Over the last weekend, I thought I should get some culture. But instead of all those New Agey painters that may be too highbrow for me, I thought I’d take in something that’s a bit more accessible. So, I traipsed into the domed CSMVS, as those in the know now call the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya to check out their latest exhibit.

Indian Life and Landscape by Western Artists is an exhibition of paintings and drawings by European artists from the 17th to the early 20th century, culled from the collection from London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. As I walked around the gallery, I was transported into a different world. This was an India that was exciting even as it was familiar. The past connected to the present via an urban landscape that was still so recognisable. I thought the Mumbai street scene was fabulous in its detail and execution; so true-to-life that it could be a digi-pic snapped only moments ago!

One section showcased paintings by people who had never visited the country but drew from their imagination, based on travellers’ descriptions. I was especially entranced by The Four Sons of Shah Jahan, an oil painting by 17th century Dutch artist Willem Schellinks, which resembled a Mughal miniature in style and detail. Another segment introduced me to the ‘picturesque’ style of painting, where buildings and landscapes are aesthetically composed to look as pretty as possible. Totally, there were around 100 works that characterised the architecture, landscape, people and everyday life of India.

I came away enriched. And I have the ‘been there, done that’ take-home treats from the gift shop — illustrated coasters and a print of Marine Drive in its early years — to display on my coffee table to prove it.

Indian Life and Landscape by Western Artists: On till February 8th at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (Prince of Wales Museum), SP Mukherji Chowk, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai: Tel 22844484/22844519; Cost: Regular museum entrance charges to enter, while memorabilia starts at Rs 40.

I was petrified that January would also go the un-seasonally warm December way. But the chill is finally here, yay. I’ve un-mothballed my woollies but, wait a mo — I have NOTHING to wear! All my sweaters look old, old, old, the others which don’t, are too blah.

How do you get away from bland boring branded, in a town full of places offering mounds of woollies? Get back to gorgeous hand-knits, that declare this is me, only me.

So Artistree, a cute home boutique run by sisters Jyotsna and Brinda Gokhale, which my friends were going excitedly on about, it had to be. They said it has simply everything, and my visit the very next day confirmed it — sweaters, cardigans, scarves, leg warmers, and caps, in bright magentas, lime greens, electric blues and purples, as well as sober greys, creams and beiges. Round necks, V-necks, boat necks, cowls, and sizzling slits — in all shapes and sizes.

Plus, and this is a real bonus for gals like me who love matching things, if you don’t see what you want, they’ll knit one up for you. I instantly picked up a very stylish grey woollen number, a cross between a short coat and a cardigan. In my hunting and gathering, I also spotted a light blue cowl neck, but what I was really looking for was a dark blue number. So I’ve placed an order, and now I’m waiting!

It gets better: If you want to accessorize your woollens, younger sister Brinda does a great range of re-cyled paper jewellery, embellished with beads, glass and sequins. I picked up a stunning pair of danglers, a perfect present for my oh-so-green niece.

Nothing like a chunky hand knit to make me warm and toasty, and very very wintry!

Artistree, S-273 Panchsheel Park, New Delhi. Only by appointment, contact Jyotsna Gokhale at 9818636189. Prices, woollens from Rs 200 on, jewellery from Rs 150 on.

Snoozing under the duvet, endless cups of chai, and long walks in the nippy outdoors — that’s my idea of fun in this weather. What’s not is dry and flaky skin. But I’ve just discovered a couple of great new body butters — pure, natural, handmade — to keep me soft and supple.

Nyassa: This one I’ve just tried, and I’m already a fan. Set up by management grad Ishveen Anand, who gave up her cushy job in New York to live her dream of creating organic bath and body products, this brand’s the culmination. Nyassa has only one dedicated retail outlet as of now, but there will be more soon! The body butter’s available in two varieties — Vanilla Pleasure (smells like deevine vanilla chocolate) and Autumn Breeze (with a floral, woody and fresh aroma).
Nyassa, Delta Houses,18th Road, Khar (West) Mumbai, Ph: 26480411; Also available at: Mumbai: Eco Corner, Shop No. 153, Atria Mall, Worli, Mumbai, Ph: 24813450; Bangalore: Reliance Wellness Specialty Store, Modi Hospital Main Road, Basaweshwarnagar; Reliance Wellness Bangalore Specialty Store, 80 Feet Road ST BED Extention, Koramangala. Delhi girls can pick it up online at www.nyassa.in. Rs 400 for 200 gm.

Earth and Soul: Last autumn, when I tried out the superb all-organic, all-natural Earth and Soul products, I was told that their butters would be out soon. They are, and I have speedily acquired both: Mandarin Magic (citrusy, and invigorating) and Lavender Bloom (flowery and almond-y). The texture is dense, and intensely creamy, and they last and last and last! And psst, a third one, based on the restorative powers of tulsi, is in the works!
Le Marche Department Store 011 26143090; 011 41669111; 58 Basant Lok Market, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi. For Mumbai and Bangalore, please contact Pallavi Jain +91 9833028772. Alternate number 91 9811580033, or just email at es@earthygoods.co.in. Visit www.earthygoods.co.in Rs. 130 for 50 gm.

After a blah business lunch at one of the many rooftop restaurants at UB City, I cried off dessert. No mean feat, I assure you, given my sweet tooth, but I seriously couldn’t bear the thought of yet another mediocre mousse. Fate, however, works in mysterious ways. For what should I see as I was walking away, but Ecstasy, the dessert boutique.

At first glance I could tell Ecstasy is a concept store that thrives on being different. There’s none of the boring Black Forests and lame Lemon Tarts: I found Cheesecake Vanille (baked cheesecake with Philadelphia cheese and fresh vanilla pods), Earl Grey Tea Opera (almond biscuit, chocolate ganache, Earl Grey butter cream, glazed with dark chocolate) and Cherrany (pistachio biscuit, cherry fruit paste and aniseed mousseline).

And that was just the display section. Ecstasy also does classic plated dishes, like creme brulee au chocolat guanaja and poached figs in mulled wine. As I bit into the off-the-shelf Maloni (whole melon and honey mousseline on flaky biscuit) and felt the flavours ooze onto my tongue, I learnt that each ingredient was meticulously handpicked from around the world. And I had to try the Half-Cooked Jivara Cake, with its molten chocolate centre. Mmmmm, heaven. Much of the credit, I was told, goes to French chef Mickael Besse, who runs the show here.

Ecstasy also stocks a good selection of home-made ice-creams in flavours as exciting as cheesecake, lemon, balsamico and apricot, as well as a whole range of milk shakes, hot chocolate, tea and coffee.

Just as I was walking away, having made up my mind to return, who should I see walking in, but my lunch companions. As we laughed together, it occurred to me: there’s nothing like ending a meeting on a sweet note,

Ecstasy, the Dessert Boutique. 2nd Floor, The Collection, UB City, Vittal Mallya Road, Bangalore. Tel: 41759191. Prices: Upwards of Rs100 for a serving.

So what if it’s not facing the ocean and you can’t dig your toes into the sand anymore, even as you dig into fare that’s as delish as before? I was thrilled to hear that the much-mourned-since-it-shut-down Salt Water Grill, one of Sobo’s most alluring dining destinations, was reinventing itself in the queen of the burbs. Bandra’s fab new Salt Water Cafe is open all day, starting with breakfast at 9am! The clean lines of wooden furniture cast in situ, a sun deck for al fresco dining, a bar and a delicatessen counter spread over two levels, made this brand new space extremely tempting.

So, I waltzed in as the afternoon sunlight threw pretty patterns on the walls, courtesy the sliding wooden slatted ‘curtains’. At the entrance, a giant display case held a mouthwatering display of imported meats, cheese, preserves, salad dressings and, of course, a dozen deadly desserts. After marking out a Tiramisu to devour later, I armed myself with the menu. I was happy to discover that culinary dynamo Viraf Patel is overseeing the selections and chef Gresham Fernandes has added his individualistic touches too.

The soups were outstanding — especially the arresting green asparagus soup with white asparagus foam and crisp smoked salmon slivers or the spectacular Shiitake tea. For the entrees, it was a tough call between the Baked Lamb Chops with porcini-prune chutney and Fava bean mash and the Brazilian Tenderloin Steak. The seafood lover in me did the dance for the seared scallops and chilli-fennel cappelini and the grilled rawas and prawn okra curry. And my vegetarian friend dug into the potato gnocchi with arugula walnuts and gorgonzola and the lemon, turmeric and smoked pepper salsa Risotto with gusto!

And for next time, I have my eye on the tuna pate with tobiko and wasabi bagel and a sesame bun with bacon and spiced Brie and cranberry jam.

Unusual and adventurous. A menu after my own heart. This one, I don’t need to take with a pinch of salt.

Salt Water Cafe, Rose Minar Annexe, 87, Chapel Road, Next to Mount Carmel Church, Bandra (W), Mumbai; Tel: 26434441/ 32710520; Pricing: Approximately Rs 1,200 for two, without drinks.

Dilliwali, that’s me. Lover of the centuries of history peeping out of every nook and cranny. My city keeps springing little surprises on me — a 14th century mosque in my neighbourhood, a stepwell behind my local market, a clutch of 12th century tombs showing off their smooth black domes from my office window. So when I got a chance to explore — over a two-hour heritage walk — the vast Mehrauli Archaeological Park that had only been a signboard to me, I jumped at the idea, dragging along my camera-obsessed buddy!

Turns out that this monthly walk is conducted by INTACH, the premier national organisation working on conservation in the country. What started out at as an initiative to raise awareness amongst Delhi’s citizens about the need for heritage conservation, has now has become a hugely popular event. Our guide (researchers at INTACH do these walks on a volunteer basis) Vijay Mishra took us through the range of time periods and styles of architecture, with the odd anecdote or urban legend thrown in for eye-opening revelations.

I loved the stately walls of Balban’s tomb, and the first ‘true arch’ of Indo-Islamic architecture. The quaint little Jamali Kamali tomb, where a lush turquoise and jade tiled ceiling watches over the twin graves of men whom informal history variously refers to as lovers, Sufi master and disciple, or brothers. Little Mughal pleasure palaces set amidst the meadow-like landscaping of the Metcalfe Estate. The windy terraces of Quli Khan’s tomb, and the steep, steep steps of Rajon ki Baoli.

The loping silence of centuries-old places. The snap and crackle of foliage. And the awe-filled gasp. Just some of the things to hear, and not just see, at this incredible walk through the past!

The next walk through Mehrauli Archaeological Park is on Jan 11 at 8.30 am. Rs. 30 per person, to be paid at the venue, after the walk. Registration is mandatory. Email intachdelhi@rediffmail.com for registration and details.

I have been on a non-stop whirl. All the frenetic partying has finally caught up with me, leaving me listless, sleepless, and ultra-tired. So I went looking for some TLC among the shelves (my fave past-time), and found that the people at The Body Shop had heard my prayers.

Their newly-launched Wellbeing range, with its four lines, actually does deliver. In my usual thorough fashion, I went on a trying-everything-out spree, and I have found a clutch of products that will become my friends.

The Total Energy range, with an aromatic blend of organic bergamot, ginger, and cinnamon, is a great pick-me-up. A morning shower with its body wash kick-starts my day. But what I really love is the Total Energy Pulse Point Balm, which wakes me up all right from my post-lunch zombie state.

The Divine Calm range is a massage and bathing regime with a blend of soothing French lavender oil and chamomile essences. The shower gel is heavenly; so is the oil, with its mix of almond and sesame and a faint fragrance, just the way I like it.

Of all the products in the Gently Purify range (it’s got super detox ingredients — wasabi, Dead Sea clay, algae, rosemary, orange, eucalyptus, lemon and pine extracts), I would recommend their clay mask — love the warmth and the glow.

To banish my inner insomniac, I slip into a warm bath spiked with the Deep Sleep Comforting Milk Bath Float. This one’s got chamomile extracts, milk and oats protein. As a final touch, I spray the body mist on my pillows and I am ready for some heavy-duty naptime.

See you in the morning!

The Body Shop Wellbeing range, from Rs 795 on. Available at The Body Shop. Delhi: M 53-A, Greater Kailash Part I. Tel: 41735139. Mumbai: Shop No 6, first floor, Inorbit Mall, Malad (West). Tel: 67102021. Bangalore: Lido Mall, Shop 5, 1st Floor, Swami Vivekanand Road. Tel: 41477272.

You know that phrase, ’swept off my feet’? Well, I found out what that really means, when my boyfriend and I went on an outta-this-world hot air balloon ride near Gurgaon!

On our first anniversary last week, he slipped me a red envelope with ‘Surprise!’ written on it, and it turned out to be an absolutely exclusive ride, just for the two of us in our own little private hot air balloon! I did some research and found out that this is the only of its kind in the city, arranged by Exciting Lives, a website that sells experiences like these — from paintball to spa treats to private jet parties.

My boyfriend and I booked our ‘flight’ beforehand (and crossed our fingers because it’s subject to good weather conditions), and set out at daybreak, all packed in our woolliest clothes (gets real chilly up in the clouds!). After an hour-long drive, we reached the balloon port, near Damdama Lake on the Gurgaon-Sohna Road, where our veteran pilot, the 70-something Captain Wason was waiting for us, with a most gorgeous sight: a massive balloon, attached to a waist-high basket, towering over us like a magnificent skyscraper, fuelled by the hot air gusts fired from a sophisticated overhead machine.

We climbed into the little basket along with our pilot (he’s been flying for 40 years now!), and soon we were slowly levitating off the ground. Next thing, whoosh, we’re towering over the tree tops! We held hands and watched the mundane world transform into an impressionist landscape: think mist settling on Damdama lake on one side, the sun shining through the clouds against the Aravalli hills on the other!

Now you tell me, is there a way more romantic and exhilarating for your new year to take off?

Hot air balloon rides are offered by www.excitinglives.com. Priced at Rs. 14,500 plus taxes.

I know it, you do too. Beauty is more than skin-deep. But then what stays right on the top, exposed to the whole world, is our skin. That’s one reason I find myself investing more on skincare products than colour cosmetics. And why I did a little jig when I heard that Clinique had launched its first-ever counter in namma Bengaluru, just around a year after its Delhi launch.

Clinique, the dermatologist-created U.S. brand, is allergy-tested and fragrance-free (no more overpowering smells — yay!). Their scientific approach shows in the way they assessed my skin: The Clinique Computer studied my eye colour, pore size, natural hair colour and sun-reactiveness — all factors that I was born with and will carry to my grave — and aided the trained attendant in suggesting a personalised skincare regimen.

The first step towards great skin, the attendant explained, was actually three steps: soaping, clarifying and moisturising. The Liquid Facial Soap cleanses, the Clarifying Lotion exfoliates (exfoliation is akin to exercise for the skin, I was told), and the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, well, moisturises. Each of these basics has variants for the entire oily-to-dry skin spectrum: The Clinique attendant helped me choose the products for my problem skin.

After a week, I found my skin responding to the three-step procedure with an all-new glow and suppleness.

Now, I’m tempted to check out Clinque’s colour cosmetics range, which has some specifically Indian shades. With my skin looking its best, what’s wrong with a little enhancement?

Clinique, Lifestyle, Oasis Centre, No 30, Salarpuria Tech Point, 100 Feet Road (Intermediate Ring Road), Koramangala, Bangalore - 560 047. Tel: 9731718273. Prices start at Rs 810 for a facial soap and go up to Rs 2450 for moisturizing gel. See the range and take a skin test online at www.clinique.com.

I’ve been there and done that. From Ghajini to Australia and back. All two-hours-plus of each. But now, the appeal of a short film, like a light salad dinner after a humongous brunch, is high.

Psychologically, it’s the perfect time to indulge in a festival of really short films. Which is why I’m so glad that I got a chance to preview the line-up that’s going to be screened at this month’s gathering of Shamiana, the short film club spearheaded by Mumbai theatre director Cyrus Dastur.

Each of these films (the longest is 10-minutes) are glimpses into different worlds. The Indian ones are a motley mix of ideas and directors. Idiot, so simple yet fascinating, tickled my funny bone with director Dedipya Bhanu’s interpretation of a farcical situation. Unnoticed Love by Amit Khanna, spoke to me on an emotional plane. Aman Sachdeva’s Karaamat (The Miracle), was Sadaat Hasan Manto’s controversial story about Salim, a thief and murderer who mysteriously transforms himself into a pious man. A three-minute tale about the differently abled that showcased the talents of students from St Andrew’s College was director Shounak Sengupta’s Red Rose and a White Petticoat. Suraj Uchil and Satchit Subramanium created In(k) the Book, a film that gave me food for thought. The most evocative one was the delicately nuanced Whims and Fancies by Lavira, Nikhilesh and Shweta, where a little girl hankers after a balloon.

The two foreign films were just as fascinating. I absolutely loved The Story of a Caramel, Portuguese director Pedro Mota Teixeira’s sweet animated tale about an adorable piece of chocolate! And George Lucas In Love by US filmmaker Joe Nussbaum was a quirky peek into the life of the Star Wars’ director.

All in all, a nice set of shorts to whet my appetite for film as I take a breather from Hollywood and Bollywood blockbusters. And aren’t shorts are THE must-have this season? In more ways than one, I see.

SHAMIANA: The Short Film Club screening at 6.30 pm on January 7 at Not Just Jazz by the Bay: 143, Soona Mahal, Marine Drive, Mumbai; Tel: 22024103; Entry Charge: Rs.100.