Pearl Academy Portfolio 2015 - a Fashion Extravaganza

Creativity, fashion and glamour...the coming together of these three elements makes for an eye catching extravaganza, and in the week gone by, I got an interesting opportunity to cover one such intricately planned and executed extravaganza - Portfolio 2015, the annual graduating event of the renowned Pearl Academy. Held at NSIC Exhibition Ground, Okhla, New Delhi, Pearl Academy Portfolio 2015 marked the entry of trained students into the professional realm of creative businesses. Spread across 3 days, the event had lots of fashion and fun packed together, with graduating students not just putting up their best creations on display but also sharing their vision about their area of expertise. And icing on the Portfolio 2015 cake was the presence of ace fashion designer Manish Malhotra, who graced the event with his presence and shared words of professional wisdom with the graduating students.

Day 1 at Portfolio 2015 was spent taking in the engaging catalogues, art pieces and captivating designer items created by the students from all the graduating batches across the 4 schools of the Pearl Academy - School of Fashion, Styling and Textiles; School of Communication, Media & Film; School of Design; and School of Creative Business.

This exhibition put together by the students was a treat for the eyes - from lovely clothes with beautiful patterns and motifs, to quirky stationary items to recycled products, every single exhibit had something unique to offer.

While the designer clothes had everyone yearning to own them, other artistic creations were no less attractive. There were a lot of items that were high on the quirk element - coffee mugs, cushions, little trinkets and home décor display items were some such stuff that caught everyone's fancy. Besides these various innovative art installations too kept the visitors engaged.

Day 2 of Portfolio 2015 was all about panel discussions, grand fashion shows and of course the Guest of Honour, designer Manish Malhotra. The excitement about his visit was pretty apparent and when he finally arrived to address the students, it was a proud moment for both the students and the faculty. A superbly put-together fashion show was what followed next where students got the opportunity to showcase their designing talent before Manish Malhotra.

At Portfolio 2015, while the creative brilliance of graduating students left everyone mesmerised, their passion and professional approach towards the event and towards putting the exhibits together was something that impressed me the most. Indeed this professionalism together with their innate creativity and training at Pearl Academy will go a long way in establishing them as successful professionals in their chosen fashion domain.

About Pearl Academy

Founded in 1993, Pearl Academy is India’s largest private institution in design, fashion and creative businesses, and delivers over 30 uniquely designed under-graduate, post-graduate and professional programs through its 4 campuses in Delhi, NOIDA, Jaipur and Mumbai.

Pearl Academy was earlier known as ‘Pearl Academy of Fashion’. Over the past few years, this brand has evolved from being known as a cradle to fashion designers to India’s largest higher education institute offering courses in design, fashion and creative businesses. These courses are broadly categorized under 4 Schools: 

• School of Fashion, Styling & Textiles
• School of Design
• School of Communication, Media & Film
• School of Creative Business

PORTFOLIO 2015 – Portfolio is Pearl Academy’s annual graduating event where all the students from the graduating batches of various courses across 4 schools showcase their final projects in the form of exhibitions, presentations and fashion shows.

Future of Travel and Fashion in the App-only World

Long winding mountain roads, rain drenched ancient temples and churches, bustling gurudwaras and quaint hillside villages – the month of April was spent soaking all this and more as I travelled across different states, hopping from one bus to another with my little rucksack in tow. What made travel by public transport easier was the fact that I had packed light, deciding to give my laptop and bulky DSLR a break and instead opting to rely solely on my smartphone for all my camera and internet needs. And trust me my trusty phone never let me down! From capturing treasurable travel moments, to helping with the directions while on unfamiliar trails to taking care of my shopping whims on the go, my smartphone was my most trusted and sought after companion while on the road.

'App-only' is the way to go

Come to think of it, one cannot thank technology enough for encapsulating so much of the world in these small wonders called smartphones. Imagine, there are thousands and thousands of applications in there to take care of all our big and small needs. From our newspapers, to our favourite online stores – it’s all in there! And the way technology is moving, the apps-only world is not far away. Why, many web portals are  looking at wrapping up their web presence and opting for mobile-only mode, thanks to our ever increasing reliance on our smartphones and their growing popularity all over the world.

In this Myntra, India’s biggest fashion retailer has already taken the lead and announced the decision to close its web and mobile websites and operate its business solely through mobile application or app. A very visionary decision, one must say given the huge shift of young buyers from websites to mobile apps. If I were to take myself as an example, I am glued to my phone for some work or the other for my phone is my multitasking device, from answering mails, to reading top news of the day to microblogging, to posting photos on Instagram – my phone is my most used gadget. Now in between all this multitasking, why bother to turn on the laptop to log on to my favourite shopping site when the site’s app is right there on my phone. Shopping right through the smartphone app not just makes the process more quick and convenient but also saves me the hassle of putting my other tasks on hold.

'App-only' is the way to go

There’s no doubt that with their decision to go app-only Myntra has set off a new trend in the Indian online shopping scenario. This trend that will most definitely be picked up by other players in the eCommerce domain in the coming times, for given our increasing usage of smartphones, the mobile-only approach works in favour of both the buyers and the retailers, as both of them will have their efforts concentrated on just one shopping platform, rather than juggling web portal, mobile websites and mobile apps simultaneously.

Redefine Your Smartphone Experience With ASUS Zenphone 2

After sparking a revolution of sorts in the mobile market with the launch of its ZenFone series of smartphones, Taiwanese brand ASUS is set to introduce another flagship device in the India market - the ASUS ZenFone 2 (ZE551ML), with a massive 4-GB RAM and some high-end technology upgrades to its previous ZenFone devices. And with of kind of interest and  curiosity the phone has created even before its launch, it looks like all ZenFone fans are looking forward to getting their hands on the new ASUS ZenFone. 

As a ZenFone fan, I for one am really looking forward to enhancing my smartphone experience with the ASUS ZenFone 2. I already have a ZenFone C and ZenFone 5 in the family, and it's the addition of advanced specs and a more ergonomic design that has made ZenFone 2 too worth coveting. If I were to list down reasons on why I feel ASUS ZenFone 2 will most definitely  redefine my smartphone experience, then the following 5 reasons would figure in the list.

1. 13MP PixelMaster Camera - Yes, I will start with the camera first, because as a travel blogger, my biggest concern and priority is getting good photos, and that too without hassle. When one is travelling and needs to get moments captured quickly while on the go, there's hardly any time to get the bulky cameras out. And during  such  moments, having a good phone camera really comes handy. With specs like 13MP PixelMaster rear camera, capturing precious travel moments would be more fun than ever. 

Plus since most of my travel photos are captured on phone cameras, a better phone camera would only ensure that I rely more on my camera phone rather than exhausting energy on tugging cameras along.

2. 64-bit Intel Atom Processor with 4GB RAM - So far as the tech specs go, ASUS ZenPhone 2 is powered by 64-bit Super Quad Core Intel Atom Processor, and has a whopping 4GB of RAM. Also it comes with an Intel LTE-Advances modem for 4G/LTE connectivity. Of course this up-gradation  s going to make web surfing and performing other tasks on the phone super slick.

3. More personalised ZenUI Experience - On the ASUS ZenFone 2, the ZenUI too has been upgraded with more features added to make the phone more personalised and user-friendly.

The brand new ZenUI on ZenFone 2 comes with exquisite visual design and boasts of a variety of new features such as ZenMotion, SnapView, Trend Micro Security and ZenUI instant updates that enhance usability, ensure security and privacy, and deliver a seamless user experience. Besides this, it's brighter and there are also multiple themes to chose from.

4. BoostMaster Technology - If snail speed of battery recharging figures in your phone woes list, then it's time you switch your phone to ASUS Zenfone 2, for it comes with BoostMaster Technology, that helps charge the ZenFone at double the regular speed. 

 

ASUS BoostMaster Technology is ASUS-exclusive technology that charges devices much faster than traditional speeds. So with this technology you need not have to worry about your phone taking forever to charge. In just 39 minutes, your ZenFone 2 battery will be 60 percent recharged.

5. Ultra-Thin Ergonomic Arch Design - The ASUS ZenFone 2 is beautiful to look at. While the technical specifications of the yet to be launched ZenFone 2 have already won me over, it's luxurious design is like icing on the cake. 

I am sure it's going to look good in people's hand, and if you thought that the plastic back panel of the previous ZenFones was a let down, then the fancy brushed metal finish of the back panel of ZenFone 2 is sure going to cheer you up. Then there's also the 1920x1080 Full HD IPS Display to look forward too, for the clarity it will give to the screen display would be interesting to check out.

ASUS Zenfone 2 is another brilliant product from ASUS stable, and with the kind of features the phone has incorporated, it will definitely pique buyers' curiosity in India. It's set to be officially unveiled on the 23rd of April, when the price tag of the various models of the phone would also be revealed. The unveiling event will also have bloggers in attendance, so stay tuned for more updates on the ASUS Zenfone 2.

Do Right: Help Varanasi's Boat School

The population of our country is bursting at its seams and we cannot harp enough on the vicious circle of issues and concerns that the problem of overpopulation leads to. No amount of infrastructure development seems to be able to cope with the alarming rate at which our population keeps expanding. Literacy is the most basic requirement for a country's economic growth, but how can we aspire to march steadily ahead on the road to development, if a huge section of our people have no access to quality education? India currently has the largest population of illiterate adults in the world with 287 million, which is 37 percent of the global total.

As per the India4India Survey conducted under Tata Capital's Journey of Doing Right initiative, illiteracy is the biggest challenge facing our nation. So it's imperative that we all come forward and contribute our bit in helping overcome the illiteracy menace. And while we contemplate about how to make a difference in the dismal literacy statistics of our country, we can take inspiration from men like Ajeet Singh, who are doing their bit in ensuring that the less privileged children of Varanasi are not deprived of basic education. These less privileged children are those that hang around the ghats of river Ganges, engaged in some petty activity or the other. Many of these spend their time trying to make a living out of fetching coins out of the river, while many others are engaged in some other small trade or aimless wanderings.

Mr. Ajeet Singh's Boat School, started under his NGO Guria, came as a blessing for all of them, for here they first experienced the joys of learning and first sampled delicious taste of education.

It is so heart-warming to see these little kids talk about their 'boat school' in such glowing words. And to imagine that had it not been for men like Mr. Ajeet Singh, these kids would have instead been on the streets, engaged in petty brawls or just probably just toughening up to prepare for the harshness that they assumed life had in store for them. But thanks to education, they now know better and are full of dreams and aspirations. They now want to explore the magical world education and for their dreams to become a reality, the onus is on us.

For any school to run efficiently it needs funds. Ajeet Sigh's magical 'Boat School' is no exception. The students here need basic facilities like a computer, stationery, a library, and educational toys. Besides these, this innovative school is in need of some quick repair, restoration and renovation too, for with Mr. Singh's meagre funds, it's difficult to keep the school going without running into obstacles. So if we all come together and contribute towards this cause of Varanasi Boat School, it will definitely give these children, a better learning environment. 

About the Do Right - The Journey of Doing Right initiative 

Tata Capital's Do Right - The Journey of Doing Right initiative is about real stories of obstacles, sacrifices and challenges. These stories need our help for them to have a happy ending.
For more details about this heart warming initiative by Tata Capital, please do visit the Do Right website. Details of how you can donate funds and support the cause are given on the website.

Change Your Water, Change Your Health!

Water is life. Jal hi jeevan hai. Save water, save life. One cannot harp enough about the importance of water in our lives. Besides its other usefulness, one cannot emphasize enough its role in keeping us healthy. Keep yourself well hydrated is one of the basic good health mantra all the doctors give. Also, there's a significant rise in awareness about water purification and one can now hardly find a house without a water filter or RO system. But do you know that recent studies show that water from the Reverse Osmosis (RO) system or bottled water does not really give full-proof guarantee of being good for health.

Studies and research reveal that most of the tap water, RO water and distilled water contains acidic pH that causes our body to become more acidic. The water we consume has a positive ORP - Oxidation Reduction Potential - which could lead to a number of health problems like acidity, fatigue, constipation, headaches, arthritis, premature ageing, and even cancer. 

Studies also show that cooking food in purified water pulls the mineral out of it and lowers the nutrient value. So it's advisable that we opt for alkaline water that helps the body to get rid of acid waste.  So how to get your drinking water ionised? Here's where Hydro-Jal Plus comes into the picture. 

Hydro-Jal Plus is India's most advanced and compact water ionizer. It is a fully automatic alkaline waster ionizer which turns harmful acidic water into beneficial alkaline water by increasing its pH value through the process of ionization. Alkaline antioxidant water allows enzymes to work the way they should. Also the alkaline antioxidant water solves two of the major problems that cause ageing an disease - low pH and free radicals.  Here are some more significant benefits of switching to alkaline ionized water -

Hydro-Jal Plus gives the most pristine ionized water and engages India's advanced ionization technology. If someone is drinking alkaline, ionized water with a pH between 8.5 and 9.5, then they are drinking water that is very antioxidant and can make an incredibly positive difference to their health. Besides the above mentioned benefits, here are some more reasons to switch to Hydro-Jal Plus - 

1. It throws out harmful toxins and slows down signs of ageing such as wrinkles and saggy skin.  
2. Alkaline antioxidant water is superiorly hydrating and instantly energizing. 
3. Ionized water improves mental clarity and concentration
4. Gives energy boost without extra calories
5. Provides more stamina and also boosts immune system supports better sleep
6. Reduces joint and muscle pain and relieves muscle cramps during workouts
7. Provides hydration without bloating and assists in weight loss
8. Improves digestion and metabolism and also boosts immune system

With renowned doctors and health experts giving nods of approval to Hydro-Jal Plus and the lifestyle benefits it promises, it only seems natural to give this product a trial.  To know more about the benefits and installation process of Hydro-Jal Plus, you can book a demo here. The demo session also includes free testing of acidic level of the drinking water.

Note: This is a promotional feature based on the literature available on Hydrojal Plus.

Gift Ideas for Your Best Friend: Perfume

'A woman who does not wear perfume has no future,' the iconic designer Coco Chanel famously said. While one may or may not agree with her opinion, one cannot deny the fact that perfumes make for great gifts. They are not just practical, but also hint at closeness with the recipient. Perfumes come in all kinds of variety - from tangy citrus based fragrances, to romantic floral ones to the one with more woody scent. With a plethora of fragrant options available out there, one can never really go wrong on what to pick up as a gift. Also while perfumes are perceived as a luxury item, there are perfumes available to suit all kinds of pocket. Depending upon the budget you can pick either pick a high-end designer perfume or buy sample-sized bottles or can even choose the regular affordable fragrance brands.

No doubt picking perfume as a gift for someone is an onerous task but if you are getting it for your best friend, you are most likely to know their preference in fragrance and so get it right all the time! But if you are someone who gets stuck with the choices available and find it difficult to pick 'that perfect fragrance', some simple tips and tricks can make sure that you do not go wrong with your choice. 

The easiest tip to keep in mind while going perfume shopping for your friend is keep their personality in mind. Don't pick up anything that is too extreme to what they are like. Also if you don't want to experiment with newer smells, then stick to the fragrance family your friend loves. You can also go in for a perfume that you know they already use - who wouldn't want their favourite perfume stock replenished! And last but not the least, if you don't know this already - cheap perfumes smell horrible and make for bad gifts! Don't pick them! 

Loafers at the Workplace - How to do it Right

A big hello to all fashion-forward men here! Winter has bid us goodbye, and before one could savour the fresh fragrance of spring, summer is upon us already. The temperatures are soon going to soar, so while you sit there dreading the sweltering days ahead, go on and stock up your wardrobe with summer essentials - cool cottons and luxurious linens! And so far as footwear is concerned, loafers and moccasins are the way to go this summer - style up your feet in trendy loafers for they are not just more comfortable in comparison to stuffy shoes and boots, but are also in vogue and make quite a fashion statement.

Loafers and moccasins have now become the best alternative to your regular boring office footwear - leather lace-up shoes. However it is imperative that one understands the difference between loafers and moccasins so they can pair them up with their clothes smartly. One basic difference between them is that while moccasins come with laces, loafers are without them. But then again because of them laces, do not confuse moccasins with your regular lace-up shoes - the laces on moccasins are just for style. Loafers on the other hand basically flat, slip-ons.

Both loafers and moccasins can be smartly teamed up with formal office wear. For a formal office look, you can pair them up with trousers and chinos. And if you are heading out for a party or informal outing, then you can team them up with denims, cargos and track pants. Make sure you pick up colours that suit your personality and clothing style - while black, brown and different shades of tan look great for office-wear, blue and maroon pep up casual wear. So what are waiting for, stock them up and get ready to flaunt your style sense. Besides, the old adage says that a man can always be judged by the shoes he wears, so if you are styled up in these trendy loafers, rest assured you are being judged as a man who knows his fashion! 

Happiness is...in Little Things!

March 20th marked the United Nation's International Day of Happiness. To commemorate the day, a lot of engaging events were organised across the world. Besides this, lots of surveys showcasing the research on happiness index in different countries were released, most of them putting European countries in the top 10. Various articles harping on the importance of finding happiness in little everyday things too made their presence felt on the many social media platforms, prompting me to reflect on the many things that make me happy. And to be honest, despite my lame cribbing about inconsequential this and that, I am thankful to God for the all the lovely reasons he has given me to be happy about - my family, the freedom to just me, the passion for travelling, a healthy body and mind...really there's so much to be happy about!

This beautiful video from Coca Cola too has got me wondering about the many happiness triggers around me. Check out the video and see for yourself!

See, how simple it is! To seek happiness from little things around us - all one has to do is pursue it intently and not let go of any moment that has the potential to bring smile on your lips and twinkle in your eyes. Now that I am going deeper into this, I am realising that all the moments I spend with my family are so beautiful. Even in a mundane day at home there's so much to be happy about - tea sessions with mom and dad, watching cricket with dad, doing laundry with mom, dad trying new recipes in the kitchen...there are times that I stop in my tracks and send out a silent prayer of thanks to the almighty for all the blessings he has bestowed on me. And yes, now that I am reminiscing about the things that make me happy, how can I miss family trips - long roads trips across mountains, listening to retro music, stopping at random roadside dhabas...ah sheer bliss!

There is something about road-trips that I believe brings family closer. I have seen friends believing otherwise, that family trips are mostly chaotic with one returning from the trip feeling more embittered than relaxed, but I really love travelling with family, with dad in the front seat, and mom and me in the back seat looking out of the window, talking about random things and watching the world go by. 

So yes, if you believe that happiness lies in fancy holidays and palatial houses, in latest iPhone and hi-tech gadgets, in branded clothes and designer handbags, then look around you and think again, for the little things that we tend to look through have so much potential to warm our hearts up. These little things are treasure trove of happiness which needs to be cherished and nourished. So let's all pursue them with all our heart and indulge in the joy and happiness we derive from them.

Stay Comfy With Trendy Casual Summer Footwear

Summer is knocking at the door and I am sure, like me, many of you are looking forward to pack off those bulky boots and shoes, and flaunt your oh-so-soft and fresh looking feet in some trendy and smart summer footwear! And believe you me, I have already started putting my new summer footwear collection together - smart flat footwear that's not just trendy but super comfortable too! Plus they come in all kinds of styles, designs and patterns, keeping in mind the tastes of all kinds of women - from a young girl to an old lady.

For women who are always on their toes (pun intended!), and do a lot of walking around, it's always advisable that they stick to flat footwear over those fancy but impractical heels. And who can deny the other advantage flat footwear offer - the ease of putting them on and taking them off! One doesn't need to look around for support while wearing them or taking them off, so if you are in a hurry, you know you can wear them or take them off in a jiffy. Also, you don't have to worry about tripping over or going off balance if you are rushing around.

While we all will agree that flat footwear are way more practical to wear than the heels, many of us might be of the opinion that flats do not look fancy or eye catching enough. But I guess this school of thought is soon becoming redundant for there are fun and trendy flat footwear available now, and that too at such reasonable prices that you will immediately want to invest in a few pairs! Trust me, for I have already done that! And my haul of trendy flats includes the super gorgeous golden kolhapuris shining above. And this is just one pair from the awesome collection! Now you go get browsing their wide range of trendy flats and I am sure in no time you too would be flaunting your own collection. Happy shopping!

Thank You, Family

'This is part of what a family is about, not just love. It's knowing that your family will be there watching out for you. Nothing else will give you that. Not money. Not fame. Not work.'

 - Mitch Ambom, Tuesdays with Morrie.

Real estate portal housing.com's heart-warming Look Up series is getting hearty thumbs ups in both the real and the virtual world. This series talks of optimism in not just the 'housing' domain, but also focuses on the importance of positivity and optimism in making the world a better place to live in. Inspired by the advertisement, people too are coming forward to share their look-up stories of determination and optimism. The brand's latest look up theme is togetherness, and reading about all the heart-warming stories of togetherness people are sharing has inspired me too to thank my family for all the love they have showered on me. They have stood by me through thick and thin, have motivated me every-time I have failed, have celebrated my success, and last but not the least, have admonished me for my reckless decisions.  Every time I have lost a battle with the world, I know there's a safe haven to take refuge in - my home, my family.

I recall this particular incident when I was down with typhoid and despite the medicines my fever raged on. I lay there listless on the bed, with my mother using cooling packs on my forehead to bring the temperature down. When nothing seemed to work, an appointment with doctor was hastily fixed for the evening. But as luck would have it, we were  5 minutes late for the appointment, so the doctor out-rightly refused to see us and after some pleading said that he will only see me once if was done with the other patients, and it was entirely up-to us if we wanted to wait.

Of course we wanted to wait, for my fever was raging and since we had already driven down this far, there was no other option but to wait my turn. So there I sat, that cold winter afternoon, trembling with fever, waiting for my turn at the doctor's chamber. Only if we knew what shocker lay ahead for us. After more than hour of waiting, when all the patients were dome with, the doctor's attendant came out to tell us that doctor saab's schedule has already stretched beyond the set time, and since we had already come late in the first place, so he won't be seeing any more patients now. 

God! While I was physically too exhausted to react to this update, my mother's face looked as if she was about to tear the place down with one hand. From a pleading, worried mother, she was now transformed into a force to reckon with and in a flash she was inside the doctor's chamber and I could hear her giving him a dressing down! And she went on for a good 5 minutes. Once she was done, she came out mumbling a victory note to herself, looking all in control, and helped me inside the doctor's chamber. Needless to say, the doctor who was all arrogant an hour ago, seemed to have lost all his arrogance in just 5 minutes of dressing down from my mother.

While the doctor examined me and checked through my reports, I couldn't help but be amazed at my mother's transformation from a pleading helpless woman to this strong woman who knew how to tackle an unpleasant situation on her own. That moment filled me up with so much pride and assurance that if your family is with you, no big or small issue trouble can bog you down. Together we will all sail through the troubles.