Me, Myself and I
WHY SHOULD VALENTINE’S LAST JUST A DAY WHEN IT CAN BE AN EXCUSE TO PAMPER YOURSELF ALL MONTH? HERE’S HOW YOU CAN SPEND FEBRUARY TREATING YOURSELF.
SIMPLY MUMBAI lists ways to make February a month to love yourself.
RELAX Jiva Spa
The
new outpost of Jiva Spa in the lavish Taj Lands End Hotel in Bandra is something of an experience. Their usp is the fact that they use no international techniques and focus solely on Indian therapies—right from the blends used in their treatments to the Vishuddhi chai (a lipsmacking yet calming concoction of lemon, hot water and jaggery) that they serve you before and after your massage. The décor is simple, gleaming white with hints of cream, and calming to the eyes until a pleasing smack of colour comes from vibrant paintings on the wall. Once you fill in your preferences and problems, the friendly manager along with the extremely polite therapists will help you pick a treatment. But bear in mind that Jiva’s menu doesn’t provide standard therapies like the Balinese Massage. They have their signature Indian therapies and body rituals such as the 120- minute Shuddhikara (a lymphatic drainage massage, cleansing scrub ritual and a plantain leaf wrap) and Jivaniya (an exfoliating herbal scrub of exotic spices and Indian herbs, a heat- stimulating wrap and a revitalising massage) for an all round experience. If you’re looking for an option which is easier on the wallet and has you coming out revitalised, we recommend the Orja Dayaka, a 60-minute full body massage. This treatment energises you and can have you on your
feet all day long.
After you select the massage of your choice, the therapist will advise you to spend some time in the steam or sauna as per your preference. This will be followed by a ritual where the therapist will sit you down like royalty and gently wash your feet after presenting you with a rose. Jiva has it down to the final detail and we can guarantee you won’t come out disappointed. Once your treatment is complete, you can don your Mogra garland, take a seat in the changing room and sip on the Vishuddhi chai to completely cleanse your body and calm the mind. Ready and relaxed to paint the town red, the new pampered and energised you can exit with a smile on the face and a glimmer on the skin.
AT Jiva Spa Bandstand Road, Mount Mary, Bandra West
TEL 66681234. Call for reservations, appointment necessary.
TIMINGS 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
INDULGE Royce
They
say anything is good if it's made of chocolate and the extensive array of options at Royce indeed lives up to the philosophy. It’s not inexpensive, but it’s definitely worth it. The walk-in store at Palladium has the signature Nama Chocolate available in Mild Cacao, Champagne Pierre Mignon, Ecuador Sweet and Ghana Bitter flavours. And if there’s one thing you can’t be advised on it’s your palate for cocoa renditions, so pick and choose as per your taste. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to experiment a little, get the chocolate flavoured potato chips—a heady mix of textures and tastes. They may seem odd on paper, but there is a reason they are sought-after and you will likely return for more.
Want to up the crunch but skip the savoury? No matter, you will find your pick out of Royce’s milk bars, baton cookies , chocolate wafers and the prafeuille chocolat. And if you don’t want to bother with making a choice, get yourself
a mixed bag of everything. These are also a great gifting option and would immediately earn you “brownie” points. Bon appétit!
At Palladium Annexe, near the Gucci showroom, Palladium Mall, Lower Parel
Tel 9920064464
Le 15 Patisserie
What
better way to tantalise your taste buds than with some quality confectionery at Le 15. Their bitesized cupcakes are considered among the best in Mumbai, and it is difficult to go wrong with your selection because everything is worth the carb criminal it instantly transforms you into. Founder Pooja Dhingra highly recommends the chocolate macarons, red velvet cupcakes and Nutella tarts for some serious self indulgence. “We have a special menu with heart-shaped macarons, dessert jars and cupcakes for Valentine’s Day,” she says.
Dotting Mumbai from Bandra to lower South, you can find a Le 15 outlet almost anywhere. The little bake shop is cutesy and quaint with doodles on the wall and quotes all around. Le 15 is also a lovely place to take a book and enjoy some quality time by yourself. Make sure you pack some goodies to take home with you because this is one midnight snack that will go with any late-night flick.
At 1st Floor, Opp. Indigo Deli, Palladium Mall, High Street Phoenix, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel Tel 65618532 At Inside The Good Earth Company, Raghuvanshi Mills Compound, Lower Parel Tel 65133212 At Ground Floor, Siffin Bulding, Dr. Ambedkar Marg, Pali Hill, Bandra
Tel 65133211
SHOP India Circus
your idea of pampering yourself is to sit back with a movie and lounge around all day without missing out on the opportunity for some much needed retail therapy, worry not, there’s such a thing as online shopping. It’s convenient but there is also a long confusing list of websites to choose from. But we know of one extremely quirky online shop that you must visit. Venture of designer Krsna Mehta, India Circus sells all things colourful and crazy—a bright pink iPhone cover with a peacock motif or a stylish sling bag with little auto rickshaw doodles; a doormat with Kohlapuri slippers painted on a gorgeous cotton skirt; laptop sleeves or innovative footwear—you search for it, and it’ll pop right up on your screen. India Circus also has
home furnishing, including vibrant poufs and little side tables. Add a splash of quaint to your living room with their ware and it will make lounging around at home far more satisfying than it already is.
Contact indiacircus.com
Street Shopping
Fortunately the weather is conducive for a little bargaining and bazaar trawling. So put on a comfy pair of sandals or sneakers and explore the city’s many street shops. The most popular, of course, and the one where you’re guaranteed to find something to your liking, is Colaba Causeway. Whether it’s a little knick knack for home like a lantern or a beautiful embroidered stole or the latest fashion accessory, you will walk away with products at nonguilt-inducing prices. A definite must buy is their jewellery— bangles, earrings, danglers and chokers are a huge hit among foreigners and locals alike. The chunky bangles start at Rs. 50 and if you are looking for some apparel, pick up knock-off tees and outfits of Zara and H&M at mind-bogglingly cheap rates.
Other gali shopping areas that should feature on your list are the clothes stalls at Hill Road, the little fashion shops in Lokhandwala Market and the vast array of fabric stores in Mangaldas Market. For spices, head over to Matunga Road or the spice market in Dadar. Go home and whip up an exotic meal with these, using them for the new recipes you will learn at Simply Mumbai’s recommended cooking classes.
WATCH Queen
After
her recent, immensely popular interview with film critic Anupama Chopra, the gorgeous Kangana Ranaut has received a lot of attention from cinema lovers, mostly of the positive kind. The widely adored fashionista’s upcoming film Queen is a flick you shouldn’t miss, whether you plan a day out with friends or go by yourself. Queen sees Ranaut playing an unglamorous Punjabi girl, who ends up on her honeymoon minus her hubby. What likely ensues is a tale of liberation and happiness, and an entertaining mix of humour and drama. The trailer is promising,
and Ranaut’s comic timing and dialogue delivery seem to finally reveal a side to the starlet that we haven’t been given a chance to watch. It looks like a bundle of laughs, an interesting journey and some stellar performances have been packed into this film, directed by Vikas Bahl.
The film releases on Friday, February 28.
Highway
It’s been a while since Bollywood got a good road movie, and if the trailer is anything to go by, Imtiaz Ali’s
Highway will be filling this cinematic void on February 21. The film journeys across north India (Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir) with Alia Bhatt in a role quite the opposite of the uber glam rich girl she played in Student of the Year; and the talented Randeep Hooda.
Highway centres around the abduction of Bhatt by three men. She seems to become quite comfortable in her new and seemingly disturbing surroundings rather quickly. The film is not only a litmus test of Bhatt’s acting abilities, but has also revealed one of her other talents—she sings a song in the film. The music is soulful though we don’t expects anything less from A.R. Rahman, who also makes an appearance in one of the videos. The film seems like it would be a treat to watch with family, friends or even solo.
The film releases on Friday, February 21.
TAKE A CLASS
Desi Tadka
Any
dance fitness workout like Desi Tadka triggers your happy hormones and distresses you immediately,” says Anusha Sachdeva, founder of the Desi Tadka dance lessons. Discover the hero or heroine in you with Sachdeva’s hour-long Bollywood dance class set to the tune of the latest tracks—item numbers, sufi songs or even love
songs. Everyday is something new. She says she will have you moving like Katrina Kaif or Ranbir Kapoor, and you will burn over 800 calories while doing so.
“We do not forget the fitness part of it; it involves squats, lunges, biceps and core workout,” she says. The creative routines also include “tricks”, as Sachdeva calls them, where she gets students to work out parts of their bodies without them knowing it. For example, in the track
I Hate You Like I Love You, Sachdeva involves variations of pelvic thrusts which she claims are as good as floor crunches. She also includes a
dupatta in class for more movement for songs like Chunari Chunari or Kun Faya Kun.
Cost Eight sessions a month for Rs. 3,000
Tel 9820078370
Studio 15
Nothing spreads love like cooking for your loved ones. And who better to help you sharpen your culinary skills than Pooja Dhingra and her selection of expert chefs at Studio 15. “You get to learn a new skill, meet amazing people, indulge in all the delicious things you make and you can replicate everything you learn at home anytime you’re in the mood for it,” says Dhingra. The classes are not just limited to baked goods; they also feature lessons in Punjabi cooking, Italian meals and classes for kids. Dhingra says, “This month, I am excited about make your own pizza, doughnuts and Chinese food classes.” So put on your chef hats, and enroll yourself to learn form the city’s finest.
At Shop no. 4, Rajgruha Co-operative Housing Society, B-Wing, B. M. Marg, Elphinstone Road Tel 8454046544
timings 11 a.m. to 8.30 p.m.