When in Spain !!

When in Spain !! :)

I had flirted with the idea of having my own blog for quite some time. And I am Glad I finally do have one; it’s great fun. Before I could even realize, it has absorbed me totally!

Spain! 

The word itself explains for travel, adventure and some misadventure! ;) I love travelling, but I’m not one for travelling through countries just to tick them off my ‘been there’ list. Instead, I try to engage myself with a culture to truly understand it.

I am going to take you on a journey full of adventure and party in this blog. I am sure the thought sprung up in your mind when I mentioned ‘Spain’! Barcelona and Ibiza are two places I would love to visit again and again, especially Ibiza, where I went not very long ago.

I first stayed near La-rambla which is situated in central Barcelona. This is a street which is always full of people and comes even more alive with every other person joining in. Someone was dancing to the tunes of a nearby guitarist, someone was sketching this dancing couple on a canvas and some of us were appreciating the beauty which was right there in front of us.

The amazing smell of food coming from some ten steps away caught my senses. I was so pulled by the smell of it that I couldn’t resist my temptation. It was Paella - a very famous Spanish dish made up of rice and seafood. It just melted in my mouth.

The happy crowd, including tourists, the food, the streets, and the architecture was so enriching that I got week in my knees. Barcelona is basically famous for Gothic architecture. Anthony Gowdy or Antony Gaudi was the architect of this amazing church called Sagrada Familia and the most beautiful part of the story is that it is still getting constructed.

One of the major tourist attractions in Barcelona is the beach Barceloneta which occupies the maximum number of restaurants and of course, people! And one such place just at the shadow of the beach is Playa D'en Bossa which is known for the best restaurants and the best food. This is apparently the most common place to hang out because of the young crowd and therefore, the most happening place in Ibiza. If you are in Ibiza, you have to visit this place. 

But a very funny thing happened when I checked in. No, I didn’t see Mr. Bean live..haha..Well, apparently the receptionist asked me to be really careful about my cell phone since there were high chances of it being flicked. And guess what! It did get flicked while I was in Ibiza, Space club. The club was packed with hundreds and thousands of people. Looks like someone took the advantage and flicked my cell phone. Now this is called chance pe dance haha. But I have to admit, I felt handicapped without my cell phone. I lost all the candid moments and the beauty of the place I had captured. 

If you are the one who likes to party and whose dancing steps know no bounds, then Barcelona is the place for you. Unlimited fun is the calling. I encountered some of the best clubs during my stay. One of them was Opium Mar. It is located right on the beach and is decorated with all the classy and modern styling. Arrive at 2 AM to get the real feel, with loudly costumed stage dancers and your favourite drink to help you let your hair down. 

Another one, just around the corner from Opium Mar is Catwalk. International DJs like David Guetta, Gareth Emery, Armin van buuren many more will steal your heart and will give you an experience that you will never forget. 

And if you want to explore the unseen, Dialogue in the dark or Dinner in the darkness is the place which carries a blind concept. Through specially constructed dark rooms visitors are lead by blind guides who make you see life without pictures. Though the tour is only for an hour, the experience lasts for a lifetime.  

You must be thinking a shopoholic didn't talk about shopping yet! Haha..This place is so much for fun and partying that it just didn't strike me. Well, now it did! I was told La Roca is the biggest shopping destination and I truly second it. It was a beautiful place with all the expensive brands under one roof. It very conveniently allows you to stroll casually between the shops, making the experience pleasurable as it should be. I shopped like it's not even funny. 

From Barcelona, Ibiza is just an hour flight away. Seeing the island from top was just breath taking. I was sold right then. Ibiza is surely a place to party, no doubt about it! Club Pacha happens to be the most happening place for party and God! It was more than just that.

It was a glorifying experience with a stack of new nights and big names from both the underground and mainstream of dance music. Pacha is Ibiza’s oldest and most well known club. There were some other clubs as well which I hopped, Amnesia, being my personal favorite.

Unlike the crowded and loud Barcelona and south-central Ibiza, north Ibiza was much calmer and totally non-crowded. People were just chilling by the beaches, as this is what the place is meant for. The water was sparkling blue and transparent that the boats almost looked like swimming in the air. You can imagine the transparency of water. Amazing right?!!

The best season to go to Spain is June to October. For me? Every season when it comes to Ibiza, is ‘the’ best season.

And yes, the golden jacket that I am wearing is none other than Forever New and is available at the stores. So, hurry up and bag it!

Like always, write to me at pragnyasdairy@gmail.com. 

Stay connected :)

Well, that's Manish Malhotra! 

Often when I think about the Indian designers I like, there is one name which never fails to pitch itself perfectly in my memory. He is known for his cuts, his Colors, his uniqueness in Indo-western designs. 

His amazing designs always put me in awe and I just don’t know how else to appreciate them than letting my eyes sparkle at the very first sight. 

Yes!! I am talking about Manish Malhotra, the undisputed darling of Bollywood. If at all I have to think about a synonym for his name, I won’t be exaggerating if I say ‘The best!’. And looking at his amazing collection at Lakme Fashion Week this season, I am more than just a fan of him now. 

Rich fabrics like chiffon, silk, net in primary shades of white and candy floss pink were teamed with pale grey, metallics, rich greens, black and cherry red. Gowns were moulded to the body and flared into dozens of panels in the most beautiful way. 

I so loved the collection that I couldn’t resist donning one pretty dress. The moment I took it in my hands, it seemed as if the dress belonged to me and I had to own it. I never looked so perfect, so in shape and so wonderful. The lustrous blue color on the “Jorjet kurta” which almost touched my ankles complemented my height and my body type. With tight black leggings and a pair of  heels just completed the look. 

The appeal of this dress is it’s amazing cut on the sides which goes all the way up to the belly. Embroidery on cuffs couldn’t fail to add the oomph factor to it. The blue and orange combination of the kurta complimented my Indian skin tone and my personality very well. 

OMG! How can one not fall in love with such a piece?! It was so perfect that every time I wear it, my energy levels and confidence just reach a different level altogether. It makes me feel elegant and feminine. 

I grabbed the piece and it seems difficult to recollect how many times did I ‘virtually’ thank him after donning it. I have always been in love with Manish’s designs. He steals my heart every single time and whenever his outfit graces me, I just can’t stop looking at myself in the mirror. 

Well, that’s Manish! I will swear by his designs and count on him to make any woman look absolutely gorgeous. 

Ohh..by the way! ‘Gorgeous’ reminds me of someone I saw wearing an incredible dress by Forever New. She is one of the top actresses of Tollywood, Samantha Ruth Prabhu coming up with her next release ‘Attarintiki Daredi’. I must say, she looks absolutely stunning. 

Ladies! If you are eyeing this pretty piece as well, then hurry up. The dress is available at Forever New store, Hyderabad in limited stock. 

For further details, you can reach me at pragnyasdiary@gmail.com 

Or inbox me on Facebook following the link below:

https://www.facebook.com/pragnya.madireddy?fref=ts

Keep flourishing like these rich colors :)

City of Lakes - A Royal Saga !!

                           City of Lakes - A Royal Saga !!

Hey guys! Hope this 'Hello' finds you all donning those 

great smiles! :)

I wonder how an anonymous thing attaches meaning to your ‘memory’  so much that it just refreshes your soul and brings a smile on your face instantly. Coincidences sometimes just hit the right nerve and take you to another dreamland you once visited. 

Something similar happened to me the other day. It was a quite morning and I had just opened the store (Forever New, Hyderabad). I was co-ordinating with my staff, in the meantime a lass walks in. Nothing about her strikes me first but her tote! It was a pretty, pink colored handbag with Rajasthani print on it. It was so rich in color that I almost felt rainbows around me. 

Rajasthan! Whenever I think about that place, my heart fills with joy. That sight of her tote instantly casted my memory back to the time when my husband gifted me a visit to Udaipur.

Ohh...it still gives me butterflies! I must say I have never been introduced to such luxury and I must admit I enjoyed every bit of it. I felt nothing less than a princess with all the royal treatment being splurged on me. 

We stayed in The Oberoi Udaivilas which is located at the banks of Lake Pichola. Udaipur, also called ‘City of Lakes/ Dawn’ surrounded by Aravali mountains and the green backdrop makes an amazing kaleidoscope which just pulls you more and more into it. 

The boat ride through lake Pichola to reach Udaivilas was one of the unique experiences which made my journey even more picturesque. Not that I haven’t had boat rides before but that was just so different than the rest. In the nest of nature, warmness of March and the tingling feeling the chirping of the birds was giving me, was worth those few minutes of ride. 

I smelt nature! It looked like a scattered island where one would love to get lost and there isn’t a way back. 

Our welcome was full of traditional Rajasthani culture with a Tilak and garland. It was overwhelming. Little did I know, it was just the starting. All those days we stayed there became a different book of memories altogether. With each passing day, I was getting addicted to their hospitality and the Rajasthani culture. Upon that our magnificently decorated suit with a private pool was nothing less than a retreat. 

Jagmandir is a beautiful restaurant in the middle of the lake where we had our breakfast, followed by lunch at Taj and dinner at The Leela Palace! Oh my God! I have never had such great Rajasthani food before. And I am glad I had the chance to experience it. It feels as if I am right there, in the middle of a conversation with the beauty. 

How amazingly this journey has wrapped me. It was spotted from a skyline distance and up-close it didn't look any less magical. The traditional Rajasthani palace with domes and elegant water bodies, sounds of deers and other dessert animals from the nearby forest and rejuvenating spas totally helped me unwind and relax my senses. From a grand arrival on the boat to a completely fresh experience of royalty transported me to some other part of life which exists beyond imagination, beyond everything! 

The live music, gentle evening breeze and the calm of the lake, all added up to the tranquil nausea I will always want to experience again! 

The ‘Monsoon palace’ just multiplied my curiosity to many times. This is where the Maharaja used to sit and enjoy the splash of rains on his face and a touch of coolness will play with his soul. How could I have not experienced this 'once in a lifetime' treatment of none less than a Maharani..haha! 

Since it’s the most chosen wedding destination, there has to be things sold for you to have them for keeps. What I liked?? Ermmm...difficult question! Because there wasn’t anything which I disliked even by chance. I bagged one big beautiful pink umbrella (something similar to what you can see in the third picture above), a Rajasthani print bed spread, Rajcota saaris and Bandhej ghaghra for my young nieces. They were amused by the surprises! Well ! wasn’t that the ides?

The painting I picked from one of the stores is the one closest to my heart. It looks like everything is smiling through the frame, the trees, the palace, the lake, the boats, and the feeling itself. I have visited so many cities in India but my take? Udaipur! It is what my memory never fails to place, frame by frame, smile by smile. 

“Hello, can I have the 'look of the week' please”?

I am still in the reminiscence of the trip that my nauseated senses refused to attend anyone immediately. It took me a smile to snap out of the memory lane I was having a joyride on.

‘Yes, here please’! 

So, yes here is the look of the week! Go grab it from your nearby store! And here is the closet of my personal accessories:

Dress: Forever New

Glare: Burberry

Clutch: Jimmy choo

Hope my trip took you along to the amazing place, Uday Vilas, Udaipur. And I am so sure the experience must be enchanting! It was for me, once again while writing it! 

Write to me at pragnyasdiary@gmail.com for your queries or about ‘the look of the week’ or simply for sharing your own experience with the city, if you had any :)

See you soon!