There’s plenty action on the polo circuit. And I haven’t even worn this darling emerald cocktail dress yet. But there’s more to drop-dead-gorgeous than carats and couture, right? So I raced off to the just-opened first exclusive Lancome boutique in India, right at my fave spot, Select Citywalk.

This swanky new boutique is officially among the best-stocked Lancome outlets worldwide. Great ambience, helpful attendants. The well-lit boutique is crammed with a huge menu of mouth-watering world class make-up treats. A Lancome make-up expert dished out advice, and patiently navigated me through the products on offer.

I could go on about the store, but my Trendy Fab Five beauty booty picks speak for themselves:
Flash Retouche: Sleek silver concealer torch that delivers instant radiance. Camouflages blemishes, and gives the skin a pearly glow. (Rs 1,500)
Pop Cherub Palette: Combination of five pastel shades of eye-shadow; two cream and three powder. Ideal summer-time lid colours. (Rs 3,500)
Juicy Tubes: Adds a hint of fruity colour, moisturises, and plumps up lips for a luscious pucker. The tinted gel is light, slicks on easily, and doesn’t slip down to lip contours. (Rs 950)
Tresor: Cult Lancome fragrance, with notes of vanilla, amber and a flowery bouquet. I’m wearing this one to my Polo lounge date, this evening. (Rs 3,500 for 50 ml bottle)
Lancome Mascara: These lash definers are to your vanity bag, what the LBD is to your walk-in wardrobe. Choose from more than 10 varieties! (Rs 1,100 to 1,400 )

I just found a new best friend, in this boutique. Ma’s diamonds will have to wait.

Lancome Paris Boutique, D-55, Ground Floor, Select Citywalk, Saket, New Delhi. Ph: 011-40534554.

You know me. Eclectic for brunch. Grunge for pub crawl. Sassy for hen bashes. But decidedly vintage for those lavish traditional celebrations. And if old is gold, then Meera Mahadevia’s latest range of 24 k gold-plated totes and clutches is positively gilt-edged.

I got a sneak peek into her collection that will be unveiled at Lakme Fashion Week. Meera draws in inspiration from all that is Indian and from the elements of nature. Bold emeralds arranged in meticulous precision across wave-like golden contours of a clutch. Swarovski crystals form an icy sheathe on a casket-like white gold creation strung with beads. The molten glow of the topaz earmarks a carefully conceived radiant Sun God’s chariot on yet another tote’s exterior.

The hip flask-like minuscule handbag almost got me drooling with desire. A single stunning ruby resplendent in the centre, fringed by multi-coloured semi-precious stones in ever increasing circles. Perfect for that evening when I’m wearing a tres traditional sari but want to assert my individualistic streak too.

Luckily, classic or cutting edge, gold’s gorgeous anyway.

Meera Mahadevia’s 24-k gold-plated bags.
Mumbai: Meera’s studio (022-24711578), Melange (022-23534492), Ensemble (022-22843227, 23672416), Kimaya (022-23862432), Ogaan (022-
26052318).
Delhi: Kimaya (011-405345476), Ogaan (011-26967595).
Bangalore: Ffolio (080-22218142).
Website: www.meeramahadevia.com. Price range: Rs 7,500 onwards.

The eyes are what strike me first. Large. Haunting. Powerful. Eloquent reminders of the twin qualities that make the women in Beena Pradhan’s paintings unique — strength and sensitivity.

The other interesting people in Beena’s new collection are street musicians. In the artists’s own words, these paintings “capture the lust for life that street musicians display and the musical, oceanic and empathetic reverberations that my emancipated and powerful women capture and convey to the tangential male.” Sound like Trendy women, don’t they?

Done in acrylic and Indian ink, these paintings are daring and innovative. Strong brush strokes. Fluid overlaps. Colours bleed into each other, rapturous in their refusal to stay within the lines. Cobalt blue and cadmium red dominate the canvas. Ultramarine and ochre introduce subtlety. The blue of the wall behind a woman spills over into her hair in Grihapravesh. Her closed eyelids and lips are a strange, mossy green in Suprabatham. In Stolen Time — 3, her face shimmers in shades of fuschia and gold.

A Bangalore girl, Beena now lives in Kolkata and this is a homecoming of sorts, after exhibitions all over India, and in Indonesia and Nepal. But what I find most fascinating is the story behind the artist. About 15 years ago, Beena was in college when a disability left her unable to walk. She taught herself painting to cope with those dark times. Art became both creative outlet and joyous self-affirmation.

And it is perhaps this Trendy spirit that comes through so strongly in these paintings. Go, be inspired!

Beena Pradhan at Kynkyny Art Gallery, 33/200 NS Iyengar Street, Nehrunagar-Kumarapark from February 18 to March 15. Tel: 32914700 / 23449570. Prices from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2,50,000. Online preview at www.kynkyny.com/exhibition.

It’s easy to be charmed by anything Latin American. Whether it is the fiery Brazilian samba and bossa nova, Shakira’s hipswinging chartbusters or Ronaldinho’s power packed punches on the soccer field. Now Bembos joins my list.

The Peruvian fast food chain tosses up some mean South American burgers. Okay, just like you, I’m used to de rigueur Mc fare. But I resisted the temptation to go predictable and landed up trying something extraordinarily good at the airy Bembos outlet.

Burger buns: larger and softer than any I’ve had so far. Fresh, leafy greens added in with the patty. And I could choose the size of my burger to match how hungry I felt. The Crispy Chicken Classic, the Italian Crispy Chicken and the Grilled Chicken Breasts seemed to be on everyone’s plate. So being the perverse prat that I am, I tried the Mutton Tikki Burger, which turned out to be just as supremely fresh and crunchy as the popular faves. Meanwhile, my veggie friends were doing the dance cause they had such a variety to choose from: a spicy Hot Veggie Masala burger or unusual patties like the Hariyali Desi Rajma or lip-smacking Tangy Veggie.

And, unlike other chains that charge Rs 10 for a coin-sized portion of extra mayo, this one has a delish eggless one on tap, along with the ketchup and the chilli sauce.

Bet you’ll have fries with that.

Bembos, Bandra (W): 34, Manorama Chambers, Opp. India Bank, SV Road; Tel: 267100625, 26415599, 26415600; Mulund (W): Nirmal Lifestyle, LBS Marg; Tel: 67704593/4. Timings: 11am-mid-night. Prices: Burgers Rs 39 onwards; fries and shakes from Rs 25 onwards.

Psst, I have a V Day confession to make. I got a dozen. Boxes. With scarlet and gold ribbon. Brimming with chocolates. And I’ve just tipped the last of the empties in the bin.

I am a chocoholic: nothing better than a golden, molten cocoa based goodie in these chilly winter days to make me feel warm, and cosy, and, ooh yes, loved. But this week, I decided to get my fix differently. No eating. Just the next best thing: : got myself encased in a layer of chocolate for a whole two hours, breathed in the aromas, and got heady!

The Espace Spa at Radisson, which has this great winter treatment, was my destination. For my double treat — chocolate scrub-and-wrap, I chose to stick within my therapy room with its private cubicle where you can steam and shower — didn’t feel like going to the general wet area. My therapist handed me a fluffy robe, post the first round of steam and shower, and I was ready.

First step, a scrub, of cocoa paste with vitamin supplements in it. Forty five minutes, while my therapist’s wonderfully gentle touch massaged the kinks of the week out, and another steam and shower set. Second step: the wrap, full of cocoa butter and beauty milk. She pulled the plastic sheets on tight, stepped up the room heater, and left me floating. Another forty five minutes of low lights, soothing music, rose petals in water. Warm shower to slough off, minus soap, so the goodness can linger, and I was all done.

I feel glowy, choco-latey, fragrant. Now I can hold on for my next praline-coated goodie. All the way till next week!

Espace Spa, The Radisson MBD Hotel, L2, Sector 18, Noida, Ph (0120) 430 0000; Chocolate scrub-wrap, Rs 2,500, plus taxes ( Rs 500 extra for non- members); other treatments from Rs 1,400.

All the shows of Ashutosh Gowarikar’s Jodhaa Akbar are sold out. But I’ve found something that’s almost better than the reel thing. Tanishq’s latest pret line of gold jewellery incorporates the glamour and allure of the film’s artistic sensibilities, seamlessly blending traditional motifs and techniques with contemporary design aesthetics.

They tell me that the collection’s been lovingly put together by design and production teams and more than 200 kaarigars. These one-of-a-kind creations, inspired by designs from the Mughal and Rajput eras feature brilliant precious and semi-precious stones set in traditional Kundan and Meenakari techniques. Each one-of-a-kind creation has a fascinating history behind the design and will become a conversation piece that stands out in the crowd.

At the showroom, I wanted to buy up all the fabulous stuff — a dazzling array of precious ornaments ranging from elaborate neckwear, rings, bangles, earrings to chains. My jewellery box especially covets the more traditional pieces such as the unusual sarpech (turban ornament), hathphool (hand ornament), bhor (forehead ornament) and even the ornate wedding sets. I’m eager to show off the gorgeous pearl-and-emerald choker I bought. Maybe I’ll wear it to the film.

Perhaps my prince will find me.

Delhi: Tanishq, No. G-16, Part – I, South Extension, Main Market; Tel: 011-65656577; Tanishq, No. A-7, Inner Circle, Connaught Place, Tel: 011-23326597/ 23326594.
Mumbai: Tanishq, 365/C, Linking Road, Khar (W); Tel: 022-26484846 / 26495959; Tanishq, G-11, Inorbit Mall, Mind Space, Malad Link Road, Malad (W); Tel: 022-56406945 / 56406938.
Bangalore: Tanishq, 121, Dickenson Road; Tel: 080-25550907 / 25594993.
Price: Between Rs 10,000 and Rs 10 lakh, wedding wear starts at Rs 1.5 lakh.

Trendy’s been talking Twogetherness all week. So here’s a last-minute idea that never fails. Chocolates. Hand-made, delectable and infused with a special potion that makes them taste better when fed by someone special.

Okay, I made up the last one. But there’s nothing dubious about my fave candy stores.

Jus’ Trufs: Belgian-style pralines like none you’ve tasted before. A range of chocolates and truffles in special packages. Gift baskets and handcrafted boxes filled with cocoa delights too.
Trendy pick: Cappuccino ganache
Aditi, 133, 4th cross, 2nd C main, Talacauvery Nagar, Amruthalli, Bangalore 92. Tel: 32909246/9844016984. Singles start from Rs 15, boxes from Rs 150.

Chocolate Junction: Declare your love with heart-shaped boxes made of chocolate. Apart from the special ‘I love you’ slabs, there are bars engraved with ‘I miss you’ for a far-away sweetheart. (That potion works long-distance, too.)
Trendy pick: Orange soft centres
117, Annaswamy Mudaliar Road, Ulsoor, Bangalore 34. Tel: 25555195 / 9845019639
Rs 180 for half a box.

Chocolate Paradise: Red hearts and roses made of chocolate. Edible bouquets in plain, dark chocolate, nut and raisin, roasted almond/cashew and butterscotch. Flavoured chocolate biscuits too.
Trendy pick: Butterscotch drops
223 South Avenue, Gottigere, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore 83. Tel: 9845107501 / 9880841841 / 9900145647. Rs 600 per kilo.

My mum’s always complaining that I need new Louboutins like I need a lobotomy. I’m sure anyone who shares closet space with your shoe collection tells you that too. But for most of us footwear fanatics, enough’s never enough.

And once I share this new trend on the block, I have a feeling that you’re going to have to go and get a whole new shoe rack, just as I did. Remember those white canvas PT shoes we all wore in school? Well, it’s time to go back in time even as you fast forward to a new look you. Check out the exhibition-cum-sale of Farzana Billimoria’s works of art.

Shoes? Art? Confused? Well, what this uber-creative advertising professional does in her spare time is paint delish designs on those good ol’ canvas shoes. I took one look at what she had on offer and ordered a personalised pair right away. After we confabbed on the colours and look I wanted, she took only about six to seven hours to complete the artwork, using bright, washable fabric paints in colours that promise not to weep. Now, as long as I don’t scrub them too hard when they get dirty, I’ll have cheery feet everywhere I go, for a few years at least. As Farzana says, her brand Mind2Sole is all about taking a design or look that defines you and taking it from your mind to your sole. So, you can encase your pretty pods in everything from flower power to your fave cartoon characters.

Well, happy designing. I’m off to paint the town red with my zany red shoes with black cats on them.
Talk about luck dogging my every step.

Mind2Sole exhibition-cum-sale at Out Of The Blue, Union Park, Near Carter Road, Bandra (W); Tel: 26003000; Dates: Feb 15 and 16, 2008; Timing: noon to midnight; Sizes: 1-9 (adult); Price: Rs 880-Rs.1,220. Post 16th, contact Farzana Billimoria on 98201-41767 to place orders.

My best bud, out shopping in Select Citywalk in Saket, called. And took a whole two minutes to spill the (cocoa-flavoured) beans. Because she’d stuffed her mouth full of these magical chocolates. A la Chocolat.

What got my friend so gone? Moulded truffles and pralines — four layers deep. Gooey blueberry centre; sitting on white; robed in dark; dipped in milk. Encasing lemon, coffee, strawberry, pistachios. Milky Way bars aglitter with nuts. Caramel and gianduja bars, supporting chocolate flakes.

So we get to thinking, let’s camp out overnight by the counter. To be in time for St Valentine’s haul. Because the lady running the stall sure gets swamped.

As a child, Sofia Raj bartered all her pocket money for chocolate — just like you did. Unlike you, as a grown up, she continued investing half her banker’s salary in chocs. At 17, she’d taken a ‘chocolate-making’ course in hometown Amritsar, while the rest of us offered acid-pink sugar pills to our Valentines. And when she got married, she gave away 700 boxes — homemade, handwrapped.

Her candy-coated gifties sure sweetened friendships. Pals in investment even offered to fund her if she went pro. So she did. And spent 2 months in Europe, following new trends and techniques in cocoa comestibles. Now she’s blown back into town, opened shop on the web, intent upon converting us to real Belgian.

Fantasies chill on the sidelines, to launch soon. Ayurvedic! Vegan! Certified diabetic-friendly! Even chocolate-free (carob)!

Get down to the mall to grab yourself the last box of berry-flavoured bonbons.

Just in time for V-Day.

Sofia Raj Chocolates: today at Select Citywalk, Saket. Stall opposite Nine West. Or contact Sofia Raj, at 9810571113; and www.sofiaraj.com. Price: Rs 1,800 per kg.

We skipped the box of assorted chocolates and long-stemmed roses this year. The fine dine evening out and the spa voucher, too.

We at www.trendy.in love our readers more than we love just about anything else. (Even more than the richest chocolate brownie, or a new pair of sparkly Jimmy Choos!) So to celebrate Valentine’s Day, we’ve listened to what you liked best about Trendy, and what you asked us to change, and we got a very special make-over, with you in mind.

So what can you expect in the new redesigned Trendy? A sleeker, more sophisticated format. Bigger photos. A more direct writing style. The same quality recommendations you’ve come to know and trust from our talented reporting team. And all of our editions in one mail, that will come to your inbox every Tuesday and Thursday — as our gift just for you.

We hope you like our new look. And we wish you a very happy Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re celebrating with your special someone, or your closest girlfriends, be sure to do something nice for yourself as well. You deserve it.

Because who loves you, baby? We do!