flawless. Friends often seek your advice on the right shoes with an outfit and the perfect gift to take to dinner. You could be Emily Post in the flesh.

And yet, there could be some things that are a revelation — even to you. Etiquette guru Sabira Merchant, who’s trained so many Miss Indias and instructs at Raell Padamsee’s new grooming school, the Edge Academy, shares insights about dining out, exclusively for Trendy.

Dinner rolls: Never attempt to cut with your knife or bite into it. Always break a piece off. Butter it using the appropriate knife, and eat in small bites.
Peas: Should be crushed onto the fork with the tines (prongs) pointing down.
Spillage: If you spill something, don’t make a brouhaha about it. Discreetly cover it up with a napkin.
Serviette: Don’t place it still folded on your lap. Open completely and cover the entire lap. After you’re done, Never fold the napkin. Crumple it and place on the table to the left of the plate.

Minding your peas and Qs just got easier.

The Edge Academy, Kulsum Terrace, 7 Walton Road, Colaba, Mumbai. Telephone: 22842845-8. Website: theedgeacademy.net. Several customisable modules on fine dining, etiquette, social & business networking available. Price: Rs. 500 per hour and upwards.

Ever mixed your sushi with spa scents? Or schezwan noodles with lavender oil? Allow beautician Blossom Kochhar to show you how.

It’s all happening on Sunday afternoons at Khan Market’s trendiest Oriental tuck-shop. Order up some yum-cha (tea, in Chinese), and scrumptious bite-sized eats. While you’re waiting, let Blossom’s boys give you an invigorating massage. The only thing they’ll charge you for is your appetite.

Blossom’s invented an innovative chop-stick massage, especially for Side Wok. A pair of unused chopsticks is removed from the rice-paper envelope, and gently worked-up the pressure points of your palm. Turns out, chopsticks do a mean job of reaching those key points. Within minutes you’ll feel invigorated. Or, you could request a ten-minute session with the neck or head masseur. A dab of Blossom’s fragrant Aroma Magic oils, flickering candles, rose-petals and some steaming jasmine tea, and you are ready to drift off.

Snap out of it, to sample lemon-grass flavoured soups, juicy dimsums, and an array of maki rolls.

Smell good. Feel good. Get set for the rough and tumble of the week ahead.

Side Wok,45, Khan Market,New Delhi. Phone: 011-4387122, 4387133. Meal for two: Rs. 1,000.
Offer valid on Sunday afternoons only.

In London, it’s Hush, in New York, it’s Cru. Closer home, the search ends at Zodiac Grill. In Mumbai, of course.

No longer, because Modern European cuisine now has a new abode. At Graze, at the Taj Residency, helmed by Chef Steven Liu, fresh off 15 years at the Dorchester and the Savoy, London.

Our Trendy Taster recommends the pan-seared foie gras, its rich smoothness balanced perfectly by spiced pears. Cleanse the palate with a basil sorbet and you’re all set for grilled lobster and prawns. If the piscine is not your poison, try chicken pot-au-feu with pearl barley and tarragon mustard. For vegetarians, there’s home-made tortellini with mushrooms, goat cheese and sage or a wild mushroom risotto.

The high point at the 62-seater Graze is its interactive kitchen. The modern European theme carries into the understated décor as well, and the 200-bottle wine collection.

If a whole bottle seems too intimidating, try the wine flights, which allow you to pair several wines with various dishes. And finish with a Cuban cigar.

The good life has just come home.

Graze, Hotel Taj Residency, MG Road, Bangalore. Telephone: 66604444. Meal for two, with wine: Rs. 2,500-4,000. Lunch Box with a starter, three choices of main course, dessert and coffee: Rs. 750.