Kalaghoda 2015

Finally got the day off that was needed! But also on the luckily on the first day of the Kalaghoda festival. I would say in the many of the visits we generally make, the first visit should always be alone. All the time needed to walk through the fest you can get. Its like getting the whole feel of the place. And after you there, do you feel the vibe in the air which says creativity art and fun! 
So today on the day one of Kalaghoda 2015, i walked around the entire festival, bought a bag which was made out jeans! not just denim but jeans! In the main chowk of Kalaghoda opposite the Sasson library or which is otherwise the parking area right outside the Jehangir Art Gallery, is a stall which was selling bags, diaries etc made up of old used jeans! All types of jeans were used! They are calling this entire setup as 'Bum Bags'. It is called as the denim project by a Bangalore based NGO ' A hundred hands'. They make these recycled products to provide employment to the needy. Their Stall No is 62 NGO Section. It's must visit and buy also!
This is the bag i got for Rs 500.

Also, there is the Heritage Bus Tour which takes people around the famous spots like CST, Taj, Marine Drive etc. Its free! And only available on the weekends at 4.30 and 5.30 pm. The passes are available from 2 pm to 2.30 pm at the help desk. Try and get the passes for seats 1 - 30 as they are the upper open deck seats. Here are some photos i took from the Bus Tour

Is it Generation Gap?

Last weekend travelling with my parents to Pune for a family function, was quite an epic trip. Wanting to reach Pune as early as five, i was ripping the car on the highway when my father suddenly  decides he wants to drive. After we switch, we made a stop at the food mall after the Ghat. Being in a rush, we decided to just pick up quick food and head ahead. Me and mom got out of the car. In the Food Mall, there was a McDonalds, A CCD and a normal food mall kitchen. My instant reaction was to walk towards the McDonalds shop. I bought an ice tea and a medium fries costing up to 200 something rupees. As i walked out, i saw my mother coming with getting her food which was a cup of tea and batata vada. At that point of time, my father made a comment saying his generation's enjoyment is much lesser in pricing than mine. It got me to thinking that is it really my (me representing my generation) needs are unnecessarily high. Or are we bought up only in such a time where we generally go for the names like Mcdonals etc while even enjoying the occasional vada pav too. Like my parents also like eating at these places but their habitual actions makes them buy a cup of hot tea and vada on the other hand its the exactly opposite for us? Is it the generation gap or we simpliy making the wrong choices in lifestyle?
The Food Mall after the ghat has an very good functional McDonalds that i have seen in a very long time. Even though being out on the Mumbai Pune Express Highway, the food quality was quite excellent. the staff was super friendly and very well spoken. Must stop if you want to enjoy a decent happy meal or a take away. It has ample sitting place and special seats of the young ones.

The Sassy Spoon

The night before our office Christmas party, the prep and decorations were on in full swing. Lights, ornaments, the tree al the works. After staying so late in office for the prep, we went out to eat some good food. One of Colleagues said lets hit sassy spoon near our office in Nariman Point.
A perfect little setting for a nice hangout with friends and some lovely food. A refreshing chic ambience decorated with lights in birds cages gives you a very warm feeling. After a long time, i came across a place which has a great service. Very friendly Waiters and staff who helped us a lot in deciding what to eat and suggestions also.We directly went to try the desserts. This Dessert is by far the most yummiest dessert i have ever eaten, Caramel Peanut Tart, a chocolate tart filled with hot caramel filling inside served with caramel ice- cream. Its like party in our mouth! a must try if you are a fan of peanut butter. but make sure you pre - order this dessert 20 minutes in advance as it takes 20 minutes to make it. Do also try Seven ways hazelnut Chocolate, Sassy Stacks, Tiramisu. This is a place which will pleasantly surprise you with its food, ambience and service!

Timing - Lunch: 12:00pm - 3:30pm,Dinner: 7:00pm - 11:30pm


Location - Express Towers, Nariman Point And Hill Road, Bandra

Cost - Around 2000/- for two people.

The Elegant Orange.

With the colds winds of winter in December blows in the Wedding Season! Wedding Season is worst season for a person who has to go the wedding of a third party. Maybe it be Father's Friends wedding or your collegue wedding, its very difficult to decide what to wear. You can't go too heavy also nor too simple. Here something i put together for such a type of Wedding Reception.

I had been to Coorg with my family, en route we went to Mysore. In Mysore we went to an government emporium, from where i picked the material for the dress. Then in Mumbai at Mahim near the Paradise theatre, picked up the lace for the dress. And got the dress made up. 

A Orange Anarkali with a gold border. with a pair of ornage chudidar from westside.
Pair this up with some nice gold or antique gold jewellery and you are good to go!

The Dress:
Material - Mysore Emporium for around two thousand
Lace - A Small Lace Shop opposite Paradise Theatre In Mahim for One Thousand.

The Accessories:

Bangles: Westside for Rs. 300.

Payal: Colaba Causeway for Rs.150

Jhumka : Colaba Causeway for Rs.120.

Mexican Tacos

Cooking and Experimenting is like my therapy and stress buster. 

After a tough week at work, a relaxing Saturday was a need. After spending the day at Comic Con and The Lil Flea Fest, it was time to make some yummy food to comfort my soul and my tummy. So TACOS's it was. My mother always said i never entered the kitchen but i kinda proved the saying 'never say never' true ;). One fine day for the first time i entered the kitchen and had made tacos as a side dish for diner. The first try wasn't as good as it is now, but it did earn me a few complements from dad and mom herself. So after many tries, making and modifying the recipe, i can now make the tacos to perfection. So guys here my recipe for the tacos.

Ingredients

A can of Baked Beans
A Pack of Taco Shells
Two Chopped Green Chillies 
Eight to Nine Quatered Cherry Tomatoes
One Chopped Onion
Mint Leaves
Half Bunch Chopped Iceberg Lettuce
Two Tablespoon Lemon Juice
One Cup of Grated Processed Cheese
One Teaspoon Ginger Garlic Paste
Two Tablespoon Chilli Sauce
Salt to taste
Two Tablespoon Olive Oil
Parmesan Cheese

Process:
For the Bean Filling: In a pan, heat olive oil, add onion when the oil is heated, saute the onions, add ginger - garlic paste and saute till golden brown. Then add the tomatoes, green chillies and salt and cook till the tomatoes are cooked. Take a few mints leaves (around 2-3 strings) and tear with the hand or a scissor, add to the tomatoes. Then add the beans, chilli sauce (add pepper or chilli flakes if you like things more spice), and the processed cheese and cook for a while till the tomatoes are soft and dissolved.

For the presentation: Take a plate, put some lettuce on the plate, and place the tacos in a nice way according to the orientation the plate. Add the Bean Filling on the shells. Sprinkle the rest of the lettuce on the tacos. Put some mint leaves on the tacos and garnish with parmesan cheese and Voila!

Hope you guys enjoy the recipe!

THE LIL FLEA

THE LIL FLEA

POP- UP SHOPS . MUSIC .  FOOD .  FUN!

After going to Comic Con in Goregoan, had a lot of fun with office colleagues, meet a friend and decided to hit the LIL FLEA market in Bandra. We both happy and perked up at Comic Con with all the goodies, costumes etc, we were in for a different kinda a treat at Bandra Reclamation Grounds.

I can call it the Bandra and more chic version of Kalaghoda minus the art, literature content. In the lil flea set up you can find beautiful, pretty things for your inner girl soul. Here I saw many many creative things we can do even on our own, but never end up doing it. But must go for the beautiful options  of Dream Catchers. There was a band in the center of the fest playing some amazing music, which went very well with the whole atmosphere of the fest. Music as well as food, there a lot of different stalls put up. The lil flea is a paradise for a girl with a variety of choices in many products. There is one stall which has different kinds of products of blackboards.  One guy selling very interesting the Tshirts based on our very own city Mumbai. His facebook id is www.facebook.com/neildantas. Do check out his designs.

The place has very chic and nice but a lil to the expensive side. But a must visit once.

The Festival is on for two days 20^th & 21^stDecember 2014, at the Bandra Reclamation Grounds Mumbai 11:00am onwards. It has an entry fee of Rs 100.

Here are some products I bought at the fest

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TGIF Oops TGIS!

TGIF Oops TGIS!

It was a Thank God It’s Saturday Lunch[TGIS] at  TGIF ,the Palladium, Lower Parel.A nice lunch with a old school firnd, a lot of talk and a good time with some American food . A perfect place for you if  you are a American food Fan. Highly recommended for its Burgers but do try their Onion rings with Dip.Frustrated with your week at work?. or catching up with your friends after a long time for some drinks? This is the place. But do make sure you don’t walk in on a dry day.

Food: Burgers,Nachos, pasta, finger food, veg/non-veg platters, which will be filled with loads of different appetizers that go well with your drinks.

Do go for the Desserts the chocolate malt cake.

Location : Palladium Mall, High Street Pheonix, Lower Parel 

Cost: Around Rs 1500/- for two.

Classic Chocolate Malt Cake

Fridays' Lemonade

Creamy Tangy Chicken Pasta