L'Etat, C'est Moi! Aka Versailles

From sustainability, we swiftly move to extravagance. And who has ever done it better than the man nicknamed the Sun King? Louis the XIV of France was so over the top, he declared (although whether he actually did, or whether someone attributed it to him is unknown) 'L'etat, c'est moi'. Effectively, I am the State. Needless to say, his palace of Versailles is equally larger than life. 

Situated a short distance from Paris - like an hour or so - it's still better if you make it a two day trip at least. That's how huge the palace and the grounds are.

The beautifully landscaped gardens will definitely take an entire day to cover. There are all sorts of walks, groves and formal gardens with spectacular fountains to be seen. I wandered around the gardens on my first day there, and left the palace proper till the next day. One good thing to note is that the gardens are usually open even when the palace is shut. If you choose a hotel or place that's close by (I stayed at the Trianon Palace which is right next door), you can enjoy a lovely afternoon stroll in the palace grounds.

The gardens are exquisitely laid out. Shrubs are meticulously cut. Fountains are both astounding and grotesque. And the marble statuary is delicately carved. It must have cost Louis XIV a fortune to maintain. No wonder he and his successors bankrupted the country. 

This statue is a representation of (if I'm correct. My pictures have gotten hopelessly mixed up) Autumn, in one of the formal gardens.

Make it an early night if you're planning on seeing the palace the following day, so you can get to Versailles early. Should you choose to view the main palace first, the lines are horrendous. Both the ticket lines, as well as the entry ones. My advice would be  to go around to one of the Trianons. They are the smaller palaces, and they sell tickets for the main one as well. However, you will still have to stand in the line for entry. 

As you can see from this picture, while everything is beautifully laid out, it's all off limits. And yes, you can get pictures without people in them (this was taken in August, at the height of the summer hols, and at midday, but you can't see anyone. And no, it's not Photoshopped.) You will however, have to be patient. Avoid the Chinese tourists, unless you want to get whacked in the face by a selfie stick.

Don't forget to look up, as well as around you, for the ceilings of this palace are equally a work of art. Just look at the frescos and detailed imagery of this corner.

The king and queen's bedchambers are the most crowded rooms of all. You will get elbowed, and if you're unlucky, even pushed around a bit. If you're a true Mumbaikar, it's nothing you haven't dealt with on a Virar local. Hold your ground, as you would on the train, and you'll get to view the rooms, and get your pics too.

Eighty percent of Versailles visitors come for one thing - or should I say person? - Ms. Antoinette herself. Marie Antoinette, the last queen of the Bourbon dynasty, who lost her head - literally, sadly. This is the famous picture that depicts her with her three children. The empty cradle held a daughter who died before the painting was completed. The son who stands by it, died in childhood as well. The two who are next to her are the ones who saw the fall of the monarchy.

A true Marie Antoinette enthusiast will make sure to visit the Petit Trianon, her little pleasure palace in the grounds of Versailles. The rooms are lavishly, but simply, decorated. They are also full of sculptures, paintings and works of art either of her, or ordered by her.

Something not many people stop by is the Grand Trianon. When I visited, it was mostly empty. This was Louis XIV home away from home, where he could relax without court etiquette in the company of his mistress. Today, I am told, visiting heads of State often stay here. (If only Indian politicians looked good, I might have been able to fulfil a dream and stay at Versailles!) 

The rooms are all exquisite, and well worth a look. It's the reason why I say that you'll need a day to go over the palaces, and another for the grounds. With all the crowds, I just about managed to see all three palaces before visiting hours ended.

Fun Fact: In the gardens, there's a lovely ice cream stand. It's just the thing to shore you up after a long day of traipsing through gilded rooms and lavishly furnished hallways.

It was twenty-five euros to visit all three palaces when I was there. But don't quote me on this, as I'm not sure.

If you happen to stop by Paris, don't forget to take some time out to visit the home of the Sun King.

Till next time,

MumbaiGirl.

IG: @maryannecp

Sustainability: To Do or Not To Do?

In case you've been hiding under a rock these last few months, everyone who is anyone is discussing the environment. Sustainability is the buzzword of the hour. People are switching to steel straws, cloth bags, and talking about recycling. Even the British Parliament had a go at BooHoo for daring to make dresses that cost five quid. (Approximately Rs 500, if you want to know the cost in Indian currency.) The MP's claimed that it encouraged the 'throwaway' culture.

Environmental concern is not a new thing. If you're an ancient comer to these shores, you'll remember the early nineties when 'Reuse, Reduce, Recycle' was the phrase being peddled about. People were banging on about PET bottles, talking about how aerosol sprays depleted the ozone layer, and offering numerous tips on how to be more friendly to Mother Nature. Anyone recall Captain Planet and the Planeteers? And what did that all come to? Who bothers about the ozone layer any more? Do you remember to switch off the main power to your telly and computer when they're not in use? And just how many cars are owned by each household these days?

The problem with environmentalism, is that businesses and people see this as a way to make money. It's no coincidence that 'organic' foodstuffs cost three times the price of normal ones. The clothes from the so-called 'sustainable' labels are either designer, or have a similar price tag. The advertisers of these claim that they cost less when you break it down to how often you use them. But the problem is that most people don't have that kind of money to shell out in the first instance. 

This is the reason why these futile attempts to save the planet never work. They are far too expensive for the average person. It's the reason why plastic bags are back in full force after the brief ban. And why plastic cups, plates and straws are once again in use. Sadly, if you want to really benefit the environment  it's better not to look to governments or advertisers or influencers for advise. They are all promoting things based on the large bottom line for themselves. 

So, what can you do to halt environmental destruction in its path? Well, apply some very (un) common sense. Never mind if you can't afford the 'sustainable' labels. A dress from H&M that you wear several times over the course of two years is helping the earth. It doesn't matter the label it comes from, if you're throwing it out after one season. So buy clothes that you know you'll wear for at least one year - if not more. And then, if they're still in good condition, donate them to charity. That way you're helping not just the planet, but the people who populate it too.

Consider walking, or using public transport. Isn't it funny how the people who talk the biggest when it comes to the environment are the ones who pollute it - through their massive cars, their constant flights, and their multi-car households - the most? If you genuinely want to help the environment, get on board with commuting to work with colleagues, or taking a train, a bus or a rick to work instead of using your own car. And to all those who claim that ricks pollute the environment, they're on the road whether or not you take your car. But if you drive your car, that's one more vehicle on the road. If you take the rick, that's one less. And the planet will only be helped if there's one less vehicle.

Throw it back to the 90's. Reusing stuff is actually a great thing for the environment  Whether or not the item in question is sustainable, reusing it automatically makes it better. It's far better to reuse a plastic bag, than to get a fresh paper bag from the grocery store every time you shop. Paper may disintegrate easier, but you still have to cut down trees to make it. Refilling old pens is better than buying new ones. Turning old curtains or duvets into cushion covers or rugs makes more sense than buying new.

The real truth about environmentalism, is that in order to save the planet, you simply need to buy less. Unfortunately, this does not sit very well with businesses, governments or advertisers. Therefore whenever topics like the environment or sustainability crop up, they like to convince us that what we really need to do is just to buy this alternative product that they're suggesting, and we can save the planet.

But consumerism is what causes this problem in the first place. Our need to buy, buy, buy in order to keep up with those Joneses. So take a break from shopping - unless you genuinely need something - and you'll be on the path to sustainability in one easy move.

That's something that I've been toying with this season. As I realised, when I talked about my jumper collection, I already have plenty. They're all in style. So I'm going to try not to shop (Christmas gift shopping aside) for any new clothes from November to March. I'll keep you updated as to how that one goes.

Till next time,

MumbaiGirl.

IG: @maryannecp

Work, Life & Balance

As I attempted the stop and smell the flowers this morning, I was interrupted by the lengthy to-do list that my phone persisted in displaying. Some of it, a hangover from yesterday's to-do list which I didn't manage to do. And it occurred to me, that for all the time-saving gadgets that we possess these days, we are so incredibly strapped for time. Forget stopping to smell the roses! Most of us have to resort to Google to recall what roses look like. It's a vicious cycle, and I was wondering if everyone felt as stressed out and time poor as I do.

It's easy for others to say, "Take time off".

But in order to find the time to take off, we have to overstretch ourselves. You have to complete that project before your leave will be approved. Then there's the cost of vacationing to be considered. You'll have to work overtime to afford it. And let's not even get into the hassles of coordinating schedules with the rest of the family. It should come as no surprise that the sales of energy drinks are through the roof.

So, what can you do to just switch off, and take a break from the insanity that is life these days?

For starters, stop multi-tasking. It seems like a time saving thing, but it really isn't. Instead of doing one thing well, you wind up half doing a bunch of things, leaving more stuff for you to stress over. Focus on one task at a time, and leave everything else to take care of itself. Doing emails? Don't be tempted to eat lunch, or chat with someone simultaneously. Hanging out with a friend? Put that phone away. Live in the moment and give your full attention to the task at hand.

Remember this: there is no such thing as 'bad' food or 'good' food. There is only eating to excess or eating in proportion. (Unless you're allergic to something. In that case there is such a thing as toxic food.) A glass of red wine a day has long since been proven to be beneficial. Drinking too much water will give you health problems. Stop buying into the latest food fads, and go for regular food. Just make sure that you do not eat anything in excess. 

Btw, you're meant to eat one square of chocolate - not the whole bar. One glass of soda - not the 500 ml bottle. And that packet of crisps, it's a serving for two people. Yes, really. Stop consuming the lot. If you eat moderately, you'll find that you can have your cake and eat it too, without stressing out about your weight.

Don't lose sight of the bigger picture. We all wish to achieve goals and dreams because of some ideal. Maybe we want the promotion to spend more time with our family. Perhaps we wish to marry because we want to love and be loved. Remember why you want something. It's important because often we wind up chasing a goal that won't actually get us what we really want. The promotion could be a job title that requires you to work overtime. Trying to find someone to marry might leave us completely stressed out and unhappy. Sometimes we have to re-evalute the things we say we want. Take a good look at your list of goals. Is the pursuit of them truly making you happy? Will achieving them genuinely give you the feelings and happiness you desire? Don't get caught up in the minutiae of your goals. Regularly evaluate them to make sure that you are chasing them for your own joy and happiness.

'Tis love that makes the world go round. And it's a vital part of our lives. Prioritise the people and the things that you love. Spend an hour playing with your dog. Set aside a Sunday afternoon exclusively for doing something with your children. Catch up with friends as often as you can. If there are things that you love to do, make sure that they feature in your week. Love running? Go jogging a few times. Enjoy gardening? Buy a few herbs or potted plants (if you have space constraints) and water and prune them with love. Whatever it is you choose to do, do it solely for the joy of doing it. Don't enter marathons. Don't aim to grow a kitchen garden. Don't bake cakes to sell them. Just do it for the joy that it brings you.

Put down that phone! Yes, I realise how odd it sounds, coming from a blogger. But we spend far too much time on our devices these days. The blue light has been proven to disrupt the melatonin in our bodies - aka our sleep patterns. Plus all that scrolling up, down and swiping left and right throws all sorts of junk information into our subconscious that, quite frankly, we rarely need. I know that switching off in these constantly-connected days is an impossibility. Work alone would make a smart phone a necessity. However try as much as possible to put your phone away an hour or two before you sleep. If you must use it, make sure that it is for a very specific purpose. Listening to a meditation or responding to an urgent call or text qualify. Don't play games. Don't browse Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. 

Switch off the telly too. One of the very worst things you can do is have a television set in your bedroom. Falling asleep to the television is very harmful to your mental health in the long run. So switch off, and destress the old-fashioned way. Read a book; take a night stroll; play a board game; take a long bath. All these are perfectly healthy ways to get your mind and your body ready for bed. You'll be ready to sleep when you hit the pillows, instead of tossing and turning for ages. Or worse, collapsing out of sheer mental exhaustion.

Remember, a healthy mind is what leads to a healthy body. Not the other way around.

Till next time,

MumbaiGirl.

IG: @maryannecp

New In: Zara

I decided to do something very simple for today's blog post, and just show you the stuff I'm currently loving from the New In section on the Zara India website.

Starting with this dress that I think is right on trend. The animal print is absolutely this season. Plus the grey base makes it slightly unusual. It could look childish because of the dropped waist and the skirt. But I think that would only be a problem if you plan on paring it with trainers. If you chose court shoes or ballet flats or even sandals, you'll be fine. The dress is a little expensive. It's Rs 2290. But if you're looking for something that you can get a lot of use out of this winter, it's a good bet.

If you're looking for something more festive, and cheaper, this slip dress is just the ticket. It costs Rs 1890, so a little more affordable that the previous one. The style makes it great for date nights, parties, and other festive events. However, be warned: You will need a good tailor, or tailoring skills. I say this because Zara always cuts their slip dresses very low at the front. And the straps are usually not adjustable. Also, they tend to be on the sheer side. So you will not only need to take the straps up a little, you're also likely to have to attach a lining to the dress. On the other hand, this dress will take you almost everywhere. You could wear a tee or a polo neck top underneath and take it to the mall. Throw on a blazer or a lovely blouse and wear it to work. In short, it is very wearable.

If you follow models like Gigi, Kendall and Kaia, you've definitely been seeing them make their way into and out of airports in cute sweatsuits. Unfortunately, in the real world, most of us just look like slobs when we try to match our joggers to our sweatshirts. But I found this Zara combo that actually does look quite nifty! It helps that it's in this oxblood, maroon-y colour, with a few colour block elements. The top is actually quite expensive. It's Rs 2290. If you are a frequent flier, you will find it worth the price. If you aren't, stay tuned. I'll locate some cheaper versions. 

The joggers are adorable. I really like the fact that they're shorter, and have that cuff at the bottom. They give the outfit a whole lot more sass. They're also cheaper than the top, costing Rs 1890. If you're not a frequent traveller, and can't justify the cost of the combo, buy the joggers. You can wear them with a black tee or sweatshirt (thank you, colour block), and they will look equally stylish. 

In fact, you could team them with something like this. I like this simple black top. The buttons down the sleeves are an interesting detail without being too in-your-face. It costs the same as the joggers, Rs 1890. It would be very comfy to travel in. And would definitely keep you warm in the air-con of the planes or trains. A basic like this is something you'll use throughout the winter - and a bit of the spring too, if you live in a colder place. I have a few tops like this, and I live in them once the temps drop. They are very useful for layering, and just wearing with jeans or skirts. 

Speaking of bottoms, how stylish is this pair of trousers! I am a huge fan of the chain pattern. It stands out as unusual in a season of animal prints and houndstooth. It would look great not just with a basic top (as shown) but also with a tee, a blouse, or a simple cami top. You could dress it up with heels, or wear trainers or sandals. Heck, you could even wear flip-flops with this and it would still look stylish. It also costs Rs 1590. Yeah, the cheapest piece of them all! Zara does do their trousers very well, and I highly doubt that this would be an exception.

I also thought I'd chuck in a few accessories. First up, these hair slides. They cost Rs 1590 for the set. I think that stuff like this is very useful during this time of the year. In case your hair chooses to misbehave on the night of an event, twist it up, and add a sparkly slide, and you're done. The variety of colours if also decent. The silver and black ones will work pretty much with all colours. And the green and purple ones will add a little colour to neutral outfits.

This little velvet mini bag won my heart. Velvet is such a fall fabric. It looks luxe and works so well on festive occasions. And who doesn't need a tiny bag to take to parties, weddings and the like? The red gives a lovely pop of colour to the often-neutral, or all black, party outfits. It seems (by the dimensions they listed on the site) spacious enough for a phone, some makeup for a touch up, and your money. From the way it looks, I'd be willing to bet that it might hold a few more things too. These less structured bags tend to be more spacious as well. This also costs Rs 2290. (Zara seems to have price brackets this season. Lol)

And finally, this chain belt. I wish I had a better picture of it. But I couldn't find it in-store for a try-on. So you'll have to check out the site. This costs Rs 1790. (Finally, a different price!) I do feel that chain belts work a lot better for the dressier occasions. They're almost like a piece of jewellery. I like this button-like detail. It's slightly more unique than the basic chain loops. 

And that's all I've found this time round.

Till next time,

MumbaiGirl.

IG: @maryannecp 

Humayun's Tomb

Humayun was the second Mughal emperor. He was also possibly the unluckiest one. He lost his kingdom to Sher Shah - or at least I think it was Sher Shah. It could have been Ibrahim Lodhi. But he lost it, at any rate. And when he regained it, he lived just long enough to fall down the stairs of his library in the Old Fort - aka the Purana Quila - while rushing to prayers, and die. Fortunately Akbar managed to rule extremely well, thus ensuring that Humayun's wife had the time to build a magnificent monument to this ill-starred ruler. And make no mistake, this is a magnificent monument.

It's a listed UNESCO heritage site, and it's well worth a trip if you're in Delhi.

This is what is know as a 'tomb complex', so it's not just Humayun's tomb, but a few others that are here as well. This board details Isa Khan's tomb. He was one of Sher Shah's generals. Oh, the irony!

The tombs do undergo restoration ever so often, as the scaffolding in this picture suggests. However, this didn't diminish anything in so far as exploring the complex goes.

As always with tombs, there are mosques as well. Although these are now unused. The doorways and cupolas are well preserved and restored. You can almost envision the grandeur that the structure would have had in days long past.

The gardens of the tombs have walls with beautiful arched spaces. Yes, posing in an arch is highly recommended.

If you're patient, there will be moments with next to nobody, or nobody in the background, and you can get some pretty impressive pictures. A large portion of this complex is constructed from the famed red sandstone.

Including these odd corner arched spaces. I'm not sure what purpose they serve, but do take a moment to admire the delicate tracery of the pillars. It's lasted through centuries!

Undoubtedly, of course, the crowning glory of all of this is Humayun's tomb. If the beautiful structure seems very familiar, do note that Humayun's grandson, Shah Jahan, took inspiration from this monument when he built his famous mausoleum to his wife, the Taj Mahal.

People are allowed onto the structure itself, and the view in all directions is one of greenery and blue skies. You really wouldn't believe that you're in the middle of a bustling city. Try to get there a little early, as Delhi does get hot in the afternoons. Even though this was late Feb, early March, we did find it quite hot to wander around the tomb in the afternoon. There aren't any tall trees in the immediate vicinity, so aside from the many archways, shade is a limited commodity.

There's a very real reason why so many of the pictures are taken in archways!

To get there, you need to go to the Nizamuddin East station. It's a few minutes away. Given that this is a Muslim mausoleum, I'd advise you not to wear shorts and a tank top. More so if you want to go into the disused mosques. 

I can't remember there being any specified opening and closing hours for this place. If I recall correctly, we were told 'sunrise to sunset' which is very vague. I would assume it means between eight or nine in the morning and five in the evening in the summer. And around ten am to four pm in the winter. I also have no clue as to how you get to the Nizammudin East station. Whether it's the metro or the actual railway, I don't know. We had taken a cab. 

In case you do want to visit, this is the official site. Happy history hunting!

Till next time,

MumbaiGirl.

IG: @maryannecp

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From The Archives - The Jumper Edit

Also sweater dresses and general cold weather tops. I thought it would be best to put them all together, as I have quite a lot I want to talk about.

First of all, let's talk about this one. Although the horrendous lighting doesn't show it, this jersey is green. Yes, a deep green that is so on trend at the moment. It's also cropped - another trend. And the sleeves are quite baggy - additional trend alert. In short, even though I bought it last December (from Zara), it will still look very current this December. It is one of the softest jumpers I've ever owned. However, it is quite thick. I used it mostly while in Delhi, and expect to use it while travelling this winter. Unless you do tend to feel the cold, it isn't really a Mumbai piece.

One knit that can be used on a daily basis in Mumbai is this Zara top. It is knit wear, but it's very light - it's almost translucent in sunlight. It keeps you warm, but won't make you sweat. I used it regularly last year, and will definitely be doing so again this year. It's got baggy sleeves that come in at the wrists. It's cropped-ish. It's one of those basics that everyone needs in their wardrobe.

This cropped sweatshirt is another piece that's perfect if you live where it doesn't get very cold. It's made from thick jersey material aka T-shirt material. It combines winter wear very nicely with summery materials. It will keep you warm, but won't make you regret wearing it. As you can tell by the pic, it's comfy even on a sunny, winter day. This is another Zara piece. What can I say, Zara were on a roll with clothes last year! However you will find stuff like this in Forever 21 and Aeropostale as well. 

Cropped hoodies are huge this winter. I bought this black one from La Senza. Yes. They do have an enormous amount of so-called loungewear that does very nicely for daily use. And this black, cropped hoodie was one of those pieces. It's made of the usual super-soft material that their loungewear is famed - by me, at least - for. The only issue is that with such cropped tops, you need to wear something underneath - like a lace bralette or a sports bra - otherwise you'll flash your bra every time you raise your arms.

Longer jumpers are also very welcome, especially slouchy ones. I got this grey one from Zara last year. It is one of the comfiest things ever! You feel relaxed the moment you slip it on. It is very oversized, but that's the charm.

I have a love-hate relationship with this striped Tommy Hilfiger sweater. It is very cosy. It's also light enough that you can wear it in Mumbai. Unfortunately the label is sewn right into the garment. You can't cut it off. Unfortunately? you ask. Yes, cos my skin has a major problem with labels. I usually cut off every label on my clothes - or suffer itching and rashes. It means that I can only wear this jersey with a tank underneath, making it very warm indeed. I usually reserve it for holidays to colder locations.

I have no such problem with this sweater. The label was long gone before I even got my hands on it. It was my Mum's - I think. That's how old it is! It's my fave slouchy, comfy jumper. I even wear it at home in the colder months. And always cuddle up in it when I've got a cold. Sadly, it's beginning to fray a little at the ends. But I'm determined to use it till it unravels.

I don't really have too many sweater dresses. This one from H&M is my fave. I use it constantly in the winter. It's one of those lighter knits, which make it perfect for Mumbai. And the style seems to suit me very well. I find that most sweater dresses are very thick, and quite unwearable. Given that this is one of H&M's basics, they're likely to have something similar this year as well, for anyone who likes the look of this.

I clearly have too many jumpers. I haven't even included all that I want to talk about, and yet this is an exceedingly long post already! Maybe I should concentrate on more suitable attire for Mumbai, and leave the jumpers to those who have snowy winters??

Till next time,

MumbaiGirl.

IG: @maryannecp