Posts in category: Life Style

There are roughly a hundred crows outside my window, staring straight through me like they know something I don’t. A textbook case of nighttime anxiety dressed up as something far more sinister. I stand frozen on the other side of the glass. Then they break in. They circle. They scream. They peck at my head. I wake up. It’s 4:09 AM.

This wasn’t a one-off. My dreams had grown jagged, absurd, increasingly vivid. That viral video of a crow chasing a dog? My brain repurposed it into a horror sequence. “It’s called the day residue effect,” explains Dr Vivek Barun, a neurologist and epilepsy specialist at Artemis Hospital. “The content we are exposed to before bed often shows up in our dreams.”

After I quit my full-time job in April, my routine dissolved. I stopped sleeping well. My nights became a carousel of Reddit rabbit holes, sea monster theories and ganji chudail videos. I’d stay up late, wake up unrested and carry a head full of racing thoughts, especially at night.

My therapist asked me to log my daily routine and a pattern emerged: the doomscrolling spiked first thing in the morning and just before bed. That’s when she pointed out that what I’m consuming right before sleep might be the problem. I was bringing nighttime anxiety into bed and wondering why I couldn’t rest.

Trying to cut screen time didn’t work. I’d want to log off Instagram, then find myself just one reel away from learning about a haunted palace in Rajasthan. The modern-day Chakravyuh is the infinite scroll. You think you’ve escaped, then you’re pulled back in by a recommended video about ghost towns in Himachal.

Then I stumbled onto a YouTube vlog where Aaliyah Kashyap casually mentioned she’d started watching children’s shows before bed and it helped her sleep. No preachy, prolonged routine. No blue light sermon. Just… cartoons. I was intrigued.

Ruchi Ruuhi, therapist and counselling psychologist, explained how slower narratives create a sense of temporal spaciousness, signalling the body to slow down. “This helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, lowers the heart rate and prepares the body for rest,” she said.

So that following night, I cued up an 11-minute episode of Oswald, the blue octopus with the bowler hat who once ruled my pre-school TV time. I also made a rule: no phone after 12:30 a.m.

There was a time, in my mid-twenties, when I became completely obsessed with why I was the way I was. I’d just been through a major break-up, and what followed was a period of intense and intentional soul-searching. I’d do my own tarot cards every night—yes, every night, even after the club. I got really into the Myers-Briggs test (I’m an “INFJ”), as well as my astrological birth chart (Libra sun, Virgo moon, Libra rising) and favourite love languages (mine is “words of affirmation”). I started seeing a psychotherapist weekly, and I also got heavily into the most accepted personality framework of all: attachment theory.

Attachment theory—the idea that we develop attachment styles in our early years, which then later inform our relationships—was first developed by psychoanalyst John Bowlby in the 1950s and 1960s. But the pop psychology version really gained freakishly widespread popularity after the 2010 release of Attached, a very digestible self-help book from Amir Levine and Rachel S F Heller, which basically dives into the different attachment styles and how they might show up in romantic scenarios. You probably already know the attachment styles by now, but if not, they can be loosely separated into four main categories: secure, anxious, avoidant and fearful-avoidant.

After discovering my own attachment style via a cursory online quiz (anxiously attached with shades of fearful avoidance—at the time, at least), I soon realised that attachment theory could, in fact, be the answer to all my questions. I felt anxious not because I had reason to, but because I was filtering my relationships through a scarcity mindset. I was being breadcrumbed by a situationship not because they were uninterested, but because they were a classic avoidant, afraid of too much intimacy and commitment. I was attracted to emotionally unavailable people not because they were objectively sexier, but because I felt comfortable in a place of yearning as opposed to security. It all clicked into place, like removing a clock face and unveiling the neatly designed cogs within.

Soon, I started to view everything through the lens of attachment theory, internally categorising every single person I came across into one of the four lanes. Someone took a week to respond to a message? Typical avoidant! Friend only interested in a guy after he pulled back after the third date? My anxiously attached bells are ringing! Date randomly ghosted after coming on incredibly strong? Do I sense a rare fearful avoidant? I even got weirdly obsessed with scrolling through anxious and avoidant subreddits late at night–r/anxiousattachment currently has 70.6k followers, while r/avoidantattachment has the much smaller 44k, a discrepancy that is so on-the-nose it’s laughable. Couples in pop culture were also viewed afresh—we all know where Carrie and Big fit on the attachment style continuum.

Cosmic tip: Instead of allowing your insecurities to consume you, have you tried asking your loved ones for support?

You know you want to get somewhere, but really, are you ready from within? Scorpio, how much load is too much load? Try asking yourself if the baggage you are carrying is even yours? And your angels and guides hop in to remind you that even when you may think it is your load to carry, you can always ask them to come in to assist you, because really, what is yours is theirs too. Tune in to your heart to check in and see what it really wants at the moment, and no, we are not talking about more ice cream! What would really make you feel like the weight is not yours to carry? Once you have an honest, non, guilt ridden non, non-judgmental answer, you simply have to ask the cosmos to deliver it to you.

Cosmic tip: You need not keep hustling. You can also choose alignment.

If you really look at it, there really is no choice. You think you may need to choose between love and money, you think you need to choose between growth and kinship. You think you need to choose between the material and emotional, Sag, and hence, you are unable to decide. But here is the thing, you don’t need to choose. The minute you are able to detach your fears from the likely outcomes that haunt you is the minute you will spot your Northstar, and then, there will be no looking back, because whatever you choose, you know you will ultimately win.

Cosmic tip: You are watched over, so take the plunge.

This is a new beginning, Capricorn. Whether you are travelling physically or within your mind, what remains is that you are most definitely exploring new worlds. Your mind is running in a million directions, and you are being guided to make note of all that is arriving at lightning speed. You know these balloon-like ideas you are holding in your hand may seem like they are a bunch of random thoughts, but in reality, they will eventually string together like a beautiful bouquet that comes with its own game plan. You are almost on the other side, one more step and you will arrive.

“Couture needs to be felt right from the moment you enter,” Karan Berry, creative director of Karleo, told Vogue India, “It needs to be presented in a certain way, and sensed before it’s seen.” At Karleo’s intimate couture preview of their latest collection in Dubai, curated by bridal stylist Couture with Christina, and in partnership with the Vogue Wedding Atelier, that ideal bloomed remarkably. Karan Berry and Leon Vaz, co-founders of Karleo, are ambassadors for the Vogue Wedding Atelier, a celebration of fine artistry and culture taking place in New Delhi, from August 8-10 at The Taj Palace.

Hannah Patsimo

At the showcase, guests were greeted with the soft cadence of a piano and the grounding, smoky scent of oudh. A private villa filled with scattered masterpieces set the tone for a breathtaking experience. The collection, titled Blooms of the World, is a love letter to flowers, with each piece inspired by a different flower like Japan’s delicate sakura, South Africa’s striking protea or India’s sacred lotus.

At the heart of Karleo’s design philosophy is love for duality, which shone through this endeavour. “It’s all very soft, dainty, delicate, yet bold. Like with everything else that we do at Karleo, we aimed to create magic from the mundane. And with every texture, every beat, that’s exactly where we ended up,” revealed Berry. Cut from fabrics like silk, tulle, duchess satin and crepe, Blooms of the World evolves seamlessly from evening wear with tea-length gowns, skirts and beaded corsets to bridal wear with a train and cape. “To see that kind of harmony come about as the collection progressed was beautiful for us,” shared Berry.

Traditional Indian dresses with modern Western style are examples of Indo-Western style. This aggregate creates particular and stylish garb that can be worn to formal gatherings in addition to casual get-togethers. You can certainly make an assertion and display your individuality by turning into a professional in Indo Western style.

Men`s Indo-Western outfits regularly mixes traditional pieces like kurtas with Western pieces like slacks and coats. There are some exceptional forms of women’s outfits, from sarees with fancy clothes to lehenga skirts with crop tops. It’s essential to recognize the way to place all of these items collectively to have a style appearance that is both appealing and well-balanced.

When bringing together the proper Indo Western look, it’s vital to select pieces that work well together and offer a combo of comfort and adaptability. You should be familiar with the satisfactory combinations of colors, fabrics, and patterns. Paying attention to that information permits you to prepare an outfit that could be a mirror image of your culture and modern style. Let’s move into the best methods for men and women to decorate to get that Indo-Western appearance.

When dressing in an Indo-Western style, men need to aim to include each traditional and contemporary piece. Some important things to hold in mind while you choose:

1. Kurta Paired with Pants

Fitted pants or chinos are an undying desire to go along with a kurta. This blend offers a modern appearance even as staying authentic to its traditional origins. For an easy-to-wear but fashionable kurta, choose silk or cotton.

2. Stylish Indo Western Jackets

Elevate your style with a fashionable jacket. Avoid wearing kurtas and, as an alternative, wear bandhgalas or Nehru jackets. These jackets provide an extensive variety of styles, from minimalist to elaborately embroidered, so that you can also wear them with something you choose.

3. Contemporary Sherwanis

Pick for sherwanis with modern silhouettes and styles for those unique occasions. For a more modern-day try wearing them with slim-fit pants in place of the traditional churidars.

4. Mix and Match

Combine unique elements without hesitation. To make a statement, combine and fit traditional jodhpurs or Dhoti pants with a Western-style shirt.

By keeping an eye on these details, you could create an Indo-Western combination that is both realistic and stylish. Make sure you appear wonderful by keeping an eye to the fabric and being in shape.

When it involves Indo-Western outfits for women can select from an extensive range of possibilities. In order to finish your wardrobe, you want the following items:

1. Dresses in Traditional Lehenga Style

An elegant opportunity is to wear a traditional lehenga paired with a modern crop top. Special events, including weddings, are named for this style. Make an announcement with vibrant shades and intricate patterns.

2. Stunning Indo-Western Suits

Choose outfits that blend Western tailoring with classic embroidery. With its combination of Western and traditional styles, the Mauve Party Wear White Pearl Embroidered Suit is perfect for formal events.

3. Sharara Collections

Sharara suits are each stylish and practical, thanks to their flared pants and quick kurtas. One desire that works for both more formal and more informal events is the Peacock Blue Sharara Suit.

4. Saree Dresses

The saree`s gracefulness and the gown’s comfort come together in a saree gown. Evening occasions and cocktail gatherings call for these ensembles. Try to discover patterns that characterize modern blouses and easy drapes.

5. Indian-Western Tunics

Pairing a tunic with leggings or jeggings is a great concept for extra informal events. This type of tunic is both fashionable and practical because it combines classic designs and fabrics with modern silhouettes.

With those basics, you may prepare an Indo-Western apparel that fits for each occasion. Make positive that the cut, materials, and association of every piece of garb match your particular fashion and the occasion you`re going to.

Skillful balancing is needed while combining traditional and Western attire. To assist you pull off an Indo-Western fashion that`s both elegant and functional, right here are a few pointers:

1. Efficient Use of Color and Pattern

Find stability through blending and matching solid-colored Western clothes with colourful traditional designs. For example, you can wear a traditional lehenga with a plain chambray shirt or a vibrantly printed kurta with plain pants.

2. Adding Layers

You can provide your outfit with more intensity through layering. Cover up your traditional kurta or saree with a denim jacket for a Western look. This aggregate brings warmth and elegance.

3. Pay Attention to Fit

Take care that the parts you mix and match fit snugly. Unbalanced garments are a fashion disaster waiting to happen. What makes a big impact are tailored jackets paired with traditional kurtas or well-fitting blouses and long skirts.

4. Explore a Variety of Shoes

The footwear you wear could have a primary effect on how your outfit turns out. See what occurs while you blend and match traditional juttis and mojris with Western apparel. Traditional apparel may be given a contemporary-day twist with the help of high heels or stylish boots.

You may also gain a unified fashion that mixes traditional touches with modern-day minimalism by specializing in those aspects.

Getting good at Indo Western fashion, it’s important to find the perfect balance between old and new styles. Men should make super and elegant garments with the aid of the use of kurtas with Western denims or jackets. Women can appear elegant and excellent with the aid of selecting from an extensive variety of styles, together with fusion fits and saree gowns.

When you blend traditional and Western garments, you want to consider elements like color, size, and the way to layer them. The right accessories can also make your outfit even great. Jewelry, bags, belts, and footwear can sincerely enhance the manner your Indo-Western outfit looks.

Try those suggestions to upgrade your garments and make each occasion special. Visit our online store to see a wide choice of Indo Western clothing. Let us help you look your best with our beautiful assortment.

Love—it’s something almost all of us want, right? But what kind of love do you dream of? Is it a quick, fiery, passionate love to see you through the summer? Or is it a slow burn—a lasting connection that will last for years to come?

As fun as the first option sounds, most of us would probably choose the latter. But finding a partner who is well-suited to you—not just for now, but for the future—can be pretty tricky. You probably look out for red flags. Maybe, you look to your favourite celebrity couple for some inspiration. Or perhaps, you find yourself turning to a different kind of star.

Astrology can be a great way to explore our personalities and understand how we might respond to the world around us, but it can be a great way to explore our partner’s place in the world too. Plenty of astrologers believe that star signs can indicate whether or not we’ll be a good match with someone. And, as it turns out, some zodiac sign pairings are particularly well-suited to long-term relationships.

What makes a good zodiac sign pairing?

According to astrology expert Inbaal Honigman, there are plenty of star signs that can be a good match—however, there are some that are extra magical. “Polar opposites can be some of the most bang-on astrological pairings,” she explains. Polar opposite signs occur when you and your partner are born roughly six months apart. “Signs that are exactly six months apart tend to complete each other and form a wonderful couple,” she says. Think of it like opposites attract.

Virgo and Pisces, she says, are a particularly strong pairing. “Virgo is practical and organised, and Pisces is chaotic and romantic,” she says. “They complete each other without conflicting. Pisces is thrilled that the home is tidy, and the Virgo is thankful that their partner brings the love.”

Libra and Aries are another good example. “They get along beautifully,” she says. “Libra is calm and mindful, and Aries is active and comical, so they’ll keep each other entertained.”

Polarities:

• Aries-Libra
• Taurus-Scorpio
• Gemini-Sagittarius
• Cancer-Capricorn
• Leo-Aquarius
• Virgo-Pisces

Are some signs poorly suited?

While every couple is different, there are some sign pairings that work a little less well. For instance, two people of the same sign can sometimes butt heads.

There’s a scene in the 1958 technicolour musical Gigi where Aunt Alicia walks her young niece through what looks less like a jewellery box and more like a lesson. “A topaz? Among my jewels? Are you mad?” she exclaims, scandalised, when Gigi misidentifies a yellow diamond. She teaches her the cuts—emerald, pear, marquise—which kings preferred which gems and how only the most beautiful emeralds contain that elusive blue flame darting within the green. “Without knowledge of jewellery, my dear Gigi, a woman is lost.”

While first judged by its quality and visual appeal, what truly sets a piece apart, as Aunt Alicia explains, is its provenance. Who wore it, where it travelled and what moment in history it witnessed. It’s that last layer that I was thinking about in London as I walked into the Victoria & Albert Museum’s (V&A) new exhibition: a display of more than 350 artefacts that stitched together the story of Cartier’s dominion. “The jeweller of kings and the king of jewellers,” King Edward VII called them. Within the vast stone belly of the museum lay proof of that reign.

It was one of those rare London days—bright and dry, with spring sun and a lingering chill—so I’d already witnessed my first luxury sighting of the day: good weather. The exhibit began with the Manchester Tiara, a lattice of diamonds set in delicate platinum, and ended, appropriately, in a cathedral of crowns.

And what a cathedral. The final room had been designed as a dreamscape: a glass vault where a Cartier tiara floated on a man-made cloud. Classical music drifted through the air as I moved between all the tiaras on display, some lent by the Royal Family and the Duchess of Windsor. Gone was the predictable split: men fawning over swords while women ogled the diamonds. Cartier, for all its technical brilliance and legacy polish, had somehow preserved the essential fact of jewellery: its power to be an egalitarian language.

Jacques Cartier’s journey to India inspired his fascination with Indian jewellery and gemstones, influencing Cartier’s iconic Tutti Frutti designs—most notably the famed Hindu necklace.

Entire industries have grown around the idea of living longer, and looking like you haven’t. Anti-ageing treatments, supplements and personalised protocols now promise not just more years, but better ones.

It’s part of why longevity studies have turned to real life instead of just lab results. In places like Japan—especially Okinawa, home to some of the oldest people on the planet—long life isn’t treated as a goal but as a byproduct. What makes the Japanese example stand out is that this longevity thrives in the middle of everyday life, not apart from it.

Japanese beauty is a goldmine of good ideas: facial massage, matcha, rice water in the hair… Many of these rituals have been exported all over the world. But the Japanese are also masters of well-being, their daily lives punctuated by zen practices to feel good for both body and mind.

The rituals aren’t elaborate but they are consistent. Passed down, built into daily routine and effective. Here are 14 habits drawn from Japanese life, shared by @lescopainszen_, that support living not just longer, but well.

14 Japanese habits for a better, longer life

1. Hara hachi bu

Eat until you’re 80% full. It’s not about restriction but recognising sufficiency. A lighter meal makes for a more balanced body and fewer energy crashes later.

2. Asa ichi

Wake with the sun. Syncing your sleep-wake cycle with natural light helps stabilise your mood and energy. It also supports deeper sleep when night falls.

3. Drink sencha (green tea)

Not just matcha. Sencha, sipped throughout the day, supports digestion, calms the nervous system and brings antioxidants to the table. It’s a ritual as much as a remedy.

4. Asagohan (Japanese-style breakfast)

A warm, savoury start, like rice, vegetables and fish, offers steady energy without the crash of sugary cereals or caffeine dependency. It anchors the morning without overstimulating it.

5. Neru futon

Sleep on a futon in a cool, dark room. It supports spinal alignment and deeper rest, without needing memory foam or melatonin. The minimal setup encourages natural posture and stillness.

6. Tabi sökusu

Toe socks may not be trendy, but they stimulate circulation and balance, especially for those who spend long hours seated or standing. They also create more awareness of how your body connects to the ground.

7. Karada o ugokasu

Move, but not for metrics. Walk, sweep, garden, dance; any form of gentle, regular movement keeps the body circulating and the mind grounded. Exercise isn’t extracted from life; it’s woven into it.

8. Geijutsu o suru

Make art without ambition. Draw, fold, arrange flowers; create for the sake of creating. Let the hands work without the mind needing a reason.

9. Ofuro (evening bath)

A warm soak at night can ease tension, calm the nervous system and help you sleep without screens or supplements. It’s also a way to mark the day’s end, physically and emotionally.

10. Zazen

Passive meditation: just sit. No mindfulness apps, no breathwork goals, only stillness. Let your thoughts settle on their own, like silt in water.

11. Miso o taberu

Miso is more than soup. A small daily dose of fermented, gut-supporting food can quietly strengthen immunity and digestion. Its depth comes not just from flavour, but from function.

12. Niwa zukuri

Caring for plants is an act of daily devotion. It teaches slowness, patience, and our place in the natural order. You tend to something outside yourself and are changed by it in return.

13. Kansha

Gratitude isn’t reserved for journals. Say thank you to your food, your body, the rain. It’s a muscle you build over time.

14. Ikigai

Find what gets you out of bed, however small. It doesn’t need to be a calling. Just something that gives your day shape and your life meaning.

You are experiencing a remembrance, Taurus, and you may really be looking back and subconsciously reflecting a lot on life, where it has brought you. You may either find yourself looking back in nostalgia, or wonder or a curiosity to figure out how you can bring your wisdom and learnings forward at this point in time. Spend time with your crystal friends if you have any, or simply in nature to allow yourself to soak in this high-vibing cosmic energy. You hold hidden secrets within you, from your biological or stellar ancestors, and really, all you need to do to unlock them is gather the courage to take that first step.

Cosmic tip: Look a little deeper, pause a little longer. Your wisdom is not lost; it is surfacing.

You are learning new ways of being, you are rediscovering yourself and you are also receiving all you need to know from the cosmic council by means of that intuitive hit, that gut instinct, that vision or dream that won’t go away and even that warm hug of a loved one you have a soul connection with, Gemini. This window, this Sirius gateway, is opening up a supercharged portal for you to clear your karmic history. As you venture into lost lands, you realise your strengths and your follies. You know you have done this before, and that, as you stay open and adaptive, you very compassionately rewrite your personal history.

Cosmic tip: The more honest you are with yourself, the more aligned life begins to get.

You are waking up to what you really are here for, Cancer. Be it building a safe and loving home, a multimillion-dollar business, a legacy of love or kindness, you are owning your truth and are also now unafraid to step into the limelight. Your energy body is being activated at this time as the portals to other realms open up for a brief moment in time. You are clearing massive emotional guilt and other energetic debris because you, my friend, are opening up to redefining your lineage. All that futile stuff that was passed on to you? It will no longer go forward. The buck has stopped existing, and you have set yourself free.

The monsoon is not a season for the faint of sole. When the streets turn into slip hazards and your morning commute becomes an impromptu obstacle course, monsoon-ready footwear becomes the unsung hero of your wardrobe. It’s not just about staying dry, it’s about looking sharp while doing so. Ahead, bookmark all the monsoon-ready footwear trends to add to cart.

Rubber clogs

Once relegated to kitchen staff and ironic dads, the rubber clog has made a triumphant return. Blame Crocs, whose waterproof clogs come with a fashion-forward attitude and rinse-clean functionality. Ugly? Perhaps. Effective? Absolutely. The ultimate monsoon footwear flex for those in the know.

Flip-flops

No, not the ones you wore to college. These are architectural and engineered to survive a downpour. The Row gets the job done while still passing the brunch test. Coperni offers platform alternatives that don’t disintegrate at the first sign of rain.

City Flip Flop in Leather, The Row, ₹ 76,245

Logo-patch flip flops, Coperni, ₹ 45,478

Fisherman sandals

Forget their seaside origins. The fisherman sandal is now fully runway-certified from their jelly rubber to sturdy buckles and city-proof soles. Bottega Veneta and Gucci both offer versions that check the monsoon footwear box without compromising your outfit.

Pre-loved Gucci Rubber Jelly Sandals, My Almari, ₹ 24,000

Short rubber boots

Ankle-length rubber boots are having their moment. Hunter is the classic, but brands like Burberry and Acne Studios are making it fun with bright palettes and playful soles. They’re equal parts puddle protection and style punctuation.

Pebbled rubber rainboots, Burberry, ₹ 1,07,521

Slides

Minimalist, waterproof and surprisingly chic, the modern slide is your monsoon MVP. Take things further with colourways that deserve their own mood board. The trick is in the sole: chunky, ridged, grippy.

Kobarah sandals, Camper, ₹ 13,192

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