The Importance of Car Insurance 😝

All our lives are complicated and chaotic.. people take different routes to cope with the hurdles they come across in life. I have various mechanisms to get through with the rigmalore called life.

"I want some peace", my mind kept echoing. Temple it is, I thought. I decided to go to Kallahalli (Vishnu temple) my go-to place when am stressed, on Kanakapura Road, about 70kms from Bangalore.

Flashes of my mom in the ICU mushroomed my thoughts as I drove through the crazy traffic on Kanakapura road. A pack of cigarettes and my favourite set of old Hindi songs kept me sane through the journey and I finally reached my destination.

Trust me on this, this temple is like an anti-depressant, its serene ambience instantly calms you down. There was a sense of relief as I entered the main gopuram - it just felt like someone just hugged me and assured me everything’s going to be alright. My mind felt as light as a feather. 

I was famished and all I thought about was breakfast, while coming back. I was driving at a steady speed, I was following all the rules and I was on my lane and then this happened near Harohalli on Kanakapura Road. A lady on a two wheeler in a nighty with no helmet and a phone in her hand came out of no where from a cross road on to the highway and hit my car bumper on the back and fell down.

I couldn’t stop immediately as there was too much traffic and a major road repair was going on. I stopped after a few 100 metres and was checking the status of my car. I was extremely annoyed after I saw a big dent on the back bumper. 

There was this man on a bike who came to the spot and said “yen madam hit and run ah? Banni police hatra”. I was totally taken aback. I tried to explain what actually had happened and offered to take her to the hospital for first aid. He wasn’t ready to listen. He was just too adamant on me coming to the police station. I agreed as I knew there was no mistake from my end. The police station was just a kilometre away from here. He sat in my car as he thought I was going to run away.. duh! 

We went to the police station and explained what had happened. The inspector asked for my license and car insurance and I handed it over. I realised my car insurance had expired the previous month and I was too busy to think about all this as I was stressed about my mom who was in the hospital.

I had to park my car in the station as this was an accident case. I went to the hospital to get this lady some first aid. They told me she had fractured her hand. There was a mob waiting for me there. I was shell shocked, I had not seen anything like this before. For no fault of mine, they were cursing me and two men were ready to hit me. I was in tears as I didn’t know what to do. I called few of my friends and they came but until they did, I was too scared to even move. 

They thought I was rich spoilt kid and demanded that I give her 2 lakh rupees. The doctor and police, everyone was supporting her. Only if I had the car insurance renewed I wouldn’t have had to go through this shit, I thought.

PS: They filed an FIR against me for rash driving and demanded 12 lakh rupees (from 2Lakh straight to 12 lakh 😂) the case went on for 3 years and finally I won the case! The judgement said that the complainant will not get a single penny and this is purely a harassment case. I also got to know during the trial, that the lady neither had license or insurance but still her case got registered and I was totally miffed with the police for even registering it.

Moral of the story - always renew your car insurance and don’t be an ass like me🤪

Practice Makes a Human Perfect

This happened about 10 years ago. My cousin had bought a new black Activa and I asked for a ride. I was expecting a no because I had never ridden before, but he readily said yes. He sat behind me and we just took off. In my head, I was thinking it’s going to be a cakewalk, for most of you it might be, but it wasn’t for me. While taking a left turn, I accelerated carelessly and we fell into a ditch. God’s grace, nothing happened to us other than few slight bruises here and there. I was just worried about the new vehicle and not our tiny bruises. He definitely felt bad, but didn’t say a word. I made a decision that day. I promised myself I would not ride a two-wheeler ever again. And that was it, I never thought of riding and I knew it was not my cup of tea. I felt under confident and terrified at the sight of a two-wheeler.

Time passed by and getting a vehicle never crossed my mind even after the havoc and inconvenience auto drivers caused on a daily basis. I was conditioned to their overcharging and arrogance (except for a handful). This continued till I got a job. The location of my office was such that, no auto drivers were ready to come without tantrums, curses, exorbitant pricing and sometimes they just wouldn’t come. Taxis were not so common then and I was not ready to shell out so much.

“Why don’t you buy a two-wheeler or use the car? It’s just a 7-8 km ride from home”, my husband said one day. Two-wheeler I was petrified of and four-wheeler I didn’t know how to drive. I just snubbed it and continued with my cumbersome process. Fed up of my constant cribbing, my husband, got me a two-wheeler. “You just wasted your money”, I said.

First few days, I was horrified that I would hurt myself or kill someone. I gave up, but my husband didn’t. He persisted that I practice. So for a few months he trained me every day, only after 4 months I was able to ride all by myself. It’s just practice, nothing else, he said. And he made me get rid of the fear for which I would be eternally grateful. Riding gave me a sense of independence. Now, I am contemplating on learning driving too. Sometimes, all you need is just a push. 

So the point here is not about my meagre triumph, any Tom, Dick and Harry can ride a bike or drive a car. All I am trying to say here is we have a tendency to give up on things easily even before trying. It’s easier to give up, I know, but just give it a shot and practice and practice, you will surely succeed. Practice certainly makes a man perfect, at least close to perfect!

PS: Btw, am not with my husband anymore, I wrote this in 2013-14 I guess, publishing it now. Also, I drive now. I have one more piece of entertaining article about my driving coming up soon 😂 it has a lot of drama, accident, police and courts 😂. Watch this space! 

Adorning your hands and feet

Mehndi is an important aspect in Indian weddings. Different regions have different types of mehndi designs. Most famous types of mehndi designs are: Traditional bridal designs/ Indian designs, Arabic designs, Pakistani designs and African designs. Here are their individual characteristics that will help you identify the type of design. 

Pic credits: Minchu Studio

Bridal designs

Indian mehndi designs are very diverse. They range from simple designs to extremely intricate designs. Simple designs have a big dot or a figure in back of hand (dorsal) or in the center of palm. Finger tips are covered with henna. This design is incredibly easy and can be mastered by amateurs. “Bridal designs consist of complex and detailed motifs such as conchshells, peacocks, and flowers; sometimes even the face of the bride and groom”, says mehndi artiste Urmila Mukunda.

Arabic designs

Compared to the complex Indian mehndi designs, Arabic designs are much simpler. “Arabic designs mostly comprise designs such as leaves, veins, flowers etc”, she says.  Another distinguishing feature of Arabic designs is that the shapes are not filled, they are just outlines. These designs also partially cover your hands or feet. These designs consume less amount of mehndi.

Pakistani designs

Pakistani mehndi design has a blend of complex versions of Arabic and Indian mehndi designs. “These designs are detailed and fine”, adds Urmila.

African designs

Just like the Arabic counterparts these mehndi designs are also not filled. These designs are simple geometric shapes, consisting of lines, squares and dots. The space between the lines is not as much as that of Arabic designs. These designs cover your hands, arms like a fine mesh. 

Expert Tips:

•  Once mehndi is applied on the skin, it should left at least five hours to enhance the colour depth.
• The mehndi should be scraped off; avoid using water. Apply coconut oil once you take the mehndi   off.
• The mehndi on the skin should not be covered with a plastic bag or gloves as it will result in condensation from sweating and the design may be spoilt.
• Lemon Juice and sugar syrup should be applied with cotton wool on to the mehndi once it is dry. Application may be repeated, if mehndi feels dry and hard.
• The colour on the skin will darken one day after the mehndi has been applied.

Inputs taken from Mehndi artiste Urmila Mukunda

Here is the published link - http://www.planyourwedding.co.in/delhi/beauty/adorning-your-hands-feet.aspx

Wedding attire for your body type

Wedding shopping is fun, but certainly it is an overwhelming task if you are not sure of what you want. Every bride would have been waiting patiently for the day when it's their turn to have a stylist fussing over them at a glamorous wedding. Let’s have a look at what kind of wedding attire suits what kind of body!   

Pear shaped body:  If you are a heavy bottom beauty; less on upper body with a well-defined waist line then you have a pear shape body.  Balance your curves by wearing blouses that has both detailing and volume. “You could take advantage of your slender waist by wearing low waist lehenga or draping bridal saree just below navel”, says Designer Remanika. “Avoid wearing tube tops or fishtail gowns which will highlight only your bottom”, she adds.

Apple shaped body: Women with apple shaped bodies tend to have broader shoulders and narrower hips. They have slim legs while the abdomen and chest look larger compared to the rest of the body. “Empire length styles with deep /low necklines will enhance your look.  Go for soft fabrics like chiffon, georgette or crepe which will help to bring out the feminine side of you”, she says.  Longer length choli’s with a U or V cut from the hem will give a balance to your attire.

Hourglass body: Women with hourglass figure have the hip and bust in almost equal size with a narrow waist. Choosing the ideal wedding dress that suits your body shape, hourglass, is not difficult. “Fishtail bridal lehenga/gown or saree drape are the perfect style for an hourglass figure. Halter neckline or corsets will enhance the overall look”, she adds.

Petite: You can experiment with a lot of varieties. Add a lot of frill in your lehenga or go for a slim fit.  “Avoid heavy duppattas whereas A-line lehenga with U or halter neckline choli will look elegant”, Remanika explains.

Expert tips from Designer Remanika:

• Don’t add much volume to your lehenga if you have a pear shaped body; it will make you appear out of shape.
• If you have an apple shaped body, avoid still fabrics like brocade or tissues as they give a very flat look.
• Vertical stripes on the dress will add length to your look if you have a petite body.

Here is the published link - http://www.planyourwedding.co.in/delhi/fashion/wedding-attire-your-body-type.aspx

Floored by alluring anarkalis

Long, flowy and flattering floor-length anarkalis are a hot favourite this season. Almost every woman – be it a celebrity or an everyday rockstar, everyone seems to have an anarkali suit in her wardrobe. Plan Your Wedding tells you how you can do the quintessential floor-length anarkali in the right way to electrify your bridal look! 

Madhubala’s evergreen song pyar kiya to darna kya from the movie Mughal-e-Azam not only spiralled her career to dizzying heights but also eternalized the suit she was wearing. Anarkali was the name of her character in the movie, which was a cinematic rendition of the historical-legendary Salim-Anarkali tragic-romantic saga and today these stylish and poised Indian silhouettes are the talk of the town with almost everybody owning one or two in their closet. The attire, since then, has undergone significant modifications under the influence of different cultures, times and designers while keeping the fundamental sartorial essence intact. After all, grace has always been a part of Indian clothing.

Fashion is never constant and every season there is something new that encounters the eye. In the last decade, you may note that the only fashion trend that seems to have survived the onslaught of this changing world are the anarkali suits. The flamboyance, glamour and the exquisiteness of the dress is something that attracts people towards it and has always been a hit with women. They are sophisticated, elegant and work like a charm. “It can hideproblem areas and enhance the best features”, says Reshma Kunhi, a Bangalore-based designer. “Anarkalis should be more or less well-fitted at the bust. Loose ones do not accentuate your figure”, she adds.

Lakshmi Keerthi, another elite designer from Bangalore elaborates “Ankle-length flowy ones with kalis from the shoulder render a slimmer appearance and cover the unwanted curves on the sides and abs. The perfect pear shaped body can flaunt them with yoke and kalis starting from the waist line, this accentuates the slim upper body.”

The anarkalis can be termed as a big obsession across all age groups. As Shuba Ranganath, a software engineer from Bangalore puts, “I love wearing anarkalis. My wardrobe is filled up with all the latest designs. They enhance the beauty and they are very comfortable and stylish”. She also adds that it gives an Indian touch to the entire look. “Apart from being classy, they are practical and user friendly. They are the perfect dress only if they are stitched well and give you the perfect fit with good embroidery and the floor-touching anarkali is the perfect ethnic wear after sarees”.

Bridal Anarkalis

Think of elegance and richness – the only attire that comes in the mind is the anarkali-salwar suits. The trend of wearing ana overflowing anarkali suit seems to have taken over the Indian wedding scene. The sheer volume of the fabric, the riot of colours and the shimmer of light dancing off the gold thread and sequence, all work in tandem to create magic. “It is good to play around with lot of fabric than stud it with too much of embroidery. It will not only feel light while dancing at the sangeet function but will also look great with the twirls and turns. The colours need to be more obvious than the embroidery” Lakshmi feels.

Floor-length anarkalis have started dominating the bride’s wardrobe.“Recently, a bride opted for an off-white and black lycra anarkali for her reception, which was a bold choice to make”, Reshma says. She opines that south Indian brides usually go for exotic zari work and classy antique looks while brides from north India prefer bling and stone work.

The Tall and Short of it

You cannot wear something just because it is in vogue and if it doesn’t suit your body type. For instance, a short woman cannot carry off a floor length anarkali in multi-colours and prints that are too busy. “Petite girls should pick something with moderate flair as too much of it can drown you in the fabric. Go for monochromes and also try picking an anarkali which ends at your calf ”, Reshma tips.

She also says that women with plump body types should wear an anarkali with kalis that start from the top instead of the waist. This gives an illusion of height and hides all the flaws of the body. Tall women could go in for broader borders in their anarkali suits which are a strict no-no for short women. Reshma opines that tall women can go for floor-length anarkalis and this will look fabulous on them. Tall women with slender bodies can go in for crisper fabrics like pure silk and layered anarkali suits that add volume to the look. Depending on your body type, you could use accessories to accentuate your high points.

Colour me bright

The colours and combinations are no longer the traditional ones. Instead, new combinations have taken the suit to a new height altogether. Mughal colours like gold, emerald green, deep pink, wine and peacock blue go well with anarkalis. “Brides these days don’t go for conventional reds, they are ready to try bold and beautiful colours”, Reshma says. “For mehendi, brides go for shades of yellows and greens and for sangeet they are ready to try bold hues”, she adds. She says that pastel yet bold shades make you look young, beautiful and sensuous.

“The neons, tangerine, sunset yellow and vibrant colours like that are trending” seconds Lakshmi. “Having a contrast dupatta will enhance the look of the suit”, she adds.The designer believes that the use of velvet as borders along with brocades can give an opulent look suitable for festive occasions.
The material too has changed from the conventional fabrics to fabrics like net, cotton with silks, flowy georgettes, chiffons, crepe, organza and even lycra. “With exotic colour combinations and designers using sequins, gota work and even Swarovski crystals, these anarkali suits look beautiful”, Reshma explains.

‘Long’ live the anarkali, we say!

Here is the published link - http://www.planyourwedding.co.in/bangalore/fashion/floored-by-floor-length-kurta.aspx

A Spring-Summer Wedding Dream

Marriages are made in heaven – this is an old adage, so why not make it an exotic lifetime affair? Plan Your Wedding tells you 'how to do a Romantic Spring-summer Wedding' in a striking way. 

Plan a wedding this spring- summer and know what's "in" for your big day! This spring and summer, the wedding trends are all about romance, bold, vibrant, and bright colours. From the dress to the theme to the décor, think romance - the dreamy, wistful, sentimental love kind of romance.

Vivid Colours: Go Citrus!

  

One very visible trend for spring - summer weddings is the intensely bold colour palette. Vibrant tangerine, lemony yellow and warm peach or grapefruit are the hot colours in weddings right now.

Think sophisticated bright hues. Rather than splashing colour all over your reception space, use one dynamic colour for a strong statement - think all-pink centerpieces or bold orange table linens.

“No reds are being used this season. Bright colours like oranges, pinks and turquoise blues are in this season”, says wedding planner Neeru Surana from Soch Events. “Pretty pastels are in for spring summer weddings. Go for olive and pastel greens with a vintage inspired countryside do”, wedding planner Sowmya from 3Productions says. “Colours like White & Lime Green complimented with exotic flowers also give a good feel to the eyes” says Amarjyot Singh, Director, Adam & Eve Inc.

Wedding themes and décor

The theme does not have to be limited just to the colour palette. Right now, anything goes - from vintage rustic to nautilus to citrus - as long as it's carried all the way through. Be creative, and let your wedding details show the real you.

Themed wedding are becoming more and more popular as brides and grooms are looking for a one-of-a-kind wedding. A wedding theme should say something about the bride and groom. It can be traditional, romantic or personal. You can incorporate hobbies into the wedding theme or choose a theme based on the wedding date or colour inclination.

When you think of themes for summer weddings, floral theme will not escape your mind. “For summer weddings orchid theme and other flowery themes are apt, you can also go for a slight bling with glass or crystal themes”, says Neeru Surana.

Garden themes are classic for the summer. Instead of a generic theme, take the personal route. “You can choose a vineyard theme, it’s in rage this season… sounds delicious, doesn’t it? Vineyard themed weddings add a touch of class and sophistication to your event”, says Sowmya enthusiastically. 

A new trend on block is adding furniture to the décor, which creates a more intimate home-like environment for guests who need to rest their weary feet from all the dancing. “Keep the furniture in style with your theme or colour palette, and choose pieces that will not flood out the space”, Sowmya states.

Blossom Time

Decide on flowers that will stay fresh throughout the day. Hawaiian blooms, such as orchids, are a great option. When it comes to wedding flowers, the higher the temperature, the more maintenance they'll require. Have them delivered the day of the wedding and make sure there's a refrigerator on-site to store them before the ceremony starts.

For the colour of your flowers, check out which flowers will be in bloom around your ceremony and reception site, and consider bold versions of those hues.

“For an outdoor wedding, go for violet, hot fuchsia, mango, magenta, and green. Wine colours and deeper shades are appropriate for formal weddings, like dark red roses or deep purple lilies. When it comes to casual weddings, sunflowers are a great option since you only need a few to create a vibrant pop of colour”, says Neeru Surana.

Venue Selection

Sowmya explains venue selection depends mainly on the client’s budget and what kind of look he wants. “You can go for resorts, farmhouses or the usual conventional halls. If you want a rustic venue, you can go for cultural centres like Shankara’s foundation”, she says.

For spring-summer weddings indoor venues are preferred rather than outdoor weddings due to the hot weather. “Go for indoor venues rather than outdoor… if you want an outdoor wedding use a canopy or you can go for colourful tents”, Neeru opines. “If the budget allows, one can also opt for igloo- air conditioned tents when arranging a wedding outdoors” clarifies Daljit Singh & Namrata, Directors, Event Decor.

Make a style statement

People with different tastes, preferences and wedding budgets are likely to have different ideas about their wedding trousseau.

Sarees and lehengas - both can be used as a bridal dress. The brides prefer colours like pink, peach, and other pastel colours. Daljit Singh & Namrata further add “that Fabrics which are cooler like georgettes and chiffons must be used to make the bride feel comfortable.  Also one should avoid using heavy works like the zardozis”.

White is no longer the only colour for wedding gowns! Blush and shades of pink debuted on the runway, setting the coloured wedding gown trend. Lace sleeveless dresses are in vogue this year.

Melody Notes

The growing trend in wedding music is for the bride and grooms to choose songs that will reflect who they are as a couple, rather than sticking with the dated standards. Couples are veering from the classic, traditional wedding marches and opting for more current hits.

Accessorize it your way

Vintage, jazz-era elegance, and floral-inspired jewellery are huge trends this year in wedding jewellery. Non-traditional shapes, gold touches, vintage rings. And flowers aren't just for bouquets and centerpieces anymore! Essentially nature comes alive with leaves, petals, and branches creating ornate details without being over the top. “Jewel-encrusted hairpins are elegant and beautiful and are showing up in many wedding hairstyles”, says stylist Bandana.

Expert Tips:

• ·         Bright hues are trendy for summer weddings, but don’t try to use too many colours in one space
• ·         If your blooms will be exposed to the summer heat for an extended amount of time, keep a spray water bottle on hand and give your flowers a light misting every hour or so.
• ·         While choosing a venue, keep in mind the budget, the kind of look you want and weather.
• ·         Beach weddings are a big no-no as it will be too hot. Indoor weddings are preferred due to hot weather.

·         Inputs from Neeru Surana (Soch Events) and Sowmya (3 productions)

Here is the published link - http://www.planyourwedding.co.in/bangalore/wedding-planning/a-spring-summer-wedding-dream.aspx

Aabushan - Weaving Magic into Jewellery

Jewellery is an integral part of Indian weddings, and synonymous with bridal wear. From the diamond- encrusted tikka adorning the bride's forehead, to her chandelier-like earrings, flamboyant nose ring and the bangles on her arms, to the rings on her fingers and toes, jewellery in India has a variety of ornaments in different styles and designs for just about every part of the body! A traditional Indian wedding involves some serious "bling". 

A fairytale wedding with princess like looks is every bride’s dream and jewellery plays a main role in rendering that breathtakingly sensational look. When it comes to bridal jewellery shopping, you must go for a trusted and contemporary jeweller. Aabushan, snugly nestled in Jayanagar, is the place for you!

With over 70 years of expertise in jewellery business, Aabushan has evolved from being a family
jeweller in Karnataka to setting up its own showrooms. Aabushan opened its first outlet in Kolar Gold
Fields (KGF) in 1941. It displays a wide range of wedding designer diamond jewellery. Aabushan, known
for its exclusive designs and innovations, is now one of the most recognized brands internationally and
in the country. Aabushan has a striking blend of traditional and contemporary jewellery in gold, silver and diamond that are decked with gorgeous precious stones that never fail to attract and amuse buyers.

Their collection comprises bridal jewellery, antique jewelley, exclusive diamond and platinum jewellery
and silver articles. They are also famous for their exclusive gold belts. “We have 8 in 1, 6 in 1 and 4 in
1 gold belts. This gold belt can be converted into a long haara, short haara, belt, armlets, chain with
pendent and so on. With the soaring gold prices, it’s tough for people to afford a chain, a belt, long
haara, short haara but when it comes in a package like this people would prefer buying it”, says Vishal
Bohra, one of the owners of Aabushan. The unit is run by two brothers – Mahaveer Bohra and Vishal
Bohra.

Aabushan designs symbolize quality, innovativeness and variety. Their latest bridal
collections include -
Rajwada collection: designs consisting of intricate work with kundan stones in different colours and
comprises exquisite south sea pearls.
Polki collection: Polki collection consists of dainty polka stones, studded in gold and beautified with
pearls.
Traditional antiques: Traditional antiques are all about nakshi work with uncut diamonds, Burma rubies
and Columbian emeralds studded in antique gold.
Jack and Rose collection: Contemporary jewellery designs with Swarovski crystals and painting.
Mozscerro Italio: Modern jewellery designs with embellishment of Swarovski stones.

The diamonds you get in Aabushan are dosham free which is a rare thing. Their designs are inspired
from collections all over the world. “We don’t stick only to in house designers as the creativity is restricted if we take that approach”, says Mahaveer Bohra. “We emphasize on the 5C’s – Cut, Colour, Clarity, Carat and Consistency. You can be rest assured that you will leave our store with the best of diamonds”, he adds. He goes on to say that all their diamonds are certified diamonds from GIA, AGS and IGI laboratories.

Address: 185/7, 8th F Main, Near-Canara Bank, Jayanagar, Bangalore -11
Ph: 080 26532622

Here is the published link - http://www.planyourwedding.co.in/bangalore/jewellery/aabushan-weaving-magic-into-jewellery.aspx