Shoe Bites: Farsi, Spanish, French and a Little Latin

Our daily spoken English is often the most unromantic, uninspiring (sounding) language, but amazingly it spread amongst so many nations to become a common language. However, I’ve been trying to increase my verbosity by finding intriguing phrases from other languages to pepper my daily speech. Below are some of my favourites.

# 1 Ushta Te

Say it and automatically feel a sense of happiness. I had a bit of trouble translating it, but the gist is – an awakening to radiant light for you, or a dawn of radiant light for you. I have no doubt that a lot of this farsi phrase looses its meaning and feeling in English, but I’ve been saying it all day, sort of like a meditation. It conjures up a feeling of gratitude and happiness for me personally.

# 2 Volver a Creer

This is Spanish for ‘to believe again.’ I was doing some wedding research for my boss, when I came upon these gorgeous wedding cards that has this written on them. The graphic designer explained that it meant – to believe again. Having just recently been opened up to The Secret and The Power. Something about it stuck me as the right saying for this happy time in my life.

# 3 Dernier Cri

It’s french, which translated means ‘the latest fashion’ or  ‘the last word.’ I can’t wait to use this at one of my fashion parties, quietly drop it in, when talking about a new designer I chanced upon. It might sound a bit cliche, using french words when talking about fashion, which makes me believe I’d probably blurt it out when arguing about something political. Lord knows our politicians have a whole lot of colourful ‘dernier cris.’

# 4 Quid Pro Quo

This has a funny story, my ex and I were playfully arguing about something (can’t remember now) when he ended the conversation with Quid Pro Quo, which to me sounded like… he’d just won that argument. I asked him what that meant to which the response I got, with corresponding facial expression, was “where were you schooled.” Apparently in India the use of Latin words are not always part of our syllabus as opposed to mr.smarty pant’s European education. It means – This for that, or Tit for Tat in Latin. Since then I’ve been using it quite frequently, and I’m glad I’m not the only one who gets dumfounded when hearing it for the first time.

Shoe Bites: Top 5 Mid-Work Week Songs to Beat the Stress

Since my blogs have died down, you can probably guess that I’ve got a new job. A lot of the ‘new’ these last few months…a new job, new haircut, a new me, new view on life and definitely a happier me. There are those tiring days though, where you come home and fall onto your sofa and the only thing that makes you move an inch is some calm and melancholy music. I always say, you should start your day with beautiful jazz music, but go to sleep with acoustic reggae/R&B or unplugged versions of popular songs.

#1: Turn the lights down low – Bob Marley with Lauryn Hill

#2: Call me a Spaceman – Collin Mcloughlin (Originally a Hardwell track)

#3: Cry me a river – Edei (Justin Timberlake cover)

#4: Glad you Came cover by Noah (all his covers are amazing, subscribe on youtube)

#5: Titanium cover by Boyce Avenue

Shoe Bites: To Crop or Not?

It’s getting hot out, and some designers would have us show our mid-driffs. We’re not new to the bandeau, what are Sari blouses anyways? Yet would you dare to bare your tummy? The trick it to show off just a slice of skin and pair your crop top with a high waisted skirt or trouser. Wearing it with a lower-than-low skirt might come off as tacky.. unless you’re on the beach. What’s your take on the trend, will you be showing off your abs?

Jeremy Scott S/S 2013

Derek Lam S/S 2013

In stores now, Zara faux leather bandeau

Shoe Bites: Insomnia leads to a Fashion Alphabet!?

Picture Courtesy Zummi.deviantart.com

I’ve been sleepless for a while and reading Sir Arthur Conan Doyle isn’t helping, his Sherlock Holmes stories are so fascinating that I blame him for my insomnia today. All this reading made my mind wander, as it some times does when staring at a page with tiny letters. I wondered whether if in school, we were taught the alphabet with an association to things we actually like, would we then learn faster. I mean A stands for Apple but what if A stood for Armani? Here is what I’ve come up with, a mix of designers, models, sayings, garment design details etc. You got any better replacements?

A – Alexander McQueen
B – Basic Bodice Block
C – Christian Louboutin
D – Diane Von Furstenburg
E – Elie Saab
F – Fashion Week
G – Gucci
H – High Heels
I – Issey Miyake
K – Kate Moss
L – Lycra
M – Madonna
N – Naomi Campbell
O – “Over The Top” (OTT)
P – Prada
Q – Queen Elizabeth II
R – Roger Vivier
S – Stella McCartney
T – Trench Coat
U – “Uber Chic“
V – Versace
X – XS (size)
Y – Yves Saint Laurent
Z – Zips

Toe Tapper: 3 Doors Down ‘Kryptonite’

Woke up this morning to a beautiful day and the melody of the first 20 seconds of Kryptonite. This song brings back so many memories from my teenage days. On bad days, this song was definitely my pick me up. Every kid goes through periods where they feel they are never going to have a true friend or someone special in their life, well when I had those feelings I’d pop this tune into my TAPE PLAYER (Remember those?). Listening to it today, the words have taken on a deeper meaning. Still feel it’s such an incredible track, best of the 90s by far. On a side note, could this have been the beginning to my super hero craze?

Toe Tappers: Foals ‘Inhaler’ (Start your Weekend right!)

WAKE UP! It’s the first day of the weekend, for those of us between jobs, weekends seem all the more glossy and pregnant with anticipation of something new. To add to that feeling I found this song that not only makes you wake up, but also kind of freaks you out. Inhaler by Foals, is a punchy song in every sense of the word. Hope you like the song, I’m going to be listening to more from their album while I whip up some Galaxy chocolate frosting for the chocolate cake I made. Part of my Game night feast tonight, more on all the games, cocktails and recipes to follow! Stay tuned.

Shoe bites: Pune Needs more Theatre

Amongst my friends the saying “At least it is something different” is often brought up in conversation. We’re constantly on the look out for interesting and fun things to do in the city. Pune is still at it’s core a small city, even though it’s grown up considerably in the last few years. This weekend Puneries were given the unique chance to delve into dance and theatre. The 3 day festival called Gulaal was hosted by the Indian Rhythm & Arts Association (IRAA), and brought together a power packed group of performers to entertain on such a large stage.

I attended the Friday performances, a Bharatnatyam piece by celebrated artist Alarmel Valli and a play called Between the Lines by Nandita das and Subodh Maskara. As Ms.Valli said, it’s unfortunate that art forms like these don’t pull in the crowds as some of the more popular concerts and shows. For those of us in the audience though, we were mesmerized by the grace and expression of her craft. Personally I loved the second condensed varnam that was a story about a devotee who yearned for one celestial union with the Lord Natraj. The dance captured what so many of us women who long to be with our beloved feel, a moment even if a fleeting one is just as precious. That’s the thing about this form of dance, if in the hands of the talented it can bring to the bubble your emotions, even if you don’t understand every little nuance.

Next up was the brilliant play by Nandita Das and her husband Subodh Maskara. Between the Lines is story of a contemporary Indian couple, who tip toe between their cultural upbringing and their need to be more than a stereotype.  The couple are both lawyers, but after marriage the wife goes on to specialize in contracts, where as the husband becomes a lauded criminal prosecutor. The real fun begins when the two of them have to fight the same criminal case, but on opposite sides. The wife takes a more emotional approach, but the man a more practical. The entire play is a dance between how the couple view their marriage through the criminal trial. At the crux of it, the story is about the difference between a man and woman’s perceptive. They play is a delight to watch, as it has an immidiate connect with what we modern Indians feel and deal with. An excellent script teamed with incredible actors, it was a great end to the evening.

In Bombay, I’d go every two weeks or so to see plays at NCPA or Prithvi, or even stand up shows at local bars. I definitely miss that the most about my big move to Pune. Hopefully, we will get more theatre productions like the ones in Bombay, but till then I should get more connected to the already existing theatre culture here.

Toe Tappers: Linking Park – When they come for me

After what seems like an eternity, my girls and I went to Hard Rock Cafe, and pigged out on some sinfully fattening food. The best part of the night though, was listening to actual music. Playing over head was this particular song by Linkin Park which sounds a lot like a road procession song, you know the type you hear with a whole lot of dhole, that you just have to dance to, so addictive! Anyways, I haven’t even thought of this band since I was in my teens so you can imagine my surprise on finding out through Shazam, that it was one of theirs.

Get ready to dance!

Shoe bites: Jean Schlumberger Jewellery

Yet again the mighty weather change has caused me to be in bed sneezing and coughing. Reading WWD today, I saw the news about Tiffany & co going up against Costco, but since I’m not registered to the site I didn’t get the whole article.  Anyways, what better way to cheer me and get me out if the sick blues than to look at some sparkly goodies. Jean Schlumberger jewellery (especially his rings) have always caught my fascination and is one of the few collaborations Tiffany & Co have in their repertoire.

Jean Schlumberger’s beautiful nature inspired and whimsical pieces have been known to impress the likes of Greta Garbo, Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor. Jacqueline Kennedy has worn many of Jean’s bracelets that they’ve become known as the Jakie bracelets. Although Schlumberger passed away in 1987 (the year I was born) his legacy still lives on. My favourite Schlumberger piece is from the Tiffany & Co Blue Book collection of 2011. It’s called the star ring, a brilliant blue diamond with small diamond stars around it. I believe my name means bright star, hence my love for this particular piece.

To see more of Jean Schlumberger’s Tiffany & Co collection, click HERE.

Shoe Bites: The Heels I want, NOW

It seems like I haven’t been showing the love for high heels for a while now, and I agree. I haven’t bought a pair in over two months and certainly have no interesting shoes stories to write about. Sad but true. So without further ado, I’d like to bring in a bit of the aspirational and give you my top (lucky) 7 list of high heels I want..now (if I had a never ending cash flow).

# 1 Mawi and Bruno Magli – Pink Satin

Picture Courtesy Blogs.Mawi.co.uk

# 2 Charlotte Olympia – Botanica Orchid

Picture Courtesy Net-a-porter.com

# 3 Brian Atwood – Encanta

Picture Courtesy brianatwood.com

# 4 Giuseppe Zanotti – Peek-a-blue

Picture Courtesy Net-a-porter.com

# 5 Jimmy Choo – Viper

Picture Courtesy Net-a-porter.com

# 6 Burak Uyan – Stomp

Picture Courtesy Burak Uyan

#7 Gucci – Wire work

Picture Courtesy Net-a-porter.com