Tuesday, August 13, 2013

connectivity

Just loving the fact that I can now post on the blog using my phone!!!
Technology can surprise n how. ..

connectivity

Just loving the fact that I can now post on the blog using my phone!!!
Technology can surprise n how. ..

Monday, April 15, 2013

Sparkling wrist

From sometime back I was looking for a bracelet that could suit my thin wrist. I came across so many but either they were too flashy with all the coloured studs or had this big charmer look which didn't look as chic :(

But you know they say that you may find it when you least expect it! While browsing for Moccasins in the shopping mall last week, I came across the ADD ONS Women store which is famous for its accesories. To curt my disappointment for not getting a pair of good shoes (in my size), I started looking around their other stuff to please myself and found this bracelet that sparkled among the rest.

I brought home a pretty black coloured bracelet with the metallic look & a bling that I would love to sport with my dresses or casual look be it for a day or an evening out and the best part was I didn't feel guilty of being an impulsive buyer ...!
 

Thursday, April 11, 2013

"The Sula Vineyards"


The sun on the wall in this picture respresnts the Indian diversity of the Sula brand
It was sunny, it was bright, it was vast and dreamy…it was the place to be & a tour to remember!
We visited Sula vineyards, Nashik in early March this year.  Unfortunately we missed the Sula music fest which is held every year in the month of February.  Never the less, I am very glad we had this quick city getaway and a break from the usual commercial spots.
Set away from the city, the vineyards sprawls like a big huge green bed of grapes. The ambience is inviting and as you enter you shift to a world that smells so fresh and fruity! We reached Nashik about early afternoon and had booked a private bungalow for accommodation that was 5-6 kms away from the vineyard.
The main attraction is the Winery tour and wine tasting. They arrange tours daily between 11.30 am to 5.30 pm except on the Dry Days; a list of the dry days is published on their website so make sure you read the list before you plan a trip.
 
We reached around 4 in the evening so that we could book ourselves on the tour before it gets crowded for the last tour of the day. The tour began at about 4.30 pm with this very friendly guide. He gathered the group and gave an interesting introduction on the owner of the vineyard, the history of the vineyard & most importantly a brief check on what the tour includes. He took us to the various rooms and sections where wine production takes place. I am going to save some information & not elaborate more on this as it will kill some fascinating facts that one would discover while taking the tour.
The tour ends at their tasting room where 4-6 different wines (as per the kind of tour you have paid for) are given to taste with a little brief on each. The entire tour is well defined and kept high level of enthusiasm throughout.
Mesmerising, beautiful and the spelndid view of the vast vineyard
For wine lovers, like us, who would love to have more than the tasting quantity, the tasting room extends to the balcony where you can purchase the bottle and enjoy every sip. Also try their well prepared cheese platters that go best with wines. We exactly did this and enjoyed a very splendid view of the vineyard from the balcony. The sun set was very captivating with the horizon lined with the pleasing view of the lake …we were completely mystified with the exquisite of the place.
 
 
I also enjoyed photography around the place especially of the giant bottles, artist – painted walls and purchasing some of their wine bottles from the in house shop. They came in this pretty wine bottle bags and made a perfect give-away for family n friends back home.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The vineyard houses 2 restaurants for lunch and dinner options, Little Italy for a scrumptious Italian affair and Soma to suit your Indian taste buds. Both cuisines can be thoroughly enjoyed with the best Sula wines.
For more details on the vineyard, visit http://sulawines.com.
Quick facts: Nashik is about 160 kms fro Mumbai. Book a car to go around the place. Check for hotels like Ginger, IBIS. Lily Portico etc for a good stay and for a luxury stay there is TAJ group’s The Gateway Hotel Ambad. Preferably visit between November to February to avoid the summer heat and to enjoy every bit of the trip.
Other attractions: Nasik is also famous for its religious significance to Hindus. Some of the sacred old temples and Trimbakeshwar Ghat a place to get salvation for Hindus are mythological & interesting places.

Friday, March 15, 2013

W & W


 
It was just another Friday but it really got special for 2 reasons, one – it was International Women’s Day, the day to mark you respect, appreciation and love for the women and two – we had this amazing food and wine at Woodside All Day Bar and Eatery, Andheri west.

The day started off pretty well with all the attention at work in the thrill of women’s day. The cheery on the cake was we got treated for lunch by our mates at work & it was really sweet of them to make us feel nice (will write separately on the place we lunched at J). Women can never not enjoy attention…am sure no one would beg to differ on it!

Post lunch things started getting rushed with all the work and scheduled meets & somehow the chances of going out were getting slimmer. I was very disappointed to know that in the bargain to juggle my home and work responsibilities I may lose out on this planned evening. Fortunately, my God sent angel disguised in my husband came to my rescue and we figured the way out.

I finally met up with my friend, my soul sister, my buddy, partner in crime and we began our “time-out”. We hit the shopping market first to buy her few dresses& got some pretty good deals and stuff that made her smile from ear to ear…it is a delight to see people finding happiness out of small things in life.

After shopping we finally reached the restaurant and omg…wat a place!

We were shown 2 options to either sit out in the open area or sit inside. Inside was air conditioned, very calm feel, a pleasing décor& dimly yet appealingly light. Whereas the fun element was outside with this wooden bar table running across one of the wall & the place was bustling.

We were shown a good table and once we settled, it only started getting better. The guy waiting on us wished us Happy Women’s day and literally made it happier by letting us know that there is glass of wine on the house tonight for each of their female guest…woow!

The menu had all the good options from breakfast to a good dinner. I had heard their pizzas were good so we ordered Roasted tomatoes, bell peppers & wild mushroom pizza and Chicken stuffed with fresh mozzarella, mushrooms & spinach accompanied by grilled balsamic vegetables. We skipped the deserts because we were too full. The pizza was well done with a thin crust & the base sauce was good and not too tangy which helped cause when tomatoes were used as toppings. The chicken was extremely well blended with veggies and cheese was generously flowing over it. The vegetables in balsamic were a good accompaniment to the all cheezy flavour. They also have a section dedicated to monthly specials which should be tried & am definitely going back to do so.

The service, food and ambience were in perfect sync to make their guests feel welcomed & comfortable to relish the good food. Thumps up to all the staff and chef and cheers to:
W = Woodside All Day Bar and Eatery and
W = we the women who deserve to feel special everyday, being God’s most precious creations J !!!!
( I know there have been too many exclamations in this write-up but could not help as the day was super, ending with some more!!!)

 

Friday, March 8, 2013

Mystical Majorda



Majorda - Goa, India.

Low season

I visited goa in the end of April last year and that is when Goa is closing down. Thank god not literally like those snow clad places but in terms of business season.

The beach shacks were packing off to the end of their lease contracts, reducing the staff and everything else was slowing down. But that's Goa, even in the peak season its got an own pace with its slow sunset, the long parties and the everlasting fun.

In our 'Romantic n relaxed' vacation itinerary, Majorda was marked to be visited in south Goa. Easily accessible from the main city by a cab and also connected via the state transport buses. If one is looking for a quiet evening and yet the tint of Goanese fun then Majorda is the place to be. You can enjoy the local Goan cusine and alcohol at the shack restaurants on the beach, soothing surf sounds and endless pristine sand curling your feet.
 
I took this picture early in the evening and love the way it shares the story of the lively chat that took around, the relaxing time spent n the romanticism of the sun sets. While the world could be back to the grind, Goa stays beautiful and unfolds to open and welcome the people again...year after year.


Saturday, March 2, 2013

Sun Sun go away

My hunt for a pair of sunglasses finally ended at ZARA.



After looking through various styles like aviators, round frames and in shades of brown, black, pink...the frame that caught my eye or rather fit my eye well were these chic frames from ZARA. Retro styled and comfortable.

I can now happily say Sun Sun go away...