Posts in category: Life Style

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.

In this season, socks—and even better, colourful socks—are the ultimate allies of shoes, so essential they even have a whole drawer to themselves. Whether plush, with elastic piping, in warm wool or breathable cotton—and even better when dyed in vibrant colours—socks move beyond their merely functional role to become standout stars of the most stylish outfits of the moment.

It’s a combination so familiar that our minds register it as second nature. From school uniforms to their rise in the 1960s alongside Mary Quant’s miniskirts, socks have evolved with the times. In the 1980s, they embraced the sporty spirit of urban fashion, while in the 1990s, they became essential to both preppy and grunge style codes. Since then, fashion houses like Prada and Gucci have elevated this intimate item to a full-fledged style statement—one that now leads the current fashion narrative. In line with Fall-Winter 2025 fashion trends, the styling of socks and shoes blurs the boundaries between masculine and feminine, embracing a universal, versatile, and flattering approach.

How to wear shoes with coloured socks this season

Because socks offer more than just heel support—they add a thoughtful layer of style. They’re capable of breaking away from the delicate femininity of ballerinas or low-heeled Mary Janes to create a look of intellectual refinement. This styling choice can feel both formal and rebellious, bringing in a sense of playfulness or nodding to the understated chic of Parisian aesthetics. Ultimately, it’s one of the oldest—and simplest—tricks in the book to elevate any outfit with a single slip.

High-heeled mule shoes with knee socks

Miu Miu Otoño-Invierno 2025Daniele Oberrauch/Gorunway.

You may feel like you are still in your oyster but with one leg out, ready to explore the world and new horizons, and Pisces, what a wonderful feeling that is! Now remember, darling, you are born to thrive, so don’t you let this in-between stage of transition confuse you into believing that you are not worthy or you don’t have it all figured out. Objective assessments of facts. Whether it is your job you are running away from or your mundane life, or something else, you believe you must build something because you have been working on it, because that is what you have known, Aries. Walk through this door with confidence, hold your visions, soften your gaze and most importantly, release harsh judgements. Remember, as your relationships thrive, so will you, Virgo. Your guidance is leading you to do things in a way that has not been done before. Your vibe is telling you what feels real and what isn’t meant to last, Cancer.

Read on for what the stars have in store for you and make sure you check out your sun, moon and rising signs for the complete picture.

Your conscious vibe: focusing on creating, manifesting, building wealth and material assets.

Your subconscious vibe: Wanting to run away from it all.

Your solution? Objective assessments of facts. Whether it is your job you are running away from or your mundane life, or something else, you believe you must build something because you have been working on i,t because that is what you have known. However, Aries, beneath the surface, you know you’d much rather do something else. So debone your current life. And pick the pieces that are left and feel appetising.

Cosmic tip: For your fortune to turn, you must be objectively willing to see the humour in your current situation.

Your conscious vibe: A sense of urgency, feeling the need to take action now.

Your subconscious vibe: Wanting to learn and prep yourself better, refining your skills, and willing to dive deep into polishing something before you take that step.

Your solution? Assert yourself and confidently accept the opportunities you are offered. Taurus, this may not be your general vibe, but this is the need of the hour. Creative thinking, learning on the go and taking the plunge where the cosmos is guiding you may be your best bets at this point. The flight may not wait for you forever, and yes, although what is meant for you always finds its way back to you, the cosmos also needs to know whether you’d like it to come by or not. And this is only possible through your willingness to take action.

My social media algorithm knows me too well. Lately, it keeps serving videos of people strapping sleek ankle or wrist weights—not the clunky ones of the past—before heading out for a walk. They film their ‘before’ and ‘after’ results, claiming visible changes after just a month. What started online has spilled into real life. Devotees online report shedding up to two kilos in under a month, a more defined waistline (“I can see my abs for the first time in 20 years,” one says), stronger legs and even better posture. Some have taken it further by swapping ankle weights for weighted vests.

The benefits of walking with weights

Ankle and wrist weights are nothing new, but the designs have evolved. Adjustable versions in bold colours make the idea more appealing (Amazon carts are proof). Traditionally used for squats, lunges or glute bridges, they’re now making their way outdoors to enhance the benefits of a brisk walk—and no, they’re not being hidden under sweatpants or sleeves.

Used correctly, these weighted bands can bring real benefits. “Weights create additional effort, which increases energy expenditure. This means you burn more calories while walking. Plus, if applied properly, they help strengthen both legs and arms,” explains trainer Juan Ruiz López, director of the centre that bears his name.

Why adaptation—and the right load—matters

Going from zero to extreme is a classic fitness mistake. Simply strapping on the heaviest ankle weights and hitting the pavement is not advised. “Extra weight increases impact and joint stress, which can lead to discomfort or injury. It can also change gait mechanics, potentially causing pain in the lower limbs or shoulders when using arm weights,” warns Ruiz.

Weighted vests and backpacks, also popular online, are safer alternatives. “They integrate the load more naturally with the body and distribute it evenly. But even with these, it’s important to adapt gradually,” he adds.

How to choose your weights

While fixed-weight bands exist, adjustable options are more sustainable. “Start with short walks, gradually increasing both time and load. Begin on flat surfaces, wear them every other day, and listen to your body. If you feel discomfort, reduce the weight or the duration,” Ruiz advises. For beginners, one-kilo weights are enough; those with some training experience can start with 1.5 to 2 kilos.

Can you run with ankle weights?

It may seem like a logical next step after walking with weights, but experts advise against it. “Running with ankle weights can overload the muscles and joints, interfering with natural movement and raising the risk of injury,” says trainer Sandra Lordén Álvarez.

Genelia Deshmukh has an enviable line-up of Indian ensembles in her wardrobe. Her collection spans timeless weaves for milestone moments, airy cottons for everyday ease, embroidered heirlooms for weddings and contemporary drapes for the red carpet.

After a season of monsoon-friendly gossamer pieces, the actor returned to her festive best for Ganesh Chaturthi. Her recent appearance, styled by Who Wore What When, in a lustrous chocolate brown lehenga can be read as a manifesto for mindful dressing.

From Aamra by Lavanya’s Inara collection, the ensemble brings together some of India’s most revered textile traditions. A rich Banarasi Chanderi silk with delicate zari stripes serves as the foundation of the lehenga. The highlight is the Pen Kalamkari dupatta, hand-painted with yellow florals shaded in vivid tones of red, green and blue. Layered with intricate hand embroidery, the piece turns into a canvas where multiple crafts converge.

Pen Kalamkari is a centuries-old art form that uses a bamboo or date palm pen to draw and paint intricate motifs onto fabric. The process is as meditative as it is meticulous. “It begins with treating the fabric using natural ingredients like cow dung and milk to ensure colour fastness. Artisans then sketch motifs inspired by mythology and nature with a fine pen, and outline them in natural dyes derived from plants and minerals,” explains Lavanya Satuluri, the designer behind the Hyderabad-based label. What makes Deshmukh’s dupatta stand out, she adds, is the labour behind it: “The silhouette underwent the full Kalamkari process and took 20–25 days to be hand-painted.” The result is a piece that tells a story of craft heritage, where each petal, vine and imperfection is a testament to the artist’s patience and skill.

The question of “girl code” as it pertains to exes is a complicated one. Strict constructionists may argue that it’s never, ever okay to date your friend’s ex—see: the current micro-controversy swirling around Zoë Kravitz, who recently stepped out in Rome with her bestie Taylor Swift’s long-ago ex, Harry Styles—but it’s worth mentioning that a lot of those people are also straight. (I’m not trying to propagate the queers-all-date-each-other’s-exes stereotype, but…there’s some truth to it! Remember Reneé Rapp telling Gabby Windey that her entire lesbian friend group is made up of people she’s dated?) I genuinely believe that if you told any 50-year-old dyke about the Kravitz/Swift/Styles non-love triangle, she would simply laugh and introduce you to three of her emotional support ex-girlfriends she’s been sharing a Craftsman bungalow with since 1977.

Nevertheless, I definitely understand the knee-jerk assumption that anyone who dates a friend’s ex—even if, as in Swift and Styles’s case, the relationship lasted less than a full year and took place a full decade ago—is treading in dangerous waters. But as someone who’s navigated this issue in several different friend groups, I have to posit this: If your friendships are really more important to you than your romantic relationships, then you have to move like they are. That could mean, yes, swiping past your bestie’s ex-boyfriend’s profile when it comes up on Hinge, but it could also mean…forgiving your friend if they do find a connection, whether a brief spark or genuine vibe, with someone you’ve dated.

Would I be thrilled if one of my best friends sought out or actually dated someone I’d shared a significant relationship with in the past, myself? To be entirely honest, no. But part of maturing emotionally is honing your ability to sit with discomfort, and letting your real intentions—rather than your pissed-off, jealous lizard brain—guide your actions. After all, unless your breakup was very recent or particularly painful in some way (or your friend has a habit of going for people you’ve dated, which is a whole separate issue), it might actually be healing to mentally toss some of your exes into the “community property” pile, especially if you’ve moved on and found new love—as Swift has.