Alice does Dhruvi? The Stateless #Shortreal

Alice # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

I can’t believe it has taken me so long to write about this. I’ve been busy (okay, doesn’t work as an excuse), WordPress seemed clunky when my laptop was away (kinda legit). But hey, I’ve gotten down to it.

So… a lot of you already know that I featured in a Stateless Media #shortreal. Stateless Media is an interesting global media company that doesn’t operate out of any one place and experiments with the storytelling form. One of their signature series of films is titled Shortreals. They are short documentary films on real people. And their latest offering is called Dhruvi. Where yours truly appears in and as Dhruvi. I can’t believe I can type that!

Now I’ve been open to people I know about the struggles of being single and the dating chronicles that have followed. I have been dubbed the ‘relationship expert’ or ‘dating queen’ by those around. Fairly so. I’ve written relationship pieces for various publications and on this blog as well. I’ve been meaning to write a memoir on the subject and received a lot of encouragement from my peers. So, it’s not a surprise that I jumped in response to a tweet asking single desi ladies to speak about dating desi men. Duh! It’s practically what my alter-ego does while living.

Continue reading Alice does Dhruvi? The Stateless #Shortreal

Just the solution we needed to our skin and hair troubles: Remedico

Alice # # # # # #

What’s worse than having skin or hair trouble? Finding a good dermatologist in the city. And it gets tougher from then on. I’ve gone through the grind. Visited dermatologists an hour’s ride away from where I live. Waited in their clinics for several hours. Met with them, felt worse about my skin. Paid huge consultation fees. Been suggested some fancy peels. Bought expensive medicines. Gone back to them for follow ups. Felt good for a while. And then some other concern has popped up. Repeat the grind.

I’m the first to confess that I neglect dermatological issues sometimes because I can’t spare that much time for a doctor’s visit. It really throws everything off schedule.

But guess what? We live in a time and age of technology and innovation. So… *drumroll* Remedico came to my rescue. As much as I’m sounding like a tele products seller or infomercial host, Remedico really is a hassle free solution.

Continue reading Just the solution we needed to our skin and hair troubles: Remedico

Idea + Fashion + Technology = An Innovative 3Dwalla Project

Alice # # # # # # #

What do you think of when I say the word 3D?
Your favourite Hollywood franchise film?
3D glasses?
An illusion created by some technology that is 3 dimensional?

What do you think of when you read 3D print?
A holograph?
A 2 dimensional image that looks different from a different viewing angle?

What comes to your mind when I say fashion?
You think of clothes?
An attitude?
Your favourite high street brand?

Okay, okay, I know I’m asking too many questions and not giving you answers.

I’ve recently been acquainted with 3D printing. Now, I’ve known about this technology for some time because I’m a fashionable tech geek. But I’ve only been able to see it, experience it and feel it about 2 months ago. And I’m amazed every single time, including now.

Thanks to my long-standing love affair with fashion (watching old seasons of Project Runway included), my inherent interest in technology (I have my dad to thank) and this blog, I was invited to 3Dwalla‘s workshop in Lower Parel, Mumbai.

3Dwalla is a relatively young company that provides its customers with prints beyond paper. They can take your idea from imagination to reality or give 3D life to a design you have. So, when fashion design student Devanshi Shah approached Monik Shah of 3Dwalla with an idea for an innovative final year project, they collaborated to produce something special.

Continue reading Idea + Fashion + Technology = An Innovative 3Dwalla Project

Songstress Natania Lalwani’s Prisoner Has Me Rethinking Freedom

Alice # # # # # # # # #

I was acquainted with Natania‘s music (Box You Up) before I was acquainted with the lovely girl she is. Her first association with me was that of Mindy Kaling.

Our paths crossed in Los Angeles. And she was kind enough to let me live in her LA home for close to 2 weeks. Of free will, I slept on her couch. And it was more freeing than being imprisoned on a hotel bed.

Natania

Natania is one of the strongest, determined, soulful girls I know. She has overcome hardships so beautifully that one forgets she might be affected. Living with her taught me that age is never a bar to chase your dreams. That a free spirit always lends a home to lost souls.

I’ve always obsessed over her music when she has sent me tracks I’ve requested. Her music is so special, everyone deserves to be touched by it.

In a world where music is becoming a sick language, Natania’s melodies are healing me and helping me find my true self.

It’s no surprise then that her latest single, Prisoner has me grooving. It has helped me rid myself of my own trappings.

Continue reading Songstress Natania Lalwani’s Prisoner Has Me Rethinking Freedom

Voices Against Unfair Employment | The Impact Of Honest Writing

Alice # # # # # # # #

On Monday night, I finally broke the silence and wrote a blog highlighting instances that led to me to take a very strong decision in 2017. I realise that my refusal to be an employee on payroll 2017 onwards is a personal decision that I have arrived at after taking into consideration several factors. I also have immense faith in myself as far as talent and skill is considered. But it takes a fair amount of courage, hope and honesty to put it out there.

The most prized validation I’ve wanted to achieve for my writing is to make an impact. I poured my heart out minus the emotion and let the blog take its own course. When I woke in the morning, there was a slow trickle of messages, Facebook likes and so on. Before I knew it, friends were tagging their friends in the comments of the Facebook post, people I had known probably a decade or more ago and not spoken with since were sending me private messages on Facebook.

The message was common. It was an honest, relatable piece that had given them the courage to agree with me and be glad I had spoken up. Across roles, positions and even industries, the employment situation is heavily imbalanced and rather unfair. Someone, even if it is me, had to call this out and set the ball rolling.

I’m not sure about or predicting anything else. But as of now, I’m leaving you with the voices that emerged. If you have something to say too, leave a comment or message me privately on any social media platform. I hear you!

Continue reading Voices Against Unfair Employment | The Impact Of Honest Writing