Does television affect what you wear? What about movies? Which one affects your dressing style the most if at all? Indian movies have always been a means of finding out the latest trends no matter what part of the world you’re in. TV serials are even more elaborate. I think they greatly influence or “teach” people what to wear and what not to. They also put a great emphasis on the fact that your dressing style is highly influenced by your personality. Now unlike the characters on these shows I don’t find myself wearing the same type of sari in different colors! However, your dressing style is influenced by your personality. How is yours affected?
Banarasi saris are considered the finest saris of India. They are known for their gold and silver brocade, fine silk, and intricate embroidery. Finely woven silk is decorated with intricate designs. These engravings make (more…)
Indian Food Made Easy is hosted by Anjum Anand on the Cooking Channel. Anjum grew up in London but has also lived and studied in Geneva, Paris and Madrid. After gaining a European business degree she (more…)
Did you know that Edible Arrangements is coming to India? They already have fresh fruit bouquets available at their 868 stores worldwide and can also be ordered online or by phone. Each bouquet can be complemented (more…)
As you may have heard Aarti Sequeira won “The Next Food Network Star” and will be hosting a new Indian-inspired cooking show. Aarti, a Los Angeles food blogger, competed along with others in a 10 week heated (more…)
Rashi, Gopi’s cousin and sister-in-law, in the new Star Plus serial Saathiya was always seen wearing Western clothes and never knew how to wear a sari. Now that she’s married her western wear is far from appropriate! So she was bound to wear a sari but the question is how? Since she’s not traditional enough to pleat a sari the lengha sari came to her rescue! This sari combines both the grace of a traditional sari with the elegance of a lengha. Since they’ve become to popular, they are now easy to find as well as affordable. Here’s a sari very similar to one being worn by Rashi:
Saris have gained popularity throughout the world; especially in West because these people have no culture of their own. So they like to “borrow” from other cultures (more…)
The only curry Americans know is “curry” not “kadhi.” Both curry and curry “powder” have become synonymous with Indian cooking. It is a HUGE misconception that curry powder is a key ingredient in curry (more…)
Can’t wait for the Arzoo shopping spree next week. We’re going to visit every little nook and crevice of Little India to find the best trends, bargains, deals, and favorable finds. Here’s a little glimpse of what we plan to bring you…
First we would like to check on the status of the anarkali. It seems to still be in but is all that fabric reasonable for summer! Sure, it is if you find the right type. Breezy cotton casuals and sheer chiffons are the best picks. Be sure to look for those on your shopping trip as well.
Of course, we can’t forget how much we love saris! That’s because nothing screams India more than saris. That brings us to a questions we’ve been addressed…why are we shopping in Little India and not India? Well, the answer is quite simple. Arzoo Mag is published right here in the United States. Not everyone can afford the time and money to take a trip to India. We always resort to Little India when in need for a bit of culture. This, however, can be limiting. If you’re city’s Little India is big and abundant then you’re lucky, if it’s small you become even more limited, and if you don’t have one…well then don’t worry there is always the world wide web.
Because Little India can be limiting and small we plan to bring the best of it for you. Where to search, and how to find good deals will be included. It doesn’t matter what city you’re in. The basic guidelines will always remain the same. For example, let’s end with a little tip for those of you going shopping soon…stay away from boutiques…it will save you a lot of money and their variety is very limited. Head straight to the big shops FIRST. They have a lot more variety and choice and lower prices. If you don’t find anything there then the boutiques will come to your rescue. There are two types of boutiques…the really high end expensive ones and the more laid back cheaper ones. I’ve often visited the huge sari stores over pouring with saris, shalwars, and chaniya cholis but to my dismay found nothing I like or in my size. Sometimes the boutique really does come to the rescue. So let it come to your rescue by saving it for last!
We’ve all seen that Corelle commercial, at least I have, where they “grease” the run way so that the model falls along with the plate which doesn’t break, showing us how Corelle can stand up to anything! Almost everyone’s got Corelle laying around somewhere or another. They’re cheap, economical, and unbreakable. No, I’m not advertising here but I found some Indian-inspired designs I thought of sharing. Whenever I see paisley it reminds me of mehndi.
Though a little to “busy” for me they’re worth considering if you’re traditional. But, nothing reminds one more of mehndi then this “Henna” design! Its Indian vibe and cultural beauty are in line with today’s ethnically inspired trends.
Look around…and you’ll see so much that has been inspired by India and it’s culture. Then share it with us! If your pick is chosen it will be featured in our next issue!
Speaking of green, Earth Day is April 22nd and I think it will be a bigger event this year than in the past. Everyone is becoming greener and greener and finally recycling is more important than ever. In honor of Earth Day, Uncommon Goods is featuring about 17 earth-friendly products from across the globe and number 15 on the list is Indian! Yes, why else would I mention them unless they had something related to India? The Cassette Cosmetic Pouch is made in India and sells for a mere 15 bucks. They’re handmade from recycled cassette tapes and plastic. It’s made under Fair Trade regulations in a school that teaches vocational skills to children with disabilities. Income from these products is used to create sustainable development for rural artisans and their community. Not bad.
In addition I also like the Patchwork Guest Book from Nepal.
The Organic Cotton Fruit Basket from Egypt is perfect for children.
I saved the best for last! This Elephant Poo Paper Journal from Thailand is made from actual elephant poop!!
Look around your home and whether you are Indian or not it’s highly likely that your home has some or something Indian in it! Whether it’s basmati rice, a made in India tunic, or even a pillow; India is everywhere (more…)
We’ve already asked the questions so let’s attempt to answer it. Why are British Indian magazines better than those published in the United States and perhaps even Canada? To start off with, it is important to mention that there is a serious gap in the United States market for a decent South Asian magazine of any sort. Many have come and gone but none have ever been as successful or well-thought out as their British or Indian counterparts. Okay, so we can leave India out of this because Indian magazines are just bound to be better there but what about England. Well it all comes down to the fact that Asians have been in the U.K. much longer than they’ve been in America or Canada. Still there is no excuse. Americans are just too lazy and so are Indian Americans. Perhaps, they just don’t care about beauty and fashion. Fashion is taken much more seriously in Europe. On the other hand there have been some fashion and lifestyle magazines that have come out in the US. The problem with them, however, is that they sufficiently lack in a glossy and tempting look. If you’re going to try to sell people a thin magazine with only a few pages, articles, and not enough fashion then people won’t buy it! The market is our there and though limited it’s definitely there! Magazine companies just need to work on their covers and size! No one wants to hold a newspaper sized magazine anywhere or in any situation. People want a magazine that is colorful, informative, intrigueing, and most of all BIG in thickness but NORMAL in size! Unsuccessful magazines have disappeared for this very reason. The solution is to give the audience what they’re looking for. To market the product. And especially to stop charging an arm and a leg for a paper thin booklett because no one will pay 6 bucks for a super thin magazine when its counterparts can be bought in other parts of the world for just rupees or when American Bridal magazines, much thicker and better, come for the same price!
Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s latest novel, The Palace of Illusions, is an intrigueing and well-written book. It takes us back to a time that is half history, half myth, and magical. (more…)
If you’ve immigrated to the states from India then you have no worries. Most NRI’s visit back home often and are familiar with the culture and society. (more…)
We all know what a huge role masalas, or spices, play in our cuisine! No dish is complete without an extensive use of spice but what exactly is the reason behind it? (more…)
Mehndi, or henna, has a long and ancient history. It’s been around for thousands of years. Mehndi was introduced to India in the 12th century, by the Mughals. (more…)
Just as Walt Disney brings fairy tales to the West, Yash Raj Films has given us Indians fairy tales for decades. But what happens when the two come together?…Roadside Romeo! An animated comedy, starring the voices of Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor, Roadside Romeo was supposed to release this past summer but we are still awaiting it’s release. The wait will be over soon though! Roadside Romeo is all set to release on October 24. The long wait is almost over and you won’t want to miss this interesting and unique film! In the meantime….
Roadside Romeo Trailer:
A glimpse from the song “Main Hoo Romeo:”
Saif Ali Khan plays Romeo in the film:
Roadside Romeo is an animated, whimsical, romantic comedy where Walt Disney comes to India:
There are many different types of saris throughout India and over a hundred ways to drape them! Certain types of saris are very distinct to the region where they’re from. Others are more popular. Here are all the (more…)
For Spring/Summer 2008 OPI, the popular nail polish company, launched the collection, India. The twelve colors ranging from I’m India Mood For Love to (more…)
