High Heel Marathon --- Would you? Could you?

When I bought my first pair of precariously high heels, a friend gave me a long lecture on the harm they could do to my back... I went ahead and bought two more pairs, and wore my lovely stilettos everywhere. I went for walks wearing them, I went shopping, and even went to college wearing high heels. I lived my life a good few inches higher than rest of the world. Then one day, just as suddenly my love for high heels had begun, it faded. Ephemeral... yes. But the comfort of well-structured flats was difficult to resist. And till a few months back, I lived my life pretty grounded. Till I saw this gorgeous, to-die-for pair of lovely heels in a shade of orange I had never dared even look at before. And the heels were back in my life.

But even at the top of my affair with the heels, I wouldn't have dreamed of running around in them, leave alone running an actual marathon waring heels over 3-inches. But I guess $5000 cash prize and a pair of Terry Biviano heels might change all that. Like it did for hundreds of women who took part in a 80 meter world record attempt stiletto race, held at the Overseas Passenger Terminal on September 2, 2008 in Sydney, Australia. The previous world record of 150 runners, held by Holland, was broken by a neat margin, with 265 people participating in the Sydney race. I say "people" because some men were spotted running too! Well, Like I said $5000 in cash...


Image: bbc.co.uk




Winner Brittany McGlone, posing with her Golden Pump Trophy
Images: shoeminx.com

But High heels Marathon? And the crazy sport has been doing rounds across the world, with London and Manhattan having done their own rounds of "charity" high heel marathons. I guess, soon enough they will find their way into Mumbai. We already have parties for charity, so why not a marathon... And there will be enough sponsors- Relispray, Iodex, Orthopedic Departments of top hospitals.

Any takers?

Good Enough For A Mood Board?

Some unusual jewels I found on the street.

Goan Gems

Goa is a delightful place to be in. I love the typical Goan architecture clearly visible in the churches and houses across Goa. I loved the liberal usage of colors and tiles in the construction. Loads of blue, yellow and red with an occasional orange and even pink. Large houses with spacious rooms and big windows for ventilation are a welcome change from a usually claustrophobic Mumbai. I came back with such beautiful images floating in my head. I wish I could share all of them, but I guess Goa can't really be captured in pictures. Neverthless, I am sharing a few photographs. Hope you will like them.

Judging A Gift By Its Bag...

A gift is made double-sepcial if the package it arrives in is beautiful. The thought of a beautifully wrapped, thoughtfully picked gift excites everyone. And I never undermine the importance of ensuring that the gift is packaged beautifully. In fact, I sometimes end up liking the gift-packaging as much as the gift itself! A couple of years ago, I bought a lovely book on making gifts extra-special by packaging them beautifully. I often use home-made packaging, but recently, at a trade exhibition, I could not resist picking up a few ready-made ones from their collection. I used one of these for packaging the birthday gift of my sister-in-law. She loved it! I am posting a couple of pictures of the bag. I will try and visit their store and get some more pictures for you all.





I am finally getting convinced that my Blogroll won't assemble itself miraculously, and that I will have to do it myself. Wish me luck!

Rains Make Me Miss My Friends

Monsoons are in full flow. Well, sort of. And this is around that time of the year when I really start missing Lonavala, favorite monsoon picnic spot of Mumbaikars like me. Being the most easily accessible hill station from Mumbai, it’s a favorite weekend spot for me and hubby, throughout the year. More so during the monsoons when the natural splendor of the place is at its beguiling best. The thing I miss most about Lonavala is the Rainmaker’s. I miss just relaxing at the shack, not doing anything, not going anywhere. Just sitting, watching the rain fall.

And I love watching Dhanya and Mathew working at the shack, interacting with the guests. It’s amazing how she manages all the work in her tiny kitchen and still be around to greet the guests and share a casual conversation. She seems so much at ease with her work and life, it sort of makes me envious. Ever so slightly. No meaningless deadlines to chase, no stress-spills, no lots tempers. Just a husband and wife team, going about their life, bringing some color into other people’s life while at it.

Another thing that I find really interesting is Dhanya’s cool style. I have always found her to be effortless and casual. Needless to say, she dresses for comfort and stays away from brands. But she is a classic example of how the right attitude can make a simple jeans and tees attire the ultimate style statement. Her accessories show her love for colors and I have seen her carry even the most mundane outfit with a bohemian panache that somehow elevates the outfit, making it look “cool”. Maybe staying away from the pollution-laden, illness-inducing city has its benefits. But mostly, I think it’s just my pal Dhanya.

I decided to do a short style profile of her different looks. All casual, but different. Outfits or sassitude, you be the judge!

Spreading some Pink Love...

I have already stated my stand on the role of fashion in creating awareness about pertinent issues. It helps reiterate my view that there is more to fashion and style than just vanity and social-acceptance. That the fashion industry does play a more significant role in our lives. A clear example of this are the various products that contribute to breast-cancer awareness.

Fashion Targets Breast Cancer is one such well-known initiative. So I dug up many more, courtesy a simple search on Google images. I request you all to continue to spread the word and wear your pink ribbons where the world can see them. And if you must shop till you drop, do consider some of the products featured below. They give your style a pink edge. And that's good to have.




Have ipod, will accessorize. Do consider this lovely cover from Incase. You ipod will love you for dressing it up in style.


Step out and face the sun with some pink love on your side. This lovely Target umbrella is just one of the awesome products from fashion targets breast cancer series of products. For more, check out their website.


Look at this bracelet from Marc. Need I say more?
Below are some more products from the fashion for breast cancer awareness and cure kitty...





So, keep loving pink, and the world will love you for it.

Bless You, Mr. Choo!

Well, it sure is a cause for celebration. Good shoes always are. They were expensive with a capital E. Not the stuff a broke writer goes for. But indulgence is the spice of life. Besides, I fell in love with them the moment I saw them. And what I love more is the fact that an identical pair of shoes, in green, is featured in this month's Vogue. I am just looking for the perfect occasion to wear these. I tried them at the shop and they were superbly comfortable. I think the trip to Goa will be it. These would be perfect with a dress I covet. More on that later. For now, I have to keep these away from Mr. Scrabble, or as hubby puts it, they will be known as "Scrabble Chewed". The very thought gives me shudders.



In retrospective, it's only fair that my biggest indulgence so far has been a pair of shoes. Having been born and brought up in Agra, there were shoes aplenty while I was growing up. Dad would get me these lovely ankle-length boots and leather pumps. There was a brief, forgettable affair with uggs, though Marie Janes remained good friends. The only problem was color. You could have any shoe as long as it was black. You can see how that posed a problem. Suede too was not my scene, as I wasn't particularly careful with my shoes. But that was then, and this is now. What a lovely red!



Oh, and did you know that Jimmy Choo made his first shoe when he was barely 11 years old! Now there is a guy who knows his heels. So many women love him. Bless you, Mr. Choo!