You’re done with the pink baby-doll Barbie look, the emerald-green smoky-eyed Cleopatra a la Elizabeth Taylor look, the retro-cool ’70s Deepika Padukone look with pale lips and lined eyes fishtailing outward .

Time to try the sexy, in-your-face, boy-girl look with sleeked-back hair like a man’s, paired with deep plump lips in scarlet and eyes lined in violet: The Yves Saint Laurent’s glam winter look for the party season is about seductive femininity with a touch of masculinity.

Our Trendy Tester tried the chic night-time look with YSL’s latest limited edition products, including the Ombres Duolimieres N. 9 (an eye shadow palette of intense mauve and midnight blue ), Palette Esprit Couture N. 2 (a smooth and subtle powder for eyes and face ), and Fard a Levres Rouge Pur in Swirly Pink (a satiny rouge of a rosewood hue ). The complexion looked almost transparent and luminous, her blue-framed eyes had a concentrated depth, while the lips were totally feminine and full. With our Tester’s hair slicked all the way back, it was all bold contrast, all out there.

A bit of a boy makes being a girl even more fun.

YSL counters at Shoppers Stop in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore. Prices for the limited edition YSL party make-up, Rs 1,299 on.

Metallic tights and shift dresses and loopy hoops. You have all the fashion fundas down pat. But desi rip-offs cramp your style.

Look Down Under. Aussie fashion brand Forever New has just unveiled tops, skirts, dresses, trousers and denims that take you from girlie to gorgeous.

Greys, blacks and whites dominate the palette, with contrasts in metallic shades and abstract dashes of colour in high-shine satins and muted chiffons. Pull on a balloon-sleeved short jacket over a knit dress with a scooped neckline. Or try the hooded poncho dresses to ward off the winter chill.

In fun mode, slip on the sequinned satin racerbacks, or cute baby-doll dresses in satin and chiffon. Sauce up a demure fitted cotton top with a halter-necked black waitress waistcoat and a tiny pleated skirt.

Playing it cool? Check out the simple long cotton dresses, offset by silver braids, or the long tunic tees. Accessorise with metallic clutches, beaded necklaces or bee-yoo-ti-ful bug-framed shades.

Our Trendy Fashionista fell in love with a metallic grey satin shift dress with abstract prints in azure and pink. Sultry, feminine, minimal and classy.

Not quite as hot as Shane Warne. But you’ll want to wear them.

Forever New. 57 Defence Colony, 100 Feet Road, Indiranagar (next to Cafe Coffee Day). Tel: 41572892. Tops: Rs 800 onwards; dresses Rs 1800 onwards; accessories Rs 800 onwards.

Flashing strobes are passé. The Travolta moves from back then are tacky. What’s hot, hot, hot this Christmas is party wear from the disco era: a blingy-blangy riot of colour.

Glam sequins, satiny textures, metallic mosaics all define French Connection UK’s (FCUK) Christmas collection. Grey, gold, bronze, silver and purple hues come together in interesting blends on chic yet bold dresses.

The line is inspired by the English brand Biba’s 70’s punk cuts, ranging from sheaths to free-flowing minis to the popular tulip-shaped dresses. There are options for the less adventurous too — regular A-lines and pleated dresses, and stunning jewelled tops to go with.

Check out a sequinned beaut that has petal motifs picked out in gold, grey, midnight-blue and purple sequins. Pair it with black stocking for a 60’s couture look or with skinny jeans or tights for a more 70’s flavour.

If skirts are more your thing, try their sequinned ones with a silk top or a crazy printed Tee. Our Trendy Fashionista liked the silk grey skirt with the big bow at the waist.

Let the spinning gold ball at the centre of the store put you in the mood. Get ready to groove.

French Connection UK at Shopper’s Stop stores at G-10 & 11 Select City Walk, Saket, New Delhi 110017, Tel: 40597575, 40588787; Ambience Mall, Off NH 8, Gurgaon, Tel: 0124 4665419; Rajouri Garden, Eros Mall, 10 Shivaji Place, Behind Vishal Cinema, Raja Garden, New Delhi, tel: 25444101-10; Dynamix Mall, Juhu, Mumbai 400049, tel: 9323371299; and Inorbit Mall, Link Road, Malad (w), Mumbai 400064, Tel: 9323371297. Also at Vama, Kanchanjunga, 72, Peddar Road, Mumbai 400026, Tel: 2232690582. Prices start at Rs 6,000 on for dresses, Rs 3,000 for tops and skirts.

You glowed with the help of a little well placed bronzer when others were still slathering on whitening creams. Silver and gold play second fiddle to your love for the burnished metal. Now indulge your fascination for the hue in art too.

Explore the dimensions of colour, texture, space and time through fascinating bronze sculptures shaped by such big names in contemporary Indian art as Karl Antao, PR Daroz, Prabhakar Kolte, Alex Mathew, Himmat Shah and K Laxma Goud, now on display at the Film Centre building. The group of artists recently worked side by side in a workshop together, and “The Workshop: India Fine Art” shows the results of their seemingly effortless transformations of this metal that only gets better with age.

The works contextualize folk subjects and turn traditional motifs into simple geometric forms that beg to be touched. Our Trendy Art Buff was especially transfixed by a PR Daroz creation: a seemingly serene face that had such troubled emotions hovering just under the surface, you could almost expect it to emote any minute.

As Kolte, one of the artists says, “Sculpture is a never ending expression of something perceived.” Open your doors of perception.

The Workshop: India Fine Art, Film Centre Building, 3rd floor, 68 Tardeo Road, Mumbai 40 034. Tel: 23520438; Price: Ranges between Rs 1,50,000 and Rs 15,00,000. On till Dec 23.

Q: What is chicken Manchurian?
A: a dish of chicken dumplings, doused in soy and fried batter, concocted in India.

You won’t find it at the new Gurgaon restaurant Hao Shi Nian Nian ( ‘here’s to the good life’). No chilli chicken, no chicken manchurian, and absolutely no garlic chicken either. Oh, the horror of it. Instead the menu here is strictly, gloriously authentic Sichuan.

Choose from two classy black-and-chrome floors. Or two private rooms. A stunning chandelier on the second floor lights up a stage where you can watch the traditional tea-pouring ceremony: the men pouring the tea out of the long-spouted kettle into delicate tea-cups combine drama with grace.

Start with the sinfully-smooth Crispy Smoked Salmon Fish Rolls, and the ultra-spicy Lamb Brisket with dried chilli and spring onions. And then, team the tenderest Tenderloin with chilli sauce, with steamed rice. Follow that up with the Fried Lobster with red chilli and preserved bean-curd sauce, and the Braised Tiger Prawns with chilli ginger sauce. The Stir-fried Corn with spicy salt is a perfect fit for veggie palates.

Wrap with an unusual, delish papaya ice-cream. It’s definitely one of the good things in life.

Hao Shia Nian Nian, Ground floor, Central Plaza, Golf Course Road, Gurgaon. Ph: 0124-4258888. Meal for two without alcohol: Rs 600-1,000.

Marzipan from Nahoum’s, glazed ham from Steak House. And cakes from ma’s own oven. While you wait for the couriers from Kolkata and Delhi, here’s a way to ensure your mum has a holiday season too: Order in from Bangalore’s best home-bakeries.

Mona Kalro: Kit Kat, Ferrero Rocher and Toblerone come into their own in her premium homemade desserts. She also does cookies, pies, cheesecakes, brownies, tortes and is justly famous for the Mississippi Mud Pie. For Christmas, there are rum tarts and plum cakes.
Trendy digs: Apple upside-down cake. Warm and gooey.
Dhruv Villa, 9/2 Palace Loop Road, opp. Mount Carmel College, Vasanth Nagar, Bangalore 2. Tel: 9845018084. Premium cakes (per kg): Rs 500 onwards, other desserts Rs 250 onwards.

Neelam Chhabria: Chocolate brownies, chocolate mousse that makes you go hic, yummy cheesecakes in all flavours. Every dessert has an eggless variation.
Trendy digs: Trifle pudding. Perfect for a propah English tea.
No. 108K, ‘Guru Nivas’, MLA Layout, 4th Cross, 5th Main, Bhoopasandra, Bangalore 94. Tel: 23510038. Prices (per kg): Rs 250 onwards.

Shubha Chitnis: Pound cakes, not too sweet, apple pie and a super-sticky date-and -walnut loaf. Mini portions — that serve two — of all desserts available.
Trendy digs: New England cheesecake. Scrumptious.
No. 90, ‘Brindavan’, 1st Main, 3rd Cross, Amarjyothi Layout, Sanjaynagar, Bangalore 94. Tel: 9945007746. Prices (per kg): Rs 175 onwards.

All orders need to be placed 48 hours in advance.

You started raiding your mum’s jewellery box when you were a kid. And fell in love with your grandma’s ornate pieces when you were slightly older. Since then, nothing has quite matched up in design, workmanship or sheer longevity.

Tempt your mind to change by gazing on revivalist jeweller Roopa Vohra’s brand new Paasha collection. A fusion of eastern and western aesthetic sensibilities, the earrings, necklaces and bracelets are stunners by themselves and a statement when worn together.

Pair the brilliant blue kundan necklace and bracelets with a single-coloured silk saree or the precious stone-encrusted shoulder-dusters with a sweeping black evening gown. Put up your hair and watch the heads turn.

Break free of the metal mould with the stone-studded cocktail range. Topaz trinkets to match that tunic. Fruity tourmalines in chartreuse, citrus and tangerine to bring the sun down to earth. Lilac jade to match the blooms in the garden.

Our Trendy Fashionista lost her heart to a pair of jingly jhumkas outrageously combining vermilion and aquamarine topaz and balanced on large golden hoops. Now that’s something you wouldn’t find your grandma wearing.

Time to start building your own collection of heirlooms.

Paasha by Roopa Vohra. Call 22 56919648/26604702, fax 22 26610215 or email info@roopavohra.com for delivery throughout the country. Buy at Jewellery lounge, 101-18A Landmark, Juhu Tara Road, Santa Cruz (W) Mumbai 400049. Tel: 022-26604702, 26610215, 66919648. Website: www.roopavohra.com. Prices start at Rs 25,000 for earrings, Rs 35,000 for sets.

Earth, heaven and hell. The sun, the moon and the stars. Cosmo Village, Taika and now Kosmo. Little wonder then that serial restaurateur Pat Manaschaung’s third and latest venture should also have three distinct divisions.

Glide down the walkway guarded by tall bronze Buddhas to the Buddha Garden, a tranquil space that’s therapy for stress. Take your pick from a bar tucked away in a corner. Or whet your senses on the aromas released by the barbeque under the shade of a spathodea tree.

If the December chill spoils the fun, seek warmth in the Music Lounge, with its wooden beams and cascading silk draperies. The lounge seats 100, with two dedicated bars for beer and cocktails and low-volume music enabling conversation and a slow spin on the dance floor.

For fine-diners, there’s the Piano Terrace, all clean lines and contemporary nuances and subtle music. It’s the perfect site for a romantic evening, but to make it even more special, you can book a private balcony opposite the terrace.

Once settled in, select from a menu of tropical-influenced fusion cuisine. Our Trendy Taster loved the Rich Man’s Tapas, a selection of foie gras, fresh oysters, caviar, salmon rolls and grilled quail.

Find your own heaven.

Kosmo. 18, Ali Askar Road, Behind Air Deccan office, just off Cunningham Road, Bangalore. Ph: 4170 2030/2050. Average meal for two (without alcohol) will cost Rs 1000.

‘Tis the season of excess. While you’re contemplating Christmas pudding or New Year’s pink champagne, there’s another sort of overmuchness that you can indulge in.

JG’s Fitness Centre has a whole smorgasbord of goodies for the festive season. The line-up of group exercise classes with master trainers is part of the club’s year-end bonanza. Free for existing members and at nominal rates for newbies like us.

For a week from tomorrow, pull on your boogey ballerinas and get into the groove with a new style of fun workout daily.

Get bossed around by the club’s trainers on the spinning boot camp circuit. Let the famous Sandip Soparrkar show you some fabulous foot action in the Salsa and Latin Dance session. Or go body and soul into an Afro-Brazilian martial art roll with Israeli master Reza’s Capoeira class. Prefer Indian? There’s Bollywood Blast with the JG’s team and Masala Bhangra with Sarina Jain, US-based creator of the workout.

Our Trendy Twinkle Toes is really looking forward to the Jugalbandi. A face off between Indian classical dancing workout (Vijayshree Chauhan teaching kathak and Anjana Dongre doing Bharatnatyam) versus the hot and happening Zumba — Latin-flavoured aerobics led by Shalini Bhargava, club owner and India’s only certified Zumba teacher.

Yule love it!

JG’s Fitness Centre: Gopal Bhuvan, Fourth Floor, Tagore Road, Santa Cruz (W), Mumbai. For class schedule, call 26496277. Price: Rs 1,000 for the week or Rs 250 per one-hour class and Rs 500 per two-hour class.

The best pictures always say more than a thousand words. The photographs on your walls tell your story. And you are always on the look-out for visual tales, which show more, tell more.

Delhi-based photographer Amit Pasricha’s latest works — all 19 of them — take you soaring above a series of magnificent Indian monuments. No getting lost in tiny pixels here: this is, literally, a panorama — sweeping, swirling, endlessly fascinating. Pasricha, who is from a family of photographers, has come to use the panoramic technique after ’shooting India in bits and pieces, yearning all the while for a more complete vision’.

Get a fresh perspective on Delhi’s India Gate, Jaipur’s City Palace, Agra’s Red Fort. You may have seen the Taj all your life, but one glance at the clouds arching over the marble dome, and you realise how the same can be so different.

Fill your eye with the lesser-known places as well: the circular Shiva chamber in the Chausath Yogini Temple of Mitawali near Gwalior, whose design the Parliament House is said to reflect; the highly-unusual colourful frescoes at the 15th century Bhandasar temple in Bikaner; the Jahaz Mahal in Mandu, and the Thiksey monastery of Ladakh.

Go, get a bird’s eye view.

The exhibition is on till December 17. Time: 11 am-7 pm. At Triveni Garden Theatre, 205, Tansen Marg, New Delhi. Ph: 23718833.