A short and sexy choli was what I had chosen for my wedding lehenga. And after a winter of gobbling much hot and greasy stuff, I had abdicated all dreams of getting that washboard tum to go with it.

And just when I’d given up on the inch-tape that refused to budge despite my regular exercise routine, my girlfriends told me about this great product that’s been a rage in London, and now splayed on the pages of Vogue — Rodial’s Tummy Tuck. It’s available at Urban Shore, a classy beauty store in Greater Kailash that’s like a candy shop for those used to trips abroad to get their favourite brands!

I’d always been wary about slimming products, but this one sure is as revolutionary as it claims to be. The brainchild of Maria Hatzistefanis, who wanted to get rid of those last few inches of post-natal fat, Tummy Tuck has stomach flattening micro fibers with fig extract and neuropeptides (they simulate a cell reaction in the brain similar to that of the body’s natural response to exercise), that help break down fatty cells and boost cell metabolism. The promise was two centimetres in 8 weeks, and my tummy proved it! All I had to do was apply five pumps of the lotion on my problematic love handles and navel, twice a day. Of course, which doesn’t mean I pigged out on the greasy stuff anymore — just a regular routine of healthy non-fat diet and plenty of water were enough to show me the results in just 4 weeks time. The tum was taut and firm, showing the promise of those neat curves I’d been wanting for so long!

No more slaving at the gym or wondering about liposuction: I’ve found the perfect tummy-tamer!

Rodial’s Tummy Tuck, Rs. 9,350, available at Urban Shore, N8, N Block, Greater Kailash, New Delhi. Ph: 46548122. Log on to www.urbanshore.in.

Fashion’s about history just as much as it is about the future. When I wear my vintage emerald neckpiece with my Miu Miu LBD, I feel an immediate connect with all the society ladies that have sparkled at soirees past and the ones to come. It’s similar to what I experience when I get my hands on the inaugural copy of the desi edition of Harper’s Bazaar.

A rosy-cheeked Kareena Kapoor, wearing Giorgio Armani on the Swarovski-studded collector’s edition cover shot by Suresh Natarajan, sets the standard straight away. And as I plow into the goodies between the covers, I know I’m in for quite a treat — Joan Collins on ’80s style to a scintillating photo feature on dhoti drapes by Farrokh Chothia!

They’ve got the mix right. Editor Sujata Assomull deftly stirs in the best of global trends with local style. I get to feast my eyes on a grapefruit James Ferreira ensemble next to one in vanilla from Dolce & Gabbana and lots more in the excellently done How to Wear It pages.

They’ve got the ads right. Everything from Madonna in Louis Vuitton’s shock-value spread featuring the Kalahari bag to Gwyneth Paltrow for Tod’s latest campaign.

They’ve even got the people right. Effortless elegance by Haseena Jethmalani. Farhan Akhtar’s sis Zoya writing about his wife Adhuna’s personal style. Padma Lakshmi on living the fashionable life. Arjun Rampal talking about the chic women he knows and notices. Chitrangada Singh in a lush make-up guide. Katrina Kaif’s beauty secrets. Solve Sundsbo’s photographic take on the iconic looks for the coming season. And the glorious India tribute from the Who’s Who of global fashion.

Of course, being a fussy fashionista myself, I’d like to see a few changes too. A little less film and some edgier fashion. Attention to styling (in Jatin Kampani’s pictures of this spring’s new silhouettes, the footwear didn’t fit properly or tied shabbily). And most of all, a lot more passion for all things Indian. Why Mauritius for the Kareena-Saif shoot when there are kilometres of beaches here?

But apart from these little quibbles, going by the first issue, I’m going to be a believer in this 140-year-old bible that brings the buzz of the bazaar back to India.

Harper’s Bazaar India: Price: Rs 100; Available at all leading bookstores and news vendors.

I may be all grown up, but show me a school girl tale and I get all misty-eyed. And off I go on a wild Google chase tracking down my old school gal pals, reliving the glorious, giggly days of girlhood. So, of course, I broke into a brisk bhangra when I chanced upon the all-new four-part ‘Babes’ series at my neighbourhood bookstore.

Narinder (she wrote the popular novelisation of ‘Bend it like Beckham’) Dhami’s fun-filled tales of the irrepressible Dhillon sisters, the most trendy and sorted desi girls in Coppergate School tell of the life and crazy times of Geena, Jazz and Amber. The supporting cast includes their mild-as-a-mouse dad, a formidable young Auntie who has perfected the art of interfering in their lives, their insufferable Cousin Baby and her dishy boyfriend, Amber’s dweebish swain George Botley who suddenly goes handsome on them, and sundry other goras and desis in the melting pot that is multi-culti Britain. And, of course, how could I forget the impossible Molly Mahal, a down-and-out Bollywood diva who gets a new lease of celebrity-giri.

The series begins with the arrival of the Auntie From Hell after the sad demise of the girls’ mum. Used as they are to ruling the roost and their hapless dad, the girls plot and plan ways to get rid of Auntie. Between playing Cupid and raising funds for the cash- strapped Coppergate School, our heroines tangle with Bollywood and display a business acumen that would put an Ambani to shame. The series ends with the girls staging their own home-grown version of the popular reality show ‘Who’s In the House?’ to raise money for the Coppergate library which they want named after their mum.

Ludhiana or London, you just can’t keep a soni kudi down.

Bindi Babes, Bollywood Babes, Bhangra Babes, Superstar Babes, by Narinder Dhami, Random House, Rs 150. Available at all book stores. Click here for their Facebook group. .

Sitting in a posh restaurant with friends the other day, it suddenly struck me that this wasn’t us at all. Where was the uproarious laughter, the merciless leg-pulling? The warmth that should accompany the wine?

Sipping measured quantities poured out by a white-gloved waiter is all very well, but it’s not something I want to do every week. So, when I called over my pals last Saturday for a potluck party, I picked up a mixed case of five Kinvah wines from the local supermarket.

Since I believe in beginning the evening nice and slow, I loved the Kinvah Sauvignon Blanc: Crisp, zesty and dry, it really pepped up the crudites and dips that were doing the rounds.

My BFF brought her super-spesh ragu lasagna: perfect for the rich Kinvah Cabernet Shiraz that I let breathe an hour or so before pouring into the wide-mouthed glasses. And for the boyfriend’s biryani, I opened the Manthan, a wine specially created for masala-heavy Indian dishes.

Oh, didn’t I mention it? Kinvah’s a homegrown brand, literally — its vineyards are in Bijapur, though the know-how that makes it work comes from Italian oenologist Luca Patricelli. And the state government’s excise benefits for local vineyards make the wines very, very affordable!

As the evening grew older and the mood more laidback, I realised I like my wine only one way: With friends. Sprawled out on a rug. In the middle of a spectacular gabfest.

What’s your excuse?

Kinvah wines are available at leading supermarkets in Bangalore and can also be booked online at www.nandivalleywinery.com. Prices: Rs125 for 180ml; Rs235 for 375ml and Rs430 for 750ml.

There’s something about Italian food and Italian men. Both are robust, with subtle nuances of culture and local flavour. And pair either with a good wine and you get the makings of an enchanting evening!

Stax at the Hyatt Regency, overlooking the swimming pool and landscaped garden, is the perfect setting for such pulse-racing moments, especially now that there’s the just-launched, brand new menu. Chef Giuseppe (who’s held my hand through my culinary journey for years now) brings his unique and imaginative touch to yet another spread of home-style cooking.

And although I was on a date with a certain signore, it was Giuseppe I kissed my fingers to when I spied the exciting range of appetisers — Broccoli Tart, Tuna Terrine with Cannellini Beans, Chick Pea Pastry, Shallot Truffle Pie and my absolute fave, the Cannellini Bean Cake. I was floored by the excellent entrees like Angel Hair Pasta with Braised Chicken and Black Olives and Oven-Baked Conchiglioni with Duck and Vegetable Filling, and I’d need both my hands to explain to you in true Italian style just how good his fragrant, seafood-rich Mussels, Squid, Salmon and Grouper Risotto with Marjoram and the simply superb Breadcrumb Pasta with Bean Sauce are.

After all that gorging and goggling at the gorgeous Italiano over my glass of Italian Grappasto wine from the newly refurbished cellar, I didn’t have room for the new specials. Home-made Beetroot Spaezle with Parmesan Cheese Fondue and Raspberry Coulis, Green Asparagus and Lobster Sauce and Cutlets of Australian Lamb with Carrot Mash, Blueberry Jam and Jus to name just a few. But I made sure to leave space for his phenomenal Tiramisu, one of the few things from the old menu that he’s retained. The signore and I fed each other sinful spoonful after spoonful.

I’m in love. Only I’m not sure if it’s with the smooth Italian dude or the fabulous Italian food.

Stax at the Hyatt Regency Mumbai, Sahar Airport Road, Andheri (E), Mumbai; Tel: +91 2266961627; Cost: Meal for two is approximately Rs 3,500 (with alcohol).

On a lazy Sunday morn heralding summer languor, I found myself in the mood for Med. Sips of wine, colourful salad , and some old-fashioned happy music to enjoy the sun before it gets blazing!

And I found all this at my favourite place: Azzurro. Birthday family lunches, quiet romantic dates, even the odd business lunches — I’ve had them all here, and yet I didn’t know about their Sunday buffet! We walked into its cool white interiors, aglow in the warm afternoon light filtering through buff blinds, right into a lavish spread. Mostly salads here, the flavours of which were light and summery: crumbly, fresh sole, or crispy Parmesan, spinach and mushroom salad, or the unusually sweet-tangy mutton salad. Plus there was the DIY option — the live salad bar had a wide range of fresh salad greens, bacon, grilled chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, with a variety of dressings.

A cool swatch of lemony hummus and babaganjoush with pita was next on my plate. Followed by second helpings of the ham mortadella and chicken pistachio cold cuts. And a third course of the Aubergine and Tomato Pizza — fresh dough base, rolled out thin enough for a crackly edge, and thick enough to give a juicy body to the toppings. Glug that down with a drink — we quite preferred the excellent San Medin from the by-the-glass wine menu, to the complimentary Zampa white wine.

The real joyous spring feelin’, though, was with the live music, a solo do with lilting guitar strumming. Had me walking out with a skip in my step, a smile on my face, and happy humming that went, ‘you are my Theme for a Dream, yes you are.’

Azzurro Kitchen & Bar, 3, Community Centre, Saket PVR Complex, Ph: 41664274/75; and 147 & 148, The Shopping Mall, Arjun Marg, DLF Phase 1, Gurgaon, Ph: 95-124-4289254. Noon to 3.30 pm. Priced at Rs. 550 plus taxes (buffet and pizza option), and Rs. 850 plus taxes (buffet and one regular main course option).

Dear Trendylicious Readers,

We wanted to share that we’re making some changes at Trendy.

Our focus is going to be on bringing you more of our exclusive Trendy Deals, like the free samples last week from Earthy Goods. (Note to advertisers, contact us at ideas@trendy.in!)

For now, we won’t be publishing emails on our Tuesday-Thursday schedule, but our snappy lifestyle recos will still be on our website for your enjoyment.

Cheers,
Team Trendy

Women’s Day? Isn’t that like every single day of the year?! At least for Women of the World (WOWs like us) it is. But it’s always nice to be wooed. And come early March, there’s usually some good stuff to look forward to. This year, I found that the emphasis is on getting out there and exploring the world with our gal pals. Hey sister, let’s go sister!

Girls just wanna have fun in the sun
Now I know what you’ll be doing this summer — taking a holiday with me and our gang of girls. SOTC, a branch of Kuoni, has some fabulous offers on at the moment, with their Mona Lisa tours, specially designed for women, with safety, comfort and lots of girly things on the agenda. No men to rush you through the shopping districts, no one to roll their eyes when you take YET another picture of the gorgeously romantic Seine in Paris or stop to sigh over the Bridge of Sighs in Venice! They even throw in specials like a visit to the French Fragonard perfumery or cookery classes, foot massages and fashion shows.
SOTC’s 15-day Mona Lisa’s Amazing Europe Rs 1,99,999; 10-day Mona Lisa’s Orient Rs 89,999; seven-day Mona Lisa’s Vibrant Far East Rs 69,999 (which includes return airfare, accommodation, three meals a day, visa, taxes and tips); Tel: 022-66188000; Website: www.sotc.in; Special discounts until March 8.

What a ‘wanderful’ world!
And if you’re STILL waiting for your Significant Other to take time off from work to see the world with you, maybe you need to meet other women who’ve found ways to sate their wanderlust. Writer-globetrotter Sumitra Senapaty, founder of the WOW Club in New Delhi and Bangalore, now brings her brand of brill travel plans to our city. An evening of armchair tourism over wine and dainty snacklets that can lead to some very real and exciting vacations with other like-minded women.
Friday, March 6 at 7pm-9.30pm at The Club, Azad Nagar, Andheri (W); Dress code: PINK! Call Sumitra on +91-98916-55054 to wangle an invite or sign up for WOW; Website: www.wowsumitra.com.

Think dark sin. Think crumbly temptation. Yep, gotta be brownies! I walked into a heady aroma of warmed dark chocolate and freshly baked bread at this tiny new bakery in my neighbourhood. And swooned.

I’d never seen it on a thousand trips down the Shivalik Road, but on a friend’s reco, I finally got Sherlock Holmes-y on it and spotted the chocolate brown-and-rust signboard, saying ‘Bagels and Brownies’ (landmarks: Sunil Hospital and Liberty showroom). If you like your brownie warm, centre-soft and gooey without the crusty top, you’ll love this place. About 2.5 square inches of rich decadent chocolate brownie — in 16 flavours, from walnut to Ferrero Rocher! You can taste before you buy, which I did, and promptly ordered a Belgian Chocolate (with a disc of dark chocolate on top, which melts gorgeously when you warm the brownie), Cappucino, After Eight and Toblerone into my shopping bag.

The other things I got packed were the bagel sandwiches, available in a great variety here. Got a sesame flavoured bagel with a Philly cream cheese stuffing, and a garlic bagel with olive, tomato and cheese stuffing — both pretty filling. Going to order a Hawaiian to make the Manic Monday somewhat better, with the Chicken Doner, Ham and Sausage, Malai Tikka and Chicken Hot Melt lined up for the rest of the week!

My next plan is to check out their made to order truffle chocolates, and their special cakes in flavours like After Eight and Ferrero Rocher. And in case you’ve picked up your car keys already to hunt out this jewel mine, the good news is that they deliver!

Bagels and Brownies, 14/185, Malviya Nagar, Shivalik Road,New Delhi, Ph: 32984606, 9310104604. Brownies priced between Rs. 35 to 55, bagel sandwiches between 50 and 99 (plain bagels at Rs. 18). Free home delivery 3 kms around Malviya Nagar on a minimum order of 200, and 5 bucks for every extra kilometre (45 minutes of waiting time). And if you have a substantial order, they’ll deliver anywhere in the city.

There are some restaurants that, over time, have created a niche for themselves in the foodie’s scheme of things. Places that you’d recommend for such-and-such dish even if someone woke you up in the middle of the night to ask. Mumbai’s Goa Portuguesa has been that sort of place for many of its tastebud-stirring treats and for me personally, its sol kadhi and Xacuti.

But now, owner Suhas Awchat’s wife Deepa has made it even easier to access these taste treats, with her carefully researched The Goa Portuguesa Cookbook. It’s a delightful blend of functional practicality and glossy coffee-table creativity. Bharat Bhirangi’s food and mood shots are simply delish. And demonstrating just what the restaurateur couple has been saying all these years, the book busts the myth that Goan cuisine is only about all things non-vegetarian like a sizzling pork sorpotel or scrumptious stuffed lobsters. Right from the delectable Tendli pickle (that I’ve been polishing off on each visit to the restaurant!) to the dynamite Bhende Recheado, the vegetarian section is quite a treat.

From welcome drinks to desserts, the book gives you the tools to fashion your own Goan gourmet spread again and again for the price of a single meal. Ninety-nine recipes spread over 130 pages and liberally sprinkled with quotes from celebs who are regulars at the restaurant, the book, with its very authentic flavours, has inspired me to deck out in my sarong and flip-flops, open up a bottle of Port Wine No 7 and fill my home with fun friends and fabulous food. And then sit back and soak in the sosegade laid-backness that’s so Goa.

The Goa Portuguesa Cookbook: Published by Popular Prakashan; Hard cover; Price: Rs 795.