Friday, November 30, 2012

Book Review: The Bankster

The Bankster is yet another piece of fiction from the desk of Ravi Subramanian, the guy who brought to you, The Incredible Banker.
I have not read the Incredible Banker. Nor have I really explored the genre of corporate set suspense dramas so lets take my review with a pinch of salt, ya? :)
The Bankster is a well spun out web of mystery, suspense and thrill, all set out in a global bank in the jet setting city of Mumbai. The characters are kept real and at most points of time, you get an insight into what it really must be like working in an organization of that nature and stature. At the same time, being a stickler for details, I personally thought the characters could have been fleshed out a little more in order to give depth to the story. The characters which the book mostly deal with are all the employees of a global bank called GB2 and one level of the story stays on the bank. The other layer of the story deals with a man with a cause of nipping a nuclear power plant in India at the root who meets yet another man with more than just propaganda in his mind. While the two tales develop by themselves, its intriguing to see how it all falls into one big scheme in the end (spoiler alert).
However, that hardly poses as a hindrance to the very intriguing plot that is laid out by the author with multiple tracks running simultaneously. What is really great about the narrative is how all of those complex little tales spun out by the author start off on a trajectory that finally converge into the climax which is epicentered at the bank. There are no loopholes left gaping in the mystery angle and it all falls into place quite comfortably in the end. The end makes you think it would make for excellent silver screen adaptation especially because the ending is chiseled in a way that all characters meet their fate.
The set up of the stories is definitely something that takes a large cue from the reality. It is to be noted that this work of fiction definitely has a large borrowing from the reality of banking scams and NGO funding that we see today. At no point of time (except an instance here or there) does the reader disconnect from the story in terms of the practicality of the characters or their actions.
The Bankster scores high for me on two counts: the edge of the seat factor and the great story telling. The edge of the seat factor is well developed in this thriller because the nifty turns in the tale and innocuous mind warping lead you to wonder how exactly will it all tie down in the end. The climax is not exactly Earth shattering and that definitely disappoints. However, it all boils down to a reader's perception of what is being written and in the way it is absorbed.
Definitely an Indian writer to watch out for, I am going to try catch all his other banking masterpieces. Are you? :)

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XOXO

Saturday, November 24, 2012

When the wind starts to blow

I have always detested winters. Its not rocket science to figure out my reasons. The perpetual goose flesh. The feeling of impending doom when you have to step out of your duvet into the cold exterior (read: room). The sensation post which your face goes numb cause the cold winter wind stung it right across.
Not making you feel better, am I? We have the God of clothing to thank that winter is very fabulous as far as dressing up in concerned. I know, personally, that is what will get me through the cold Delhi winter.
This look is for that fun night out into the city, Friday night when you need to let your hair down with your friends. Of course, incorporating the latest trends (simply cause you actually enjoy them and NOT cause they are trends).
Wore this for just that purpose and replicated the look to shoot in the gorgeous Hauz Khas fort the next day. (Accredit the diligent blogger, please.) )
When it gets colder, I will continue this look with a pair of stockings/tights. Are you with me?








Wearing:
White vest, Tweed jacket: MANGO (Int.), Pleated oxblood skirt: Forever 21, Cobalt blue pumps: Michael Antonio, Linked necklace with neon lace: Sheik (Australia), Box clutch in glitter: Nine West, Square chunky ring: Street find(Delhi)

Are we hating-loving winter, then?
XOXO

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Lights, camera, action

Now that Diwali has come and gone and the grey clouds of an outfit catastrophe have passed, I shall, for years to come, tell this story with a lot of fervor.
I was beside myself with excitement and with that level of enthusiasm, I had decided to get my outfit designed for this Diwali. Having dreamt of that outfit day in and day out for the last one week before Diwali and mostly, how it was going to turn out, I had nearly mechanized my brain to not even imagine a Diwali in another outfit. No good story is ever told without the right elements of drama so that my readers ooh and aah at the right moments. I stepped out of the shower after designing my rangoli for the home (the only artistic endeavor for the year) and to greet me was that phone call wherein I was informed that I would not be celebrating this Diwali in that new outfit (next Diwali, maybe). Call me a drama queen if you may but I did not stop at beseeching her to do something and just.make.it.appear. It was ridiculous. It was not going to happen. And after the initial horror of that piece of news sunk in, then came the aftermath in which I reveled in, almost for an hour of despair. That I did not have anything else that I had got with me to wear for Diwali. Told you, mechanized brain? :/
The blogger skills eventually kicked in and I decided to put together what has possibly been my coolest Diwali outfit ever.
The corset is a part of my extremely ornate lehenga outfit and the skirt comes from, well somewhere deep in my closet. Definitely not less than 7-8 years old, this one! :D








XOXO

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Neon and some incense

If you saw my Marks and Spencer post and wondered why that maxi dress looked so familiar, it might be the right time to remind you that you probably saw the maxi dress here where it was worn as a skirt which was what it was designed to be worn as. Sometimes, a little bit of tinkering gives the most handsome of the results. Yes handsome. The skirt worn as a maxi skirt almost seemed like it was meant to be worn that way. Especially because of how I decided to style it. The laid back nautical stripes juxtaposed with the glam of the sequined throw. And two loud neon elements.
When K of Purple Peeptoes came Delhi trotting, we took this one chance when we were bumming around Hauz Khas Village to do this impromptu concept shoot. Attracted some strange looks. Befriended an incense-sticks vendor on his bicycle. But did manage pictures that merged perfectly into the yellow, happy surroundings. Yet, stood apart from the incense and incense smoke. Fashion pervades all. :)






Wearing:
Maxi skirt worn as dress: Forever New, Sequined throw: Dotti (Australia), Neon pink and python print shoes: Random shoe store in GK (Delhi), Neon and pearl bangles: C/O Globus, Neon green kitsch tote: Nirvana (Pondicherry)

What do you think?
XOXO


Monday, November 5, 2012

Minimal

Minimal chic meets rocker girl. Fashion inspired by celebrities? Sometimes. Also, sometimes not even intentionally. For instance, only after I had put together this outfit and was halfway through putting it on did I see the striking resemblance to how, say the Olsen twins dress. Its minimal. Its chic. And there is always a certain rocker-goth element to the look.
My outfit obviously has my absolutely Shreya touch to it. Ergo, the rocker vibe is juxtaposed with the Dilli kudi vibe with the juttis with the intricate metallic and thread work.
If you are lost and wondering how exactly did the outfit turn out, well, take a look. :)







I went with the layering of gold long necklaces, incorporating trends like tribal/aztec in one necklace and the rose gold watch is my love for a few seasons to come.
The rocker chic element is my current favourite leather tassled bag in black!
Wearing: White vest and leather tassled bag: Mango, Blue jeans: Diesel, Gold necklaces: Aldo and Fab Alley, Cuff: Vero Moda, Rose gold watch: Marc Jacobs, Jutis: Authentic juti maker stores :)

What do you think of this look? Let me know in the comments below.
XOXO

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Winners of the Giveaway!

The contest ran long and successful and I have my lovely avid readers and most importantly the generous sponsors to thank for it! Blueprint Colección for providing lovely designer garments to the winners and Anushka Salon and Spa for the lovely make overs that the winners can anticipate.
So if you are ready for it, what are we waiting for!
The three winners of the giveaway as chosen via random.org are:

  • Abhilasha Seth
  • Payal Satish
  • Prerna Hundia
Congratulations ladies! :) Divya of Blueprint Coleccion will be mailing you shortly with all the details so please look out for the email.
Image source: Google

XOXO

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