Regular cotton is oh-so-everyday. Egyptian is elusive in India. Linen is high maintenance — the wrinkles put a kink in your mood every morning, and on laundry nights. Silk is sexy, but hardly hardy. And satin soon turns tacky.

Time to switch sheets, to newly-arrived-in-India Maishaa (from Thai fabric house Pasaya), the New York Fashion Week’s ‘official bed linen’ for the next three years.

Now, when counting sheep doesn’t come easy, tally threads. At an awesome count of 650 per 10 sq cm, these sheets, from Maishaa’s varied collections, quite literally score superior sleep.

The high-tech Softamante range blends in a Japanese manmade fibre four times finer than silk, eight times lighter than cotton. Wicks away moisture to keep you cool, even when you’re getting a little hot under the collar. Antibacterial, antifungal, with an odour-resistant Swiss finish. And the amour-atic Fragrance collection wafting lemon, aloe vera or ginseng promises to revive over 20 tumbles in the wash.

Earth-friendly too. Formaldehyde-free, wrinkle-free — no ironing! Green’s not their only colour, with 60 shades from volcanic sand to sweet almond.

Dive between the sheets tonight, and luxuriate. Hit the snooze button tomorrow.

Maishaa, available at: Shoppers Stop and Home Stop, www.shoppersstop.com; Yamini, www.yamini-stores.com; and Lifestyle across India. Seasons Furnishings in Delhi and Mumbai, www.seasonsfurnishings.com. Prices: Rs 745-845 for pillow cases; Rs 3000-6000 for sheets.

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Gasp! You’ve found the perfect place. You’ve found the perfect person to move in with as well. You’ve got your awesome collection of books to line the walls with. You’ve got your humongous windchimes for the balcony. And you’ve got ma’s plants too. But what about furniture, lady?

Check out Ekbote. This three-storey building contains everything you need to adorn every li’l cosy nook of your new home. Old-convent-school styled book cupboards, darling beds with convenient roll-in-out bed linen storage areas. Polka-dotted sofas if you’re still stuck in the 80s. Art-deco style beds, old-fashioned lamps, neo tables, side tables and hallway pieces that promise to make your home look just as good as the one you dreamt of.

Ekbote happens to be a trusted name (all the way from Pune, they come) and works only with seasoned beech, teak, oak and commercial plywood. They also use nuts and bolts sparingly and rely more on carved-to-fit joints. This will make that fave bed of yours last long.

So if you’re looking for that one-stop-wood-shop, this is it. Drop by, choose, get ‘em delivered. And then hang up that li’l crocheted piece that reads ‘Home Sweet Home’.

Ekbote. L-1, X Main, XI Sector, Jivan Bima Nagar, Bangalore 560075. Tel: 25210932. Prices start at Rs 100 for photo frames to Rs 15000 for beds. www.ekbote.in.

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You’re done with the sales at Ambi, the biggest and hippest mall in Gurgaon. Today’s the day to switch to its uber classy Delhi sister, Select City Walk. Pick up some classic pieces from its hottest sales, like our Trendy Fashionista did, that can last you for seasons to come.

Ruh: Silk kurtis, cotton tunics, shirts, skirts.
Trendy Pick: Rusty orange silk blend shirt with gold motif (was Rs 1,250, sale price: Rs 1,000), teal kurta, beige silk tunic with hand-painted motif.

Next: Tees, tops, sweaters– very British, very chic.
Trendy pick: Chunky grey knit sweater (was Rs 3,499, sale price: Rs 1,499), hot this winter, will keep you warm through the next two seasons.

Aftershock: Snazzy party dresses, slinky gowns, sequinned tops, silk shirts.
Trendy pick: Sequinned peach evening sheath (was Rs 6,089, sale price: Rs 4,520) and satin black dress (was Rs 4,000, sale price: Rs 2,229).

Esprit: Tweed jacket, grey knit tops, pants, skinny jeans, dresses.
Trendy Pick: All the dresses in all colours! Try the stretch empire line dress or the shirtdress (was Rs 4,000, sale price: Rs 2,000), good for spring- summer as well. The colourful v-neck tees (was Rs 900 - 600) also work around the year.

Kazo: Girly tops, acrylic fitted dresses, tees, cotton shirts.
Trendy Pick: Black cotton shirt (was Rs 995, sale price: Rs 789), cause black is always in.

Select City Walk, Saket, New Delhi. Discounts up to 70%. Sales till Feb 5th.

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You’re pretty much done conversing with people who never know when to stop. And you really don’t relish steam, whether at the sauna or at your favourite salon. But there’s nothing like a super sizzler joint to make you appreciate hot air in your face as you fork in yummy fare.

Yoko’s, that popular fave whose outlets seem to be mushrooming everywhere, steps up the heat quotient in yet another part of Mumbai: Kandivli. Fringed by greens and encased within tall glass windows, the eatery tosses up a spanking new menu laced with ginger, spice and special sauces.

Dig into the classic Yoko’s Steak Satellite that arrives hissing at your table on a carpet of cheesy mushrooms and fresh cream. Or experiment with the Fried Chicken speckled with pineapple chunks supported by a battalion of freshly diced and steamed seasonal vegetables. Our Trendy Taster relished the Piscean platter of stuffed fish sheathed with garlic, oyster and pepper sauce, washed down with a tall glass of peach iced tea. The veg options, especially the paneer steak and mushrooms served with succulent beans, fresh peas and searing hot fries, are worth getting steamed up about.

And speaking of hot air, even the most long-winded of raconteurs shuts up and makes better use of his mouth.

Yolo Sizzlers, 16-20 Gayatri Satsang, Behind Vishnu Shivam Mall, Thakur Village, Kandivli (E), Mumbai; Tel: 65250155/130. Prices: Start at Rs 200 per sizzler; a meal for two with non-alcoholic drinks would cost upwards of Rs 600. For additional locations, visit www.yokosizzlers.com.

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Okay, so we’re girls, but that doesn’t mean we have to be ‘girly’ all the time. We like our distressed denim, our bikes, and yeah, even a dose of heavy metal music once we’re done crushing on those cutesy chocolate-faced boy bands.

Iron Maiden, among the most popular heavy metal bands of the ’80s, is gonna be performing in Mumbai for the first time this Friday, as part of their Somewhere Back In Time World Tour 2008. The 33-year-old band (yeah, they’ve been rocking the world longer than most of us have been alive!) will perform everything from classics like The Number of the Beast and Run to the Hills to hits like Can I play with Madness, Fear of the Dark and The Evil that Men Do.

Like all their shows, this one’s gonna be LOUD. And not just in terms of sound. Bassist Steve Harris told our Trendy Rock Chick: “There will be lots of music, fireworks and lights. We will put on a spectacle!” So, kick off those heels, pull on scruffy sneakers and a headband, and head for the concert of a lifetime.

We may be maidens, but boy, we’re made of iron when we want to be.

Iron Maiden live, Feb 1, 2008, MMRDA Grounds, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Mumbai; Tickets: Rs 1650 and Rs 1000, available at Planet M, Baskin Robbins, Movie Empire-Bandra (W) and Reliance World outlets.

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The Christmas and New Year festivities are now happy memories. But the year is far from old. It’s the perfect time to give a twist of the new to the now. To dress up a favourite with a dash of freshness.

Shake out the lavender sachets from the off-shoulders. Bring out the wispy chiffons. And wear them anew with bespoke jewellery from Kumkum’s BIA label.

Grab that black evening dress — yes, the one that makes you feel like an Oscar-contender — and knock on Kumkum’s door. In her new avatar, former clothes designer, Kumkum gives you what the high street shops can’t: Custom-made jewellery covering the entire gamut from coy Victoriana to boho chic. In stunning silver or more precious metals, with gems or without.

Peer into her treasure chest to be dazzled by ropes of South Sea pearls, watery blue aquamarine dingle-dangles, ebony quartzite chains, dazzling diamond brooches and more. Match the dress with rocks in red, blue or gorgeous green. Flaunt that plunging neckline with strands of pink tourmaline.

In a hurry? Choose a unique creation from rows of velvet-lined jewellery trays nestling on the shelves.

Shine.

BIA by Kumkum. 56, Dispensary Road, first floor, opposite ICICI Bank, Bangalore 1. Tel: 9448455567. Prices from Rs 1000 up to Rs 2 lakh.

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The sale season has begun, tra la. Be a mall rat, like Our Trendy Fashionista, and score some fabulous deals, all at Ambi Mall.

Debenhams: All the yummy designer stuff is marked down. Woollen coats and jackets, jeans, trousers, skirts and tracks. Lingerie, bags, blouses and funky tops.
Trendy pick: the tweed cardigans in two-tone colours (mauves, greens, whites and browns).(was Rs 1,615, sale price: Rs 1,292) Also, the single knits, which fit like a glove.

Marks & Spencer’s: Widest range in woollen and tweed jackets (red, grey, black). Classic knits and cardigans.
Trendy pick: the leather biker jackets (was Rs 3,395, sale price: Rs 2,790) and the summer tees in yummy shades of mint green, peach, pink, purple, khaki green, chocolate brown. Get the deep round neck; it’s the style du jour.

Mango: Acrylic sweaters in white and chocolate, corduroy jackets, polos, v-neck sweaters, knits and cool tees.
Trendy pick: The slim-fit acrylic polos.(was Rs 1,550, sale price: Rs 1,320) And ALL the handbags!

Nine West: Handbags, handbags, scrumptious handbags!
Trendy Pick: Cute little ones in gold, and bigger ones in cream patent leather, uber cool. (was Rs 1190, sale price Rs 900)

Bossini: Jeans, skirts, bomber jackets, knits.
Trendy Pick: The cotton tees in stripes and plains, a great way to redo your summer wardrobe. (was Rs 599, sale price: Rs 300)

Ambience Mall, Ground Floor, Ambience Island, NH-8, Gurgaon. Discounts upto 50 per cent. Sales on till mid- February.

In tomorrow’s Trendy: the hot sales at Select City Walk, Saket.

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‘If God had a face, what would it look like?’ sang Joan Osborne. We certainly don’t have the answer to that. But an exhibition of works from budding and established artists from across the country might provide a few colourful insights.

What sets it apart from other group shows? For starters, there’s the intensive selection process. Daljit Singh Sethi, art-collector and chairman of Aura Art, the company behind this show, picked 50 paintings from over 500 works. And then there’s the content. Despite the variety of genres, there’s a common thread through the essence of each painting — mystical, spiritual, with a social statement.

Eccentric artist Bose Krishnamachari’s take on religion and Charan Sharma’s paintings that pay obeisance to Lord Buddha held our Trendy Art Aficionado spellbound. She also loved Sanjay Kumar’s re-interpretation of the popular image of the Buddha, with the elongated neck and symbolic objects like lotus flowers placed around the tranquil figure. And Umesh Varma’s complex geometrical diagrams, which explore the metaphysical through science and symbolism, turning neo-Tantric art on its head.

Divine intervention indeed.

Aura Art Show at the Nehru Centre, AC Art Gallery and Circular Art Gallery, Worli, Mumbai, from Jan 29-Feb 4, 11am-8pm; Tel: 24964676/24963426; The paintings are not for sale.

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It’s 2 degrees, people. You’re longing for sun, sand, and swinging. But the carnival festivities are only next month, on the beaches of faraway Goa.

In Delhi, let your hair down already. Settle for some serious spicy fun at Chutney. Let the musicians from the sunny state serenade you with guitar and ghumat, the Goan ‘drum’ (a terracotta pot topped with monitor lizard skin). Under a beaded lamp beside looped fishing nets, languidly summon the waiter. Get a feni cocktail and the set meal. Or opt for a single masaledar main.

Start with Verdu cutlax or chicken pao, with Chutney’s signature tomato jam and papaya relish. Sip spicy soup — meatballs in coconut milk broth or comforting macaroni-vegetable.

Gorge on this Portuguese-influenced cuisine, all vinegar and chilli. The chicken cafreal, mutton vindaloo, fish recheado are all just as they ought to be. Veggies need not despair, because there’s a first rate array of greens. Crunchy cabbage foogath, tangy bhindi cavil, stunning red spinach (tambli) — you’ll scrape up every last leaf.

Finish up with burnt-sugar-sticky dodol, and many-layered bebinca.

You’ll feel the sunshine as you sway out. Go slow.

The Goan Food Festival, at Chutney, The Metropolitan, Bangla Sahib Road, New Delhi; ph: 42500200. Price: Rs 1600 for four-course set meal plus beverages. On till February 3.

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Desperate Housewives? Nah, you go for Fear Factor. At the Hallowe’en Ball, you dress up as Catwoman. And your party purse essential is not perfume but pepper spray.

Sign up for Krav-Maga. The Israeli self-defence technique equips you for every sudden-danger sitch — and gives you a super-toned bod in the bargain.

What do you do when you’re pinned to the ground? Or someone holds a knife to your throat? How do you fight back when someone grabs you from behind? Our Trendy Adventurista found her answers at the Bangalore premises of the International Krav-Maga Federation.

Hebrew for ‘contact combat’, Krav-Maga roots itself in realistic scenarios, no-rules fighting and the instinctive reactions of human reflexes. It calls for mental agility, attitude and confidence, enhancing the natural strengths of your mind and body.

Krav-Maga also makes for a super-effective cardio workout, which targets fat and slack muscles (the instructors say it can burn upwards of 800 calories every hour) with the accuracy of a well-timed kick. Her first session helped our Adventurista realise she needed to make this a regular habit.

Because all enemies don’t wear human faces.

IKMF Krav-Maga at 3, Curley Street, Richmond Town, Bangalore. Classes on Saturdays: 8.30-11am, 11-1.30am, 5.30-8pm. Charges: Rs 2,800 for 10 hours minimum in a month, plus Rs 250 administration fees. Contact Frank at 9886769281. www.kravmagabangalore.com.

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