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Out of the 'Box'ers

Published on http://know.burrp.com/shopping/yeh-andar-ki-baat-hai/8477

Shalini Bhattacharya takes you through a range of funky underpants with her below-the-belt picks for this season.

Find yourself drawing up the same list before an anniversary or a birthday? Here’s an affordable alternative that’s sure to get your attention. Boxers! Possibly the most underrated undergarments, they have finally been released from the constraints of unimaginative stripes and lungi checks.

They’re back in almost unrecognizable avatars all thanks to a young breed of designers who are not shy of getting their designs into your pants. What’s more – boxers can now be worn by women too with their fun, quirky and much required, personality-filled prints. Claim to be a Legend, a Casanova, Happy and Gay or just a true Indian at heart? Let your boxers do the talking.

The Boxer Store – Undress with style

This is the brainchild of Pallavi Khandelwal, an entrepreneur with a background in finance and investment. The idea was seeded by a stroll down the local market, where she noticed a dearth of fun, quality innerwear for men. Using this as an opportunity to jump into the fashion industry, Khandelwal set up The Boxer Store with a primary objective to revolutionise everyday basics while providing optimum comfort. With her refreshing styles and a range that varies from naughty to nice, she has managed to create a niche for her products in the market.

Variety: Currently, her store offers 21 styles that include sporty soccer prints, flattering ‘Legendary ‘ claims and a fun checklist of women’s names captured in an ‘I heart’ format aptly named ‘Casanova’.

Comfort quotient: Available in 100% cotton – woven and knit variations

Look forward to: Ten new designs to be launched this summer

Damages: Rs 299 – Rs 399

Availability: Available only through their online store

Chumbak – Desi doodles

Marketing professional Shubra Chadda and designer Alicia Crescencia Souza have managed to create a brand that is now synonymous with Indian pop art. The line of boxers is an extension to Chumbak’s existing range of attention-grabbing, quirky products that have strong Indian influences.

The brand was initially set up to cater to tourists but since their launch, they have managed to gain a large fan following amongst the Indian youth. With their range of colourful, unusual designs, Chumbak caters to men and women alike.

Variety: Designs for women include the ‘Maharani’ print as well as ‘Funky Autos’. Whereas, men can show off their ‘Nazar masks’ and designs that capture ‘Turbans of India’.

Comfort quotient: Available in 100% cotton

Look forward to: New designs to be launched soon

Damages: Rs 425 onwards

Availability: The Orange Bicycle, Levitate, Mother Earth, Axis Bookstore, P3and Gangarams. Also available through their online store

Cheapsex – Rated A

Bold, raunchy and whimsical – this aptly sumerises the range of boxers launched by Cheapsex – a brand created by Brijesh Dahiya and Kuldeep Singh of Gulabo Chhap Design Works.

The philosophy of the company is to serve their customers with humorous (read twisted) designs heavily seasoned with shock value. While their designs may not comply with PG 13 requirements, they certainly have been creating waves because of their eccentricity.

To create an interesting shopping experience for their customer, Cheapsex has christened their designs with names such as Basanti, Daayan Haseena and Cheapsex Clinic.

Variety: It has a wide range of designs amongst which their ‘Chadti jawaani’, ‘Ass cock’ and ‘Vertical orgy’ boxers have been most sought after.

Comfort quotient: Available in 100% cotton

Look forward to: 10 new designs to be launched this season

Price range: Rs 360 – Rs 525

Availability: ChilliBilli and Levitate. Also available through their online store

JetWings - The Holy Trinity

http://blah.burrp.com/fashion-style/clothing-accessories/top-shop-guide-dotted-i/7883

Dotted i: Quirky, colourful, creative

Posted on May 31st, 2011. No Crumbs | Leave a Crumb

http://blah.burrp.com/fashion-style/clothing-accessories/top-shop-guide-dotted-i/7883

Starting off as a ‘suitcase shop’, Dotted i’s out-there goodies are proof that devil is indeed in the details. Shalini Bhattacharya comes back with a crossed t.

Quirky, colourful and fun - from this creative chaos emerged the idea ofDotted i. Naadia Mirza, the 24-year-old Bangalore-based proprietress brought it to life with her undeniable passion and enviable enthusiasm. A self-confessed shopoholic, Mirza returned from the States with an extra suitcase filled with quirky knick-knacks that had intrigued her. Realising that she may have gone slightly overboard, she put them up for sale among her close network of friends.

Whoever thought that over-indulgence would lead to a steady revenue-generating model? Mirza soon realised the potential of this market and decided to capitalise on it by making similar products available to the masses. Creativity was not a problem as she had been organising theme parties for  children since she was 16.

Located in Langford Town, the quaint little studio of Dotted iprides itself in having three different services: online store, gourmet and events.

Online store: Its online store retails magnets, shot glasses, and scented candles that have witty one liners like ‘Drama Queen’, ‘PMS (Purchase more shoes)’, and ‘96 – sexually dyslexic and available for a meaningful one nightstand’.

Price range: Rs 150 onwards

Dotted i also customises beautifully decorated hampers for birthdays, baby showers, bachelorettes and weddings.

Price range: Varies, depending on the content of the hamper.

Gourmet: Dotted i has tied up with nine home bakers across the city for their truly unique confectionery like cakes, muffins, tarts and chocolates. To ensure that their tasty treats comply with Dotted i’s quality standards, all products are made only to order. Besides their exotic cakes, they also do customised theme cakes that involve detailed sugar work. The themes vary from formal to downright wicked.

Price range: Rs 850 onwards

Events: Dotted i also organises events such as surprise parties, corporate events, pre-wedding parties and bachelor(ette) parties. It takes care of everything – right from designing invites and activities to conceptualising and executing cheeky cakes and fun themes. “Pretty much anything,” concludes Mirza.

Price range: Variable

Moplah Cuisine - FlyLite March 2011

Marie Claire - February 2011

Times of India - Bangalore Times

 

 

 

Dining under the stars (http://bangalore.burrp.com/valentines/)

Are you ready to paint the town red? Shalini Bhattacharya gives you a peek into some of the most romantic restaurants in town.

It's that time of the year again: the market is flooded with its annual surge of red, greeting cards are back in vogue, road-side Romeos hit the streets with new-found zeal and the local florist triples his prices.

So why not celebrate the non-commercial spirit of the season and make it just about you and your loved one. Here' s a list of five centrally-located date destinations that are guaranteed to earn you brownie points!

1. Secret Garden Cafe

True to its name, this quaint little terracotta-tiled rooftop restaurant is veiled in a nook on Edward Road and is one of Bengaluru' s best-kept secrets. It claims to offer a " fresh home- cooked, fine-dining," experience with an assortment of 30-40 dishes with recipes borrowed from Mexico, Morocco, Spain, Italy, Oriental countries and our very own Coorg. The dynamic blackboard menu adds to its enigmatic atmosphere.

Recommended: Watch out for their salads (avocado and prawn cocktail and the mozzarella and ham salad), sea food (crab cakes and fresh fish with sauce of the day) and desserts (apple crumble and crème brûlée).

Location: No 7/1, Off Queens Road, Edward Road, parallel to Cunningham Road.

Tel: 080-41131365

Approximate budget for a couple: Rs 1,000

Note: The restaurant does not serve alcohol. Opens only for lunch (12 - 5 pm) and is closed on Sundays.

2. Liquid and Pink Poppadom

Fancy a night under the starry sky? Liquid, the rooftop alfresco lounge, offers that and more. You can sink into the soft white cushions on the couch and order from its variety of beverages and appetizers. Once the heady feeling of love has descended, hop across to The Pink Poppadom for dinner. As you walk through its doors, you are greeted by an impressive wine- display wall. The dining area literally makes you feel like you' re seeing the world through rose-tinted glasses – hues of pink have been used to create a chic yet cosy ambience. Pink sheers hang flirtatiously around the tables giving the room a rather regal atmosphere. What makes this restaurant different from your run-of-the-mill Indian diners is that it' s the first of its kind to serve pre-plated

Indian food.

Recommended: Tandoor dishes

Location: Hotel Ista, next to Lido Mall, 1/1, Swami Vivekananda Road, Ulsoor

Tel: 080-25558888

Approximate budget for a couple: Rs 2,300 (for dinner at The Pink Poppadom)

Note: Liquid has recently introduced jazz nights on Fridays and progressive/techno music on Saturday nights.

3. Caperberry

Caperberry in Hebrew translates to 'provocation of desire,' which is evident in this restaurant' s menu. While the interiors are simple with interesting art adorning the walls and bursts of white lilies in over-sized vases, the food is anything but ordinary. Each dish looks like it has been taken straight out of an episode of MasterChef Australia with its attention to detail and presentation of their pre-plated meals. With innovative and edgy food, the chef is constantly pushing the boundaries by sending you on a gastronomic joy ride. While the dishes refuse to be pinned down to one country, the menu admittedly has a strong Spanish influence.

Recommended: Try their salads (such as Jamón Serrano made of cured Spanish ham with figs and caperberries), tapas (authentic Spanish dish), pork chops and fideua (baked, glaze- crusted vermicelli dish).

Location: 8/1 Ground Floor, The Estate Building, 121 Dickenson Road, in Tanishq building next to Manipal Centre.

Tel: 080-25594567/9845177162

Approximate budget for a couple: Rs 1,800 (excluding alcohol)

Note: Its Tapas Lounge (timings 5:30 – 11:30 pm) serves up some daring cocktails along with interesting starters. Timings for lunch and dinner service: 12:30 – 3:00 pm and 7:30 - 11:30 pm, respectively.

4. 13th Floor and On the Edge

With the sparkle of city lights peppered across the horizon, 13th Floor offers a breathtaking view - perfect for starry-eyed couples. Conveniently located on MG Road, it is an ideal place to gauge the pulse of the city. The music here is primarily retro and its colourful cocktails keep the energy levels of the lounge high. For those who prefer a more intimate setting, try 'On the Edge' across the hallway. This restaurant offers Indian, Thai and Continental among other cuisines. With similar decor and an 'almost-as-stunning' view, On the Edge has a calmer, cosier ambience.

Recommended: Bar stools outside, Thai curry platter, Indian finger food and cocktails like green apple martini, passion fruit margarita and Champagne sangria.

Location: No. 84, 13th Floor, Ivory Tower Hotel, Barton Centre, MG Road

Tel: 080-25589333/ 080-41783355

Approximate budget for a couple: Rs 1,800 (excluding alcohol)

Note: 13th Floor offers a variety of starters but limited main course dishes. It has a cover charge of Rs 1,000 for couples on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Club rules apply.

5. Olive Beach

One step through the tall blue gates and you are transported to a chic Mediterranean set-up with pebbles scattered along the pathway, yellow fairy lights embracing the trees and the winding staircase. The food, like the music, ranges from fun to seductive with an array of tantalising Mediterranean fusion food. With ornate chandeliers, a well-stocked bar, wooden barrels, and brightly-coloured cushions contrasted with white stucco walls, this award- winning restaurant is most likely to exceed your expectations.

Recommended: Pizzas served with unique toppings, fresh seafood (oysters and grilled jumbo prawn) and cocktails.

Location: No. 16, Wood Street, Ashok Nagar, parallel to Castle Street, opposite Brigade Towers


Tel: 080-4112840


Approximate budget for a couple: Rs 2,500 (excluding alcohol)

                                             Note: The restaurant follows a strict dress code (no casual footwear). Also, children below the age of ten are not allowed during dinner service. The restaurant usually hosts a flea market and serves brunch on Sundays.