…. The Perfectionists are here..!!

            This one is for the very special sun-sign that has made such an enormous difference to my life!! Dear Virgo people…. You make my world beautiful, pure, dreamy, and still somehow so real! I don’t understand what it is about you people that instantly draws me to you…. Something magical and something so slap-slack honest…… To the sun-sign that’s given me my most adorable sister, my best friend, and sooooo many close friends…..

 Sometimes I cannot believe how I tolerate you people… you damn Virgo people…. How do you weave that net of purity and innocence, and then are so perfectly intelligent? What is that deadly potion you keep packed in your horribly beautiful true-telling eyes?

So here is how my relationship with almost all Virgos always starts. At first we are distanced, and safe from each other’s “chungul” (trap, you Angrez!). Yet there always has been an instant liking in my head for these far too honest, horrible at diplomacy fools! It’s probably their humour, their open way of laughing, or criticizing, or asking verrrrry technical questions in the middle of a mindless game. They’ve always had me there! I love how they are packed in this garb of shyness; it’s so much fun taking that right out and revealing the real them. That’s when the riot of their madness begins and one gets privy to the most amazing, and deep conversations.

Sidhvin, you were the shy guy in CG (who I cannot stop adoring ever), Chandni - the bitch in my building who refused to talk to me in the beginning (see how I trapped you and made you my best friend *devil grin*), Minoti, you always kept your distance in the start (and then let me in to know the amazzzzing you), Dhananjay – how could you not speak to a nut like me for an entire year?! (and no matter how less we get to speak now, you will always be a verrry dear fiend) ……Oh ya, the devious me was so enthusiastic to talk to my new partner in school that I scared the living lights off her in the 7^th grade… sorry Yasmin, my darling. Shreya came in one day, behaved all sophisticated and had me wondering what a moron like me would do with her if we were left alone, but Shreyu opened up and now we can hardly stop laughing when together.

Kanchan is a different case, it took us 16 years to attempt non-hostility towards each other, and my god, there has been no looking back since, with either of you’ll.

I know I keep telling you guys to stop being so true and gullible; it’s ‘coz I can never see you’ll hurt. It’s a horrible, helpless feeling. You’ll are very, very important to me. …. And I’ll tell you a secret here… I’ve always wanted to be like you’ll. Open, and honest, true and pure, brave even…. :)

The traits I find most amusing and yet lovable about you’ll:

• “Eh wow, this top/shirt is so comfortable. Let me buy 2 more pieces of the same”… (I give a dirty look here)… “arrey I’ll buy in different colors ya”…. My question – can’t you just buy different styles instead? *silence*
• You think – you are perfect and uber-organized….Me think – Bitch….. you’re right *sulking face*
• Not that the world matters a lot to you, but if you feel you’re looking nice in something, you will wear it every alternate day, and let all else rot in your closet… argggggghhhhh
• If you do not like a person in the first go, god help, you will never like that person
• Boy, those food reservations! Why the hell do you not “try” out weird food? And smelling everything is NOT necessary. It may also LOOK okay, but TASTE great… ever wondered???? …………….Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
• Yes, I know saving money is important. I’m trying to be responsible. Till then, shut up and save for me! :p
• LOL I suddenly remembered, why are you enemies of expression of love. All of you are sooooo awkward expressing love, and accepting others’ expressions of love in the first go.
• Social awkwardness…. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
• You are ALL … and I mean each one of you… is MOTHER TERESA!
• Love, love, lovvvve your sense of humour!
• Truth is beauty and beauty is truth…. And hell hath no fury like a Virgo scorned…..if one lies to you sharp sharks, you’d tear them to shreds….
• Smelling good is of utmost importance…. You, and all around you… hai na? :):)
• You hate shopping, and yet work so hard shopping for me… makes me feel on top of the world, ‘coz I know just how much emotion, effort, and love went in into buying that lovely gift you got….

I love you guys… my most favourite and most treasured set….. 

Happy birth-sign months (Aug and Sept)….. Stay ever so amazing!

Hugs – lots and lots of them….

FYI….. I love how Linda Goodman defines you… it’s almost like she knows you personally…. Read up when you wanna grin lots :)

http://galileogst.tumblr.com/post/5908419469/virgo-woman-by-linda-goodman

http://alexoloughlinfanclubforum.activeboard.com/t30278182/how-to-recognize-virgo-the-virgo-man-by-linda-goodman/

Love,

Lavi...

.... Shhh… It’s about Shhhoes !!

** WARNING:
1. This one will give you lots of knowledge and insight into the Shoe World
2. It has lovely pictorial illustrations
3. Admit it, most of you guys and tom-boyish girlfriends of mine will squirm and make faces, but reading it will be fun… ;)

Here we go!! xxx

My mom says I always loved shoes, even as a little mad girl with two plaits. I began realizing the intensity of this love when I waited to get to my 13^th birthday, the year I was promised I would be allowed to walk in heels. I wore some really ugly platform sandals, and fell at a cross junction while walking, but boy-oh-boy, didn’t I love feeling so high!! Never looked back, and never lost an opportunity to wear heels since.

Black Beauties and my perpetual back-up shoes for work

Custom-made for my feet!! My sister gifted me these super high and exxxtremely comfortable lovelies for my Birthday :)

The only Wedge Heels I own.... 

Sheer, Sky-High & unbelievably Comfortable. I've danced in these!!

Two of my prettiest pairs! Love Royal Blue and lourrrve Leopard Prints!

My flat loafers! For the "field days" at work

Feeling Blue?!

With my tiny frame of 5’3.5”, I really need heels to elevate my look, and sometimes add a very important dimension to my personality. They are such up-lifters (pun unintended :P) I tell you.

Adore these Leopard Printed 4.5" heels from Zara! Guaranteed spunk for every outfit!

The reliable Charles & Keith that make me tall and happy!

I LOVE THIS ONE! Dull Gold, Beautiful, and Soft!

Very few people who know me would know that for a while I seriously thought of learning the art of shoe-making, to create the perfect heel. I did a lot of research then and was introduced to (GOD) Manolo Blahnik much before the SATC craze caught up. I realized how tough it was to make shoes as a hobby while one was working full time and teaching kids on weekends. Gave up that idea soon enough. Then, when I began watching SATC, and witnessed Carrie’s love for Manolos, I knew I wasn’t crack – there were many more like me out there!!

Elegant statements! And HIGH of-course ;)

The colors...... Vibrant and fun! 

I call this... The Circle of Excellence

Manolo’s story touched a deep chord in my heart, and sort of helped me appreciate and seek perfection in work. Set out to become a stage set designer, this miracle-maker was suggested by Vogue’s then editor-in-chief, Diana Vreeland, to instead concentrate on making shoes. Manolo got obsessed with creating perfect shoes, and began paying closer attention to balance and craft. Manolo till date carves out each heel with his own hands.

This achievement is all the more remarkable given that Blahnik is solely responsible for the design and prototype of every shoe that bears his name. Working alone without apprentices or assistants, he sketches his shoes, chisels the wooden lasts on which they are moulded and sculpts the heels. He then supervises their production and even sketches the illustrations for his advertising campaigns. He has achieved all this without any formal training in shoe-making. “I didn’t need it,” Blahnik told his friend Michael Roberts only half-jokingly in the late 1970s, “because I’ve got the best taste in the world.”

I’ve read almost all his interviews and and here are my favourite lines from this man who spares no detail:
“I have the advantage of study. I’ve been studying the art of the shoe… for over twenty years. I know every process. I know how to cut and cut away here (the side of the shoe) and still make it so that it stays on the foot. And the secret of toe cleavage, a very important part of the sexuality of the shoe. You must only show the first two cracks. And the heel. Even if it’s twelve centimetres high it still has to feel secure – and that’s a question of balance. That’s why I carve each heel personally myself – on the machine and then by hand with a chisel and file, until it’s exactly right.”

How can one not fall in love… with the man… and his creations!

FYI…… I haven’t yet purchased a single pair of Manolos or Louboutins (another of my favourites) yet. The reason behind it is very emotional and strong. These brands motivate me to be able to afford lots of the best. They define luxury, heights, passion, souls (some red soles), moments, occasions, power, success,

and love. The stories of the men behind these makes me want to learn and create the best. And, although I can afford select pieces of the beauties these Gentlemen craft, I don’t want to buy them today coz I’ll end up worshipping the shoes instead of enjoying them. Hence, my aspiration is to have a closet full of these lovelies. Pray I get there soon :)