Author: Aditi Malhotra
Marketing & Social Media Consultant | Content Writer & Columnist | Events & Wedding Planner | Award Winning Home Chef | Home Baker | Artist | Photography Enthusiast

India Runway Week Season 8- Season of Gold, Shimmer and Cuts

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Following India Runway Week and being a part of since almost 2-3 years, I can easily say that each year, it takes you to another level. Its definitely a growth story worth mentioning and Kiran Kheva has surely put in a lot of efforts to take it where it today is.

A mix of ace designers and some upcoming wonders, it was a perfect mix of fashion showcasing and also there were a lot of engaging activities for the audience to indulge in. Fashion shuttle was one such interesting activity, a person could go to the fashion shuttle, get dressed in designer wear, get a makeover done and then also get a photo shoot done, I mean it was a great idea. Then also there was a small exhibition area where in all the participating designers exhibited their collection and got the women drooling.

Also season 8 was really high in the shimmer and cuts when it comes to the designer wear showcased by designers. Gold as a colour flew all over and yet this all shimmer had a sense of class and elegance. It was gold and glitter but without being jazzy.

This season at Inda Runway Week redefined metallic, glitters. With color and shimmer being in focus for this season we need to watch out must haves for your wardrobe straight from the India Runway Week season 8 held recently.

Tisharth by Shivani– Tisharth by Shivani Jain brings GOLDEN SUMMER DREAM which is the colour of the sun and Golden are the dreams we weave, golden is the color of goddess and is considered as pious and sacred. Big Boss contestant Nitibha Kaul walked the ramp for the Delhi based designer.

Crmson by Nancy Sood– CRMSON by Nancy Sood collection emphasis on the women who glows in every shade ,diligent and conscientious towards a minutest responsibility,dedicated and devoted in all spheres, navigating her way through time for her to believe that she deserves to maintain her peace without any slightest hesitation.

Priyamvada Dalmia– Priyamvada Couture,’ was born from the deep desire to cater to young, confident women, who define fashion on their own terms. Bollywood Actress Mugdha Godse walked the ramp for Priyamvada. Focusing on Indian Ethnic Wear, this label curate pieces inspired from her own fashion sense and her role models from among the beaming fashion industry.

Clotho INDIA– Clotho showcased unputdownable collection with a pastel palette, nature inspired handwork and embellishments, recoloring nature in different hues and shades. They kept an involvement of translucent textiles with structural as well as falling silhouettes. Their Clothing line is the extension of one personality, not making it a trend but a part of a woman wearing it.

Ritambhara Paliya– Known for Luxury contemporary Indian wear, Ritambhara Paliya is a noted name in Indian Fashion Fraternity, whose hands are well skilled in designing outfits for women of all ages. Ritambhara Paliya specializes in Evening gowns, lehengas, Anarkali’s and maxi dresses and also into fairytale and destination weddings attires that are rooted in quintessentially Indian sensibilities but with the modern twist.

Pooja Peshoria– Pooja Peshoria showcased her fresh and glamorous summer collection ‘The Beauty of Reflection’ at the India Runway Week 2017. Inspired by the natural reflections which illuminate the ocean’s surface, the collection was strong and opulent yet fluid and feminine. Designed for the determined woman of today there was a blend of forward modernity yet rooted with traditional elegance and detailing.

Harkiran Basra– His prime focus was on bridal couture with off-shoulder blouses. Her collection had brocades and sequined dupattas. Her collection surely is a must have especially the dupattas, they were gorgeous.

Designer Mithi Kalra Launches her all new ‘Moonlight Collection’. Her collection is a spectacular sight to behold with her playing with the captivating designs in all white ethereal look. Moonlight basically transpires from the cosmos, which is a like a distant, beautiful space for her as the charm of moon stands almost unparalleled from ages. Through this collection, Kalra has made an effort to not only bring about the wondrous peaceful serenity and tranquillity of the universe but has also consciously tried her best to revive the monochrome trend in a novel avatar, like never before as she clearly believes in giving the style its due.

This year Ikreate had a chance to be the blogging partner for the day 3 of the event and it truly was an opportunity worth all the effort. My special thanks for Kiran and Surabhi, from Media Maniacs for bestowing me with this chance and I really look forward to the next season and more healthy associations.

 

Not Just Paranthas… Seriously.. its not just about paranthas…!!

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

We Indians remain Indians at heart no matter where we live or what we do, and some places just reflect this emotion perfectly. And especially when it comes to food, we end up choosing Indian cuisine over and over again even after exploring and relishing other cuisines off and on. I mean who can do without a butter chicken and paranthas, no amount of sushis, pastas, burgers and noodles take place of our very own food, and trust me Not Just Paranthas is just about that. The place is Indian all through, its so Indian, that they don’t have forks and they encourage using hands to eat food, I mean you can be your nasty self here, the same person who relishes dal chawal with hands at home, can relish tearing away paranthas with hands and dip them in curd and slurp them away!

I have been to this place long ago and was quite a regular then, as my office was very near to it, but then as I left my office and moved on, I somehow did not go to this place also since years and just recently after approx 3-4 years I went again and was so happy that they have held on to their quality of food well, its still as good as it was.

In fact the ambience is much more refined now and they also have live music performances which add more to the charm. So you will surely enjoy some retro bollywood music as you relish the food.

Now coming to food, we ordered Cheezy Chooza and NJP Special Mutton Seekh as non-veg starters and Dahi Ke Kebab and Galoti Kebab with Varki Parantha for veg starters. Must say that all four dishes were awesome. The Cheezy Chooza is for sure a dish that you must try. A beautifully done chicken tikka loaded or rather wrapped in cheese, it was delicious. Mutton Seekh was nice and tender. Dahi Ke Kebab is again a delicacy you must try here, they weren’t the usual type, in fact they were very different and really nice. Though they were slightly sweetish in taste, I liked them for their difference. The Rajma Galotis were nice too.

These starters really were very heavy and we were already feeling so full, but how can one not have a parantha when at NOT JUST PARANTHAS 🙂

So we ordered a Chur Chur Chicken Do Pyaza Parantha and Mughlai Pocket Parantha along with some Dal Makhani. Uff, the Chur Chur Chicken Parantha was mind glowingly delicious, you cannot ignore it and if you are a Punjabi, you will love it even more because its drizzled with the makhani gravy on top. Simply yummylicious.

The Pocket Parantha was very different in comparison yet equally delicious and one can try a lot of variety as per taste and choice. Actually thats with every kind of parantha, the menu is so elaborate that at times it leaves you confused. One of the easier ways is to leave yourself in the hands of their ever hospitable staff and they will guide you to the best of their dishes. Don’t forget to enjoy some Kullad Lassi and Chaach along with your paranthas, they are almost mandatory 😉

Coming to the star dish of the evening, it was the dessert, the Meetha Parantha, its heavenly, its delicious, its outstanding. You cannot cannot miss this one. Ask the staff for their special meetha parantha and they will serve you just right.

I thoroughly enjoyed visiting this place again and now look forward to being a regular again, and for a family like mine who craves Indian food and good music, this is just the place to be.

 

 

Not Just Paranthas Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Indigo Delicatessen- A delicious experience!

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

This place truly offers an authentic and delicious food experience for European and Continental Food. The place exuberates class and premiumness in both their ambience and the quality of food. Yes you might find it a little expensive as you glance through the menu, but trust me, when you order and the food comes on your tables, half the battle is won, and other half you won’t even think about once you taste the food.

Now coming to what I tasted, I tried the Deli Cubano- Deli Classic Burger and it was yum! Pulled pork with some special sauce, it was sweet, hot, tangy and everything else at the same time. I simply loved it. The pulled pork was so tender and juicy that it almost melted in the mouth and I highly recommend this one.

Creamy Chicken Salad Sandwich was my next pick and I was extremely happy with my choice. Truly creamy chicken, with some veggies and roasted pineapple in 1000 island dressing, grilled to perfection, this one was a sure shot winner.

Chicken Caesar Salad served as a perfect accompaniment , crunchy with croutons, chicken chunks and lettuce leaves.

For the mains, I settled for Deli Roast Chicken and believe you me, roasted chicken can’t get better than this. Served with mashed potatoes and a mild gravy, the chicken was so juicy and delicious that words really can’t justify.

My friends also tried Seriously Sloppy Joe Burger, Falafel Wrap, Eggs Benedict, Roast Beef and Salmon Steak and they were all praises about every dish. This place is a food lovers paradise and you should not miss it at all.

Even the desserts are commendable especially their home-made ice creams. Mocha and Caramelised Banana, Belgian Chocolate Truffle, White Chocolate and Cherry, Dulce De Leche and Roasted Hazelnut are the must tries. Also don’t miss the Creme Brulle, I am sure you will love it.

I know that I am visiting Indigo Delicatessen very very soon because I can’t get over that pulled pork burger, and what are you waiting for.. please do visit and enjoy a mean worth all the money and effort.
Indigo Delicatessen Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Garnet Glow Gourmet Tea- Product Review Powered by Food Bloggers Council India

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

I have never been a tea drinker, but since last 2-3 years I have taken a conscious shift towards green teas and flavoured teas. I still can’t have the typical ghar ki chai or the masala tea, but green tea, lemon tea, black tea and other flavours are something that I sip on a daily basis. I recently discovered Garnet Glow Gourmet Teas, as these were sent to me by the Food Bloggers Council India for sampling, and since then I have been hooked. Garnet Glow has a huge range of flavoured teas available and they are even into customised teas. They allow you to use your tea base, then flavours and fragrances and boom.. you have a pack of your own customised tea just the way you want, and I think it also makes for an interesting gift.

Well from their pre-mixed range, I tried the Vanilla Black Tea, Jasmine Green Tea and Coconut Darjeeling Tea and must say that these single serves were amazing. Tea leaves looked and smelled absolutely fresh and the aroma was very turning on, while I was making the tea. My personal favourite out of this was the Vanilla Black Tea. The taste of Vanilla wasn’t over powering at all and this is what I really loved about it.

One must definitely try these gourmet teas and I am sure you will fall in love with them. So as I head to sip my next cup, why don’t you order some tea for yourself http://bit.ly/2nO1XAM

 

SHOPPERS GALORE AT SPRING-SUMMER EDITION OF RUBARU

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Even when the temperature is soaring high in Delhi, nothing can stop the enthusiasm and energy of fashion lovers from visiting the summer edition of Rubaru. Rubaru, which is a brain child of 3 friends, Durgesh Goel, Minal Aggarwal and Vandana Aggarwal is a collaborative effort to curate brands for a unique and stylized experience. It gives both the brands and customers their value for time and money. As a customer one gets to experience so many brands under one roof and the brands also benefit by getting a greater exposure. Such exhibitions are always a win win situation for everyone. In its 15th edition, Rubaru, yet again proved to be a fashion and lifestyle extravaganza.

Over 50 brands, specializing in summer-wear, organic materials, summer chic and wedding bling jewellery, home décor, juttis and footwear, and even interesting food products, it was a packed house at Lalit Hotel. Tarot reading on the side, bling footwear bang in the centre of the hall and noted FDCI designers Rahul Singh, Abhi Singh and Gaurav Jagtiani coming together to form the perfect ensemble for a fashionable day out. Out-of-town travellers included brands who’d come from Jaipur, Lucknow, Punjab, Himachal and even Goa.


“No two brands at our exhibition have overlapping products or styles, and I only pick brands that I enjoy or would love to shop from, to give people a quality shopping experience,” says Durgesh Goel, founder of Rubaru.

The collection showcased by the designers was really chic and classy, and some of the pieces were truly mind-blowing. It seemed like a shoppers paradise. Me and my friend and my mom, enjoyed walking through the entire exhibition, picking up our choices and even posing with some of the designer pieces.

Given a chance, would have picked up a lot more stuff from the exhibition, but holding on for the next edition to indulge and splurge. Exquisite pieces of jewellery and some inso-western outfits really grabbed my attention and loved them.

A great evening spent splurging and having fun with friends..Rubaru was truly a delightful experience!

 

 

 

Chai Di Party at Tea Lounge, Eros Hotel, New Delhi

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Aren’t we all so used to seeing our family members gather around a specific time in the evening to have tea, and generally its like a small ritual at everyones house. Mostly its like a small get together, where tea is just an excuse, but the chit chat, the gossip and munching snacks becomes the main focus at a later stage. This is exactly what you feel when you attend the Chai Ki Party at Eros Hotel. Its home away from home like feeling. Nothing fancy about it, just a regular homely way of enjoying tea with regular snacks included in the menu. Yes of course, in each of the dishes you will find signature touches of Chef Nikhil Rastogi which are always a welcome change, but more or less the authenticity of each dish is well maintained.

We tried Bhujiya Ki Bhel served in Papad Cones, it was a spicy delight and keeping that in mind, chef made it special by keeping Gur Paras’ along with it. Aaloo Matar Samosa, which had some mawa and roasted dry fruits was awesome and the small size of the samosas made them look guilt free. Adding the chef’s touch again, these samosas had a ring of namak paras’ which were crisp and nice.

The CDP platter which included Kanda Bhajiyas, Mirch Pakodas, Paneer Pakodas and Aaloo Rolls was a perfect accompaniment to the Ghar Wali Masala Chai. Each and every item was commendable.

But the most amazing things in the entire menu were the Jalebi Ki Chaat and Bun Maska. Just imagine, Jalebi Ki Chaat, I mean kudos to the chef for thinking of such an item, yes it was a maida jalebi which wasn’t dipped in sugar syrup, but served as a crispy substitute to papdi with curd, saunth and green chutney, just like the normal chaat, and it was awesome. Really loved it.

Similarly the bun maska wasn’t regular at all, in fact it was coated with nice sugary coffee powder and served with whipped cream, maple syrup and some blue berry sauce. One bite into it, and I was transformed into another world, it was heavenly.

Though I am not a tea fan, but this Chai Di Party was thoroughly enjoyable. And also keeping the heat in mind, amazing cold serves were there which included Jamun Thanda, Adraki Sharbat, Sambharam, Coffee Batida and Jaljeera. I personally loved the Sambharam which was a Chaas with South Indian flavours, Jaljeera and Adraki Sharbat were refreshing too.

For me going to Eros, every time is an experience I can’t get over so easily and I can never stop praising the hospitality of the place. Chef Nikhil (Executive Chef), Umesh (F&B Head), Harpreet (PR Manager), Sanjeev, everyone is like a great friend and I love spending time with my family and friends here with this extended family at Eros. The festival is on till 30th of April, so make hay while the sun shines.. and enjoy!!

Smaaash Sky Karting and Pit Stop Brewpub- An enthralling experience!

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Adrenaline pump, technological excellence and unexplainable thrill is what you get when you go sky karting at Smaaash. Equipped with the best in line technology, this sky karting is as thrilling as it can be but also at the same time, its extremely safe. Shaped like a canter, it excites you even before you enter this place. Its so wonderfully done.

The best of technology being used in the carts has been imported from Spain. These carts are all electric, top of the line and offer superior acceleration as compared to engine powered carts.Not just that, being electric also means that these carts are noise, vibration and pollution free. Also the design and technology are so simple that those who have zero driving experience can also glide their way smoothly.

The racing track has been designed and executed by Germany based Protex Karting. The track features dramatic elevations meant to be battled with karts that are equipped with exclusive speed control. The Protex barriers instead of the old tyres which usually form the boundaries of the tracks have been deployed to give better and great safety to the karters. These barriers are spring loaded and shock absorbing which makes things more safe and sound.

I loved the fact that safety has been given utmost attention, making it a great experience especially for kids. Otherwise also, they provide everything thats required to make the karting safe, crocs, hair caps, helmets and neck rest and that too without any extra charge. They also ensure that when kids are karting, no adults are allowed, in order to avoid any rash encounters or bumping etc.

After a thrilling 5 minute lap, I settled down to watch the kids going for rides over and over again and enjoying themselves thoroughly.

We came down to the PitStop Brewpub after this fascinating experience to satiate our hunger pangs and I must say that the quality of food and drinks served at this place is just awesome. We tried Chicken Tikka, Oriental Chicken Basket, Tempura Stuffed Mushrooms, Beer Batter Fish N Chips, Galauti Kebab, Burrah Chop Adraki and Gosht Seekh Kebab and I must say that each of the dish was fantastic, no complaints at all. In fact I strongly recommend Stuffed Mushrooms, Seekh Kebabs and Burrah Chops, as they were outstanding.

Coming to desserts the PitStop Rush Sunday is a must have, and you can also try the Red Velvet Cheesecake and Brownies.

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Overall it was a great experience, full on thrill and entertainment and tasteful meal, what else can one ask for.

PitStop BrewPub Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Easter Special- Pet Themed Cakes & Cookies- Courtesy Eat Treat!

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Its Easter, and baking is surely a mandate on this date, though we can go ahead with the regular Easter Special bakes and include the Easter Bunny in it, but isn’t it fun to anyway bake some pet themed cakes and cookies all around the year..

We often find ourselves wishing we could bring our furry friends to work or sneak them to parties, because our pets are the just the best things about us (no jokes)! We’ve found a yellow bunny cake and cute kitty cookies that the great folks on Instagram are talking about, for those of us who miss our puppers wherever we go. Pet themed cakes are just what you need.

So here is our pick.. take a look at these.. aren’t they so lovely..

http://eattreat.in/magazine/pet-themed-cakes-birthday/

 

Kolkata Food Festival at The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel- Khoob Bhalo!

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

As part of the Grand Trunk Culinary Journey, Kolkata Food Festival is being hosted at the Leela Ambience Convention Hotel. Its the last stop of this journey which started from Amritsar and made stops at Old Delhi and Banaras. The food festival celebrated cuisines from across the NH1 (Grand Trunk Road), bringing to you mouth-watering dishes from various cities that came along the way.

 

To bring out the authentic flavours of Kolkata, Chef De Cuisine Ashwani Kumar Singh travelled to the City of Joy to gather the secrets that lie hidden amongst the busy lanes of a city famous for its indulgent variety of Bengali cuisine.

The food festival aims at recreating the culinary delights as well as the ambience of Kolkata and brings together its culture and music for an unforgettable experience.

Within this culinary journey our first stop was the Cutlet/Chop/Bhaja counter which served a wide variety of fried fish, chicken cutlet, mutton chop and Vegetable Chop and trust me words can’t do justice to such an elaborate spread. It was awesome, crispy fried fish, some small, some big, some like cutlets and some like fingers, it was a treat of tastes. I personally loved the prawn cutlet and fried fish.

And how can one ignore Jhalmuri and Puchkas at a Kolkata Food Festival, and I have never ever tasted Jhalmuri earlier because I don’t like the taste of raw mustard oil, but this was awesome. Crunchy, crispy and flavoursome. Also the puchkas were fantastic, the water was just perfectly spiced.

The main course again was an elaborate spread and consisted of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies. Bhekti Paturi, Kachu Pata Chingri Vapa, Lau Ghanto, Galda Chingri Malai Curry, Chittal Peti, Kosha Mangsho, Murgi Jhol, Chicken Vorta, Sukto, Aloo Posto, Lal Saag, Paneer Er Rosha, Chollar Dal, Kacha Lemon Moong Dal, Kichuri, Bhaat, you name it and it was there and that too in all authenticity of the tastes and flavours. Kudos to chef Ashwani Kumar, that he left no stone unturned to bring in the actual flavours by using best of the ingredients and some of those were directly sourced from the city of joy.

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The Achar counter was one of the highlights for me, I simply relished all of them. Gondhoraj Ghol, which was basically ber done in a sweet and sour way was mind blowing, Pineapple Chutney, Tomato Chutney were two other things I loved, and you know usually they are eaten after the meal in order to increase appetite so that one can then savour the sweetdishes.

And who can beat Bengalis when it comes to sweet dishes, I mean these sweet dishes have just no comparison at all. Sondesh, Nolen Gurer Rosogulla, Kamala Bhog, Malpo, Sita Bhog, Pithas, Mihi Dana, Dimer Halua, Payesh, Mishti Doi.. OMG my mouth waters even as I write about them. The platter that we were served was so tempting that I can’t tell you, and it was such a great sugar rush, that even though were were full, it was difficult to resist the temptation.

Trust me when I say that this is one festival you should not miss, because we often don’t get to satiate our cravings for Bengali food, so while its there, make the most of it. You still have about 4 days, as the festival is on till the 16th April, so waste no more time and head straight to Leela Ambience Convention Hotel and enjoy this feast of Kolkata Food. I had a great time indeed!

 

 

Don’t Miss These Amazing Spring 2017 Fashion Trends – Suzy Walsh

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

As a fashion enthusiast, you probably keep an eye on changing seasonal trends. Fashion is not just about the top brands, but it is also about how you interpret ideas for your personal style. In this special post, we will talk about the best spring 2017 trends. These are ideas that made headlines during the four spring fashion weeks and are absolutely perfect for any fashion-conscious girl. We will also add a few tips on how you can make the most of these ideas.

Think pink: One of the hottest colour palettes of spring is pink! From the mellow pinks to hot fuchsias, pink made a nice comeback to the runway, and we love the amazing mix of shades. You can try pastel pink dresses or bright outfits for casual brunches – there’s enough for everyone. For a few ideas, check the collections of Balenciaga and Valentino among others.

The classic floral girl: Floral prints for spring can be boring, but not this time. A lot of designers and fashion houses, including names like Balenciaga and Chloé, worked with floral in a different way, adding a more retro twist of the 70s. While bright colours were pretty evident, we think that simple floral outfits can make a mark any day. This is more like a classic style, and the good thing is you will find plenty of options in budget on online stores.

More jumpsuits: If you are tall and have a body to flaunt, jumpsuits can be your staple for casual clothing. Jumpsuits look great for any occasion, as long as you choose the right colour. You can find some amazing simple jumpsuit ideas in the shows of Hermès and Vanessa Seward. There were no big hints, but it was more about minimalism, which works best when you are looking for something comfortable yet appealing.

Stripes with a difference: Spring 2016 had a lot of striped looks, but those were bold and contrasting stripes. Come 2017, we will see a lot of functional and more wearable stripes that seem to follow no fixed lines. This is more like origami of lines, often inspired from seaside and office stripes. If you are fond of simple trends, we presume that this should be your singular pick of the entire list. To know more about this idea, take a look at the collections of Chloé and Sonia Rykiel.

Hoodies are here: Hooded outfits are usually reserved for fall, but there’s no harm in trying new things after all. Top shows of Balenciaga and Paco Rabanne featured hoodies with a difference for spring 2017. Instead of regular sweatshirts, hoodies worked best as an addition to regular outfits meant for spring.

Hope you liked this post and have made your shopping list. For more, keep following this amazing blog.

[Images: en.vogue.fr/fashion]

Author: Suzy Walsh is the chief author and editor for The House Of Elegance Fashion – an emerging blog on style, fashion and trends. She is known for her incredible sense of style and has worked with many leading portals as a guest author.