Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Beauty> Style Tips for Summer Parties
Text by: Tanya MunshiSummer parties call for careful selection of clothes and accessories so that you can enjoy without sweating it out. After all, it is most essential to strike a balance between comfort and glamour during summers. Here is how you can go about it:
1. Pick suitable fabrics
Experiment with colours and fabrics suited to Indian summers like khaadi, cotton and linen. Stick to floral prints that have shades of lavender, mauve, white and light blue; shades of pastel, off-white and cream go well too. Wear kurtis or tunics with sequined V-collars or halter and sleeveless short tops. Beige cotton or linen trousers, linen shorts or Capri compliment all tunics or tops. Knee and calf length skirts and trendy linen dresses are also apt for summer parties. However, avoid sequined and glitter tops for day wear.
Experiment with colours and fabrics suited to Indian summers like khaadi, cotton and linen. Stick to floral prints that have shades of lavender, mauve, white and light blue; shades of pastel, off-white and cream go well too. Wear kurtis or tunics with sequined V-collars or halter and sleeveless short tops. Beige cotton or linen trousers, linen shorts or Capri compliment all tunics or tops. Knee and calf length skirts and trendy linen dresses are also apt for summer parties. However, avoid sequined and glitter tops for day wear.
2. Lighten up your make-up
Keep your make up as light as possible. Summers make us sweat and if it’s not in an air- conditioned venue, you wouldn’t want the make up to spoil the look. Go for water based foundation, kohl, mascara and nude lip gloss. If you tend to sweat a lot, avoid eye liners and liquid foundation. Powdered compacts are better, you can always reapply if you want, but do so lightly and evenly all over. If it’s an outdoor day party, use sunscreen.
3. Go for breezy shoes and accessories
Compliment your summer party wear with nude colour shoes. Colours like beige, brown, pastel green and light yellow work well for summers. Avoid black shoes, boots and footwear that cover your feet completely. Instead, go for strappy sandals like studded gladiator shoes that are stylish and glamorous. Match your bag with a similar shade of your shoes. A clutch purse is ideal. Just ensure it’s easy on the eye, with not too much glitter. For accessories, silver and platinum with or without precious stones are classic choices but funky costume jewelry could spin its magic too, depending on what you are wearing. However, be careful not to go over board.
4. Keep your hair in control
Tie your hair up high in a ponytail or straighten your hair and pull a portion back from the crown area with a clip and allow the rest of the hair to fall on your shoulders. The idea is to achieve a clean look.
5. Smell good, feel good
Before a party, take a shower with citrus or lemongrass body wash with exfoliating beads or with a deodorizing menthol soap to cleanse and smooth your skin. Use perfumes or deos with 24 hour protection, powered with lemon scents like Caribbean lime. If you sweat excessively, use talcum powder as it absorbs sweat but don’t overuse it. Use a wet towel to wipe off extra powder from your body. Avoid using it if you’re wearing a sleeveless top. And just before you step out, sprinkle some foot powder between your toes and wipe out extra to keep your feet smelling nice. Now, go out there and sizzle in your summer best!
Published in tips4me.com, May 4, 2009
and
Sunslikgangofgirls.com - http://www.sunsilkgangofgirls.com/beauty/be_beautiful/beauty_essentials.asp
Travel> Six Popular Tourist Spots in Visakhapatnam
Text by: Tanya Munshi
Yarada is a popular local and tourist hangout during weekends, so the best time to get there would be early morning before the sun bestows its harsh rays — summer time can be especially hot if you’re unprepared. Hire a driver from Vizag to take you to Yarada in the morning and if you’re happy to spend the entire day there, including the hot sunny afternoon, end your day with a picnic dinner on the sand and take in the magnificent sunset. From Dolphin’s Nose, the view of Yarada is especially beautiful — don’t miss this sight on your way to the beach.
Pack sunblock, sunglasses, floaters and other beach gear. Avoid carrying valuables in your bag if there’s no one to look after it while you’re in the water and don’t swim too deep into the water if you’re not a strong swimmer.
Bheemunipatnam lies in the confluence of the Gosthani River and the Bay of Bengal and is home to some of the oldest churches in the country, such as the Red Church and the Andhra Baptist, as well as a lighthouse dating back to 1868. You can also find the Vedic Adhyayana Research Institute Jeeyar Ashram (VARIJA).
Make an early start from Vizag so you reach here when the crowds are relatively smaller and the weather is not too hot. Late afternoon or early evening around sunset is also a popular time. The coastline makes for an ideal and beautiful picnic spot (just avoid sitting directly under the coconut trees!) so pack a basket full of lunch goodies. Don’t forget your beach essentials.
Etikoppaka means, “a group of houses on the banks of a river”, and the artistic toys are created from the Ankudu wood that are further lacquered with ochre, brown, green and other pastel and earthy colours. The colours used on these wooden toys and artefacts are made of nontoxic natural dyes from plant and vegetable extracts. You can also buy these handicrafts from the government authorised showroom Lepakshi (www.lepakshihandicrafts.gov.in). To know more about this village and their handicrafts, visit, www.etikoppaka.com
Drop by for a weekend and after walking through the maze of hillocks, you’ll finally reach the beach for some fun on the sand. Preferably travel in a group as it makes for a fun trip and you will have more collective brainpower to find your way out of the hilly maze. These mud hills are quite big and challenging and if you’ve never been to the area, it can be a little confusing. Get your sense of direction or even a compass before you start out. If you’re on your way to Bhemunipatnam, Erra Matti Dibbalu is perfect for a quick stopover.
If you decide to make a weekend of it, you won’t get bored. Go rock climbing or target shooting complete with bow and arrows. Kids will get a kick out of learning jungle calls and older kids will soak up interesting flora and fauna facts of the area with the help of some knowledgable guides.
Be sure to catch a folk dance show by the locals known as Dhimsa. If time permits and you really want to get back to nature, stay overnight at Jungle Bells. Accommodation ranges from wooden cottages, and wooden log huts. While you will hear many birdcalls out here, you won’t be able to make any calls yourself — mobile phone reception is non-existent, so be prepared to cut yourself off from the outside world, even if it is just for one night.
Jungle Bells’ multi-cuisine restaurant serves some delicious meals but the best bit is sitting around a bonfire and sharing travel stories with fellow visitors. Just make sure you carry mosquito repellent — it will come in handy.
Hire a private vehicle from Vizag and head to Araku Valley. Using the valley as your base, you can easily drive to Matsyagundum for the day. It’s best to depart Vizag in the early morning to beat the traffic and you should reach Araku by midday. Stop off and have a break or continue the drive to Matsyagundam, which should take another one to two hours. Carry enough refreshments with you as the selection of restaurants en route is not very impressive.
If you decide to spend a day in Araku, head to the Hill Resort Yatri Niwas (tel: (089) 3624 9201/02/03) or Haritha Mayuri Resort (tel: (089) 36 249204, 249950, 0944 079 3518) for a meal or a comfortable room.
The weather in Araku Valley is pleasant throughout the year as it sits around 1300 metres above sea level. Bring comfortable walking shoes and your camera. The area also boasts the Machkhand River and the Sangda Waterfall.
Nestled in the Eastern Ghats overlooking the mighty Bay of Bengal lies Vizag, home to one of the oldest and busiest ports in India. Tanya Munshi ventures beyond the city and discovers beaches, hillocks, valleys and other wondrous escapes. Illustrations by mindflyer+fei
Yarada beach (15kms, 30 mins from Vizag)
Yarada offers a much-needed breather for even the most hardened city-dwellers. It’s the perfect place to sit and do nothing. Just lie on the beach and soak up the sun while you watch the waves or dive in to the ocean waters for a swim. Yarada lies obscured by hills on three of its sides with the Bay of Bengal on the other.
Yarada is a popular local and tourist hangout during weekends, so the best time to get there would be early morning before the sun bestows its harsh rays — summer time can be especially hot if you’re unprepared. Hire a driver from Vizag to take you to Yarada in the morning and if you’re happy to spend the entire day there, including the hot sunny afternoon, end your day with a picnic dinner on the sand and take in the magnificent sunset. From Dolphin’s Nose, the view of Yarada is especially beautiful — don’t miss this sight on your way to the beach.
Pack sunblock, sunglasses, floaters and other beach gear. Avoid carrying valuables in your bag if there’s no one to look after it while you’re in the water and don’t swim too deep into the water if you’re not a strong swimmer.
Bheemunipatnam (25kms, 1 hour)
This 25km stretch of coastline offers a quick break from the city. In 1861, Bheemunipatnam was one of the oldest municipalities in India although its origin can be dated back to the 16th century, when it was an important Dutch settlement. As a result, the beach is home to many dilapidated forts and monuments.
Bheemunipatnam lies in the confluence of the Gosthani River and the Bay of Bengal and is home to some of the oldest churches in the country, such as the Red Church and the Andhra Baptist, as well as a lighthouse dating back to 1868. You can also find the Vedic Adhyayana Research Institute Jeeyar Ashram (VARIJA).
Make an early start from Vizag so you reach here when the crowds are relatively smaller and the weather is not too hot. Late afternoon or early evening around sunset is also a popular time. The coastline makes for an ideal and beautiful picnic spot (just avoid sitting directly under the coconut trees!) so pack a basket full of lunch goodies. Don’t forget your beach essentials.
Etikoppaka (65kms, 2.5 hours)
Your visit to this part of India is incomplete if you leave without a special souvenir from Etikoppaka. This humble village boasts plenty of locally-made hand-crafted toys, pencil stands, keychains and other decorated crafts. Situated on the banks of the River Varaha, Etikoppaka is known for its age-old tradition of woodcarvings and artefacts.
Interestingly, their craft bears resemblance to the shapes and style of excavated findings of the Harappa and Mohenjodaro civilisations.
Interestingly, their craft bears resemblance to the shapes and style of excavated findings of the Harappa and Mohenjodaro civilisations.
Etikoppaka means, “a group of houses on the banks of a river”, and the artistic toys are created from the Ankudu wood that are further lacquered with ochre, brown, green and other pastel and earthy colours. The colours used on these wooden toys and artefacts are made of nontoxic natural dyes from plant and vegetable extracts. You can also buy these handicrafts from the government authorised showroom Lepakshi (www.lepakshihandicrafts.gov.in). To know more about this village and their handicrafts, visit, www.etikoppaka.com
Erra matti dibbalu (20kms, 1 hour)
Erra Matti Dibbalu are natural ravines that have been crafted by the currents of the wind brushing against the soil over many years. Meaning “red mud hillocks” in the local language Telegu, you can stroll through ravines that look like large ant-hills. The hillocks were once known to reach a height of 40 metres but today they stand at only 15 metres.
Popular with film directors, Erra Matti Dibbalu is used to hosting trailor loads of film stars and their entourage, as it has provided the perfect backdrop to many Telegu films.
Popular with film directors, Erra Matti Dibbalu is used to hosting trailor loads of film stars and their entourage, as it has provided the perfect backdrop to many Telegu films.
Drop by for a weekend and after walking through the maze of hillocks, you’ll finally reach the beach for some fun on the sand. Preferably travel in a group as it makes for a fun trip and you will have more collective brainpower to find your way out of the hilly maze. These mud hills are quite big and challenging and if you’ve never been to the area, it can be a little confusing. Get your sense of direction or even a compass before you start out. If you’re on your way to Bhemunipatnam, Erra Matti Dibbalu is perfect for a quick stopover.
Tyda (75kms, 3 hours)
En route to the Araku Valley, Tyda is a small tribal village best known for its eco-tourism resort, Jungle Bells Nature Park. It was established by Andhra Pradesh Tourism along with the Forest Department. Tyda offers interesting outdoor activities that even the kids won’t tire of. Besides the obligatory camping and bird-watching activities, there’s also some impressive trekking to be had.
If you decide to make a weekend of it, you won’t get bored. Go rock climbing or target shooting complete with bow and arrows. Kids will get a kick out of learning jungle calls and older kids will soak up interesting flora and fauna facts of the area with the help of some knowledgable guides.
Be sure to catch a folk dance show by the locals known as Dhimsa. If time permits and you really want to get back to nature, stay overnight at Jungle Bells. Accommodation ranges from wooden cottages, and wooden log huts. While you will hear many birdcalls out here, you won’t be able to make any calls yourself — mobile phone reception is non-existent, so be prepared to cut yourself off from the outside world, even if it is just for one night.
Jungle Bells’ multi-cuisine restaurant serves some delicious meals but the best bit is sitting around a bonfire and sharing travel stories with fellow visitors. Just make sure you carry mosquito repellent — it will come in handy.
Matsyagundam (115 kms, 5 hours)
Matsyagundam, a beautiful pool in the in the Araku Valley, is home to large species of fish. As the mythological story goes, a fierce battle once took place between the snakes (singarajulu) and fish (matsyarajulu). It is said that the mother fish collected all the other fish from a place called Gemmili to protect them from the snakes and ever since, the fish have come to live in this new place, hence the name matsyagundam or ‘fish pool’.
Hire a private vehicle from Vizag and head to Araku Valley. Using the valley as your base, you can easily drive to Matsyagundum for the day. It’s best to depart Vizag in the early morning to beat the traffic and you should reach Araku by midday. Stop off and have a break or continue the drive to Matsyagundam, which should take another one to two hours. Carry enough refreshments with you as the selection of restaurants en route is not very impressive.
If you decide to spend a day in Araku, head to the Hill Resort Yatri Niwas (tel: (089) 3624 9201/02/03) or Haritha Mayuri Resort (tel: (089) 36 249204, 249950, 0944 079 3518) for a meal or a comfortable room.
The weather in Araku Valley is pleasant throughout the year as it sits around 1300 metres above sea level. Bring comfortable walking shoes and your camera. The area also boasts the Machkhand River and the Sangda Waterfall.
Published in Spiceroute May 2009 issue - the in-flight magazine for Spice Jet Airlines.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Travel & People> Ouch Calcutta!
Image 1 - Traffic jam in Kolkata
Image2: Akashvani Bhavan
Image 3: How green was my Kolkata
Image 4: The pride
I love Calcutta; oops, now Kolkata. But still for old world charm, I like calling it Calcutta. Strangely, the name of the city was changed to Kolkata without anything reflecting in the minds and hearts of the Kolkatans/ Calcuttans.
Come on, its an amazing city, there's so much to do, learn, see, eat, read and a good quality of life (touchwood). Very few cities and towns in India offer such a beautiful blend at the same time within themselves. Its a city which is suddenly bustling with a lot of constructions and new malls that have given the city a new option for shopping. But frankly speaking, I sincerely hope the beautiful vegetable markets at Gariahat or Lake Market and the like never go out of fashion.
Unfortunately, Kolkata needs to get its priorities right and fast. A recent news article in the Times of India, Kolkata edition has mentioned how trees are being chopped away for further infrastructure projects. Even the saplings that have been planted at Salt Lake are dying a slow death due to lack of proper maintenance. This is a major cause of worry and somehow no one seems to be really bothered about the rising pollution levels, depleting greenery in Kolkata, yet everyone complains about it.
What's more, it has been brought to notice by the forest department in Kolkata that several trees are mercilessly felled by many advertising agencies to make way for hoardings. This is appalling. How can Kolkatans be so short sighted? If we call Kolkata the land of music and poetry, which is influenced by nature, flora and fauna, we are wiping out our very inspiration (of poetry for Kolkatans) and our only hope for a healthy living.
Everybody is busy earning and leading a fast paced life, only to spend that hard earned income in health clubs and hospitals to lose that extra flab or get back on their feet after a bout of respiratory disorder. But no one seems to realize the root cause of the problem - Kolkata is loosing out on its valuable treasure - the greenery, the plants, trees, flowers. But only if people had time to stop, take notice and do something productive about it.
Since Kolkata is so famous for strikes, processions, bandhs, morchas and speeches, for once let the citizens come up and stand up for themselves and say enough is enough, our city is dying and we need to do something about it. Lets start planting more trees, clean up the city and live healthy.
The other day I was at Lake Market and a watchman from an apartment block came out of the gate and threw a whole lot of garbage on the main road. I was shocked, how can you openly litter the main road and the next thing that came to my mind, there are no public dustbins in Kolkata, or that I have not noticed enough of them where people can dump the wastes . Why are we so used to living in so much of dirt and filth and then blame the civil bodies for not doing a good job? Isn't it our duty to keep our cities clean? This change in attitude can come about if we have a sense of belonging to the city in the true sense and not just in terms of associations with posh clubs, its more than that.
While I was driving through the city, I found Kolkata quite cluttered, especially with the elections round the corner and to reaffirm what I felt, I read another article in the TOI, Kolkata that mentions 'Six EC observers who made a tour of the city earlier pointed out that Kolkata was one of the most cluttered cities because of political hoardings.'
We are the citizens of a country and we should make ourselves heard that we don't want a beautiful city to be cluttered by such hoardings. Imagine, what will tourists from other parts of the country and the world think when they visit Kolkata. It's something like the movie 'Slumdog Millionaire', where many got angry about the portrayal of Mumbai as slums, but refusing to admit that Mumbai has slums and poverty.
With all the blotches strewn on Kolkata, I love the city, but I feel bad for what its becoming devoid of its natural heritage. Kolkata has bled enough, has been going through a lot for several years, but its time now for the Kolkatans to stand up and demand an eco-friendly Kolkata.
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