Posts in category: Life Style

Cosmic tip: Do not allow boredom, disappointment or sadness to get in the way of your present progress.

What has your predominant inner dialogue been lately, Scorpio? There is a world of unexpressed emotions you carry within the crevices in your heart, most of them not so pretty. But hey, the cosmos has something valuable to share with you today. The circle of life is real, and while you may not feel like you’ve been seen, heard or understood in the past, remember that in your present moment, you are more than acknowledged and held by the Universe, your angels and your loved ones, even if you cannot see it yet. Pick up that phone and get in touch with a long-lost friend, get that wheel going on a project you’ve been sitting on, bring to life what your heart has been focusing on. Remember, wildling, you are a badass, one who feels, transforms and adapts at lightning speed. And you don’t need to toughen up or build sturdier walls, you simply need to open up, give yourself the benefit of doubt, claim space and breathe your way through life.

Cosmic tip: Get practical and allow your dreams to find a way.

Pregnancy or a dream coming true are both on the cards, Sag, depending on where you are in life. You’ve been busy building a community, you’ve been really investing in your relationships, you have really been putting yourself out there, and you have now realised that nurturing and being free can happen in the same moment. You need not entrap yourself in things that bind you; instead, choosing to wisely invest your focus and attention can drastically rewire your life and mind. Pick a pace of life that makes you feel you have arrived, and we don’t mean do nothing at all, we just mean, get smart about your time, energy and effort to create room for leisure and play.

Cosmic tip: Freedom is a choice available in every fleeting moment.

You have found your out, Cap. You know, you are a brave warrior, you not only take what is served to you, but you put it out there with utmost fervour and elegance. You have done a lot of reflecting and introspecting. This has also led you to make choices that feel decisive. You can see the interconnectedness of it all and you know you are at the fag end. Now my dear, your angels ask you that don’t you always ask what your task is? They are here to tell you that your willingness to fulfil your task is what leads you to liberation.

The first sign that I was wrong came at breakfast. As the platter of mini babkas arrived at the table—begging to be buttered up and wolfed down—a tinkle of laughter wafted up the stairwell. A couple emerged at the landing, the woman in hijab, accompanied by her husband in his pristine white thobe, holding hands and giggling at some private joke. “Is it common for people to be openly affectionate?” I asked my host, Mishael. “Yes, but in public, the most you’ll see is couples holding hands,” she responded nonchalantly, before adding, “Saudi men are very romantic.”

The woodwork seen on the windows in Al-Balad, Jeddah, are crafted like jigsaw puzzles, where interlocking pieces connect to form intricate designs

And so began my daily routine of excavating preconceived notions and examining them in the unforgiving light of the desert sun. When I was younger and saw the world in black and white, I had proclaimed that I would never visit, as a tourist, places where women weren’t treated equally by law. Saudi Arabia topped my no-fly list. Then in 2017, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud declared that women could drive. My hosts told me there was such a rush of applicants that the wait time to take the driver’s test extended to more than a year in the main cities. In 2018, the crown prince followed it up with a pronouncement that the hijab was not mandatory.

Some beauty moves refuse to fade out. The winged liner, for one, is practically stitched into the DNA of Indian glamour. It’s been there through it all—Zeenat Aman’s disco era flicks, Rekha’s kohl-rich stare, every mirror selfie with an elbow precariously balanced on a sink.

This week, the wing was everywhere, but never quite the same. Sobhita Dhulipala went full drama with an elongated wing and thick kohl for maximum impact, while Kajol’s version was softer, smudged just enough to blur the edges. Different moods, same message: the liner still lands.

Sobhita Dhulipala’s makeup put all emphasis on the eyes, with a dramatic wing that extended outwards in a sharp, lifted flick. Black kohl traced her lower waterline and pulled into the corners for definition. Her skin looked luminous and lightly flushed, with a glossed cinnamon-pink lip adding gentle contrast.

Kajol kept things polished but soft, with a thin, precise wing that subtly lifted the outer corners of the eyes. A sweep of light bronze eyeshadow added a hint of warmth, while fluttery lashes brought gentle definition. Her skin had a smooth, luminous finish with a touch of flush across the cheeks. Mauve-pink lips and a classic half-updo tied it all together, letting the simplicity land with ease.

Pink was the palette, and Namrata Soni painted Sonam Kapoor’s face just right. The makeup mirrored the soft tonal range of her DIOR outfit and layered heirloom jewellery. A rose-taupe eyeshadow washed softly over the lids, paired with a precise flick of liner and full lashes that framed the eyes without weighing them down. The skin was even and lightly luminous, with a flush of peach-pink on the cheeks. A creamy nude-rose lip tied the look together, while softly set waves and a centre part added ease to the otherwise regal styling.

Rakul Preet Singh’s makeup hinged on a wash of mauve-pink across the lids and lower lash line, soft but deliberate. Glossy rose lips echoed the same palette. Her brows were brushed up, clean but not overly defined. Hair pulled back kept the attention on the eyes.

At Miu Miu’s London flagship celebration, Janhvi Kapoor paired full lashes and a clean wing with flushed cheeks and glossy nude lips. Her lids were softly defined in beige and taupe, giving shape without smoke, while a subtle contour added structure to the cheeks.

Dinners have always caused me dilemmas. Long before the high protein hype. It’s the time of day when I am most hungry, when I am most tired and when I’m conscious that having a big dinner will impact my sleep. I’m also on a weight loss journey, and my metabolism slows down at night when I’m less awake and active, burning fewer calories. I’ve tried a few strategies, but so far, undoubtedly, the one that is working best for me is to focus solely on protein for dinner.

The current fixation for protein is real: So real, in fact, that according to nutritionist Melyssa Chang, we’ve gone from not eating enough to, in some cases, overeating protein, estimating at around 35 per cent too much of the stuff. On my dietary journey for this article, I wanted to make sure I wasn’t championing protein to the point of demonising other nutrients. Whether you’ve consciously upped your protein intake or not, it should not be done to the detriment of other necessary macronutrients, like fats and slow-absorption carbohydrates.

So, I have been having protein-only dinners four times a week, then paying special attention to my vegetable, fat, and carbohydrate intake in my other meals throughout the day, so as not to unbalance the rest of the diet and lose other vital nutrients. Having said all this, here’s how I do it.

Protein intake and weight loss

Nutritionist and biochemist Leticia Carrera advised me that if you want to lose weight, focusing on protein in the evening will keep you satisfied and satiated. “At night, the caloric expenditure is minimal, so everything we eat for dinner that the body does not use will be stored as fat,” Carrera says. “I recommend having protein for dinner if you want to lose weight, because protein is necessary to form new tissues. At night, our body goes into repair mode. When we eat protein we burn a lot of energy to metabolise it, so the total calories it provides us with are reduced.”

To caveat all of this, I do not weigh myself at home—the number on the scales is going to fluctuate throughout the day, from water weight to sodium levels, nor is it taking in the difference between fat and muscle mass. Besides, as the nutritionist María del Mar Silva previously told Vogue, “the correct weight loss is when we do not lose muscle mass. And that cannot be reliably detected with the scales we have at home.”

It may be raining across the country, but Rashmika Mandanna’s wardrobe is still dreaming of Spring. The star stepped out in a sari for the pre-release of her upcoming crime drama movie, ‘Kuberaa’ in Hyderabad. From Anita Dongre’s latest spring/summer outing, her blush drape featured painterly floral motifs and romantic handiwork.

Instagram.com/rashmika_mandanna

“Rashmika is wearing the Esmarie sari, which is from our forest-inspired summer collection, ‘Vaana’. It features embroidered wildflowers sprung amidst a soothing blush palette. Elevated in thread work, beads and sequins, it’s a light and effortless pick for intimate celebrations,” reveals Anita Dongre to Vogue India. Her look was paired with a matching sleeveless blouse with an open back with tassels, mirroring the same crafts as the sari.

She stuck to the same colour story and pared-down aesthetic for her accessory and makeup look. She went with a pair of pink sapphire shoulder-dusters from Tallin Jewels along with a ring. Her bracelet, from Mohar By Priyanka And Nakul, came encrusted with rubies, Russian emeralds, freshwater pearls and uncut polkis.

As radiant skin beamed, the sculpted brows and cheeks added definition to her features. A soft shimmer, dewy highlighter and glossed rose-pink lips completed the look. Mandanna’s dishevelled bun with face-framing strands made for a beauty moment that looked polished and playful. For footwear, she went with wedges from Stoffa.

Cosmic tip: Transition into new worlds by letting go of old habits.

The cosmos is sending you signs. Are you listening? Sag, your guides tell you to keep up your hopes, to keep looking into the horizon and to power through with determination and grit. Your success is dependent on how much of the light you choose to see within the darkness. Remember, your wisdom runs beyond your current biological age, so tap into it now and reclaim your innate power. Your ideas are achievable, and your action steps are guided. Soar, one step at a time.

Cosmic tip: Take a grounded approach to life.

You are burning your karmic imprint, Capricorn. You are closing a huge chapter, you are tying up loose ends, and yes, this feels heavy, but really, as a soul, you chose from the various options this on to elevate faster. When you take an upraised perspective of your life and circumstances, you will realise that you have always been protected and shielded by divine intervention. There has always been a ray of hope that has come, saved the day, in addition to your persistent efforts. Keep going, my love. It may feel rough, but the sun will shine again.

Cosmic tip: A massive soul chapter is closing. Look up and breathe.

Your fortunes are about to turn. That one thing that drained you, you decided to walk away from it, and here you are, turning the steering wheel of your life in an unknown but sunny direction. Aquarius, roll the dice because you will get a six, and then your wild card moment will arrive. You are not done with your dreams, just yet; you are here, holding them closer than ever, packaged differently and ready to transform into something breathtakingly beautiful.

Cosmic tip: Gaze into your Pensieve and look into the future.

Get your heart in the right place, Pisces. Picking sides, standing up for yourself and doing right by you may feel a little uncomfortable at first; however, if you choose to take your time to work through these emotions, you might just be able to anchor your own frequency and figure out that one thing that is working for you. Your heart may feel broken and vulnerable; however, your passions need not merely be concerned with matters of the heart, what about yourself, what about building that career, financial security, health and anything else that does not need you to give yourself to another just yet. Allow your ailing heart to heal.

Cosmic tip: Consider your options and take a methodical approach to success.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ closet is an ode to Indian craftsmanship. The actor consistently champions cultural heritage, showcasing the intricacy and handiwork behind Indian tradition through some of the country’s most renowned fashion houses. “For me, the design has to make sense. It needs to have a certain je ne sais quoi…it’s personal and difficult to put into words, but whatever I wear, I wear with love and pride and to celebrate its story and its creators,” she told Vogue India in a 2024 interview.

Whether it’s handwoven silks, Parsi gara work or new-age structural silhouettes, her closet is a curated exhibit of Indian artisanal heritage. With choices that blur the boundaries between what has been and what can be, the actor honours Indian design sensibilities with a whole lot of love and pride.

Below, a look at 7 of Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ standout Indianwear outfits and the designers behind them.

1. Re-ceremonial

Instagram.com/stylebyami

For her brother’s wedding earlier this year, the actor opted for a custom-made salwar kameez by re-ceremonial, a contemporary Indian label that specialises in heritage textile and eco-conscious creations. She paired their gold tissue salwar with a silk cotton kameez and a silk organza dupatta, both in a striking terracotta shade achieved through natural dyes–a mix of madder root and marigold flowers. Gold glass beads and metal detailing completed the look.

2. Tarun Tahiliani

Instagram.com/priyankachopra

You don’t have to know every detail of your friend’s relationship to sense that something’s…off. Maybe your bestie shrugs off her partner’s frequent texts like they’re no biggie (“He just worries when I don’t immediately respond!”) or always has some story about their latest “silly” fight. Or perhaps they just don’t seem like themselves lately—more defensive, less upbeat or uncharacteristically silent in the group chat. From the outside, it doesn’t look great—but does that mean you should do something?

For glaring red flags like physical violence and overt manipulation, the next steps often seem more clear-cut: Step in. Speak up. Get them help. But when you’re dealing with sketchy, jerkish or inconsiderate behaviours that your friend doesn’t deserve—but that don’t line up with classic signs of physical or emotional abuse—figuring out how (or if) you should get involved gets complicated. You might tell yourself it’s not your business or worry you’re overreacting. What if they’re fine behind closed doors? But also…what if they’re not?

“It’s a tricky situation,” says Marni Feuerman, LCSW, LMFT, a licensed therapist in Boca Raton, Florida and author of Ghosted and Breadcrumbed: Stop Falling for Unavailable Men and Get Smart About Healthy Relationships. “The last thing you want is for your friend to distance themselves because you’re being critical of their relationship. But then again, you might be seeing something they maybe don’t, especially if they’re caught up in the romance.”

As uncomfortable as these conversations can be, approaching them with care and compassion is key. Here’s how to help a friend in a toxic relationship—without turning it into a “your partner sucks!” roast session.

1. Ask for permission before offering advice

Even if you’re coming from a good place, a random “You deserve better than someone who’s using you,” may land more as an insulting judgment than a caring heads-up. Instead, “It’s best to ask permission first before you give feedback,” says Angela Sitka, LMFT, a psychotherapist based in Santa Rosa, California—ideally, when they’re already opening up about their relationship.

Try feeling out the vibe first with a line like, “I’m only saying this because I care about you, but I noticed a few things about your partner—would you be open to hearing me out?” This gives your pal a heads-up (or the opportunity to suggest a better time), so your “intervention” becomes more thoughtful, mutual and way less blindsiding.

2. Skip the dramatic insults and be specific about what you noticed

Sweeping generalisations about how your friend’s partner is “toxic” or “awful” aren’t exactly helpful. A more productive way to get your message across, both experts agree, is by pointing out something specific you witnessed (or that they mentioned) without adding your own commentary.

It started with a new job, the kind that comes with fresh notebooks and a sharp edge of imposter syndrome. My first big event was coming up, and the pressure settled into my body before the calendar even turned. Then came the calls.

My father had been diagnosed with cancer. His surgery was scheduled. My uncle went in for one of his own. Days later, another uncle died suddenly of a heart attack.

At home, the monsoon made itself known. Humidity clung to the walls, mould bloomed across the bathroom ceiling, and our washing machine gave up entirely. My partner, newly freelancing, was travelling more, and I was alone more than I liked to admit.

None of this arrived dramatically. There was no collapse, no scream into a pillow. Just the slow, cumulative pressure of too much, too close together. The kind of pressure that makes your chest tighten before your brain catches up. Somewhere in the middle of this slow-motion unravelling, I came across a neuroscientist’s approach to manage emotions: the 90-second rule. No breathwork, no apps, just a small, timed pause.

I decided to try it.

What is the 90-second rule?

Developed by American neuroscientist (neuroanatomist, specifically) and author Dr Jill Bolte Taylor, the 90-second rule is a deceptively simple tool to help manage emotions. When we’re triggered by stress, grief, anger or panic, it sets off a cascade of stress hormones in the body. But unless we continue to feed the emotion with thought, the physiological response peaks and passes in about 90 seconds.

In My Stroke of Insight (2008), Dr Taylor writes: “When a person has a reaction to something in their environment, there’s a 90-second chemical process that happens in the body; after that, any remaining emotional response is just the person choosing to stay in that emotional loop.”

She expands on the idea in her later book Whole Brain Living, explaining how emotions may initially hijack the body, but do not have to define what follows, that is, unless we keep replaying the story. Her interviews and talks, including one for WUSA9, frame it as the “90-second life cycle of an emotion.”

The rule isn’t about avoiding emotion. It’s about allowing space between sensation and story.

What it looked like for me

There’s nothing dramatic about applying the rule. You’re not journaling. You’re not mantra-chanting. You’re just stopping.