Tapping of the Rain

Staring blankly ahead, as the discreet tapping of the rain began,
Blooming Peonies in the vase on the table by the window,
Like caught in a moment of joyous wonder, her hand in his hand.

As the sky tore up faster, pouring with lightning and thunder,
Dressed in hurried slippers, stolen kisses and gleaming gazes,
The umbrella left astray, they jumped on their feet.

Growing muddles in the park, mixed with that fresh smell of rain,
They danced around in their garden,
Adding the sounds of laughter to the chain.

In these little memories of time,
Of love, of laughter and of his contagious smile,
She quietly took a picture – one for her mind.

January 22, 2019

Springtime Flowers

It’s been a while since the flowers bloomed,
Since the trees tinseling heavy with snow didn’t gloom,
And the slippery paths wear heavy with boots.

It’s been a while since she picked her pen
Since she distracted herself from distractions within,
And wrote down –what came to her mind then.

But with the weather getting warmer,
And the shooting peonies in Spring,
A whisper in her heart, she sat with her pen again.

January 18

7 Best Wedding Locations in the United Arab Emirates

When it comes to Indian weddings, there is one thing for sure, there are lots of ceremonies, grandeur, red and glitter. From the little details to the much bigger ones, everything about them – whether big or small- requires a lot of attention (and some “relative” scrutiny). But, since the bigger things lay heavier on the mind, we will help narrow down your wedding venue options in the UAE very quickly.

Ritz Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal

There are several properties in Abu Dhabi that would be ideal, but Ritz Carlon Grand Canal Abu Dhabi stands out. With an essence of Italian Renaissance in their architecture, it blends in beautifully with the traditions of the Middle East, and the elaborate sparkle that Indian weddings require. Along with their luxurious accommodations, beachfront spa, several fine-dining restaurants, their Venetian-inspired hotel grounds overlooking the canal and Grand Mosque elevate romance to new heights. They have indoor and outdoor venues that are designed to host up to 1,000 people including a beautiful wedding hall, a sprawling lawn, the hotel olive garden and a canal-front beach.

Speaking to Roshini Daswani, a Bahraini fashion and lifestyle blogger, who got married at the property, she said, “I have always loved the Ritz Carlton Grand Canal Abu Dhabi property, it is so opulent and grand. It was always a dream to get married there, and I knew that only their hotel could meet our needs for our dream wedding. It’s a huge property, and I wanted to have all our events in one hotel, so it becomes easy for our guests. The best thing about the UAE as a wedding location is that the properties are all so opulent and the staff are very polite and hospitable.”

FIVE, Palm Jumeirah

Surrounded by azure seas with stunning views of the Arabian Gulf and Dubai Marina Skyline, FIVE Palm Jumeirah would be the perfect place to host your wedding. Offering a selection of grand and intimate weddings, the hotel has a choice of different sized venues, including its 14^th floor Vista Ballroom, and a selection of world-class restaurants to provide the catering that is synonymous with luxury and style.  Their team of wedding experts are excellent and will take all your stress away very quickly.

Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah

A hidden gem, Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, probably caught your attention with Mohit Marwah’s wedding. The hotel has several choices for venues, the backdrop of the Arabian Gulf and the Hajar Mountains, as well as the hotel’s impressive staircase and a promise of magnificence alluring in every corner. The entire hotel feels like a palace, complete with marble fountains, spectacular chandeliers and huge wedding halls to host all kinds of gathering.

Oberoi Al Zorah

The recently opened gorgeous property is located in Ajman amongst mangrove forests and white sand beaches. Setting tone for more intimate weddings, the venue offers their ballroom that can host up to 250 guests for the wedding functions, along with an adjoining outdoor garden area. There are also al fresco venues on the beach and poolside lawns that can host up to 120 people.

Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island

Offering picturesque locations and memorable views, Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island has not one, not two but thee resorts to choose from; including the beachside haven at Al Yamm Villa Resort, an African inspired retreat at Al Sahel Villa Resort or contemporary luxury at Desert Islands Resort  & Spa. You can choose between having a beachside wedding, or one between the island’s exotic wadis or the classic ballrooms studded in flamboyant luxury.

Intercontinental Fujairah

The beachfront property located on the shoreline of Al Aqah Beach boasts a beautiful backdrop of the sparkling Arabian Sea that will add to your wedding pictures. Curating perfectly unforgettable memories for your wedding, the hotel makes for a sophisticated venue with their beautiful ballroom that you can overrun with your selection of colourful flowers, followed by the pheras on the beachside.

Address Boulevard

Located in the heart of Dubai, the Address Boulevard Hotel makes for a stellar wedding venue. With a vast array of sophisticated catering options and ballrooms, your wedding will become even more momentous. The hotel offers packages to suit your unique needs and even the most discerning attendee (we all there is at least one).

LOEWE – Half of you, half of me, half of us

I work as PR in a luxury firm in Dubai, and often in my work, I come across lovely little stories of brands. Don’t get me wrong- I’m not trying to make a pitch here. It’s something very simple, but it easily calls to my heart – especially if there is a little bit of love in this story involved.

It started something like this – we were gifting a few things, and we included the LOEWE 001 fragrances in it. In the bags, we put men and women’s. Curiosity (and frugality) got the best of me and I asked why did we need to put both? We could conquer much more gifting if we just gifted based on the receiver’s gender. I really didn’t think there’d be a story to it. But, here goes:

The fragrant pair is both notable for their freshness and calming scents. After a little reading, I read that the brand says that, “Two unique fragrances, Man and Woman, created at the same time. Two accomplice fragrances, non-existent one without the other, in constant conversation … Perfectly complementary, when they are combined together, the two fragrances create a third scent.”

So, in simpler words – both the scents share 50% of the same ingredients and 50% different ingredients – just like how a couple is – similar but different, but together, they compliment each other.

 

Road Rage

I quit driving because of bad timing:
I couldn’t brake fast enough.
‘Slow down,’ my dad would say, and I
would stop abruptly instead.
I do not have that gear.

*

When you said, ‘Let’s take it slow’,
I was already at the altar,
waiting for you.

Our car crashed before you could make it there.

– Smita Mathur

Valentine’s Day: Where’s the cheese?

I can sense it as I write, a lot of my own best friends will be like, ‘what the hell, Swati!’ But, I cannot help it! I’m reading about love, and it’s Valentine’s day and I don’t see a lot of love! And while I’m a newly acquired advocate of self-love and self-relationships, I’m sorry to say, but, where is the cheese?!

Before, my own dear best friends you question my sanity for the nth time again, I respect feminism or willingly being single or not being in love. I know I celebrated last year by sending all of you a giant flower bouquet for being the super supportive squad, that you are. But, you know despite all circumstances and idiot boys, I’m a true romantic and love of all things cheese (including actual cheese). So, when you try to argue my sanity, bear in mind, I love ‘love’.

Sorry for drifting away, but I think that was important to not get worried phone calls and facepalm emojis. Getting back to the topic, Valentine’s day is about celebrating love – all kinds of love – we have that figured out. And yes, wow it’s fantastic that people don’t want to celebrate it because really, love should be celebrated every day. But, are they? What are they doing to celebrate love every day?

Take the day as a token day – Valentine’s Day is a reminder to keep celebrating that love that you apparently already do every day! And what is wrong with that? I personally blame all these “aesthetic Instagram pleasers” for this trend. I was discussing this with my crazy friend, Radhika, who FYI, totally agrees with me, and she said, “Every day is self-love day, but Valentine’s Day is love love day.”

So, if you’re reading this and whatever be your relationship status – CELEBRATE IT! If you are 1/2 of a couple (god knows I’m all about monogamy but to each their own), go out for a nice dinner, maybe bring some heart candy or flowers or something cheesy along and make your significant other’s day. You might celebrate love every day, but today, celebrate it a little more. And if you are completely single, like I am, but love ‘love’, then watch a cheesy romantic movie, or read a cheesy book or take a long bubble bath or eat a box full of chocolates or party with other singles – I don’t know, I’d think these are enough examples to do on a weeknight! But, the point being, celebrate it! Bring back the cheese. There’s a lot of hate and violence in the world everywhere, a little love and celebration of love might do well.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY.

Or you know, Happy 9-days-to-my-birthday! 

–

‘Suraj Hua Maddham’ and Some Revelations

As every new year begins, everyone has new resolutions. My resolutions aren’t dependent on the new year, but rather on how far away my birthday is (February 23rd). I get into the full swing to get working on my birthday body roughly about in September/October.

In the gist of that, as Taylor Swift dropped her new album in November 2017, you cannot possibly imagine my excitement to go running listening to the album. It’s my jam. So, come January 2nd, I’m still running, still listening to Reputation. And just as my pace starts to differ and slow down, ‘Dress‘ comes on. It HAS to be the sexiest song on the album.

To recap, my exact emotions when I first heard the song were:

OH.MY.GOD.

This is a very, very sexy song. With an emotional touch. I am at a serious loss for words. I feel like this should be in 50 Shades of Grey.

“All of this silence and patience, pining and desperately waiting.”

As the lyrics mooned on, with all the “ah-ah-ah-aaaaahs”, it got me thinking – this song obviously makes me feel a lot of things. Things that another PR girl (read: Samantha Jones from SATC) will proudly raise a toast to. But, while this does make me “feel” a lot, there are more songs that probably have the same effect.

Taking my thought process as a freaky clue, ‘Suraj Hua Maddham’ from Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham starts to play, making me blush to my cheeks and thanking my stars for it being dark on my track.

It was the year 2001, and I was 8 years old (if you are doing the math, I’m 24 for another month and 21 days), when I first heard/saw the song. And since then, it’s been my ultimate love song. Till date, if I hear the song, I automatically start to blush. In that Egyptian backdrop with those plain effortless sarees and Shah Rukh Khan’s lusty looks, I had my “awakening”.

As a vain kid who didn’t know what sex was, I assumed, when people went on honeymoon – mostly in Switzerland or Egypt, they danced and ran to each other in slow motions and BAM, that was it. I was proven very, very wrong at 12 when I read my first ever Jude Deveraux. But, that’s a story for another time.

So today evening, as I walked back home, blushing pink with a huge cheeky smile plastered on my face from just listening to two songs, it occurred to be – I can’t be the only one who has a few songs like these – the kind that would make one blush in a busy room.

I can’t, right? 

 

Happiness Collides

Happiness collides,
With a little sorrow and mumbling lies.
Knew you from a time before,
Knew enough, to know you more.
You continue looking,
Straight into my eyes.
Talking in another language,
I couldn’t confide.

I still remember the softness
Of your beautiful eyes.
I miss the way you looked at me,
And how you made me smile.
All those pretty flowers,
On the day things went bad.
I also remember the day,
You left me, sad.

There’s this happiness,
And an old melancholy.
It’s like from another time,
We knew and when we met.
Formality and manners,
Greetings and words.
What have we come to-
From lovers to this?

I hug you tight,
And you hold me close.
We don’t talk of the past,
Just smile at us.
I still feel the fireworks,
The little, that are left.
I still feel the happiness,
And the sorrow, that we fell.

I cannot understand what this is,
What this meeting meant.
I have nothing bad to swear,
Only good feelings to bear.
So, one thing went wrong,
And it was a big blunder.
But, what we had,
I’d cherish forever.

Hope, you.

The gush of the wind,
Awoke my slumber,
I reached for my phone,
Nothing again, I trembled.
Languishing with my thoughts,
Awaiting escape to another slumber.

Whole twinkling passes,
Nothing again, I know.
My imagination runs with wings,
Thinking my phone would ring.
You’d want to come back,
I wouldn’t have to ask,
You would, you would call.

But, I told you not to.
Never to call again.
Yet, at every tick,
I hope it’s you.

The sound of my own breath,
Too loud, yet empty.
In this lull of the night,
If I could wish for you,
I might.
Hope falls like dried leaves of fall,
Nothing again, tempted to look.
Fallen daisies, hyperbole anticipations,
Empty answers and my fragmenting heart.
I told you not to, but I hope you do.

Eiffel Tower in others’ Instagram Pictures

It’s easy to find myself dreaming of Paris by just looking at my Instagram quickly when I’m taking a break from my laptop at work. So, while I’m taking a break and wanderlusting of Paris, come on a quick inspirational journey to the Eiffel Tower with me.

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@topparisshops ❤️💝 For the best places to shop in Paris @topparisshops 💕 💖💕TOP Paris 📷 par @patrickcolpron • #topparisphoto Allez sur la galerie à la une pour partager les likes !! Look at the featured gallery to share the L❤️VE #thisisparis #communityfirst

A post shared by Paris (@topparisphoto) on Sep 13, 2017 at 8:54pm PDT

 

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Good morning Paris☁️🍂 Photo by me (@ouiphoto_france ) , model & dress @anna_sopkalova 💕// Сегодня большой день! Пожелайте мне удачи💪🏻💕

A post shared by Anna | PHOTOGRAPHER IN PARIS (@annayakovleva_com) on Sep 8, 2017 at 12:08am PDT

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La vie en rose #kissinparis #kissinpariscom

A post shared by Paris Photographer (@kissinpariscom) on Sep 14, 2017 at 7:45am PDT

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Tour Eiffel, Paris, France, campaign for @ohmylook.msk & @g.bar.kiev, model: @ververa // Совсем недавно узнала, кто дизайнер 2 из 8 платьев нашей невероятной парижской кампании. Этого и белого на фото с пузыриками. Оказывается, и мы же их платье и в Прованс брали, уже другое, голубое, скоро будет. Это @yoostudioofficial – у них очень-очень-очень красивые платья.

A post shared by Kristina Makeeva↟Kotleta↟Timon (@hobopeeba) on Aug 9, 2017 at 4:54am PDT

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Soulful evening in France, Paris, model: @ververa / for @ohmylook.msk & @g.bar.kiev // Душевный парижский вечер

A post shared by Kristina Makeeva↟Kotleta↟Timon (@hobopeeba) on Aug 31, 2017 at 8:49am PDT

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La mia Paris ❤️ la plus belle ville du monde!!! Malgré l'obscurité profonde Son éclat ne peut être assombri… #eiffeltower #impastastorie #hosceltodiessereonesta . . . . . Bonjour sognatrici dopo la bellissima serata di ieri con le mie amiche genovesi (trovate tutto su igstories) oggi momento nostalgia! Ma presto torno cara la mia Paris prima però faccio un salto in… Indovibate? sorpresa 😜😘😘😘 #paris #beautifuldestinations #merveilledefrance #topparisphoto #disneylandparis #communityfirst #hello_france #love_paris #igersparis #loves_paris_ #instafrance #super_france #toureiffel #thisisparis #Парижe #巴黎 #باريس #パリ #myparis #bbctravel #travelgram #igersitalia #parisjetaime #mytravelgram #notredame #whpmood #theweekoninstagram

A post shared by Micaela (@impastastorie) on Aug 11, 2017 at 5:45am PDT

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Follow @topparisresto !! @topparisresto 💖💖💕TOP Paris 📷 par @katie.one • #topparisphoto Allez sur la galerie à la une pour partager les likes !! Look at the featured gallery to share the L❤️VE #thisisparis #communityfirst

A post shared by Paris (@topparisphoto) on Aug 3, 2017 at 1:50pm PDT

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Bastille day 🇫🇷 one of my best pic of this year | #ryadoug A7RII

A post shared by Ryad Guelmaoui | Paris (@ryadoug) on Jul 15, 2017 at 12:10pm PDT

 

 

Book Review: ‘The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris’ by Jenny Colgan

This book gave me legit diabetes. It was too sweet from the start to the finish, given it’s got a title that mentions ‘chocolate’.

The book has two protagonists, Anna and Claire- Claire used to be Anna’s French teacher- and Anna’s miserable accident landed her in the hospital, and for Claire, it was another chemo session. Claire encourages Anna (a chocolate taster, if you will), to go to Paris to work in the shop of an acquaintance. Anna, with no other options, actually ends up going.

That’s where the real story begins. The book delves a lot into flashbacks, which show us Claire in Paris as an 18-year-old- how it changed her and how she fell in love, more like who she fell in love with. What follows is a story that unfolds and builds as the plot thickens and bits start to make more sense.

There are delicious mentions of chocolate, and one very sexy man (Anna’s).

Without giving away too much of the plot, the book is about two women who fall love in with Paris and are never the same again. With a predictable plotline, I pretty much knew where the book was going and what was going to happen next. Although it had a few twists and turns, and one particular character change that I did not expect. Yet, what made me keep reading was the delicious descriptions of the chocolate and Paris. The story goes a bit flat in the middle and you’re just stuck reading and hoping this bit flies through quickly.

What made me keep reading was the delicious descriptions of the chocolate and Paris. The story goes a bit flat in the middle and you’re just stuck reading and hoping this bit flies through quickly.

It’s got several characters, all of whom who play some kind of an important role in pushing the story and forming the story line. My favourite has to be Claire’s ex-husband who was so kind and polite- and I would have loved to read and see his plot more.

The book, like fresh chocolate, is warm and delicious and leaves you happy and sad. Happy that you’ve devoured it, and sad that it’s already gone. It’s the perfect book to read on a long weekend.

You can order your copy on Book Depository!

 

Book Review: ‘A Kept Woman’ by Louise Bagshawe

‘A Kept Woman’ was a birthday present from my friend, Lucy (Hi Lucy!!). She appreciates my taste for cheesy romance novels and the author being one of her favorite, she wanted me to read her. Needless to say, I was super excited!

So, after having it for 2 months, I finally got around to reading it (in my defense, I just bought 16 new books!).

The plot revolves around Diana Foxton nee Verity. A British beautiful lady who has just married a media mogul and moved to NYC. She’s hosting the fanciest parties that everyone wishes to be invited to, she’s shopping like there’s no tomorrow and is in general giving the spoiled princess vibe. Meanwhile, “dear” Mr. Ernie Foxton, her husband, is firing people left and right in the publishing company he’s heading and sleeping with random women.

In comes Michael Cierco, a small publishing guy who is trying to make it big. Ernie first convinces Cierco to join his publishing giant company- and somehow, to prove her husband something, Diana ends up working for Michael. Though they are equally hard working, and kinda totally attracted to each other, they don’t get along.

Fast forward a few chapters, Ernie fires Michael, lets Diana (purposely) walk into a room of him (Ernie) and his mistress. This results in an angry Michael and even angrier Diana. What follows is Diana and Michael starting their own company and struggling their way up from dust.

That’s all of the plot I’m going to tell you but that’s because I don’t want to give anything away. It was a really nice book and made for some interesting bath reads. (I didn’t get too much time to devour it in one sitting).

With brilliantly elegant descriptions of their sex lives, and an essential back story that is somewhat realistic- it is an excellent read for those enjoy themselves a little contemporary romance. I know that I do. When I finished the book, the first thought that popped into my mind was that it was essentially a Mills & Boon with a well-written and worded story.

Diana’s character and feelings are very elaborate and help paint quite a picture of her character. She was easy to relate to and did not come across as a do-goody heroine- which is the case in several books. I wish she’d given more on Michael- because he sounded like a darn good character.

I’d say, buy the book and take it with you for a long flight read or to a beach vacation- it’s perfect for a relaxing read!