Posts in category: Life Style

Sit in silence for a bit, Sag. Get to know yourself and your vibe. Allow yourself to check in with your core dreams and new aspirations. Envision the brightest, most alluring future that you can and remind yourself that you are the creator of your destiny and life. Yes, the world may think you are offbeat, and yes, you may also feel like no one gets you, but honey, you are not here to be got by anyone else. You are here to be got by you and the cosmos, and your guides remind you that you are perfectly on time and on track.

Cosmic tip: Honour your emotions and trust your gut.

Your struggles are being resolved, your challenges and trauma are being healed, Capricorn. You have Archangel Raphael working with you today— so close your eyes and imagine this. Breathe in a beautiful powder pink and gold light and breathe out density and stress, repeat as often as you like, several times a day. You can take this a step further by inviting your guides and angels to help you release energetic and other toxins as you do this exercise. Feel free to repeat it as often as you like, not just today but throughout.

Cosmic tip: Become whole again, receive healing from the Universe. Learn to love yourself like you love others.

Take action. Use your thoughts, words and intentions wisely. Harness your ideas and move towards avenues that help you set the ball rolling in that direction. The more prepared you feel, the more opportunities you will notice and welcome into your life. Aquarius, the time has come to allow your potential to awaken, allow your thoughts and inner dialogue to only lift you to the skies.

Cosmic tip: You are coagulating—your ideas, skills, relationships, self-worth—your very essence.

Pisces, you are being tested. What has felt held back from you? What has felt elusive? Now, the cosmos is not saying that you cannot have it; the cosmos is making sure you feel ready for it. The cosmos is reminding you that true life happens in moments and that while you may have been pouring endlessly from a cup that is now feeling depleted, you are to restore balance in your life now. Inculcate discipline, set up assertive boundaries, ask yourself what you crave for and be open and non-judgmental to the honest answers you receive. You are being guided by your higher self. So listen intently for breakthroughs that are around the corner.

Cosmic tip: Wisdom+Experience+Self-awareness= Magical shift in your life.

Shimmering in metallic rose, Ananya Panday wore a hand-embellished Krésha Bajaj gown from the designer’s Dubai Fashion Week presentation, The Archive of Hidden Things. Her look was pulled from the third chapter of the showcase, Liberation, a segment focused on ease, exposure and movement.

Styled by Priyanka Kapadia Badani and team, the gown’s base was a muted, metallic rose tone, hand-embellished with dense micro-beading throughout the body and scattered larger beads on the straps, which glimmered with the light. The silhouette was elongated and body-skimming, with a slight flare at the hem. The bust was sculpted, while sheer panels traced both sides of the body from the underarm to above the knee, underlining the bust.

These sheer panels were threaded with crisscrossing cords of fabrics, creating controlled openings or cut-outs that revealed skin in clean, deliberate slashes. Cut-outs have cycled in and out of fashion since the ’90s, but their appeal has remained consistent: they inject a sense of ease and sensuality. While their popularity was revived during the Spring/Summer 2022 collections and moved beyond high street into cultural zeitgeist moments, thanks to Maddy’s viral black cut-out dress from Euphoria, they have also made recent appearances at Dior and Prada’s Spring/Summer 2025 shows, where bodysuits and skirts came spliced with jarring, precisely placed cuts and portholes. In Ananya Panday’s case, the cut-outs are integral to the dress’s architecture since they balance the ornate handwork with tailored exposure, making the display of skin part of the design and not embellishment.

Bajaj’s work continues to centre traditional Indian techniques—zardozi, aari and micro-beading—by reimagining them through a contemporary lens. The Archive of Hidden Things filtered this through a triptych: Revelation, Obsession and Liberation. Panday’s look captured the latter’s stripped-back confidence, anchored by strong lines and tactile embellishment.

At the Birmingham 2025 event, Kareena Kapoor Khan reminded everyone why she’s one of India’s style icons. She wore a custom-made silver Manish Malhotra sari, a visual feast sequined from end to end in a wave-like pattern. There was sparkle throughout; the drape blended traditional and modern elements with the help of a halter-neck blouse.

Malhotra is celebrated for his hallmark use of sequins, which bring a luxurious shimmer to his designs. His collections often mix classic silhouettes with contemporary touches, with sequins carefully placed to elevate each piece. In his couture saris as well, Malhotra combines traditional embroidery techniques with modern craft, creating garments that feel both timeless and current. This sari is another testament to his enduring legacy.

Stylist Lakshmi Lehr ensured every detail, from the blouse to the nails, felt unlaboured. What made the look stand apart was the carefully designed halter-neck blouse. Departing from more conventional sari pairings, the halter-neck added a modern interpretation, framing her shoulders. The blouse was structured, with a tailored fit that contrasted the fluidity of the wrap, adding a touch of couture architecture. Sequins extended across the blouse as well, ensuring the look remained cohesive while allowing the halter design to stand on its own.

The 2025 MTV VMAs took place Sunday night, bringing with them a chance to lock in on the buzziest names in music right now—namely, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, Rosé, Jelly Roll (…sure, why not?), and, of course, Mariah Carey.

But what were the standout moments of the night? We’re glad you asked. Here, a round-up of the five most memorable performances, speeches, and special appearances from the 2025 MTV VMAs.

Sabrina Carpenter’s timely tribute to trans rights

Photo: Getty Images

With Man’s Best Friend, Carpenter currently has the number-one album in the country. She made the most of her spotlight at the MTV VMAs on Sunday by performing her new song “Tears” for the first time, surrounded by drag queens holding signs that read, among other things, “Dolls Dolls Dolls” and “In Trans We Trust.” As the Trump administration ramps up its needless attacks on trans people, it’s nice to see Carpenter speak up for an oft-maligned community—without whom pop music as we know it simply wouldn’t exist. Plus, that Britney homage didn’t hurt either!

Busta Rhymes’s tribute to Ananda Lewis

Cosmic tip: This is the time to build your legacy—of love, happiness and material success.

A hit of nostalgia and you simply want to surrender your arms—in a good way, Sag. Allow your aching heart to rest, allow your tired body to recoup, and allow your ever-sprinting mind to wind down. Give your cat some food and watch them eat it, talk to your plants, sip that coffee with nothing in particular racing through your mind and Sag, and take a real break. You will realise the power you hold in your present moment and you, my dear, will then be in a place to choose what fruit you wish to pluck from your colourful orchard.

Cosmic tip: Enjoy the fruits of your labour in a balanced way.

Capricorn You’re in a good place, Capricorn—all the good you’ve given out into the world is not only coming back to you, but has also helped you or is helping you build your community and happy place. Slowly and steadily as you continue to inch towards your goals and ideas, you set them ablaze with your passion, grit, determination and insight. The road may seem a little tough right now; however, it is not something you cannot overcome, you, steep cliff-loving mountain goat.

Cosmic tip: Your balanced approach helps you breach the toughest mountains.

Through hard work and dedication, you can build castles and live in them, too, Aquarius. Yes, your fears of the unknown may feel very valid and strong; however, these are nothing you cannot surmount with collective/ group effort and resilience. Perhaps you may have to play many roles in your current life circumstances, and perhaps you may also need to allow your tribe to shine more than your individual self; however, take that leap, you’ve not only got this, but the Universe has also got you!

Cosmic tip: Master your craft and build your tribe to make successful moves now.

When you decide to move beyond your fears, magic happens, Pisces. As you transition through this time in your life where you are entrenched with amazing ideas, fresh sparks of creativity and perhaps even new ways to move forward, you not only feel a sense of accomplishment but also a sense of kinship and camaraderie that is a result of hard work and great group effort. Pisces, you are at the brink of celebratory times—so use your judgement to reclaim your inner balance and hey, remember to listen to your intuition as it whispers new worlds into your life.

Cosmic tip: Turn your ideas into action.

In India, milk is just as indispensable. For many, it begins with a glass before school and continues into adulthood through endless cups of chai. It is widely available and bound to cultural rituals, from festive sweets to everyday meals.

That said, it’s not uncommon to also hear people say that drinking milk makes them sick to their stomachs—literally. In fact, many people claim that their health only improved after they cut milk from their lives. For some, the culprit is milk intolerance, which can show up not only in digestion but also through acne, sinus allergies, chronic fatigue, brain fog and general inflammation.

I’m one of those people. After experiencing frequent gastro upset, fatigue, and a host of other unexplained issues, I decided to study molecular nutrition. What I learned about the common side effects and health issues associated with regular cow’s milk consumption inspired me to reduce my own consumption—and what followed can only be described as a change in my physical condition for the better. Below, a look at all the reasons I decided to give up milk, and what happened once I quit.

The impact of casein on the intestines

Casein is the main ingredient in milk—it accounts for about 80%. Though casein is a type of protein that contains a very large number of amino acids, it has also been linked to intestinal inflammation. Casein is actually now thought to be one of the causes of milk intolerance or dairy sensitivity.

There are several types of casein. Type A1 casein, which is found in many types of milk—especially in the milk from cows that originated in northern Europe, like Holsteins—is particularly prone to causing inflammation of the digestive tract, as it’s difficult for humans to digest. This undigested casein ferments in the intestines, producing gases and inflammatory substances that irritate the intestines.

On the other hand, A2 casein—which is mainly found in Guernsey, Jersey, and other cow breeds that originated in the Channel Islands and southern France—is considered relatively easy to digest and may cause fewer symptoms in people who are more likely to react to A1 casein.

Unless labelled “A2,” most regular milk contains both types of casein, meaning most milk can be difficult for a lot of people to digest. “Consumption of milk containing A1 beta-casein was associated with increased gastrointestinal inflammation, worsening of post-dairy digestive discomfort symptoms, delayed transit, and decreased cognitive processing speed and accuracy,” one study that looked at the effects of casein on the gut and brain reports.

Lactose intolerance

Lactose is a sugar found in dairy products. To break it down efficiently, our bodies use the enzyme lactase. However, the body’s ability to produce its own lactase often declines with age, making lactose difficult to digest—especially as we get older.

Janhvi Kapoor has been travelling across the country to promote Param Sundari. For her latest stop, she turned to Anamika Khanna, choosing a dusty rose sari-gown that merged the ease of a gown with the language of Indian couture.

Styled by Ami Patel, the silhouette carried the familiarity of six yards yet avoided the complications of draping. A one-shoulder neckline gave the look its modern line, while pleats stitched into the hem evoked the fall of a traditional sari. A pallu-like panel swept across the bust and over one arm, introducing movement and recalling the codes of classic draping. It is the floral motifs that breathe life into the muted canvas. The soft, scattered blooms with leafy vines hark the Art Nouveau era, where botanicals were often translated into flowing, organic patterns with a sense of movement.

Kapoor kept her accessory look understated by skipping a necklace and choosing impactful chandbaali earrings by Kalajee Jewellers, encrusted with purple beads and polki stones, while the delicate kaan phool framed her face. She complemented the look with handcrafted polki kadas by Raniwala 1881 and a ring by Jagdish Jewellers, letting each piece shine without overdoing it. For glam, Kapoor kept to her signature smoky eyes paired with nude lips. The unexpected pop came from her nails: a teal cat eye polish that shouldn’t work but it does. What elevated her beauty look was her hairstyle. She went with a half-up, half-down style adorned with fresh purple flowers.

From the sari to the styling, Janhvi Kapoor’s look is occasion wear at its most practical and beautiful. Its versatility extends far beyond formal events. You can make it work beautifully at a daytime brunch at a destination wedding just as effortlessly as you can for a Diwali cards party.

On September 7, not only will we see a full moon in Pisces but also a total lunar eclipse. More notably, the moon we see will be a blood moon. How does this work? It’s actually quite logical: during the lunar eclipse, the full moon only partially disappears into the Earth’s shadow and the Earth’s atmosphere gives it a reddish hue. The protective layer around our planet refracts and scatters sunlight: long-wave, red rays of light (as opposed to short-wave blue light) enter the Earth’s shadow, and the moon takes on a reddish glow outside its lunar eclipse.

A time of revelations and intuitive insights

This is a very special full moon because eclipses are regarded as a time of revelation. They accelerate destiny, tear down veils and bring to light emotions that have long been hidden. And because this full moon is in the sign of Pisces, we will be invited to recognise and let go of emotional burdens, for example repressed grief or subconscious patterns. Old wounds emerge but so do intuitive insights.

This is a phase for stillness and looking inwards. We can now actively understand where we have placed ourselves in victim roles or where our boundaries were too permeable. It is a powerful moment to emotionally close a karmic chapter. So this moon phase—three days before and after the full moon—can feel turbulent. But it’s not there to shake us up, it’s there to set us free.

Looking back to February 2025, last September or 2016/2017

Themes from the Pisces season (from mid-February to mid-March this year) could resurface now, but also unfinished lessons from last September or even themes from 2016/2017. The mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces) will feel this full moon the most. It can reveal dimensions that otherwise lie dormant, that feel subterranean. The very truest feelings can now be seen clearly, and you can purify and cleanse yourself to your advantage.

The first of two eclipses

Eclipses always appear in pairs. This is the first part; the second follows with the new moon and the solar eclipse on September 21. You can see this period as an eclipse tunnel or as two book ends. That is why it is also important to recognise that you may not be able to understand everything that is happening now. The resolution is yet to come, even if a lot is now in motion. It will all makes sense in two weeks’ time.

Saturn demands toughening up

Saturn is very present under this full moon: a positive sign given all the emotionality swirling through the air. Saturn demands that you put aside trivialities and small worries and face up to the important things, especially those that you have been avoiding. Saturn’s presence requires you to wisely let go of things that are no longer relevant and make room for new ways of living that will bring long-term security.

Uranus turns retrograde

One day before the full moon on September 6, Uranus begins its retrograde in Gemini. When its energy goes retrograde, it can make events seem random and chaotic. In Gemini, Uranus retrograde challenges us to revolutionise our thinking habits, reassess our assumptions and explore unfamiliar perspectives as we reflect on the past. This transit can ultimately have the effect of initiating change that, in retrospect, feels like it was always meant to be.

What else you can and shouldn’t do around the full moon:

The full moon in September 2025 is perfect for this:

Make a note of this date: In the future, you may well recognise this moon phase as a time when you understood something important or had the courage to make the right decision.