If you ever visited my tiny apartment, the first thing you’d notice would be books. They’re everywhere — on shelves, in cupboards, beside the bed, in the loo. The storage issue is now so critical that I can only buy new books if I throw out some of the older ones!

But now I’ve lucked into one of Delhi’s best kept secrets — I’ve become a member of Book Me A Book, the Capital’s first and only online library offering free home delivery of books. No more desperate searches for free corners!

After creating a user id and paying the fees online — all very simply done — I spent a happy half-hour browsing. Everything is easily categorized, and everything’s here — the latest bestsellers, classics, biographies, science fiction. Even comic books.

The first batch of books arrived the next morning, followed by a “welcome new member” call from Nidhi Verma, who handles operations and customer interactions. We got chatting and she gave me some interesting facts.

The service was started late last year by Nidhi and her mother-in-law Manjula Sharma. The latter is also proprietor-manager of Ram Gopal Sharma and Son, a bookshop/lending library established in 1956 in Shankar Market, with a huge following among older Delhi-ites. The idea of an online library hit the two ladies when Manjula discovered that readership was falling due to ever-increasing distances and traffic/parking problems, or because members couldn’t find time to visit.

What I like most is the absence of a time limit on rentals. I’ve had an Ayn Rand for four weeks now, and I haven’t got any pestering calls. I also used their gift-membership scheme to gift Mom a year’s membership — boy, was she thrilled!

So what are you waiting for? Go and book yourself that book!

Log on to www.bookmeabook.com. Or call Nidhi Verma: +91 9999 025816.

Trendy’s off this Thursday. We’re going for monsoon manicures and suggest you get one, too! See you back next Tuesday July 29, 2008.

Perhaps you spent your summer eyeballing Moroccan mosaics on your Med cruise. And possibly you shed your rose-tinted Jackie Os and came back wishing you had the moolah and the chutzpah to bring home a piece of that awesome art instead of the souvenir-stall keychains dangling an Eiffel Tower.

I have news for you: I can actually wear my architectural mood of the moment on my sleeve — well, alright, over my ear — these days, without so much as stepping out of the city. This season’s Leiber eyewear collection doesn’t just feature the ever-popular Art Deco inspiration, it takes its hue from the artistry of ethnic embellishments.

Which doesn’t mean naive beading and chi-chi cowries, oh no! At Leiber, it means gold and silver engraving a la Mayan sacred vessels. Native American ornaments echoed in artful bead wraps. Or jewelled fillets in their usual gorgeous Austrian crystals and laser engraving on cast metal to mimic pottery and sculpture in stone. Colourful, eyeball-grabbing — not a single 80s neon-bright plastic orb in sight either!

Moi, I loved the mosaic squares and stripes on tortoiseshell-and marble-esque backing. Perfect for pairing with minakari and this season’s safari suits both. So contemporary, yet so 3rd century! For the evening, though, I’ll go with classic bejewelled Art Deco — never fear looking like a silly Bolly starlet either, these delicate frames can take clear glass as well as dark! But for upping the ante on white shirt and blue jeans, the Art Deco mosaic swirl in bold red and black.

One warning: You’ll be tempted to pull back your hair and present your profile for every air kiss with these sunnies — and lead the culture conversation. So practice your most elegant neck roll.

Available at Leiber boutiques in Delhi (Claridges Hotel, New Delhi; ph: 41335058) and Mumbai (Shop No. 16, Atria Mall, Mumbai; ph: 24813586-87). In Bangalore, call 09920026209 to arrange a viewing or place an order. Prices: Rs 22,000-29,000.

Italian designs by Versace and Valentino. Italian mysteries by Donna Leon and Andrea Camilleri. If there’s anything that I’ll forgo both for, it has to be Italian food. So when Ristorante Italia opened its doors in Bangalore, I put aside the latest Brunetti book, picked up my Fendi bag and dialed my date.

The soothing green interiors set just set the right note for a fine dining experience. But what really made my evening were the obviously Italian chefs doing their thing in the live kitchen. No matter the jokes about Italian men and their mamas, dahlings, no one can work dough like they can.

So we drank with our eyes as the chefs crafted the Cappellacci alla Montanara, hand-made pasta filled with ricotta served with ragu, mushroom cream and oregano, and Gnocchi alla Sorrentina, gnocchi with tomato mozzarella and basil.

For the secondo, we chose Pollo alla Diavola (a very spicy grilled chicken) and Melanzane alla Parmigiana (aubergine parmigiana). And we couldn’t resist sampling a pizza straight off the wood-fired oven: We had a hard time deciding between Mozzarella e Rucola (tomato sauce, caprino cheese, mozzarella and rocket), Capricciosa (tomato sauce, mozzarella with ham, mushroom and artichokes), Bianca con Pomodorini e Rucola (mozzarella, cherry tomato and rocket) and Gamberetti (tomato sauce, mozzarella and shrimps).

My date still had space for dessert — Mascarpone al Limone (lemon mascarpone) and profiteroles — while I contented myself with little nibbles.

Only an Italian holiday can top this, I’m thinking.

Ristorante Italia, 90/3, Opposite Innovative Multiplex, Outer Ring Road, Marathahalli, Bangalore-560037. Tel: 32473344/55. Meal for two would cost around Rs 1200 (without drinks).

For years now, birthdays, bad days, happy days, sad days — they somehow always end up getting better at The Gourmet Shoppe at The Oberoi, Mumbai. When in need of celebratory comfort food, this is one place that has been consistently perfect. I truly relish their delish hot breads (multi-cereal, focaccia, ciabatta, sunflower, soya, Tuscan and rye), cheeses, deli meats and even rather satisfying snacks, apart from the cakes, pastries and confections.

Which is why my ears perked up in anticipation when I heard that pastry expert Vikas Bagul had created some gourmet surprises especially for this month. Instead of stocking up on my usual soft-centre fruitcake or the crunchiest of cookies, I decided to check out the latest specials on offer.

Initially, I sniffed at the savoury strudel with suspicion. Why mess with the classic recipe, I grumbled to myself. But then, I decided to let the chef’s spirit of adventure seep into me. As I bit into the crunchy Candied Onion and Caper Strudel, I saw right off why the flaky French pastry, rolled around a filling of tasty onions and capers and lightly dusted with Italian cornmeal polenta, was so special. The explosion of flavours and textures was like a symphony unfolding on my tongue!

And then, the crescendo arrived in the form of the velvety Chocolate Fromage Aida. Think baked Philadelphia cheesecake (my absolute fave!) with a chocolate pave coating. The delicately balanced treat, topped with fresh fruit — everything from kiwi to strawberry to apples and plums — and then finished off with a flourish and some fine chocolate swirls. The violins and cellos seem to swing into action with every divine morsel.

Take a bow, maestro.

The Gourmet Shoppe at the Oberoi, Mumbai; Tel: 66326245, Prices: Start at Rs 30; Timings: 10 am-8 pm.

Whoever said the mountains and monsoons don’t mix, didn’t know a thing about potent cocktails. Seduced by emerald-green hillsides and misty ferns, I gave myself a long-promised gift: a weekend at the grand Wildflower Hall, among the most picturesque hotels in the world, and the jewel in the Oberoi Resorts & Properties crown.

Outside, clouds stretched across the French windows of my suite, like a Renaissance oil painting in motion. Inside, I busied myself with all those little menus: the DVD menu has a separate section on Merchant Ivory films, which I quickly queued, and ordered up scrumptious finger foods from in the in-room dining menu, to go with. There’s even a pillow menu with seven kinds of fluffy delights to choose from!

After some brisk walking, I headed to the indoor heated pool for laps under regal chandeliers. Nimble fingers, at Wildflower Hall’s spa run by Banyan Tree, and ten minutes in the pine-scented sauna, was followed by the piece de resistance: a steaming outdoor hot-tub, built high up on a precipice, over thick Cedar woods!

To feed a perky appetite, executive chef Sandeep Kalra rustled up a hearty meal of Corn Fed Chicken in a Red Wine Sauce, followed by a cool champagne sorbet. Diners at the next table claimed that their Himalayan Trout in lemon-butter sauce, was better. The jury’s still out on that one.

Bet Lord Kitchener, commander in chief on the British Army during the Raj and the original owner of this property, couldn’t imagine the 85-room luxury that The Wildflower Hall is today. Pity he isn’t around to sample some of it!

The Wildflower Hall, Shimla in the Himalayas, an Oberoi Resort, Chharabra, Mashobra, Shimla 171012.Call: 91 177 2648585. E Mail: reservations@wildflowerhall.com. Special offer on rooms from 1 July to 30 September, 2008: Two nights and three days for Rs 27,000 (double occupancy), with breakfast; Single night charges: Rs 21,500 for a Premier Mountain Facing room. For more details log on to www.oberoihotels.com.

I love designer tags, but there are times in a girl’s life when past sins catch up. You are so near and yet so far from the latest lustworthy Jimmy Choos, or that cute LV Bag, or those Calvin Klein jeans — because you went way over your cash limit last month.

That’s why I love sales even more, because suddenly everything seems within reach! The moment I got to know about the super duper sale at Calvin Klein, I did what any self-respecting fashionista would do — broke the piggy bank, counted my pennies and headed to the Calvin Klein store to spend it on clever buys.

As I entered the store, lined with girls who had the same ideas as me, I decided to be level-headed and follow my fashion stylist friend’s advice — always pick up classic cuts that you can wear at least two to three seasons.

I just swooned the moment I saw flat 50 percent off on the fabulous pair of jeans that I had been meaning to buy. I loved the regular straight fit denim, which are a rage this season and will serve me through next two as well. The best was the price tag — I could own this piece of beauty at Rs 3,250 (original tag Rs 6,500). Then my eyes fell on the range of black and white tees, which could go with practically anything. Imagine getting a CK Tee for just Rs 890! And the moment I saw the knee length red shift dress (Rs 1,995) I knew I absolutely had to have it — it’s a great piece that can work for day and night.

It pays to have patience and a piggy bank.

The Calvin Klein Sale. From July 13th for at least two weeks. Up till 50 per cent off.
Mumbai: VAMA, Corner Flyover, Near Kemp’s, Pedder Road, Phone: 23871410, Shopper’s Stop, Dynamix Mall, JVPD Scheme, Juhu ,Vile Parle (W). Phone: 26256270.
Delhi: Shopper’s Stop, Eros Mall, 10 Shivaji Place, Behind Vishal Cinema Complex, Raja
Garden. Phone: 25444101, Select City Walk, A-3 District Centre, Saket, Phone: 4211 4211.
Bangalore: Lifestyle, 206/A5, A.A.N.S Complex, Bazaar Street, Neelsandra, Phone 25564555.

When we moved to Bangalore from Delhi, I was super-excited about the buzzing city, its happening pubs, the cool, cool weather. But a little bit of me ached for Purani Dilli food. You know, those fabulous paranthas, tandoor-cooked chicken and utterly delish kebabs.

Over the years, I thought I’d overcome the pangs. Till I walked into More Than Paranthas, the new fine-dining Indian restaurant. The 7000 sq ft interiors are reminiscent of all that I miss about Old Delhi eateries: kitschy black marble tables with inlay work, Rajasthani mirrorwork on the walls and a heady aroma of good food!

True to its name, MTP does a whole array of Jama Masjid-lanes type of food: I loved Bhatti ka Murg (spring chicken marinated in yoghurt and spices), Bharwan Nawabi Tangri (chicken drumsticks in cream, cheese and spices) and Kasturi Kebab (boneless chicken marinated in kasturi methi). For vegetarians, there’s the Mirch Paneer Tikka and Dahi ke Kebabs, among others, which are cooked in an authentic coal sigdi. My Punjabi soul did a little jig when I heard that the paneer is flown in from Delhi every day.

But after sampling their array of chaats — papri chaat, dahi bhallas and dahi puchkas — I knew I’d have to come back for the paranthas. So Sunday afternoon was spent working through sundry veg- and non-veg stuffed paranthas and the wham-bang Sharaabi Parantha (stuffed with dry fruits soaked overnight in alcohol and served flambed). And then there was dessert: Trad North Indian fare like jalebis, rabri paranthas and shahi kulfi with falooda.

I’m going back. Not only for the paranthas — there are hundreds of varieties — but also for the chaats and kebabs.

MTP’s my home away from home.

More Than Paranthas, 610, 6th Block, 80 feet Main Road, Koramangala, Bangalore 95. Tel: 41724630/40/50. Meal for two: Rs 1000.

It may not quite feel like the monsoons right now. But it’s sure raining deals. I just stocked up on a month’s worth of Mango gear at throwaway prices and only just got back with some fab finds from the super-hush hush Globus pre-sale sale. And now my little bargain birdie tells me Patchi, one of my fave chocolatiers, is doing it too.

Wait, before you get your chocoholic radar up, the special monsoon discount (up to 50 per cent) isn’t on the gooeylicious goodies that the Lebanese brand is famous for. It’s on the premium crystal, silver, porcelain and accessories from various parts of Europe like Germany, Italy, France, etc. that the brand prides itself on handpicking from the world’s best labels. I got to ogle at and choose from international brands like Versace, Christian Dior, Rosenthal, Cristal de Sevres, Royal Silver, Iceberg, Roberto Cavalli, Rosenthal, Kaloo, Florence, Mario Cioni, Formia, Artoria Limoge and Murano, amongst others.

I admit I went a little berserk when I saw the marked down prices on the designer vases, candle stands, serving trays, tableware, bowls and figurines. Especially the delicate-as-a-rosebud Limoges porcelain that I’ve always read about but never dreamed I’d own. And the German Frankonia animal figurines that are looking oh-so gorgeous in front of my artistically lit bar. I thought I’d pick out the exquisite Rosenthal crockery and the classic Murano glassware for you, but, as a babe-on-a-budget, I had to pass up the chance.

But then again, according to the Patchi people, these are “gifts you’d rather give yourself”. Looks like they had me in mind when they coined that one!

Patchi: Shop No 65/66, Ground Floor, Atria Mall, Mumbai; Tel: 24813430/3431. Prices start at Rs 5,000. Sale on till July 31.

I went sale-shopping at South Ex, and what did I find there? Delhi’s Devils have been exorcised the old-fashioned way, shown the door by nimbu-mirchi! That is, by jalapeno poppers — tangy chillies stuffed with cheese — which we’re chasing down with tequila-tanked margaritas at the new joint that’s taken over.

Sancho’s got Tex-ish Mex (two floors of it), so no hardcore chayote salad or agave nectar; and it does mostly crowd-pleasers based on tortillas and Mexican rice rather than the locally lesser-known tamales or chilli con carne with ‘real meat’ (they just got chicken). But what they do, ole!, they do lip-smackingly, belly-burstingly, finger-lickingly — and sometimes eye-wateringly — well.

First, major props for the in-house tortillas — lime, regular, spicy and even dark-brown ‘blue corn’, served without a spot of grease. With a slew of salsas — the mango’s a must, if only to take the sting out of the superhot superhit pico de gallo and the sour green tomatillos.

My burrito comes blanketed in a tangy sauce striped with sour cream. It’s B-I-G, stuffed with Mexican rice, beans, chicken, cheese and veggies. The garden fresh fajitas arrive as sizzling veg pile topped with grilled corn on the cob, fresh warm tortillas in clay casserole, refried beans and rice on the side. But if it’s all too much — really, you need a party of people for these — order a ‘lighter’ meal of black bean soup (excellent, with cinnamon-pickled onion slivers) and taco salad.

Beware their generosity with the Monterey Jack! Unless you choose with care, you’ll have to pass up dessert. A pity, since chef Jorge A. Romero has a ravishing platter set up with coconut flan, bread pudding, spiced chocolate shot and churros.

Wash down with Mexican pot coffee. Work off with an energetic rumba (there’s a DJ Friday and Saturday nights). And leave a large tip in the servers’ sombreros.

Sancho’s, E-3 South Extension-II (3rd & 4th floors), ph: 46076422. Meal for two Rs 1,500 onwards (with drinks).

One girl who doesn’t care about cricket. And 11 guys who make up the team. Led by one super-dishy captain with Boost-brown eyes and a cute butt, who believes it’s hard work and determination that make teams win matches. Not luck.

But as it happens, Zoya was born at the exact moment India won the 1983 World Cup. And her father and her brother know that whenever Zoya escorted them to any match they were playing, they never lost.

Her ad-agency job brings her into close proximity with the team. Sparks fly — first because of her ‘lucky’ status and then because of the chemical reactions between Zoya and smouldering captain Nikhil Khoda. He’s tall, dark and handsome, she’s a pint-sized, chubby-cheeked, curly-haired girl next door.

The Zoya Factor, adwoman Anuja Chauhan’s first novel — she’s the one who thought up the super-successful ‘Nothing Official About It’ tagline for Pepsi when Coke was going to town about its ‘official’ status for the 1996 World Cup — is such a rollicking read, I kept chuckling throughout. And though I outgrew soppy romances years ago, the SMSs, the simple in-love gestures and the midnight assignations by the poolside had me wishing I could fall in love all over again.

The novel could have ended a bit sooner, but when I turned the last page, I had a big, silly smile on my face. Love and laughter do that to you.

The Zoya Factor. By Anuja Chauhan. Published by Harper Collins. Price: Rs 295. At bookstores nationwide.