Some cravings are big!

It’s unfortunate that I have to rethink titles for this blog post in attempt to make it sound not dirty. And yet, I fail.

So, you know there are those days in every girl’s life when you crave bizarre things? I will never get over craving ‘kamrak’ when I was fasting? I mean, tangy green star-shaped fruit, really?

"kamrak" and mangoes anyone?

As you guys already know, I have a major sweet tooth. I open the fridge every now and then hoping to find some exotic chocolate. It usually doesn’t work. I must eat a sweet dish to end my meal, as much as possible! I’m being truthful.

As I mentioned earlier, over a month and a week ago was my birthday. My best friend had declared the theme to be ‘Alice in Wonderland’. We found some fun plates, glasses and stirrers. Even then, I was stressing too much, hoping to find cakes and drinks around the house, shrinking and blowing me up as and when I please. I had to snap out of Wonderland, because that wasn’t happening.

What did happen though was a giant cupcake. I gifted myself one on my birthday. There’s no better cure to mood-swings than generous doses of self-love. Try it!

Isn’t it sweet? I enjoyed it a little too much. You can get yourself one by placing an order a day in advance at Butterfly in Khar. For details, click here.

I think it’s really sweet to have messages written in icing on your cake.

Although, not everyone will take it in the right spirit. Remember, Miranda in Sex & the City freaking out when she reads ‘I Love You’ written on a giant chocolate chip cookie. She eats all of it by herself!

I love birthdays and presents and cakes! And right now, I’m craving a giant cupcake. Since I know I’m not getting one more, a triple scoop hot fudge ice-cream sundae would be nice. :)

image via pitchengine.com

What are your big cravings? Did you ever get yourself a giant dessert?

A fat cat’s birthday at a cafe

So, in this case, the fat cat is still me. *cheshire smile* You see, I have this strange affection for the feline monsters. Maybe it began with an admiration for Garfield. But over the years, the cat and I have found a comfortable sweet spot.

On my birthday, a month and a week ago, I was sulking like a cat. I demanded to be taken to a fancy place for grub. For the record, I DON’T like Indian Chinese food. There weren’t too many options and not too much time. My patient friend resorted to the good women at Brown Paper Bag for a recommendation. (Of course, you have checked out their website here?)

Therefore… as is always appropriate in the universe where everything is about me, we were directed to the Fat Cat Cafe. :P

Photograph: Aniruddha Guha

Earrings – Thrift store, China | Shirt – H & M, Hong Kong | Bag – Cath Kidston

So, anyway, once we were at the restaurant, we left it up to the chef to delight us.

For starters, we were offered wine soaked mushrooms. They were delicious.

Let me say this upfront, I don’t like alcohol. I can’t digest it. I like my drink to taste good. As pretty much anyone would tell you, the solution to that is a wine cocktail. So, there were two on our table. An orange mimosa and a sangria. Both were yummy!

As for the mains, the vegetarian offering was a slightly dry pasta with a garnish of cheese. It had the word tangerine in its description, something that always wins my heart. Aniruddha, my accomplice claims the prawns were the best he had eaten in a while. The presentation of both dishes was really interesting.

It was only their first week and they weren’t serving desserts. But I made cat face and they whipped up a brownie in honour of the birthday girl. Well, they were also offering them to all the other customers on the house. :P

Photographs: Dhruvi Shah, Aniruddha Guha

So, yeah, we had a great time on our first visit there. Although it was heavy on our pockets. The second glass of wine might have something to add to that. :S

Having recommended it to all our friends and family, we went back in three weeks. The absolute contrasting experience we had left us dumbfounded. The wine soaked mushrooms to begin with were a hit. The wine cocktails were lacking in wine content. Everything we ordered after that was a downhill ride. The starters were strictly mediocre tasting. The homemade pasta served with green apple butter was far from pleasing. It was rather indigestible for its odd colour and smell. We had to resort to potato wedges to save us.

Anyway, take a chance if you may. Their adorable name is very inviting. Visit their site for details here or like their facebook page here.

Poetry of Life | Gulzar

Itna lamba kash lo yaaro
Dum nikal jaaye
Zindagi sulagaao yaaro
Gham nikal jaaye

- Gulzar

Someone who asks you to take such a deep breath of life
And burn your sorrows with your inner fire
Must definitely know what he’s talking about…

Happy birthday Gulzar sa’ab

I’m walking down memory lane, an inspired soul,
like many others, whose lives have been touched

The year was 1999. I was all of 12.

I had no understanding or interest in the world of politics,

Current affairs and general knowledge subjects
(In school and otherwise), were merely that

In the language of my life, they were Greek and Latin.

It was perhaps the poetry of song and lyrics,
That made my world go by.

Like the pitter patter of raindrops today
And a whiff of birthday celebration in the air

There was a buzz in my immediate environment
Of this film, Hu Tu Tu.

It was during those mid-school breaks
Spent on sets in small locales
That I learnt the early dynamics of filmmaking

On one hand, short stories of English,
Whispered in my ears tale of their land.
While in the interiors of my own homeland,
I was learning the poetry of life.

The English Graduate

It is extremely fitting then, in the year 2010
Just a decade from when I was 12…

I’m pursuing my higher studies in the literature of English,
Strolling through University lawns,
Filling up forms amidst the buzz of absorbing students
Putting pen to paper, writing my stream of consciousness…

Gulzar

Like the other happy co-incidences
Perhaps already beautifully planned for my life

It is this great writer’s birthday
When I make it to the University

Beginning my preparation in the classics,
Reading from the renaissance to modern eras

Love, Dhruvi

Birthday cards | Saif Ali Khan

A big happy birthday shout-out to Saif Ali Khan.
He’s an actor I have grown to like over the years.
With Love Aaj Kal, I have simply become a fan.

At the press screening, he greeted us at the entrance.
He’d overheard the conversation we were having while crossing the street.
He’s sharp like that.

I’d worn my custom-made Chor Bazaari inspired kurta.
Apparently, theme dressing for screenings is my thing.
But I’m more than happy to do it. :)

In all this Love Aaj Kal ness…

Look what I came across while reading the GQ.
I had loved his cover shoot. The pictures were so in sync with a fab interview.
I have a soft spot for the particular picture listed below.
You’re going to find out why very soon.

Meanwhile, do take the poll. Either on twitter or here.

Saif Ali Khan | Castle of cards

Saif Ali Khan | Relationships are fragile

I dig Saif Ali Khan’s style.
With the help of colleagues,
I have answers to so many questions.
I shall go through the archives to link you to some fun style interviews.

Until then, as a tribute to Love Aaj Kal (one of my top rated films),
the original Chuck Taylor Converse shoe (my top rated footwear),
and luck favoured shopping sprees,
a DIY shopping escapade for your eyes only…

Saif Ali Khan | Shopping

Saif Ali Khan | DIY shopping

If there is a look you really like and want to recreate for yourself,
or you’re looking for a personal shopper to understand your references,
you know I can be of service to you, just leave a comment or contact me via email :)

Photographs: Dhruvi Shah

Coasters

If you would like to place an order for some coasters,
contact me via email (alicewandering25@gmail.com)
or just leave a comment and I will get in touch with you.

So, how do you like your coffee?

Hot chocolate

I prefer hot chocolate. Especially from Costa Coffee. They have the right mix.

I hate spilling. So, I made my own coasters. Inspired by a coaster.
It reads: MAKE-DO AND MEND | a ball of wool bobs on a placard:
“Mend and make-do to save buying new.”

Mugs on coasters

For Aniruddha’s ‘At the Movies’ theme birthday, we gave away coasters as take-home gifts and something to remember the night by.
I kept Love Aaj Kal and Watchmen, for obvious reasons.

Available in 50 and more designs.

At the movies

They work great as party decor, gifts, take-aways,
and I use the concept to make more versatile items as well.

Cheers to a hot cuppa coffee! :*

Photographs: Dhruvi Shah