A Gentleman I will always remember

          H&M cardigan, H&M belt, H&M bag, FOREVER 21 dress, Mango shoes

 As I stood at the counter awaiting my takeaway of steaming black coffee, a man leisurely walked into the café. At that precise moment a middle-aged woman walked out holding her handset, handbag and coffee or tea…I couldn’t tell. As she struggled with her belongings to open the door, the man inches away did not bother to help. Seconds later I approached the door holding my laptop, handbag and coffee. The man took one look and offered to open the café door. A facade of a gentleman!

The morning’s incident triggered a memory that dated way back, 2007 I think when I was in college. After back-to-back periods of torturous practical classes, my friend, Sudha and I rushed to the food court for an egg-puff. The guy before me was getting his order and was it a huge order! Hungry, I asked the server for an egg-puff. The server turned a deaf ear and continued filling the guy’s order. Impatiently waving money in the air, I asked for an egg-puff again. (Hunger can really bring out the worst in me)

Out of nowhere, the guy with the huge order slides the egg-puff from his tray towards me and without even glancing at me tells the server, “Never keep a lady waiting.”

I pay for my egg-puff and walk away. Greedily, I take a bite and when we were a safe distance from the food-court I mumble between bites, “True, never keep a hungry lady waiting.” Sudha flicked my head and said, “That guy was such a gentleman and a fine-looking one too. The least you could do was thank him, greedy pig!”

I never thanked that stranger but he is a gentleman I will always remember.

Merry Christmas!
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EC

Inspiration Gucci

           Misguided dress (fmirror)

The seductive rusty orange and nude double knot dress from Gucci’s Spring 2011 collection is an absolute stunner. This sexy number costs $2300 and I dare not put it even on my wish list. It is overpriced for Santa as well.

Will this Gucci dress make it to your Christmas list? A replica from Misguided is the miraculous answer.  It is a perfect Christmas present for just $50. This is as close as it gets to the gorgeous silk dress!

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EC

Anarkali, Laila and Chamakchalo

 The wedding bells are ringing in almost all corners of the city and I have been practically running in my high heels from one wedding ceremony to another. Amidst the band baja, rituals and chaos, I noticed mere gestures that spoke volumes. I spied a father staring at an empty room full of packed suitcases. I watched a mother make the bride’s favorite pickle for the last family dinner. I saw a brother hug the bride. I laughed, as a sister made mean jokes the day the bride was to leave her home. I spotted a husband firmly hold his new bride as she balanced herself in her heavy bridal-wear. I witnessed a bride stare at a one-way ticket to America. These actions were enveloped with silence and yet could not conceal pure love.

And yes, there was celebration of love and new beginnings. All gathered, dressed in their best to congratulate and bless the newly weds as they embarked on a new journey together.  We were no exceptions- salwar kameez, gown and sari. We were in character- Anarkali, Laila and Chamakchalo; ready to dance all night to Bollywood tunes.

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EC

Wine, Cupcakes and Mehendi

 Even a gloomy morning could not constrain the excitement of ladies and girls as they dressed themselves in vibrant colors that would shame the rainbow. The bride-to-be’s house was in sixes and sevens while laughter and peppy Hindi music filled the air. The traditional mehendi ceremony was accelerated with flowing wine and drooling cupcakes.

Rupa, the bride-to-be looked angelic in her white and maroon lehenga. As she waited for the color of mehendi to seep into her skin, she went hysterical over the dance performances that were staged for her. We danced till the wee hours of dawn eating scrumptious cupcakes and drinking wine while our freshly painted palms soaked-in on the merry-making.

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EC

What happens when there are three brides-to-be under one roof?

 

         Forever21 dress

This time, I will let the photographs do the talking!


Congratulations Anju, Leelu and Roopa.
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EC

Bride-to-be on the 9th floor

        H&M tux, Fmirror dress

She had her gown from Nordstrom flown to Nepal through her better half. The bride-to-be looked poised in her crimson gown and dress-hat that gave an illusion of a Victorian damsel. The guests at the pre-wedding party were greeted with sparkling wine offered by the lovely couple.

We were then escorted to the ninth floor. As I stepped out of the elevator to the ninth floor, the night air swirled and gently brushed against my skin and I gasped at the sight that awaited me. The city with its illuminated night-light extended as far as the eyes could see and looked magnificent. (Obviously, the load shedding will ruin this view for most part of the winter.) Concrete walls are replaced by glass giving a view of the city from all angles, even the rest room. As you answer nature’s call you might as well enjoy the city view.  Meconopsis Boutique Hotel, hands-down will be the new party hub in the city.

The three DJs made sure that no one stayed rooted to the comfortable sofas. We ate, we drank and we danced! We ate, we drank and we danced! We ate, we drank and we danced! Whilst we did so, the night air kissed us and the city lights seduced us.

We partied (For the first time in Nepal, till 4 AM) until the blue uniformed gentlemen graced us with their presence.

Congratulations Roopa and Rapan and thank you Deepa and Dipesh for a wonderful night.

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EC

Pretense of Elegance

         H&M dress

“Mama, you smell of citrus fruit,” said the five year old playing with the only pair of dazzling chandelier earrings. She didn’t reply, as she was too busy getting ready. Prepared for the night, she left the one room apartment and headed towards a world where she was a regular guest.

Her heels clicked on the polished marble floor and her body smelt of the fruity bath that she had lavishly taken an hour ago. The clinging nude dress enhanced her curvaceous body and the plunging neckline boasted of firm breasts. She swayed and glided across the lobby and was aware of her effect as numerous eyes gaped at her.

She entered the hall and hesitated. She opened her purse and reapplied lipstick that brought color to her blackened lips. After having done so, she smacked her full lips and observed the elite crowd. Her big brown eyes searched for someone. It seemed like a weary task. The bags under her eyes were visible even under layers of make up. She adjusted her black curls and made her way to the other end of the room.

Champagne glasses clinked, laughter roared and smokes of cigars filled the air. Paying no heed, she walked to the bar without an escort. She felt the fabric of rich silk as a lady passed by. The silk felt smooth and milky on her coarse hands. As a gentleman walked by, the soft feel of his tuxedo brushed her dry shoulders.

She ordered for whiskey on the rocks and focused her attention on the women. Too tall, too skinny, too fat, too old...She felt better. A new dress, heavy make up and borrowed shoes that were too tight, she felt like a shiny new penny just out from the mint.

She scanned the crowd for prospective and generous customers. She boldly made eye contacts as men passed by. She did not have to wait long, she never did. A fine-looking gentleman came to refill his drink. As he headed back to his group she was walking alongside in his arms.

She was introduced as Emma. She didn’t mind, that name had class and she liked it. As the conversation resumed, she pretended to be engaged in it. She was a natural actress. Time and experience had made her that way. The stock market, the global politics, and private islands in the Caribbean…she laughed the hardest when a joke was delivered.

The hall shimmered with diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires. As she laughed and smiled, her zircon chandelier earrings sparkled and swayed to and fro. To her they were like rare costly diamonds. Anyhow, who could tell the difference, she always thought.

But she knew, the world could cruelly scrutinize a solitaire and set it either on a platinum ring or dispose of it effortlessly. That is why she had no trouble finding customers. The men in the group knew, their wives knew and the fine-looking gentleman knew. So why the pretense, she thought!

She left the gala with the fine-looking gentleman, arm in arm, laughing and giggling.

She was cold as she lay on the cozy featherlike bed. Whiffs of citrus fruit lingered in the suite.

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EC