Cat's Out of the Bag!

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bEHIND THE SCENES

We scout out designers stocked at the city’s most stylish stores, sans the mark-ups.

What: Minimalist linen wear, Kishmish Design Studio, Colaba, call 9820031361, Rs 2,500 for a cowl-neck dress.

Why: Because their collection of deceptively simple designs in an airy palette of whites, creams and pale blues is like a bit of beach for your closet. You’ll find Kishmish offerings at Melange, Ensemble and more, but these designers also run a secret studio, where they’ll create customised pieces.

When: You want to lay it on the line(n).

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What: Shifts and double-layered dresses from Pink Papaya, call 9820009008 or email trulypinkpapaya@gmail.com, Rs 1,500 and up.

Why: Ashmi Bhansali crumples cotton and takes the length a notch up this season. Her bright pieces are sitting pricey at Oak Tree and Mogra, but at her home they’re less demanding.

When: You need some cotton candy.

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What: Chunky necklaces from Valliyan by Nitya, email valliyanbynitya@hotmail.com, Rs 3,000 and up.

Why: Supplied to Bombay Electric and Zoya, this accessory designer’s intricate jewelry in beads and fibre can add drama to the drabbest dress. Bead me up, Nitya!

When: Your neck is on the line.

pRIDE

What: IndjaPink Luxury Travel for Gay Men, visit www.indjapink.co.in, price on request.

Why: Because after all the 377 hype and hoopla, it’s finally time for a vacation. This travel agency caters exclusively to gay couples, organising group tours and individual trips all over India.

When: You want to get off the straight and narrow path.

bEAST

What: Engraved pet identity tags, Shake Hands, Daulat Shirin Co-Operative Housing Society, 31 D, Shop no. 4, near Colaba Post Office, call 22162869, Rs 150 – 400.

Why: Because these adorable brass tags come in circles, hearts and bones, and can be engraved with personal details in a jiffy.

When: You want to bell the cat.

Weekend Conquest: Fort Jadhavgadh

Storming the Castle

All of last week was a battle of stress vs. rest. Bitter war waged on from Monday to Friday, with R&R finally coming out on top and a fort conquest to boast of. Jubilant, we left our Blackberrys in Bombay and drove out to Fort Jadhavgadh, a heritage hotel about four hours from the city.

The Spoils of Battle

This awesome resort, built in 1710 and perched in the Saswad hills 2,500 ft above sea level, has everything you’d expect from a big, drafty castle: open courtyards, menacing dungeons and thick stone walls. Guests also have access to an antique museum, rooftop dinners, deer parks, full-service spa and emerald blue pool. Best of all, the bar has a kick-ass happy hour from 4 pm to 8 pm. This could, we thought while sipping on some royally good martinis, quickly eclipse Amby Valley as the place to jet off to around Mumbai.

Peace Treat(y)

We were booked into a premium room but sweet talked our way to one of the four luxury suites at the fort. Air-conditioned tent top? Check. Four-poster bed? Check. Antique dressing room? Check. Three-section bathroom with ridiculously large bath tub? Check. Balcony with a (gorgeous) view? Check. Suite!

Memories for Monday

Unfortunately, we’re back in Mumbai now. Looks like stress might emerge triumphant this week, but the sweet taste of victory remains.

Getting there: Packages start at Rs 5,500. For more information and specials call 02115 - 305 200 / 202 780 or log on to http://fortjadhavgadh.com.

Joss & Dome: Rice, Rice Baby

This week, rice gets twice as nice. Two of our favourite Mumbai restaurants — Joss at Kala Ghoda and Dome at the Intercontinental — have launched new sushi menus.

Joss is doing the usual (and yum) sushi and sashimi with quirky twists; Master Chef Enrique Nomura from Geisha restaurant, New York is whipping up ‘inside out’ Urumaki Rolls with rice on the inside and fillings like avocado on the outside. We ordered in for a vegetarian variation (Rs 560), and teamed it with a glass of sake. The creamy cheese, sticky rice and avocado went perfectly with the rain. There’s also Tomago Omelette, Rainbow Rice Paper Rolls and Nigiri.

Getting there: Joss, 30 K Dubash Marg, Opp Jehangir Art Gallery, Kala Ghoda. Call 66334233/66356908.

The next new sushi counter we plan to hit is at Dome. We’ve heard great reviews, and for those who don’t like sea weed, these guys roll it out with chipotle and roasted pepper maki, marinated mushroom, pickled vegetables and spinach too.

This, we’ll team not with sake, but with the lounge’s ridiculously large and potent glasses of Long Island Ice Tea. Sushi and Long Islands may not be the best culinary match, but trust us, this is the best cocktail on the menu!

Getting there: Dome, Intercontinental Hotel, Marine Drive. Call 39879999.

Silvery Party Shifts, LBDs, and Honky-Tonk Shoes at the Pratap Sale

We scoped out the end of season sale at Rajesh Pratap Singh, Courtyard yesterday, and came away with some awesome pieces at deep discounts. A foray through well-stocked racks yielded silvery party shifts, a gorgeous LBD with signature Pratap flowers in dainty embroidery (it was marked down from Rs 12,000 to Rs 5,500), and a hip, all-purpose white shirt for Rs. 3,000.

What we loved the most though, was a pair of lace-up leather shoes with frontal detailing and pointy tips for Rs. 900. A comfy, super-cool spin-off on cowboy boots that come in black, cream and white (and at a great price), these, ladies, are an absolutely must have!

Rajesh Pratap Singh, The Courtyard, Minoo Desai Road, Colaba, Open 10:30 am - 7:30 pm, Monday closed.

Miss Malini: Luke Kenny's Tribute to the King of Pop

Like I said, don’t miss this. It’s FREE! Here’s a quick look at Luke Kenny’s MJ memories and favorites…

First memory of MJ: Late one night watching Doordarshan on a B&W TV set, “Beat It” came on followed by “Billie Jean” on a show called “Hot Tracks”

Favorite MJ song lyrics: Many… but off the top of my head… earth song.

The key to doing an MJ act: It's not about being like MJ, more about feeling like MJ.

Read more on Malini's blog.

At Blue Frog on Wed, 29th July, entry free.

Chasing Cars

bpb freebie: Exclusive deal from Marry Me wedding planners, for bpb members. For this and more deals, along with a free weekend guide in your inbox every Friday, enter your email in the subscription box.

bETTER HALF

What: Marry Me wedding consultants, log on to www.marrymeweddings.in or call 9769682323, price on request.

Why: These marriage planners do everything short of driving your get-away car. Besides the essential budgeting and bookings, they’ll also hook you up with a sangeet choreographer, baaraat arrangements and valet for events.

When: You want a well-groomed wedding.

pANT

Registration for the Mumbai Marathon 2010 is now open. We thought we’d give you a leg up.

What: Gourmet Soup and Salad delivery service from Calorie Care, call 65567018, Rs 140 onwards.

Why: Crafted by dieticians and chefs, these yummy but low cal soups and salads are delivered straight to your desk. Also, get free nutrition and training tips on this online group, run by the medical support coordinators for the Mumbai Marathon.

When: You want to reach the thin-ish line.

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What: Our favorite podcasts: The New Yorker Fiction; Indie Travel; and Bands Under the Radar, free.

Why: The New Yorker podcast is a literary wet dream: Jhumpa Lahiri, Jonathan Franzen, and others narrate short stories by giants like Nabokov and Updike. From journeying across Oaxaca in the time of swine flu to the best iPhone travel apps, the award-winning Indie Travel is guaranteed to fire up your wanderlust. And Bands Under the Radar brings you undiscovered artists who will grow up to be the next Arcade Fire and Coldplay. They accept submissions as well.

When: You want to race against rhyme.

bOUND

What: Month-long online story writing workshop, Happy Inkpot, to register call 919820606911 or visit the Facebook group, Rs 1,500.

Why: Bollywood scriptwriter Shubra Chatterjee introduces you to the art of storytelling, helping uncover your writing talent - or lack thereof. And all of this over email! No classroom, no fixed timings, no mucky commute. .

When: You don’t want to be a Stranger to Fiction. Workshop begins August 3.

***

What: Fresh stock of jumpsuits, Izzo, Shop No 2, Pankaj building, Ambedkar Road, next to Sarvodaya, Bandra (W), Rs 1,500 onwards.

Why: From an elegant one-shouldered version to brightly coloured cropped onesies, we scouted almost a hundred jumpsuits at this little Bandra boutique. Pair them with high heels and big bangles.

When: You want to pick up the hottest singles in town.

Miss Malini: Playing for Change

How cool is this? Michael Jackson would have been proud (speaking of which Luke Kenny is performing another tribute concert at Blue Frog this Wednesday and its free entry, see you there?) I came across this extraordinary movement thanks to the filmmaker Fahad Samar who sent me an email saying, “Just every now and again we get something over the net that takes your breath away.” Boy was he right. Playing for change aims to bring the world together through its most universal language. Music.

According to their website playingforchange.com, “Playing for Change is a multimedia movement created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music.

Read more on Malini's blog.

Miss Malini: Can You Say SHKABANG?

Amazing news, Anuskha Manchanda has taken the plunge and joined a band or rather banded with some amazing like-minded musicians. This wicked ex-VIVA songstress (aka the one who could sing) made quite an impression on me with her amazing unplugged sessions at Daddy’s Windsong Wednesday’s & the Channel [v] Launch Pad after party where she sang her cheeky self-composed ode to “this one guy” called “A**hole” LOVE IT.

Read more on Malini's blog.

bpb Review: Puro and Lisantro

When a new restaurant replaces an old one, you imagine it to be some kind of culinary evolution. But maybe we expected too much. Pause at Hill Road, Bandra (W) is gone, and in its place is Puro, complete with tacky lighting, mediocre taste, and exorbitant prices. The done-to-death all-white interior fails to shield the space from the sights and sounds of Bandra’s busiest streets; big windows meant our food was bathed in the warm glow of traffic lights. Tres Romantic!

If you must visit, go on a weekend; weeknights here, even though it’s a brand spanking new joint, are prosaic. And if you must eat, the Caesar’s Salad, Satay Chicken and Chocolate Fondant are your best bets. Our Mediterranean Pasta in pesto sauce tasted like Maggi Noodles with cheese, so steer clear of the exotic and expect to pay about Rs 1,500 per head (with alcohol). If it wasn’t for great company and sublime screwdrivers, Puro would have definitely left us with a bad aftertaste.

Getting there: Puro, next to Globus, Hill Road, Bandra (W), call 26431234.

Speaking of those yet to evolve, Bandra’s other new entry is Lisantro, located at the burgeoning street of eateries at Carter Road. We dropped by at the multi-cuisine restaurant for an evening snack, only to feel like we were being entertained at a friend’s home where the meal had been prepared by a maharaj. The Corn and Spinach Bruschetta was as tasty as Indian homemade Italian fare can get, but definitely not authentic. And that’s not even the most disappointing bit. The wine glasses, the first things you see from across the road as you approach Lisantro, are just a tease; the restaurant does not have a liquor license.

Here’s hoping that cuisine in Bandra fares better in the coming weeks. Wait, are you even allowed to make a toast with Coke in your wine glass?

Getting there: Lisantro, off Carter Road, next to Movie Empire, Bandra (W), call 26489974

Confluence

If you’re looking to take a vacation, check out the Ladakh Confluence, August 28-31, 2009. We’re super excited about the line-up at this open-aired music festival, set against Leh’s spectacular landscape, which will showcase an international group of stellar musicians as diverse as Talvin Singh (table), Rahul Sharma (santoor), Bauchklang and Rajasthan Roots. A ton of people are going from Mumbai, so check out the Facebook group to find travel buddies for the ride up there, etc.

For a shorter getaway, consider white water rafting on the Kundalika. It’s only 140 km out of the city (it took us about three hours to get there from Marine Drive), and affords some really awesome views. Rapids on the Kundalika, which is fed by the Mulshi dam, are pretty tame, but will keep you entertained for a couple of hours. We used Nature Trails (Rs 1,250 per person), but there are a couple of companies that offer the same service. Go in a big group (each raft carries upto nine people) and remember to pack towels and a change of clothes, because you're guaranteed to get drenched!

Happy Vacationing!

Secret Scouters

Miss Malini: Wah Taj!

The upside of all this rain has got to be the satisfaction of a good meal on a rainy day. The better news is that you can probably get away with fishy dishes if you’re dining on the Monsoon menu at the Konkan Cafe at the Taj President, Mumbai.

Master Chef Ananda Solomon replicates traditional methods at Konkan Café to delight you with authentic Konkan food during monsoons. Dishes which are prepared in a combination of fresh ground spices are smooth on flavors, tangy in taste and colorful.

The food is light on taste buds with a medley of mint, green chilies, coriander and raw mango in fresh and dried form with a blend of hand ground spices enhances the subtlety of food.

Read more here.

Pack Up!

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bIG SHOT

What: bpb brain child — Your life on film, directed by Rohan Sabharwal, visit rohansabharwal.com, price on request.

Why: Tombs of Egyptian royalty were painted with scenes from their lives - we bring you an updated version. Award-winning filmmaker Rohan Sabharwal who showed at Cannes this year, will script, direct, score and edit your life into a super slick short flick. Read on for other recommendations so cool, you’d want to take them to your tomb.

When: You want the show to go on.

pASSAGE

What: Cleopatra’s Revival Spa Treatment for women, call 9892452333 for an appointment, Rs 500 onwards.

Why: A magic mixture of saffron, cinnamon and milk, wellness therapist Smita Hirlekar concocted this one just for us. Best part is, she’ll bring her massage table right to your home.

When: You want to come back from the dead.

***

What: Whatshouldireadnext.com book recommendation portal; Putumayo World Music Collection, Candies, Bandra, contact 26424124, Rs 450 onwards.

Why: Type in your favorite novels and this site will give you a dead-on reading list tailored to your taste. Putumayo’s music from places as diverse as Africa, Ireland, Spain and Italy is guaranteed to keep you occupied for a good long while.

When: You need to endure One Hundred Years of Solitude.

bURY

What: Valpolicella Red Wine at Don Giovanni, Atria Mall, Worli, Rs 2,250 per bottle.

Why: This full bodied Italian red comes highly recommended by the gourmands at Don Giovanni. One sip and you’ll know that it has Bacchus’ blessings.

When: You’re going down into the cellar.

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What: Past life regression sessions, call Dr Rahul Dutta, 9821758177, price on request.

Why: Because this doctor and certified hypnotherapist helps you revisit your past lives, minus the hocus pocus. Come on… we know you’re at least a little curious.

When: To know where you’re going, you need to know where you’ve been.