For the longest time I’ve come to believe that washing my face with soap is a big skincare no-no. Commercial soaps tend to be harsh on delicate facial skin, stripping it of precious oils.
However, I was recently introduced to the concept of hand-made soaps, free of nasty parabans and SLS, and loaded with skin-loving ingredients that are good enough even for tender baby skin. Just look at the gorgeous hamper I received from home-grown brand SoulPure Soaps!
I am a pashmina hoarder. I love collecting these luxuriously hand-woven, elaborately embroidered shawls and with the slight chill in the air, my shawls are finally seeing the light of day.
But what is Pashmina? And what makes it so sought-after? Is it the same as the 10 dirham scarves you find at Carrefour? Read on for an intro into the world of pashminas, on how to find the real deal, and how I incorporate them into my winter wardrobe.
Rajasthan, the North-Western state of India, has a centuries-old repute for its traditional forms of art revolving around fashion. They gave the world the colorful, much-loved tie-dye (which became symbolic with the hippie movement of the roaring ‘free love’ sixties). Lesser known to the world is Rajasthan’s exquisitely prized form on Danka embroidery.
How quickly has this year whizzed past?! I’m missing the festive Christmas feel already. The trees may be coming down soon, but I want to keep the festive vibes alive just a little longer. One of the elements I love about Christmas is the scent of cinnamon.
No, I am not binging on leftover mince pies, got the NY resolutions coming up! Instead, I’ve incorporated cinnamon into my daily breakfast shake thanks to the Dabur Real Activ Honey with Cinnamon.
The Numaish Winter Show is set to take place this coming Saturday 10th December at Murooj Rotana. The exhibition is a great time to check out the latest in Indian fashion and stock up on trendy ethnic and Indo-Western pieces.
The exhibition hosts a long list of well-known Indian fashion designers, and one paticular designer I am especially keen on meeting (and hopefully shopping with!) is Purvi Doshi. Her self-named label has already created waves in the Indian fashion industry. Her pieces are traditional yet timeless, and the sole premise of her brand is sustainability, and being kind to the eco-system. I had a wee chat with Purvi. Read on to know more about her latest collection, her stance on Indian fashion and tips on how to stay ethnically and ethically chic!
Great news fashionistas, the Numaish Winter Show is set to take place on Saturday 10th December. If you are a big a fan of Indo-Western silhouettes like me, you really have to visit Rajat Tangri’s stall at Numaish! With a special penchant for the quirky and effortlessly blending East with West, his styles are for women of confidence and panache. I had the pleasure of chatting with him right before the show. Read on to see what he has in store for us…
A young boy, on a visit to his mother’s ancestral home in Meerut (North Western India), is left fascinated by a bright yellow find. So contrastingly different from the usual fiery reds and deep greens, this prized yellow chili happened to fall in the hands of a boy destined to be arguably India’s most celebrated chefs, Sanjeev Kapoor himself.
So cherished was this find that many decades later, Sanjeev Kapoor opened up a whole chain of restaurants called Yellow Chili. Where Signature and Options are the chef’s ode to Indian fine-dining, Yellow Chili aims to be your cushy neighbourhood retreat for some seriously good, home-style Indian dishes.
When visiting my husband’s hometown of Shillong, the very picturesque hill-station capital of Meghalaya (India), we always look forward to visiting our very talented aunt, Mrs. Nurara Hazarika. Fondly known as Bulbuli Aunty, her talents in the kitchen have turned her love for cooking and baking into a very profitable business.
Bulbuli Aunty’s dinner parties are always an elaborate feast, with a delicious array of dishes from all corners of the globe. Over the years, she has a steady flow of novice cooks, signing up for her cooking classes and these have now expanded beyond the borders of Shillong.
Today, she has very generously shared a special cake recipe with us. Simple as it looks stunning, Bulbuli Aunty’s Chocolate Velvet Cream Recipe is sure to impress even the most cynical of dinner guests!
You don’t have to be Indian to know Asha Bhosle. With a career in Bollywood spanning over six decades, generations have grown up humming her melodious tunes. Her contribution to Indian music is legendary, but what many people may not be aware of is her flare for the kitchen.
Despite a very busy career, Asha Bhosle finds respite in creating new dishes for her family and her elite circle of friends in the Bollywood fraternity.
Seeing how much her dishes were being appreciated, Asha Bhosle decided it was time the world got a taste of her cooking too and this is how Asha’s, her chain of Indian fine-dining restaurants have spread across the globe.
Today I have the immense pleasure of sharing an excerpt of my interview with the legend herself; Asha Bhosle! She has even been kind enough to share her recipe for Muscat Gosht with us. Read on for more.
It’s been over a month since I got back from my whirlwind trip around North East India this summer. We spent most of the holidays in my husband’s hometown of Shillong (Meghalaya), and I am really missing the cooler weather, the lazy midday siestas and the food… oh the glorious street food!
I believe the food offerings of a city are a direct reflection of the cultural norms of the region, and what better way to explore Shillong than to take to the streets and eat like the locals? Being a Shillong boy himself, my husband was my most trusty food-exploring guide.
The Tezzy Files 