A real boo boo...

What a day! Am absolutely shattered...for several reasons.
1. I stupidly decided to wear new wedge sandals that hadn't been broken in yet (crazy fool)
2. We saw 8 apartments spread over the Bandra and Juhu suburbs
3. Had an extremely embarrassing moment involving a shoestring dress strap...(God nooooo)
4. We ended up driving home in rush hour traffic from Juhu to Bandra in a taxi that's air conditioning decided to stop working (un-fricken-believably super bad luck!)

Amitabh Bachchan a.k.a "Big B"

The entire day turned up not one bloody interesting apartment...feel so depressed for all the above reasons but mainly because one of my lovely vintage Versace summer dress' now needs mending. And yes, before you ask I have a double G&T in hand as we speak...of course. So after we gave the last apartment the "big thumbs down" due to very loud traffic noises, our agent had to quickly head off to his next appointment. At this point it was already 4:30pm (danger zone traffic wise) and we were madly trying to flag down a taxi right outside Big B's original Juhu villa (Amitabh Bachchan-the godfather of Bollywood) whilst trying to avoid too many stares. We managed to grab a taxi and headed back towards Bandra. Before we knew it we had hit a traffic jam. Fan-fricken-tastic I thought! Suddenly our air conditioning shut down without any warning. Everyone began to roll down the windows. Half an hour later when we were no more than 1km further down the same road- we were all red faced, hot and sweaty and rather annoyed. "Lil G" had fallen asleep on my lap and "HRH" resembled a drenched rat...(though in his own sweat-so pretty gross!) I was trying to speak in my pidgeon hindi to beg the driver to get off the main road..."Linking Road- nai atchaa"-but it wasn't working. It was hell. It quite honestly felt like we had slipped into the burning pits of hell! Burning pits of hell- rolled in chilli might I add! Eye watering- you get my drift...I looked out the window to see 4 young men sitting in the back of a truck leering at me and taking photos of me on their cell phones. I shielded my face with my hand (minding not to wipe off the dripping make up that was rolling towards my neck) and tried to look away. Thankfully the taxi moved forward...but then so did the truck full of guys. Great. I squirmed in my seat and went to turn my body away fully. My dress was stuck to my back and as I turned my left hand side dress strap snapped. As I noticed...I looked up in horror to see the guys quickly snapping photos on their cellphones and laughing. My whole breast had popped out and was exposed. OMFG. By the time I covered up it was too late. The photos had probably made it to Peru in that amount of time! I was furious...and embarassed. The guys on the truck thought it was brilliant and gods work- I suspect. I thought it was shoddy workmanship on Versace's part and swore bloody blue murder! But being stuck in a traffic jam I then had to endure ten further minutes of bumper to bumper tag with the truck. Talk about giving Janet Jackson a run for her money on the "wardrobe malfunction" stakes...At least she had something covering her nipple! Aargh! Good one Queenie.

Queenie / Janet Jackson?

So there you have it. A whole day wasted without one positive apartment to show for it, a vintage Versace dress in need of repair (and reinforcing might I add) and one Queenie whose pride was severely bruised today.
Mumbai-1
Queenie-0
Peruvian construction workers +1
Need I say top up to the bartender? Excuse the pun.

Who would have thought?

Katrina Kaif

Deepika Padukone

Still no news from the apartment owner in Bandra and "HRH" is starting to get peeved off so we are off to view a few more apartments tomorrow with another agent. Good to get a fresh perspective and not just focus on the one apartment. It is still my preferred, but the owner seems to be pushing his luck with his price and it is already pricey enough as it is in Bandra- so will have to cool off for a while and not appear too keen.
 Decided to catch up on a bit off Bollywood goss today and bought a ton of magazines to keep me going. I totally did not know Aishwarya and Absishek were having a baby...wow their baby is bound to be pretty damn cute. And she looks so fabulous with only a few months before she's due! I'm so blown away at how beautiful these Bollywood actresses are. They all have such stunning shiny hair and amazing bone structure. When you live in Mumbai you have to have your favourites Bollywood divas. So my fave two actresses are Deepika P. and Katrina Kaif...and yet to decide on the guys. Have to kind of get over the whole male style of dancing here- but I'm sure I will soon enough and it will all feel quite normal. (Hmmmm?) It's like a whole other world with Bollywood- doesn't take long to buy into it all either. Amusing. Found myself tapping along to the latest "Dhunki" song out of "Mere Brother Ke Dulhan" too. Who would have thought Queenie? Not I said the fly...

Mr India 2

Sri Devi in the 1980's

Sri Devi in 2011

Guess what everyone? Sri Devi (yes THE Sri Devi all time Bollywood diva) is making a return to the big screen in the follow up to the cult classic Mr India 2!!! I am so excited as I remember the original with her scene dressed up as Charlie Chaplin. I always thought she was so beautiful but boy you should see her now. I think she looks better with each year that passes! She is nearly 50 now and a mother of two but I bet she will look just as good as the other young actors set to star in Mr India 2. Anil Kapoor is also in the sequel so it's a must see!
I still haven't heard back from the property owner so all we can do is wait for now. I wish we could get this sorted sooner rather than later and confirm an address. That way we can get the feline family members on their flight to Mumbai and the kids toys and things shipped over. So we're waiting...ho hum.

Steve Madden wedge

I popped into the Steve Madden store today at the Palladium Mall and bought some super cute wedges. "HRH" seemed not to mind waiting for me- which was distinctly out of character. (He normally detests shoe shopping!) I was pretty quick- I literally just told the guy my size, tried one on and handed over the cash! And they were a great cheap and cheerful purchase to get me through this time at the hotel before my wardrobe arrives. Am missing my Jimmy Choo's and Louboutin's terribly I must admit! But these shoe's are uber comfy so I'm pretty happy with them. Might go back and get more in different colours to just use as a staple atm in Mumbai. Plus being a wedge it's far more practical in the wet weather than a stiletto. A monsoon fashion must!

Lovin' this right now...

I know the very talented Californian man that wrote and directed this video clip for Noel Gallagher...and I am so lovin' it right now. I think you'll see why. Cowboy. Desert. Sexy. Very... me thinks! Did anyone say tequila?

Fingers crossed

Kenya is just a 6 hr flight from Mumbai

Firstly I would just like to declare my support of Anna Hazare...I will always back people who fight for the justice and greater good of their nations people! It makes our apartment search seem so unimportant in comparison to this mans plight.
This morning as I got out of the taxi outside the apartment that we have put an offer on- I nearly got run over by a man trying to back his Porsche out of the driveway. Nice welcome to the building- nearly getting run over by one of your neighbours I thought! Anyhow we met the owner and it went really well. He's a lovely guy who made us feel right at home and hopefully he likes us enough to accept our offer. It's quite an odd concept to meet the owners...being property owners ourselves it is definetly not standard practice in our world. But it was a nice little meeting and really adds a personal touch to the offer. We talked about travels, the owners most recent travels to Kenya on a safari etc. (Kenya is just a 6 hour flight so we will definetly do a safari trip with the kids next year! Very exciting!!)

A popular cafe/Bar in Bandra

When we went around the apartment the second time we noticed a few things that we didn't last time- like some of the furniture not being to our personal tastes but at this point it seems irrelevant taking into account that we will be thankful to get an apartment at all! It's so centrally located that we can walk to any of the well known places like red box, eat around the corner, Zenzi Bar, Olive etc. Which is fabulous to not be dependant on a driver. We can just walk to get everything we may need- which gives you more of a sense of belonging and sense of freedom. I really really want to get this place, as I've already said. (Just in case you didn't get it!) So-fingers bloody crossed....we should hear by tonight. And then we will officially be residents of "The queen of the suburbs...Bandra." Whoop whoop. I can feel a celebratory bottle of Veuve coming on. Hmmmm.Thanks to all the support and readers from India! For three days now you have had the most readers which I am very excited about! Dhanya Vadh.

Happy Independance Day

 Nehru delivers the "Tryst with Destiny" speech

Happy Independance day India, let us not forget our forefathers who fought for this freedom! August 15th 1947 marked the day that Independance was declared from British rule. We should also all think about the hundreds of thousands of people that died during the violence that followed the partition of Bengal, Pakistan and India. Today Mumbai was a buzz with families out together eating, playing, shopping and worshipping. It was a beautiful day that my family and I spent in the city at Cafe Leopolds- the iconic cafe. And for anyone that has read "Shantaram" yes that is THE cafe. I managed to purchase an amazing sterling silver Ganesh pendant that I'd been looking for. I'm pretty taken by it. And can't wait to give it a whirl! "HRH" was feeling slightly under the weather after our late night last night unfortunately...poor thing. The kids spent the morning swimming and exploring in the garden searching for snails...they got into this past time in France looking for escargots of course. It was a fab day had by all- except "HRH" of course. Another day in the city of life- Mumbai...you're growing on us, we are feeling more and more at home here with each day that passes. Hmmm maybe an early night for everyone tonight. Ouch the head.

Independence Day
The national flag of india, on the Red fort in Delhi; a common sight on public and private buildings on national holidays like the 15th of August.
Also called	The Fifteenth of August स्वतन्त्रता दिवस
Observed by	India
Type	National
Significance	The day India became independent from British rule.
Date	August 15
Celebrations	Flag hoisting, Parades, Singing patriotic songs, Speech by thePrime Minister, Family reunions,Picnics, Kite flying

R.I.P Shammi Kapoor

Balcony of apartment with small garden area 

Namaskar! Well we have made an offer on an apartment in Bandra- and I am so anxious hoping that our offer is accepted. The apartment ticks every box and is perfect in every way. The design and style is fantastic, it has a great balcony of about 20m in length x 3.5m wide. The only drawback is that it has 3 double bedrooms plus one single bedroom as a guestroom. Admittedly the single guestroom does have it's own bathroom and lovely views but it is a shame. Apart from that the fitout is stunning. And it has a great little hotel right opposite for overflows when guests come to stay...so that makes up for the bedroom situation. It has a gym and games room with pool table etc. Overall it is pretty cool. A very very famous bollywood star lives opposite too. She's A list and we have to keep it confidential etc...so that's about all I can say. But we are very excited to leave the hotel and get our own place. So, fingers crossed!

Olive Restaurant and kitchen in Pali Hill

Tonight we have our frenchies back after they went to Rajasthan and the Taj Mahal in Agra for a visit. We are going to head out to "Olive Restaurant and Kitchen" for dinner in Pali Hill. I've heard that thursday's are their happening night for cocktails etc. Being a sunday it will probably be pretty quiet but I am still looking forward to giving it a try. Going to wear my denim combi tonight I think and was considering heels but my ass and thighs are so aching after going to the gym this morning. It's so embarrassing because it REALLY hurts when I walk down stairs and people have been staring at me all day whenever I grimace. I must be so out of shape... just great.

Zenzi Garden Bar Bandra

And I'm keen to give Zenzi bar a try too tonight. Have heard good things about it. Except that it has a pitifully pathetic beer selection. Oh well, will just have to order vino. Am yet to actually try some Indian wine...but am a bit nervous as I don't want to be disapointed. This way I can just have no opinion as I'm yet to try. It's decided- before dinner drinks at Zenzi...then onto Olive.
Ohhh, that reminds me, I need to go get my eyebrows threaded before dinner quickly...it's so quick and far less painful than waxing. Great idea. Right, I'm off. A big warm welcome and thank you to all the readers from South Africa, Pakistan and Mexico! Good job everyone. And my condolences to Shammi Kapoor's family and all his fans. He was an iconic Bollywood actor from the 50's and 60's...I grew up listening to his songs as my father was a big fan, so I really do feel that his passing marks the end of the golden era. I know my Dad will be sad to hear the news too. Here's his most famous song from the movie "Professor" which was released in 1962. R.I.P Shammi Kapoor.