Posts in category: Life Style

Straight out of a romantic comedy, Sujala Newar and Rashid Currawalla met at a New Year’s Eve party they were never meant to attend. “I guess the universe had a different plan,” reveals Newar, who runs The Local Vintage across Shillong and Mumbai. The meet-cute blossomed into a decade-long relationship between her and Rashid, who manages his family’s shipping
and logistics business.

When it came to the proposal, Newar had a hunch that Rashid would do it during her birthday trip to Thailand last year. “But knowing how meticulous he is about safeguarding our valuables while travelling, I wasn’t sure if there would be a ring,” Newar shares. A proposal without a ring might seem unconventional—until you realise it was a prank.

“Just before my birthday dinner, he gave a sweet speech and knelt down—without a ring. He had me wear my own ring, promising to get me an actual one once we returned home.

I was annoyed, especially when he insisted that I put my ring back in the safe before heading out. When I opened the safe, the real engagement ring was inside. I was surprised and he was chuffed,” she says.

Following the passing of Newar’s grandmother in February, the couple had a civil ceremony in May with their loved ones. What began as a modest celebration gradually transformed into something more meaningful. Newar explains: “We figured if we were going to do it, we should do it in a way that honours both our cultures.” This led to a Nepali wedding in Shillong and a traditional Parsi ceremony in Mumbai.

But their venue underwent a dramatic transformation just weeks before the Shillong wedding. “When I visited with my decorator for a walk-through, I was shocked to see that the trees
on one side of the property had been chopped to make way for a road,” she recalls. So, they brought their “enchanted forest” vision to life at a new outpost, The Oak, with abundant greenery and white florals creating a mystical atmosphere under the winter morning sun.

Their Nepali ceremony condensed elaborate customs into a meaningful 45-minute ritual. When Rashid and his wedding party arrived, they received a traditional Newari shagun platter that included boiled egg, samay baji, sel roti and whisky. “Though we’re Hindu, the Newar customs differ quite a bit,” Newar explains. The couple exchanged garlands of dubo (Bermuda grass), symbolising prosperity. The priest then conducted a brief puja and kanyadaan, followed by the sindoor and potay ceremony. “Potay is the Nepali version of the mangalsutra.”

Between award stages, couture showcases and beauty brand launches, ivory emerged as the week’s most visible shade. Khushi Kapoor turned heads at Gaurav Gupta’s first bridal couture showcase in Mumbai in a sculpted fishtail gown. Alongside Neha Dhupia’s pearl-white gown and Nimrat Kaur’s floral-detailed sari, these looks proved that pale tones can be as impactful as vivid colour on the red carpet.

Here are some of the looks that stood out for their craftsmanship and styling.

Khushi Kapoor attended Gaurav Gupta’s first bridal couture showcase in Mumbai in a sculpted fishtail gown from the label’s Jyogitrama collection. The ivory piece was hand-embroidered with silver beadwork and finished with a dramatic flare at the hem. She paired it with diamond jewellery that caught the light against the gown’s structure.

At the Filmfare Awards, Malavika Mohanan chose a silver gown by Shantnu & Nikhil featuring a plunging sweetheart neckline, asymmetric straps and a fitted silhouette. A subtle flare in georgette added movement, with diamond accessories completing the look.

How you show up within your relationships is how the Universe shows up for you, Taurus. If you want to put an end to challenging times, decide to put an end to the pitiless loop you think you are stuck in. Instead of waiting for the cosmos to initiate change, consider making changes in your way in your life. We get it, Capricorn, Earth school ain’t easy. You’ve got to pay the bills, you’ve got to grow, feel fulfilled, and rewarded all the same. However, here’s the cheat code for you—the more you clutch onto your ‘assets’, the harder they become to keep for you. So try this—replace “what if I lose this?” with “What amazing things are in store for me, if I only try something new?” You deserve this celebration and the abundance that surrounds you, Cancer. Your eyes have been set on the prize for a while, and you, my dear friend, have been busy getting your energetic frequency from being frazzled to being with it. The wheel of fortune turns in your favour, and Sag, how you deserve this! This is your time to fiercely defend all that you believe in and stand for. This is your time to trust your inner vision over what the world tries to make you believe. This is your time to make yourself believe in your magic again. Things are moving fast, and although you may have felt like you were stuck in a sea storm, suddenly the sun beams through the clouds, and rough waters feel like they are parting ways to reveal your hidden secret path, Pisces.

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.

Instead of getting sentimental about a whole host of things that you perhaps had made peace with in the past, Aries, it may be time for you to just regain your rationality and begin balancing the scales once again. Missed opportunities, however distant in the past, rarely feel good; however, they often lead you to places that you would have otherwise not encountered had you trodden on that path. Where are you now? And most importantly, are you not happy here? Move on, get a grip and begin afresh.

Once dismissed as an office uniform, the workwear kurta is stepping into a smarter, sharper space. With designers refining cuts, prints, and fabrics, it’s no longer a Monday-to-Friday default—it’s a year-round wardrobe anchor. Here’s how to choose the right one.

Solid colours

A solid silk or linen kurta is the most versatile base you can own. Look for clean, uninterrupted lines. Think concealed plackets and side slits cut for movement. In summer, it holds its own with tailored trousers and flat sandals. In cooler months, it layers easily under a blazer or sleeveless jacket. The restraint here is intentional; it is about letting the cut and fabric do the work.

Prints & Patterns

Small-scale geometrics, block prints, micro florals. In grounded tones can shift your look without overwhelming it. Keep the pairing minimal with neutral trousers, a single piece of jewellery, so the kurta remains the focal point. It’s the kind of print you can wear to a client pitch and also a long weekend getaway with the girls.

Knee lengths

A knee-length kurta is the easiest piece to reframe with layers. For over-airconditioned offices, throw on a sharp blazer or a longline jacket; it instantly changes the proportion and adds structure. When winter sets in, switch to fine-knit cardigans or a handloom wool stole. The key is to add warmth without bulk, keeping the lines clean and the movement easy.

Pockets, please

Function doesn’t have to kill form. Choose a workwear kurta with pockets deep enough for your phone or card case because nobody wants to carry a bag to the pantry. Go for lengths that balance well with flats or heels. These details mean you’ll reach for it as instinctively on Monday as you do on Friday.

Detailed sleeves

Sleeves are where you can signal personality without breaking dress codes. Cuffed with light embroidery or a voluminous sleeve for a little bit of movement. Just keep the volume in check; the goal is to suggest intention, not to sweep your sleeve through your 4 p.m. chai.

Also read:

20 labels that are making must-have kurtas fit for your monsoon wardrobe

15 offbeat blouse styles to go with your cocktail saris

Best work bags to invest in, according to your girl-boss style

“You either have to be flawless or you’re a failure,” Martinez says. “There’s no middle ground or grey area.” Not only is this all-or-nothing thinking inaccurate, it also leaves no room for nuance, self-compassion or growth. (And really, how could anyone be confident when their brain is feeding them such unforgiving thoughts after small slipups?)

3. You interpret even gentle feedback as proof you’re failing

No one enjoys receiving constructive criticism. But even the mildest, most well-meaning suggestions can hit like personal attacks for those struggling with an inferiority complex…and be enough to spark a shame spiral.

A casual comment from your boss about improving a task, for example, might be interpreted as confirmation that you suck at your job. (Ugh, why’d they even hire me? Everyone knows I don’t belong.) A gentle comment from your partner about how you could’ve handled last night’s disagreement differently may suddenly become proof that you’re an all-around inadequate person who deserves to get dumped.

“When we receive feedback, it’s normal to have a moment of self-doubt. We feel bad, but that usually passes,” Martinez explains. However, “some people might ruminate on it or obsess about it for days, since it reinforces all of this negative stuff that they already believe about themselves.”

4. You look at other people’s wins and automatically wonder what’s wrong with you

It’s pretty much impossible not to do this to some extent (thanks, social media highlight reels). However, with inferiority complexes, those comparisons don’t just feel like passing moments of envy. Instead, they become a lens through which you judge your worth…or rather, your perceived lack of it, according to Bryant.

Whether someone announces a new gig, shares an engagement update or posts about their impressive lifting PR, your mind might race with thoughts like, “No matter how hard I try, I’ll never be as good as this person,” or, “I’m clearly not talented enough, or else I’d be where they are now.” You’re not simply wishing you had what they had—you’re convinced there’s something flawed about you for not measuring up.

5. You try really, really hard to gain other people’s approval

If you’re convinced you’re somehow lacking as you are, it makes sense that you might feel the pressure to “earn” your worth. Because when you don’t believe you’re sufficient on your own, external praise and approval become your only lifeline to fill that void. That’s why, with inferiority complexes, “there’s often this real, Olympic-level people-pleasing with hardly any boundaries,” Martinez says.

There’s no pomp when Sudha Murty enters the room. In fact, no one really notices. The videographers are busy priming their cameras, her staff is whirring around the sidelines and I am admiring a painting depicting the Mahabharata—made by a Kolkata-based collective of the Bengal School, she tells me later. “Which magazine?” she asks, smiling, as I hurriedly turn, take notice and mutter an answer. “Ah yes, please sit.” So I do. In videos and pictures, Murty seems larger somehow, a powerhouse of a person, but here, in the upstairs atrium of her office in Bengaluru’s Jayanagar, she seems slighter, smaller, even simpler. She is dressed modestly, in a green cotton salwar kameez, and it’s her face that fills in the absent details when I show her a video of my daughter thanking her for writing one of her favourite children’s books, The Gopi Diaries, starring her real-life Golden Retriever, who now snoozes lazily by her feet.

As a staff member arrives bearing a tray full of spiced coriander-sprinkled buttermilk, the conversation turns to whether it is homemade. “It is,” she nods sagely—as are most other things she eats. “I don’t go to restaurants. Why drive, park and waste time in traffic when you can eat at home? It’s easier and faster.” When the cameras flick on, framing her face, we are on the topic of kitchens and cooking, and how she and her husband, N. R. Narayana Murthy, co-founder of Infosys, managed to build both a healthy company and healthy eating habits back in the day. “When he was building Infosys, he never had time to cook,” she says, adding that there was never a day when he finished a meal without washing his plate. “He was very helpful even then,” adds Murty, whose own plate, in those days, was overflowing. “I’ve always been working, so I never became an expert at cooking. I know the basics—rice, sambar, roti, sabzi—but not dishes like holige [a sweet flatbread from Karnataka]. Our meals are always simple.” That explains why she sought help from her mother in the kitchen. “My parents lived below us, so my mother cooked for the family for a long time. It was only when she became old that we sought outside help.”

As a Padma Shri awardee, Rajya Sabha member, founder of the Infosys Foundation and a prolific author, philanthropist and educator, Murty is no stranger to breaking stereotypes. She earned her bachelor’s degree in engineering from BVB College of Engineering and Technology as the only girl in her class. “There were no toilets, so I wouldn’t drink water from 7am to noon. Then I’d walk home, use the restroom, have lunch and be back in the lab at 2pm,” recalls the multihyphenate, who went on to complete her master’s degree in computer science from the Indian Institute of Science. Her grandmother discouraged her from studying engineering, insisting it was meant for boys and warning that it would hurt her prospects in the marriage market. She persevered, repeating history upon becoming the first female engineer at Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company (now Tata Motors) in 1974. When she married Narayana Murthy in 1978, she did so with one condition—she would spell her surname as Murty, not Murthy, as it aligned with the Sanskrit alphabet.

Cosmic tip: Overcome obstacles by maintaining your focus.

What do you wish to focus on? Sag, ask yourself what truly matters? What will add value, and what do you really want to sustain in your life in the long run? And then work your way back to your present moment. Now, in this moment, what fears are holding you back from walking towards your big goals? Fear of loss of connection, fear of walking alone, fear of everything feeling too much, fear of venturing out so far that you may not be able to return? Your angels remind you that whatever you may be fearing at this point in time can be worked around. Ask for help and support, share how you feel, and simply rise up to the occasion that requires you to be quietly brave. You will be pleasantly surprised at how you check everything off one thing at a time.

Cosmic tip: Things are looking up. Challenging times will be behind you.

Brilliant new inspirations need brilliant new action steps, and Capricorn, tell me you didn’t know this already? Something quick-footed enters your life and takes it by storm, pushing you to take rapid, decisive, and creative action. But darling, here is the thing, you are already living part of your wildest dreams, and you must continue to keep walking on this path. Embrace the changes that are unfolding for you with an open heart and mind. This may look like your rock bottom, but could it be that you are simply hitting refresh?

Cosmic tip: New opportunities will come knocking at your door, and they will need you to fuel your life with ingenuity and originality.

Take your time, Aquarius. Take your time to heal, take your time to assess, take your time to rebuild, simply take your time! Your life is more blessed than you think, Aquarius. If you really look at it, you are sitting on a gold mine, revelling in abundance and prosperity, perhaps even the knowledge that you are on your way to something big. And this magnitude of things will only feel more settled and expansive if you learn to strike that balance, in giving and receiving, in opening up to new avenues, in making long-term plans and backing them up with short, actionable steps. All you need and desire is within your realm of reach. You simply need to explore this new way opening up in front of you.

Cosmic tip: Make long-term optimistic plans.

Something moves, your perspective, a situation, an opportunity, or even people. And Pisces, this thing needs you to act quickly, but creatively. Take a moment to place your hands on your heart and take a couple of deep breaths. Then ask yourself, what is it that I really feel called to do right now? How do I feel called to move and be? You may receive an intuitive answer in a flash that not only leads you to a quick resolution but also fair means and a road that feels lighter, brighter, and more content. The solution might take you by surprise, but if it feels good in your bones, it probably is the best option for you.

Cosmic tip: Stand up for your beliefs and do what you know is right for you.

The most stubborn zodiac signs may seem easygoing at first, but don’t be fooled. Once they’ve made up their minds, not even a cosmic storm could change them. You might make the mistake of assuming that everyone has a chink in their armour for you to exploit, but make no mistake; the most stubborn zodiac signs will dig in their heels and watch the world bend around them instead. Forget what you’ve heard about compromise—they practically consider it an expletive. Read on to know if you fall among the most stubborn zodiac signs, and if yes, where you rank.

Capricorn

Steadfastness: check. Valour: check. Resilience: check in bold. This is one zodiac that will fight for you to the extent of perishing themselves. Capricorns exemplify supreme resilience, even if it spells doomsday. You simply do not know when to give up; not even when the universe is slapping you with signs. Learning when to walk away can save you from crying a million buckets in hindsight.

Leo

You might be willing to lose love to keep your pride but that might not be the smartest thing to do. Leos are too proud to ask for help, too proud to bend, too proud to admit that they need to learn to see beyond themselves. While your exuberance and confidence may take you to exciting new places, when it comes to matters of the heart and humility, reigning in your obstinacy might just be the most life-saving skill you master.

Cancer

Your need to nurture often overrides the intuitive abilities that help you perceive another’s needs and views as equally important. Cancer, you can see what others cannot, but you cannot always walk the toughest mile for those you love. Such is life, and this is also a form of love—opening your palm and setting your loved ones free, knowing fully well that they will come back home in one piece. Life is beautiful, even without you having to micromanage it.

Libra

You love getting sucked into conflict like it is your permanent address. Libra, you thrive on excelling at detangling complicated situations and relationships. But this drama too can feel addictive, and sometimes, you may find yourself craving this dopamine hit so much that you park yourselves in situations that you don’t really belong in. Sometimes, you must remember that you have to let go to let live and that peace can come at the cost of agreeing to disagree.

Gemini

When the universe asked, ‘Who wants to be in charge?’, every Gemini’s hand shot up like Hermione Granger. There’s no doubt that you are quick-witted, but this sometimes leads you to jump into situations that you may not really be interested in. Your logic and intellect are unmatched because your twin personality lets you split your brain into two ‘rationalising’ and ‘acting fast’ parts. However, you must remember that not everything deserves your attention and energy.

Aries

Things may seem exciting when they are fresh, but Aries, you know consistency can feel like boredom. The mundaneness of life is not for you and neither is anything that sounds even slightly critical of your viewpoint. Yes, you light up a room with your fire, but you can also be the fire that burns it all to the ground. Your inner conflict between taking off on a holiday and crafting an elaborate business plan all by yourself might be worth reviewing. Take off the blindfold—what’s yours is yours, but allowing others to help only refines your perspective.

Nimrat Kaur’s sari billowed, layered chiffon and organza catching the air in soft ruffles as she crossed the room. Ridhi Mehra’s chintz-inspired print lent the ivory base a centuries-old story, while a beadwork-trimmed blouse and sheer sleeves brought it firmly into the present.

The hand-embroidered raw-silk bodice was edged with ornate gold lace, its metallic thread kept minimal to let the florals lead. Full sheer georgette sleeves softened the structure, while the pre-draped folds of the sari traced ruffled edges along the hem. The pallu fell into a loose cascade at the back, and the lower half followed a mermaid-style drape that skimmed the hips before flaring past the knees. The interplay of sheer and opaque, structured and flowing, reflected the dichotomy of the look itself: a traditional outfit with a contemporary silhouette.

The ivory base carried delicate printed florals in the style of chintz, a printed cotton textile that emerged in India centuries ago, celebrated for its intricate botanical motifs on pale grounds. Handwoven and block-printed by artisans, chintz once travelled across continents, coveted in Europe for its vivid dyes and fine weave. Even trade bans and foreign imitations couldn’t blunt its allure; a testament not just to its beauty but to the lasting cultural pull of florals in Indian textile design.

Nimrat Kaur wore jewellery, from Shri Paramani Jewels, including emerald drop earrings set with graduating stones encircled by diamonds, and bold multi-stone rings worn across both hands. Hair was parted to the side in loose waves, with warm, tonal makeup—peach lids, cheeks and lips–for a soft, cohesive finish.

From Vogue’s fashion desk:

“Belt it. A slender metallic cinch will pull those ruffles into line and give the waist its moment. Trade the emerald chandeliers for pearl studs and let the print set the pace,” says Vogue India fashion associate Manglien Gangte.

Also read:

Janhvi Kapoor’s half sari comes with a pearl-laden back detail worth a closer look

Khushi Kapoor chose a striped beaded gown by Gaurav Gupta with a subtle fishtail flare

Sonali Bendre’s blouse with elaborate appliqué work took over 500 hours to create

As intense as erotic transference may sound, the reason it’s pretty common is simple: In sessions, “the client often feels heard, cared for and accepted,” Larkin explains. “So it’s easy to confuse those professional, relational feelings for romantic love.” But that doesn’t mean your connection is actually romantic—or even real in the way it may feel in the moment.

That’s because “you can’t truly be in love with someone you don’t know,” says Erin Runt, LMFT, a Chicago-based licensed therapist. “A patient might think they know their therapist or psychiatrist, but in any professional setting with the right boundaries, they don’t.” So often, what seems like infatuation is actually about what the therapist symbolises—things like comfort, approval and validation.

What therapists do when their patient catches feelings

Transference is so common that it’s something most therapists are trained to prepare for and handle. Rather than ignoring what can seem like an uncomfortable or inappropriate crush, Dr. Gold says the standard protocol is to address the tension directly. Otherwise, important boundaries can become even more blurred, making your mental health treatment less effective (or even more harmful) in the long run.

To navigate this dynamic, Runt says she’d typically start by explaining to the patient what transference is, reassuring that it’s natural and exploring what might be behind those feelings. (Are you craving attention from a parent? Feeling unheard in your love life?) From there, it might also require reinforcing firmer boundaries, Larkin adds—like prohibiting contact outside of sessions (unless in the case of emergencies) or rejecting physical gestures like hugs.

In taking these precautions, it’s possible the therapeutic relationship may rupture as a result, meaning some clients might decide to walk away. And in certain situations, psychiatrists could find it more appropriate to refer them to a new provider, especially in more ethically complex situations (such as when the patient is continuously pushing boundaries and trying to pursue a romantic relationship).

Given the intimacy and vulnerability involved in therapy, falling in love with your psychiatrist is not unnatural (with or without an 18-part TikTok exposé). Still, that doesn’t mean the connection is truly romantic—and any ethical, well-trained professional is equipped to keep those lines crystal clear.

This article first appeared on self.com