My recent purchase: Forever 21

changing seasons call for changing outfits. i recently went to Forever 21 to buy something to wear this coming summer. i love Forever 21 because they have cute, trendy clothes that won't cost you a fortune. i have even found great steals from their sale racks. you just have to be patient, and of course, just enjoy looking at the clothes (even if we can't buy them all). :D

rompers are becoming one of this season's "must haves". having never owned one, it was my goal to find one and actually buy it. ;) where else would i go to but Forever 21, right?

right when i entered, i saw rompers hanging on the racks right in front of the doors. i grab one, and look at the tag... it's only $10.50! that's a good price, especially considering it wasn't from the sale racks (which usually have clothes priced at $10 and below). i immediately go and look for a tank top or something similar to wear with it, and i find a bright yellow one = just what i had in mind.

i can wear this tank top over or under my new romper. and it can also be worn as it is with jeans or denim shorts. with or without a different colored tank top under it. :D

i paid about $14 for both of these items. $5.80 for the tank top, and $7 for the romper. i was sooo happy to find out that the price for those particular rompers were lowered down as a special offer. :)

have you gone spring/summer shopping yet?

Make a Statement

I'm a sucker for big pieces of jewellery--everything from statement necklaces to chunky cocktail rings. So, this spring, why not join me and layer on the bling?

{I am mad for this clutch, too!}

Photos: Garance Doré, Jak and Jill, Stockholm Street Style,


And a big thank you to Dawn of The Alternative Wife. I just received my prize from her Mario Badescu giveaway. Can't wait to try all the goodies!

Lost Wednesdays: The Package

WARNING: POST CONTAINS EPISODE SPOILERS

"Some people just aren't meant to be together." Hmmm...could Keamy's words be prophetic? Let's hope not. I've waited long enough for a Jin-Sun reunion, I don't need one of them to go and croak or blow up again. Somehow they need to get home to their daughter. How sweet was Jin when he was looking at those photos? (And yay to the Dharma shout out, bringing Jin to the brainwashing room where Carl was held).

I think this episode was solid. I liked seeing a little backbone from Sun, spoke more to the woman she had become off the island (the one doing deals with Widmore) than the one she was when she originally arrived. I liked the little surprises in the flash sideways--Jin and Sun not being married, Mikhail getting shot in the eye (!), Sun being pregnant, Jin and Sun still being in love when landing at LAX. I wonder what it can all mean and how these two realities will eventually tie together.

On island I think things could be moving faster. I don't need heartwarming scenes with Jack and Sun and a tomato. Sun seemed to have so much animosity for Jack off island I'm surprised she's pledged to trust him now. Does she not remember how Jack and Kate promised to get Jin off the freighter and then left him there?! Stop making promises you can't keep Jack! Anyway, the Widmore-NotLocke showdown was interesting, although I wanted to SCREAM when the Man In Black asked if Widmore knew his name and all Widmore said was, "Well, you're obviously not John Locke."  UGH. You are killing me, people. Just killing me. Slowly.

Awwww!

I. Love. Miles. When Sun lost her ability to speak English and he was all like, "And we're supposed to buy that?" I almost died. Love. Love. Love. It was also great when Sawyer asked NotLocke if he couldn't just pouf and fly over to the next island. No? Yeah, because that'd be ridiculous. (It does make sense that the MiB would need all the candidates to leave the island with him--and Kate's not one of them!)

He is not on anyone's side. Okay?

"A wise man once said that a war was coming to this island, and I think it just got here." Woohoo. The Smoke Monster is mad. Charlie Widmore it is ON.

Desmond!

And it was Desmond locked up on the sub!  Ha! I knew it. (At least I called one thing on this crazy show.) Poor Penny. I don't think this is going to end well. Thoughts?

Akshay Kumar - The top tax-payer

Contradictory to earlier reports, Akshay Kumar becomes the top tax-payer in Bollywood, yet again. Akki has pipped to the post stars like Aamir Khan and Shahrukh Khan to top the list.

And now we understand why Akki was chosen to feature in the ad by the Income-Tax Department to promote compliance with taxes. Surprisingly, the star had no big hits last year, and all his mega-budget films Chandni Chowk to China, Kambakkht Ishq and Blue bombed at the box office. Then too, he paid an advance tax of Rs 9 crore in March 2010, reveals a daily. Now, his total advance tax payment in the current financial year is of Rs 18 crore. Last year, he paid a sum of Rs 31 crore as taxes.

 

However, according to some media reports, it was Shahrukh as the top tax-payer but he reportedly comes in the third position. Aamir ranks second with the advance payment of Rs 12 crore.

 

Among others top tax-payers are Abhishek Bachhcan, Aishwarya Rai, Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Ranbir Kapoor who joins the league this year with an advance tax payment of Rs 2.1 crore.

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Skulls and Crowns: Philip Barlow for Bradley Hughes

How great are artist Philip Barlow's fabrics for his debut collection for Bradley Hughes? I love how Barlow mixes classic designs and colours with a rock 'n roll edge. The fabrics are available by the yard and in pillows.

I am also so happy for one of my best friends who just got engaged. I know she's been wanting this for awhile and she is just so incredibly happy, its wonderful to see. Another wedding to add to the list -- this one will surely be a total pleasure!

Priyanka Chopra comes between Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif

Now here’s a piece of news that is bound to end all speculation of an awaited love affair between Ranbir and Katrina on the sets of ‘Khamoshi’.

The gorgeous stars, who are often linked with each other, will have little chance to get up-close and personal on the sets of their forthcoming movie.

As the dainty Priyanka Chopra will be on location too. And no, Miss Piggy Chops is not playing any spy role but will be present on the sets as a part of the movie.

 

Reports suggest that the much talked about Anurag Basu flick ‘Khamoshi’ will not only have Ranbir and Katrina but also Priyanka in the lead role.

 

Thereby, leaving little or no chance for any romantic alliance between the dishy Kapoor scion and his latest fixation Kat. Confirming the news a source said, “Anurag Basu is currently trying to finalise.

 

The dates as Priyanka is also committed to Don 2 with Farhan Akhtar and Shah Rukh Khan”.So even though the duo will have no chance to get personal.

 

On this one, sources state that Katrina is giving Imtiaz Ali’s offer opposite Ranbir a second thought. The stunner had initially refused Imtiaz for Basu’s film but considering that Imtiaz is known to give his actresses a centre role in his films, Kat might just hop on the opportunity.

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Kajol little worried about the dance steps in Stepmom!

She may be pregnant but that hasn’t deterred Kajol from working as hard as she does. While shooting for a song for Siddharth Malhotra’s remake of Stepmom, Kajol had to do some energetic dance steps. She had to be able to do as fine a job as Elvis Presley did in Jailhouse Rock, seeing as that was the song she was shooting for. The filmmakers have bought the rights of the song.

Buzz up!Kajol was a little worried about the dance steps affecting her health. She wasn’t too sure about the steps when choreographers Bosco and Ceaser showed them to her during rehearsals. She asked them to tone the steps down considerably.

 

The steps were changed as per her request but as the shoot went on, she started to enjoy it and as it is one of her favourite songs, she danced along with the rhythm of the song. Finally, she ended up doing something similar to what the choreographers had earlier planned.

 

The film team was naturally concerned and was very alert throughout. In one portion, she was supposed to dance on a piano. Though Kajol wasn’t worried about it, the unit was very protective. The director even suggested that the sequence could be done away with but Kajol had no qualms doing it.

 

In the film, Kajol plays Arjun Rampal’s ex-wife while Kareena plays his girlfriend. Both Arjun and Kareena were part of the song too.

 

According to the director, all of the actors have just put in their best into the song and they enjoyed shooting for it. He hopes that the fun they had while shooting is reflected when audiences see the song.

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Katrina Kaif hurt while shooting with Akshay

Katrina Kaif ended up getting hurt while shooting a groovy dance sequence with Akshay Kumar for Farah Khan’s film Tees Maar Khan at Malshej Ghat, a few hours’ drive from Mumbai.

 

It appears that both Katrina and Akshay were in a groovy mood and wanted to put their best foot forward while filming a ballet-like dance sequence on Friday. However, due to some mistiming in the dance move or perhaps they got too close, Katrina’s head bumped into Akshay’s jaw and teeth.

 

Strangely, nothing happened to Akshay but Katrina got injured on her head and felt dizzy and disoriented after the bump. While Farah Khan rushed to look after her, Akshay was in a jocular mood and scared Katrina further by saying that she would have to get a few stitches.

 

Katrina was attended by a doctor and given all medical attention. She’s learnt to have resumed the film’s shoot now.

 

Just a few days back, Katrina had fainted on the sets of the movie. Before that she battled a series of health scares including food poisoning and surgery. 

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Book of the Week: Everything Here Is the Best Thing Ever

"The most affecting stories in Everything Here Is the Best Thing Ever are as unpredictable as a careening drunk. They leave us with the heavy residue of an unsettling strangeness, and a new voice that readers - and writers, too - might be seeking out for decades to come.” This is what The New York Times Book Review said about Justin Taylor's collection of short stories. Lately I've been hearing a lot of praise for this book so I was super excited when I was sent a copy to review. Short stories aren't usually my deal, but I was excited to read the much buzzed about book for myself.

"We move to the living room, sit in the ambient glow from the kitchen.

'Its almost not enough anymore,' she says, breaking the silence.

Should I ask what 'it' is? No, that's clear enough...

 'Typical,' she says, meaning my not answering,

so I say, 'I have to kill my uncle's cat tomorrow.'

Neither of us is saying what the other wants to hear."

-In My Heart I Am Already Gone [p. 12]

There are anarchists, a Tetris player so obsessed with beating the high score he keeps playing while the world outside his window ends, and a fast food worker obsessed with Abu Ghraib and rough sex. A teenager who turns to black magic as an answer to unrequited love and a prodigal son returning home. Relationships--familial, romantic and otherwise--play a large role in all the stories as does religion and politics. I found it interesting to read stories written by someone my own age about our generation. There is weariness, ennui and nostalgia from these painfully ordinary characters, many of whom are reaching adulthood and can now see their youth in the rearview mirror. Not all the stories are perfect, but I think Everything Here Is the Best Thing Ever is a worthwhile read.

"This game is designed to end, not to be beaten; I doubt they even programmed a graphic for the YOU WIN screen...It outlasts you...I enter my initials on the high-score screen, ranked number one. The list erases every time you shut the Nintendo off." - Tetris [p. 111]

Browse inside the book here.

Kid's Choice Awards: Selena Gomez

i don't really watch the Kid's Choice Awards anymore (a sign that i am, indeed, all grown up), but of course, we're all interested in what was worn by whom. so, here we go.

Selena is wearing a melon silk chiffon dress with gold beaded belt detail by Christian Cota. She finished off her look with Sergio Rossi shoes, Ippolita jewels and an oval shaped clutch in pale gold lambskin from Lauren Merkin. Read more: http://justjaredjr.buzznet.com/2010/03/27/selena-gomez-kids-choice-awards-2010/#ixzz0jX1ANhTl

*image from Yahoo! and description from http://www.justjaredjr.com/*

first off, i am not Selena Gomez's biggest fan, but i do love this dress. it's light and very spring-y. it looks good on her. and those shoes are just amazing. her hair goes well with her whole ensemble. it's not too Oscar-like, but it's not overly casual as well.

what do you guys think? do you like it?

Sonam Kapoor as brand ambassador for Spice Mobiles

She is the daughter of the ageless wonder and touted as the chip of the old block. She is none other than Sonam Kapoor, the darling daughter of Anil Kapoor. After having made an impactful debut with Sanjay Leela Bansali's Saawariyaa, Sonam now seems all set to take the world of ad commercials by super storm!

After having lent her famous smile to FMCGs like L'Oreal, Mont Blanc, etc, now, Sonam will be seen in a new avatar as the Brand Ambassador for Spice Mobiles. Sources close to Bollywood Hungama say, "The parent company of Spice Mobiles (B.K Modi Group), is now all set to launch a high quality phone (S-1200, to be precise), that will have a whopping 12 Mega pixel camera with 3 X optical zoom! The source also adds that since they are all gung-ho about this product, they were looking for someone who can effortlessly carry the brand on her shoulders, and needles to say that Sonam Kapoor fitted the bill like a 'T'. That's why they signed her on immediately!"

 

With this endorsement, the ad world sees yet another shuffling of brand ambassadors as Sonam replaces Katrina as face of Spice Mobiles.

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Katrina Kiaf excited to be an item girl

Katrina Kaif has never been known to raise her voice, let alone act aggressive, in public.

But the actress is set to change that and more for Farah Khan’s Tees Maar Khan, in which she plays an item girl. Suddenly, Katrina’s manner and speech have become loud and demonstrative. Even early in the morning at Malshej Ghat, where the film is currently being shot.

The schedule begins at 5am every morning and the actress is not letting up in her own effort to look different. In each of the item songs, being choreographed by Farah and her assistant Gita. In fact Katrina has even shopped for her character’s look, right from clothes to accessories.

In small shops that sell cheap stuff. Commenting on her shopping frenzy, Katrina says, “It is a challenge doing. A complete look for my character. I guess I learnt that from Raajneeti. Every accessory makes you feel more like the character.”

Katrina has also been catching up on the best item numbers in Bollywood, right from Mumtaz’s Tik tiki tik mera dil bole.In Humjoli (1970) to Bipasha Basu’s Beedi jalaile in Omkara (2006), to get.

A more comprehensive understanding of the typical Bollywood item girl.  Akshay has been teaching Katrina the art of losing one’s inhibitions while dancing on camera. Katrina says, “I’ve always wanted to freak out on camera, to just get wild. This is my chance.”

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Abhishek Bachchan dances with the girls!

It was the historic city of Udaipur that Abhishek Bachchan visited this week for National Bingo Night. Not only did he enter the stage to the popular Delhi 6 song Genda Phool, he also made a point to greet the studio audience and his viewers with a very chaste Rajasthani greeting, ‘Kesariya Baalam, padharo mharo des!’

 

The first contestant on this week’s show is a tourist driver Rakesh Sharma, who’ll be playing for the grand prize of a Maruti SX4. Abhishek decides to add a little more excitement to his game by giving Rakesh three bonus balls worth a lakh each. Well, it was a little surprising when Rakesh actually went on to win two of those three lucky balls!

 

The next contestant manages to surprise Abhishek with a unique present. Jitendra Verma decided to surprise him by bringing some of his female friends on the stage, who were dressed in traditional Rajasthani outfits and performed a little folk dance number for AB Jr and the audience! Abhishek joins in the pretty girls trying to pick up a step or two.

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Priyanka Chopra avoiding hollywood offer!

The likes of Mallika Sherawat or Freida Pinto would jump at the prospect of a Hollywood offer, but our desi girl seems to have no time for it. Priyanka Chopra recently declined to star in the film ‘Dawn Of War’, which has now Freida instead of her.

And the reason for her refusal is that she has given dates for a Bollywood film, namely Vishal Bharadwaj’s ‘Saat Khoon Maaf’ and has already started shooting for the most challenging role of her life. In fact, she started preparing for it during the Anjaana Anjaani shooting schedule in the US.

 

As a source tells a daily, Tarsem Singh, the director of ‘Dawn Of War’, wanted Piggy Chops for his film but as her date-dairy was choc-a-block, she chose, for obvious reasons, Vishal’s film. And, since Tarsem was in a hurry to finalize the cast, he signed Freida opposite the actor Henry Cavill for his war-epic.

Priyanka is now in Kashmir, shooting for ‘Saat Khoon Maaf’.

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Hrithik Roshan and Barbara Mori got wet together!

Hrithik Roshan and Barbara Mori reportedly got wet together in the rain for a sequence for director Anurag Basu’s film Kites while shooting on Las Vegas.

It goes without saying that shooting a rain sequence in any bustling American city isn’t easy. Rakesh Roshan, producer of the film, had to get required permissions and block the road for a few hours and call in the tankers to create artificial rain. On top of it, the rain sequence, we hear, was shot in the morning to capture the soothing blue light of the rising sun.

 

Since light changes in the morning in a matter of minutes, everyone was on their toes during the shoot. The onus was on Hrithik and Barbara to give a perfect take. And boy, we hear, the two sizzled together in the rain.

 

Set for release in May this year, ‘Kites’ also stars Kangana Ranaut. But it’s the chemistry between Hrithik and Barbara that’s on everyone’s tongue.

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Mane 'n Tail Shampoo and Conditioner

i've been told that using Mane 'n Tail shampoo and conditioner can help hair grow faster. it was originally formulated for washing horse's hair (as seen on the bottle). but many people have started to use it on themselves as well. the back of the bottle has instructions for both animal and human use.

have you tried this? any opinions?

*image from Google*

Rosebud Strawberry Lip Balm

Strawberry Lip Balm: Indulge your sweet tooth as you soothe dry, chapped lips with Rosebud's newest, strawberry-scented lip balm. Following in the Rosebud tradition of simple, easy to use products, this vintage-inspired tin contains a combination of rich emollients that lock-in moisture and banish dryness after only one application.

$7-- Sephora

i seriously cannot live without this lip balm. it is one of the things i would definitely bring with me if i ever "get stuck on an island".

it's a great moisturizer. it smells great (strawberry! :D). it lasts for a very, very long time. i first bought one when i was 13 years old, and i used it up until i turned 19. i just recently finished that one, and bought my second one. i will probably buy another one when i'm about 25 years old (unless i lose the one i have now, which i really really hope doesn't happen). :)

when you're in a hurry and there's no time to grab your favorite lip gloss, this will save your day. throughout the hectic 4 years of high school when i had no time at all in the morning to put make-up on, i knew i can count on my favorite lip balm to make me look presentable (along with cheek-pinching to have "natural blush"). :D

final verdict: great price. great value. sooo worth it.

*description and image from http://www.sephora.com/*

Life Is For...

{via WeHeartIt}

May you have all these and more this weekend ~

hope you have a great one!

If you haven't had a chance yet, don't forget to enter

my Spring Giveaway for your chance to win

a necklace from Cherry and Violet.

Orange You Lovely

How great is this Hermès-inspired dining room/library? Designed by Bob Brown, the room features a beautiful orange lacquered Parsons table and floor-to-ceiling shelving used as both bar and bookshelf. This design is everything I look for in a room--comfortable, functional and super chic.

Photo via Atlanta Homes

Travel Destination Wish List

many of us just recently had our spring break, are on it right now, or just about to have it next week. personally, i think spring break is the first indication that in a few months, summer will finally be here! besides sleeping in and going to the beach, summer gives us the opportunity to travel and see places we haven't seen before. :D

here are the top 10 places (in no particular order) i would like to visit:

1. Santorini, Greece-- i love the idea of walking around with your bathing suit under a cute summer dress, and jumping in the ocean Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants-style. :)

2. Hawaii, USA-- it's the closest to me, and therefore the most realistic. ;)

3. - 6. England, France, Spain, and Italy-- Europe!!! need i say more? :)

7. Ireland-- watching P.S. I Love You, made me appreciate this beautiful country even more. :)

8. St. Petersburg, Russia-- this would be a whole new experience. and i gotta admit, i still love watching Anastasia. :)

9. Bangkok, Thailand-- riding elephants, eating yummy Thai food, shopping... now, that would be so much fun, right?! :)

10. Boracay, Philippines-- white sand. :)

have you been to any of these places? where would you want to go?

*all images are from Google*