Posts in category: Life Style

When a mysterious artist moves in with the Joshi family as a paying guest, he grabs the attention of both brother and sister, Tanay and Anuja, leading Tanay to conservatively explore his identity. Although this tenant is seemingly perfect—he’s ready with the rent, always offers to help and listens to Mrs. Joshi’s thoughts on Indian culture without reluctance—it all comes crumbling down when he runs away with Anuja and overturns their lives. This novel by Kundalkar is a candid reflection of queer life in India.

Marriage of a Thousand Lies by SJ Sindu

To satisfy their Sri Lankan American families, Lucky and Krishna, who are both queer, enter a marriage of convenience while they engage in their preferred homosexual relations on the side. Yet, these circumstances are challenged when Lucky goes back to her childhood home and finds herself falling in love with her former best friend, Nisha, who is on the verge of entering an arranged marriage herself. Suddenly, Lucky is pushed to face several difficult decisions: saving Nisha from getting married and confronting her own lies, which she has been keeping up for a decade.

Special mentions—but not queer romance books

A Dutiful Boy by Mohsin Zaidi

Pelvic floor health isn’t just about doing Kegel exercises. It’s also about small habits that, when repeated daily over time, can have a shocking impact on our overall health and well-being.

“Pelvic floor health is crucial for maintaining several essential functions and your overall quality of life,” explains New York City-based gynaecologist Molly McBride, MD. “The pelvic floor muscles support the bladder, rectum and genital organs, which are integral to urinary incontinence, sexual function, and pelvic organ support.”

Still, many of us don’t think about the health of our pelvic floor—unless, of course, we’re experiencing some sort of discomfort “down there.” Which is a shame. According to experts, taking care of our pelvic floor now can lead to fewer issues in the long term.

The importance of pelvic floor health

I discovered all this for myself when I visited a pelvic floor health physiotherapist after giving birth. “I bet when you get up in the morning, the first thing you do is go to the bathroom to pee,” he said. “And, just before you leave the house, you pee again. Then, the first thing you do when you get to the office is go to the bathroom to pee again, right?”

He was correct. I certainly did all of those things. “Is that wrong?” I asked, perplexed.

Turns out it’s not exactly wrong. However, our daily habits can make a huge impact when it comes to the health of our pelvic floor, and the way in which we urinate plays a major part.

“More than holding it in, the key thing is to know when you really need to urinate,” explains Ana García, a physiotherapist specialising in the pelvic floor at the Anti-ageing Medical Institute in Madrid. “Urinating out of habit or out of fear of not finding a bathroom can alter the bladder’s natural mechanism, making it more sensitive and reducing its storage capacity. Learning to control and space urination helps to maintain a good balance between bladder filling and emptying.”

Looks like some of the bathroom habits we learned as kids might actually not have been so great. Luckily, it’s just a matter of being a little more aware. Below, experts share how to build better pelvic floor health now.

How often is it normal to urinate?

A healthy bladder should comfortably fill and empty every three hours during the day. It should also be able to sustain periods of six to eight hours during the night.

Betting on a straight cut raincoat, with a polo neck and nude tone, is the ideal choice if you are looking for a sophisticated, minimalist and easy to combine garment. Its neutrality makes it the perfect complement to closet basics, especially in summer, where straight jeans and flat-soled loafers stand out. A simple, effective and stylish formula, perfect for those who admire versatility in their closet.

5. Translucent raincoat with a zipper and a short dress

Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

With this pairing, the raincoats act as a blazer. Its function, instead of enhancing formality, is to protect from the rain. Fashion experts show that they are an integral part of the look, and not just a transitory garment, to be removed when entering the building. With an almost translucent hue, front zipper and elastic finish at the hem, this preppy raincoat dresses and protects at the same time. Paired with slingback heels, it confirms that effortless functional elegance will continue to rule the streets.

6. Black raincoat with baggy jeans

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Finally, dark raincoats, with a straight silhouette and falling below the knees, evoking the Matrix style, are best paired with tone-on-tone garments. They are the perfect complement to must-have ensembles, such as cross-fit jeans and a sleeveless ribbed tee. An infallible look that stays impeccable, even when paired with an umbrella.

This story first appeared in Vogue Mexico.

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Cosmic tip: Serendipity follows you when you stay aligned with your heart.

You took a leap of faith, you started off on that hunch, you followed the crumbs the cosmos threw your way, Leo. Now, are you feeling lost and confused? Are you struggling to find a firm footing – almost as though the ground beneath your feet is not solid, instead it feels like a squishy bubble that shapeshifts its own will? Pause. Use this to your advantage. Close your eyes, take deep breaths, and when you feel somewhat neutral, command it to structure itself in a way that helps you find your way onto the other side of the vortex. Then, when you see your reality begin taking shape in alignment with your common, make a dash for it.

Cosmic tip: What is your insight telling you?

What formed your mental agony, what tore you down, is what is now turning into something that has taught you how to build, foster and care for in life, what truly matters in the end. Virgo, your work, finances, and relationships may all feel like they are on fire, in a good way, and the Universe applauds you for all the work you have put in. Keep shining bright like the sun. Draw your energy from within the pools and reserves in your own mind and heart. Consciously connect with the source through meditation, nature, journaling or a quiet coffee break that lets you come back to your own energy. This is your dream fulfilled, time in life, what will you ask the cosmos for?

Cosmic tip: What matters is not what you have, but how you feel about what you have.

When God gives, you shine, Libra. You’ve been feeling blessed and perhaps even almost as if you’ve been dodging bullets one pellet at a time in gracious and the most unexpected ways in the nick of time. And this, my dear friend, is what karmic retribution feels like. You sow good seeds along the way, and they always find a way back to you in unforeseen, miraculous ways. This is the closing of a chapter full of struggle and strife. The more you accept life and flow with it like water, the easier your ride gets.

A strong lip doesn’t need fanfare. It frames the face, draws the eye and holds its ground even when everything else is soft lashes and second-skin. This week’s best beauty looks made a case for the power lip in all its forms: not just vivid reds, but moody browns, deep wines and rich berries. Karisma Kapoor’s dark lip brought edge to a smoky eye. Disha Patani kept things classic with a crisp crimson. Chitrangda used red as punctuation, sharp against bronzed skin.

And while bold lips held court, Wamiqa Gabbi reminded us that great hair can do the same. Her butterfly-studded braid was playful without tipping into twee, a beauty moment that matched whimsy with polish.

She wore fresh, dewy skin with soft pinks brushed across cheeks, lids and lips, creating a look that felt modern yet rooted. A bright pink bindi added a crisp counterpoint. But the real head-turner was the hair: a sleek, high braid crafted by hairstylist Forum Gotecha, finished with pastel butterflies placed just so. Fun, but finessed.

Karisma Kapoor served up a beauty look that was sleek, sculpted and fully in control. Her lips wore a cool-toned matte. The eyes, rimmed in charcoal and gently diffused, balanced intensity with softness, while long lashes and structured brows kept the gaze lifted and defined. The skin stayed matte and unfussy, letting the pigment do the talking.

For the promotion of Housefull 5, Chitrangda leaned into high-impact glamour with a soft matte base and a warm, sunlit finish, balanced by terracotta-toned blush that added colour without overpowering. The lips were the anchor painted in a vivid red with sharp edges and a rich, velvety depth. Her eyes were defined with a crisp wing and neutral tones across the lids, elevated by long, fluttering lashes and brushed-up brows. Diamond drop earrings added drama, but the beauty look did the heavy lifting.

Disha Patani led with a classic red lip, rich and unmistakably the centre of the look. The colour sat confidently on a softly radiant base, where the skin glowed with the lightest touch of warmth on the cheeks. A soft rose-beige eyeshadow brightened the lids without drawing attention to itself, paired with lengthened lashes that defined without crowding the eyes.

Combining the three can make for what Halperin describes as the ideal “post-workout trifecta.” She lists yoghurt and fruit, peanut butter sandwiches, turkey on wholegrain bread with vegetables, hummus with wholewheat pita and veggies, and chicken with brown rice as some of the simple combos you can make yourself after exercising.

Refuel

To replenish your energy, you’ll need carbs, especially if you’re training for several hours or multiple times a day. Stangland says that complex carbohydrates (AKA minimally processed whole foods) are the best types of carbs as they will provide a rich source of vitamins, minerals and fibres. Complex carbohydrates also take longer to digest, increasing the feeling of satiety and providing energy that lasts. They also keep those dreaded blood sugar spikes at bay.

Some examples of complex carbohydrates include whole grains, brown rice, legumes, quinoa, sweet potatoes, vegetables and fruits like bananas.

Repair

Protein helps repair and build muscle. To help the body maximise muscle growth, studies show that we should aim for 20 to 40 grams post-workout. Good sources of protein are eggs, Greek yoghurt, beans, tofu, tempeh, fish, shellfish, chicken and turkey.

Another thing Stangland says to look for? Foods with a high leucine content, like chicken, fish and cheese. These foods contain amino acids that turn on muscle protein synthesis. There’s even some evidence to suggest that leucine may help improve muscle recovery and reduce inflammation.

Recovery

Speaking of recovery, eating both carbs and protein will definitely help on that front too. Halperin points to studies that show consuming carbohydrates in a 3:1 ratio to protein is the most beneficial for post-workout.

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t other foods you should consider working into your post-workout meal as well.

“Anti-inflammatory foods are great after a workout to help with recovery and for reducing muscle soreness,” explains Stangland. “These could be tart cherries, turmeric, dark leafy greens and deep-coloured wild berries.”

You may want to add omega-3 fats, like those found in salmon, olive oil, walnuts, flax seeds and chia seeds, as well. Studies show that just one week of eating foods rich in omega-3 can help reduce muscle damage.

Other nutrients to consider? Magnesium and vitamin E. In fact, Asche is a big proponent of both for their ability to support the muscles through soreness while reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. (She notes that research has found that almonds are helpful in exercise recovery.)

Fats

So what about fats? Turns out eating healthy, low-fat, natural foods may also be beneficial after you exercise. “You can absolutely incorporate some fat in your post-workout meal or snack; I just recommend prioritising sources of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat,” says Asche. To that end, she lists olives, olive oil, avocado, fatty fish like salmon and sardines, nuts like almonds and seeds as healthy fats to look for.

The humble clogs have come a long way from its sensible gardening-shoe origins. No longer reserved for pensioners tidying up the hedgerows, the slip-on style has confidently stepped into the summer shoe-shaped gap in our wardrobes. Personally, I love a clunky shoe – and the clog delivers ugly-chic in spades, the cartoonish shape making it an occasionally divisive choice. But despite what the clog haters say, there’s more to this silhouette than meets the eye. Whether you’re going full Amsterdam chic in wooden soles or switching things up with a sleeker or slouchier option, there’s a clog for every persuasion.

Thanks to clompy-shoe champions like Simone Rocha, Kiko Kostadinov and Cecilie Bahnsen, there’s been no shortage of colourful, glitter-encrusted clogs on the runway. Why go subtle when you can stomp your way through life in a pearl-embellished statement shoe? Alongside the weird and wonderful, the classic throwback styles returned in force at Chloé spring/summer 2025, leading the charge for the boho revival. For a more low-key approach, FitFlop’s viral rubber slip-ons remain undefeated, promising no blisters and no broken ankles this year.

’70s Style

Raimonda Kulikauskiene/Getty Images

Cosmic tip: You deserve every bit of help that you receive.

What your companionship may be seeking from you is not more love, but perhaps more stability. Now, if this message applies to any other aspect of your life too, use it. Taurus, feeling safe in your bubble is imperative to you, and you, my dear, thrive off it. Hence, make mindful choices for what allows you to make this bubble even more secure and sheltered. In what ways can you allow more ease to come into your life – we are talking about material stability here, so that it finally helps you achieve mental & emotional stability as well.

Cosmic tip: You will embark on a new journey in the next few weeks, so make up your mind and remind yourself that you hold as much earthly responsibility as you do the divine.

You may have wished upon a star, and here you are, blending your heart and mind to craft something new. Be it a relationship or a career move or a personal milestone, the cosmos reminds you to not move into overdrive, instead, it asks you to gently merge your ideas with where your heart asks you to go and then send your love note to the cosmos. A new opportunity and a fresh start (perhaps even a renewed phase in a relationship or a new relationship) await you. Go grab it, Gemini!

Cosmic tip: Ask your angels for direction and take a step forward.

You may have a lot of options on the table, Cancer. But ask yourself what it is that really lights you up? As your season approaches, you are reminded to pick a pace that feels less frazzled, more directed; less chaotic, more streamlined; less struggle-filled and more aligned. And this will require you not to overdo but blend action with surrender in the right doses. Let go of what others expect of you. Ask yourself what you expect of yourself, what you want for yourself, and what you wish from life. You may even realise that a part of your past self that wanted glittery things, now feels a little alien, and now your present self wants comfort, but what glitters are intangible moments that make you feel like you’ve come home.

For the trailer launch of her upcoming film Metro in Dino, Sara Ali Khan wore a sculpted white mini dress with dramatic detailing. The off-shoulder dress was designed by Australian fashion house Aje and featured a cinched waist with a flared hemline.

The highlight of the look is the three-dimensional floral embellishment that blooms along the neckline and across her upper arms. The oversized rosettes bring a romantic element to the otherwise structured dress.

Styled by Tanya Ghavri, the actor completed the look with matching white stilettos from London Rag India, diamond studs by Anayah Jewellery and a wristwatch with pink leather straps. Her hair was tied up in a low bun, with a few face-framing loose strands adding to the softness of the look. The makeup was minimal—dewy cheeks, smudged kajal and nude lips.

The actor has often been spotted in fresh, fairy tale-like outfits. She was recently seen in a similar baby blue mini dress by Elliatt. Instead of flowers, the visual centrepiece of the dress was a statement bow at the back.

Fibre may not show up next to collagen coffee or infrared saunas on your wellness feed, but if you want to feel clearer and lighter from the inside out, this is where it begins.

We’ve been trained to count macronutrients—protein, carbs, fats—as if they’re the whole story. But fibre doesn’t play by those rules. You can’t just “hit your goal” by eating the same foods on repeat. And yet, that’s exactly what most of us do: cycle through the same handful of fibre-rich staples and assume we’re covered.

As Dr Madhur Motwani, clinician-scientist and gut health entrepreneur, explains: “While the amount of fibre is important, diversity is equally crucial. You want them all coming together to create short-chain fatty acids, which are going to impact your entire metabolic health.”

You don’t need to track which food does what. Just start including a wider mix because that’s the secret to unlocking fibre’s true potential.

The different types of fibre your gut craves

We’ve popularised kale and broccoli as the face of fibre, but every plant food—grains, greens, lentils, legumes, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds—contains a different kind. Each feeds a unique group of microbes in your gut.

Think of your gut like an organisation. Each fibre-rich food fuels a different department. If one is overworked and the rest neglected, the system slows down. Your body doesn’t need just one superfood; it needs a full staff, all working in sync.

The fibre in beetroot nourishes a different “team” than what’s found in flaxseed or chickpeas. Even between leafy greens—amaranth, spinach, methi—the microbial impact varies.

And since each bacterial strain supports a different body function, the more varied your fibre sources, the more balanced your entire internal ecosystem becomes.

Gut health expert Dr Will Bulsiewicz compares the gut to the Amazon rainforest. Its health depends on biodiversity. In your body, that translates to more stable moods, clearer skin and better digestion, without obsessing over food rules or micromanaging your meals.

What fibre diversity looks like in real life

You don’t need a kitchen overhaul or 25 ingredients in every meal. Focus on variety across the week, not every single plate. Start by noticing which foods you’re repeating and where you could swap something in.