Why is Bandra dubbed Mumbai's "Queen of the suburbs?"
Leaving her familiar and more than comfortable previous life behind "Queenie" endeavours to take Mumbai and all it's offerings by storm. Packing up the two little princes, "His Royal Highness" and their pedigree feline friends they set off on their big "Indian Adventure". Her roller coaster ride of experiences while being rather humorous- soon display some home truths. But will Queenie be up for the lesson?
Ahhh and a very good morning to you all! It's been a while since we've spoken I know...I know. Have been in Dubai for Spring break/ Easter hols. Had a fabulous time at the Atlantis on the palm with the two little princes. Swimming with dolphins, thrashing around a god forsaken waterpark ( D&G wedges weren't the most practical- but was I going to wear flip flops? Ahhh no I think not!) and admiring many little nemo's at the aquarium. I played the role of doting mum very well indeed- so as soon as I could ditch the male members of my family (Oh dear that means everyone except me!) I made no excuses in high tailing it to every mall in Dubai. Ok I lie...not EVERY mall. Because I don't think even I could have claimed that feat. Who knows how many there are out there withstanding the desert storms of Dubai? I suspect another one has probably popped up in the time it's taken me to write this latest edition! And I'll admit to this. I definetly didn't wear any stiletto's. DO NOT attempt to wear any sky high's on a shopping spree in Dubai. You could go on and on and ON. I mean 7 hours of non stop walking is better than any cross fit workout (or whatever they call that fandangled thing!) in my opinion. She says sipping her morning coffee instead of doing hot yoga or a gym work out. Sigh. I hit BCBG, Topshop, Ted Baker for HRH, Marc Jacobs pour moi- bien sur and my new cheap and cheerful favourite- River Island. LOVE their kids range- for seriously cool mini hipsters I suggest checking this place out. Prince M fared pretty well out of that stop off. A new fedora, some ethnic wristbands, and some funky tangerine and red fitted cut offs. Stylee!
I'm loving my new python, peach and black wedges- colour blocking at it's best! Fashion has definetly taken a fun, warm and pleasantly easy stride in the right direction for us Bombaiites! Thank god the wedge has survived the change of season as life is a little easier negotiating all Mumbai has to offer us- roadside ;-)
Now where was I? Dubai yes. Fabulous time with the family, my credit card and my bottle of champagne of course... A very big thank you to my darling friend for hosting us for the evening in the executive lounge at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel. The view was sublime, pizza was calorific bliss and the champagne just topped it all off. Dubai gets a very unexpected 8 out of 10 for all round easy family holiday location. A big Queenie thumbs up!
These puppies are perfect for all day teetering ;-)
Speaking of Queenies we bumped into another notorious Queenie on the plane ride over to Dubai and back. Queenie Singh- or is it Dhody? I never know these days and I doubt she remembers anymore? Not with the amount of botox floating around in the atmosphere;-) Queenie S was on her own on the flight over kitted out in her obligatory Hermes belt and matching 15k tan handbag (hmmmmm), her true religion jeans, LV carry on luggage, oversized (possibly illegal) diamond and very boring yawn worthy beige cardigan. But the worst offender was the footwear. She had cream heeled sneakers on!!!! With that much money surely it would buy her some common sense and remind her that the only people healed sneakers look good on are 12 year old singing and dancing Japanese twins! Oh dear Queenie.
Queenie Singh or Dhody?
On the flight back she was accompanied by her very adorable daughter Tiara (yes that's her real name everyone...) maybe she swapped shoes with mom? The cream heeled sneakers would have matched Tiara's Minnie mouse shredded tee just perfectly! But the bizarre twist was that she was also with Raja Dhody her ex. Or so we thought? Raja was very dapper indeed dressed impeccably from head to toe- whilst Queenie wore the exact same outfit as on arrival. Even down to the heeled sneakers! Perhaps the divorce didn't prove as profitable as we all thought? Hmmmmm. I'm not surprised her attempts to host a party for Perez Hilton failed. I mean please. Anyhoo with that bitchy rant I must fly. Oh c'mon we all do it- every now and then ;-)
Air kisses flying atcha. Off to unpack another box or two in the new apartment!
Talk soon. Q x
Well on wednesday night I had a few events to hang out with and rub shoulders with the who's who of Mumbai. As you do of course.
I attended the UTV Walk of Stars party at Olive which was packed with every B grade beauty in town. The paparazzi were out in fine fashion- to be honest it was very difficult to escape them. Once again I teetered around in my sky high Gucci wedges and those bloody pesky white pebbles in the outdoor patio became the bane of my existence! Olive why do you have those pebbles out there? When you know us Indian (or at least half) girls aren't Amazonian giants so we need our stiletto's at all times. It's just cruelty to have to slap on a forced smile and look casual and relaxed on the way to the loo when you're terrified of losing balance and wetting yourself in public! C'mon let's find a stiletto friendly solution darlings...
Annoyingly attractive ladies at Olive
Who was there? Well the usual suspects of course- once again I was reminded that Indian girls are a force not to be reckoned with. Their beauty is just mesmerizing at times. And they really take thin to the next level. I doubt a cheese naan has ever touched those bee stung lips.
After smoking far too many ciggies and slugging back even too many more cocktails- we high tailed it to Shiro bar (Lower Parel) for Arjun Rampals wedding anniversary that he and Rohit Bal appeared to be hosting. Of course not before a very classy like roadside toilet stop for the Queen- no fair those Mojito's caught up on me. On arrival we had to wrangle once again with the paparazzi who were even more aggressive and vocal on the way in. The place was pumping and oozing with diamonds, ego's the size of their Bentley's and of course (grumble grumble) more beautiful people. Rohit Bal was wearing a red velour blazer with his signature locks freshly dyed and by the time we arrived he definetly looked carefree- shall we say? The booth tables were filled with popcorn...don't ask me why? But definetly proved useful as a prop for stars photoshoots with the lucky paparazzi that were allowed inside. The music was good. I spent most of my time upstairs at the mezzanine level desperately gasping for air. Smoking was allowed downstairs- of course the stars and who's who didnt want to whip outside and get snapped fagging it up for tomorow's tabloids. Smoking is unhealthy. No seriously. It's also not the best thing when you wake up sounding like a male cross dresser the next day like moi. But luckily HRH loves me including all my flaws.
Shiro Bar Wednesday night
Anyhoo I'm moving house today. Thank bloody god. The house of horrors can be kissed goodbye. Life is good. Our feline friends look a little confused at all the boxes but the new place will have ample room for their sleeping and eating routine. What a life! I suppose I will be much the same when I get to their age. Poor darlings. Oh there's the doorbell so looks like we are off to our new abode. Have no fear the queen of the suburbs hasn't left the neighbourhood- nobody is taking that crown without a fight. And with a voice like mine you wouldn't want to meet me in a back alley any time soon :-)
Ciao darlings. Queenie x
Hello darlings pour yourself a vino and join in...
Namaskar my darlings,
The Queen is gracing you all with her presence...if not ever so briefly (I admit that I'm getting a little diva like these days!) as things are just busy busy busy.
I had a wonderful weekend hanging out with the PM (gorgeous french friend who is our project manager now in Rajasthan) and some other girlfriends at AER bar, Amadeus and lets not forget shaking my booty at Bonobo on Saturday in Bandra- there were some seriously cool drum and bass beats playing. If any of you have heard of Alix Perez well it was all thanks to him...Ten points to Bonobo for hosting him and to Bay Beat Collective (BBM) for also playing at the gig! So how about Bebo's (Kareena Kapoor) presence atm huh? I mean last week in the Bollywood song top 10 list she was the lead female actress in the two films in the top 3. Ek main aur ekk tu and Agent Vinod- both movies with songs in the top ratings. I'm not a big fan of Saif's "Pyaar ke Pungi" song but have to admit that the title song from "Ek main aur ekk tu" is annoyingly catchy. I find myself bopping along when I least expect it...Grrrrr. Which reminds me now we're on this topic...what about all the buzz around Bebo's steamy love scene in Heroine with Arjun Rampal? Well I say lucky lady for starters- he's a bit of a lush. Apparently they had to have a closed door policy on set for this scene...now that's just teasing. We'll all have to go along and see the movie now right?
Ya know Bollywood moves so quick that just when you get comfortable with all the latest hits they go and change on you before you've even had time to finish your strawberry margerita! Thats just no fair!
Trust me HRH clearly sticks right out of it all. He has no chance of keeping up with the play- just when he's managed to translate the first line from a song it's no longer in the charts. That's even more unfair.
What have I been up to? Well on thursday I hit Good Earth and nearly cleared the place out during their amazing 50 % off bi-annual sale. Hey no finger pointing- I have a new apartment to deck out so I am completely off the hook. Innocent of all female indulgency claims. Everything I bought was an absolute essential...I swear ;-) I mean of course I needed the electric blue tiger coffee mugs???!!!! I had the most divine breakfast at Cafe Zoe. A wonderful place tucked away in the Mathuradas Mill compound in Lower Parel. I honestly felt like I was back in Sydney somewhere. If any of you want to escape the madness of Palladium mall- then whip round the corner for a blissful coffee and waffles at Cafe Zoe and I hear they are also quite fab as a bar in the wee hours too. Not bad I say.
Looks like someone brought up their lifesavers too!
While I'm at it I just finished having a vino in the Tusk bar at the new Sofitel hotel in Bandra Kurla Complex. What a dissapointment. The bar is bang smack in the middle of a restaurant which is the last thing you want when you've had one too many vino's and start to cry on your BF's shoulder. I mean please? Discreet factor 0. As for the interior design well what can I say? They dare to call the interiors french? The place looks like a local has eaten a croissant and then brought it back up all over the floor...that's as french as it gets in my opinion. Yuck. It is so dated. I think it would have looked dated back in the 70's... it's just all wrong. And yes darlings there is such a thing as TOO much mis- matched pattern.
Well with that way too long rant- I must be off my friends. Prince M and Lil G are up very late watching Transformers. I have to admit to actually enjoying the movie too. Megan Fox is pretty hot stuff. Totally mis cast against Shia La Boeuf he looks like her nerdy younger cousin. But hey the C.G.I work is brilliant.
Ciao for now. My chardonnay is getting warm. (Just like Mumbai!)
Ahhh thank god for that. The day is finally at it's end (and the weekend for that matter) and I can plant my rotund "derriere" on the couch, put my feet up and pour myself a well deserved chardonnay.
Things on my mind at the moment:
1. IBAR in Bandra (near Candie's Lilvati) is hosting open mic nights on monday evenings with cheap drinks. I think their next set is tomorrow night. I might give it a whirl...should be a good laugh ;-)
2. Kitsch (Kala Ghoda near Rhythm House) are now stocking Victoria Beckham, Rag and Bone (!!!!!) and Marchesa in their stores. Ok, ok I know net-a-porter can offer better prices but....There's nothing like being able to try on your new Stella McCartney dress and handle your new Celine handbag before you actually buy.
3. Miu Miu have come out with their latest capsule handbag collection called "Madras" in white, turquoise (fave!!!) and pink and of course all have the iconic Miu Miu clasp. Who knows how many pretty pennies a turquoise Madras will set me back?!
I want, I want. I WANT!
4. Mumbai is getting way too hot for my liking. Can someone up there take a chill pill on the heat factor? It's so hot that I can't spend more than 5 minutes in direct sunlight which is why I now seem to be glowing with my whiteness. All my friends from down under are shocked at my pale complexion. Great so now I'm old, chubby and white.
5. I really want to get my grubby little mitts on a bottle of Kerastase Elixir K Ultime. Now that I'm no longer a spring chicken and with all the heat and dust in Mumbai my hair looks like a used straw broom. Elixir Ultime is a first of it's kind hair beautifying oil combining the benefit of 4 different precious oils. And I'm going to need as many as I can get.
Dev Patel is soooo cute!
6. I can't wait to see John Madden's (Shakespeare in Love) new film The best exotic Marigold Hotel with Dev Patel playing the lead character Sonny. Dev Patel's character plays the manager of a run down hotel in Jaipur and a group of English pensioners come to stay and end up learning a few life lessons on the way. Dame Judi Dench and Maggie Smith are also in the movie and I know it will be fantastic. We spend a lot of time in Rajasthan so it'll be nice to see it on the big screen...considering we are building our own hotel. (Here's hoping it doesn't end up a run down old shack!)
7. Really looking forward to trying Cafe by the beach's (Chowpatty) new updated breakfast menu. They open earlier than most cafes in Mumbai so will be perfect for before the gym or even after-and I hear they have a footspa with an ocean view. Sounds tempting. I'm in.
8. Agent Vinod. What's the deal? I know it's releasing March 23rd and the title song "Steal the night" is a rip off of Boney M's hit song "Rasputin". I just don't know what it is- but I have gone pretty cold on the power house couple. Kareena and Saif. Sigh. I mean Saif produced the film with his Illuminati films company and cast himself and Kareena in the lead roles. Is that a little repugnant or is it just me? It's a spy film so will probably be pretty violent- I guess the lead has had a bit of practice as of late ;-)
9. Diet seems to be off. Have to get back on the wagon again though. I HAVE to hit the gym or will be left with the only option remaining- liposuction. What? I've heard it works. Well that's what some of the other expat wives seem to be indulging in...as they say. Living in Mumbai has it's benefits- right?
Well that's it darlings. I've polished off another bottle on my own (god damnit!) again...doh. And my eyelids are getting a little heavy. HRH is waiting for me in bed so I guess it's toodaloo folks. And don't get excited...he's just waiting for me to turn the light off for him. We are FAR more of morning folk in this house ;-)
Bonjour my darlings! Yes I am alive. Although I doubt you would believe it after nearly 3 weeks of silence. Shocking I know. But alas, I am still here gasping wildly for breathe. I have been very sick since France, have had HRH away working on the resort (which reminds me I need to discuss something with the team about the yoga space) and have been busy, busy. No excuses I know. I suppose I have just had some time out. Part punishment- part time break.
Where the hell to start? Life is good. Kids are great. Hubby has about a thousand projects on the go at once but is all good (when I see him) and I am- well I'm brilliant.
Having survived a bloody chest infection (just) after France I've been pretty HECTIC here with life in Mumbai. It's been freakishly hot at the moment with temperatures well into the late 30's. I've been getting stuck into the gym -a true punishment for all the cheese and wine consumed in gay Paree. And have been extrememly well behaved (for a diva like queen) when socialising. I have to admit that the pay off hasn't been off the charts. I still have a hang belly (bloody butter roti's to blame!) and my ass has the best view of the floor this side of China. What do I have to show for it all? A rumbling belly and aching thighs...sod it.
It's time for a ladies lunch. And I can feel a watermelon martini coming on. (Have to keep it healthy of course!)
Is SRK bad for business?
Whats the gossip? Well one of my neighbours (who will remain a mystery) was involved in a very public scandal lately. It appears he physically assaulted an older expat gentleman at a hotel restaurant. The paparazzi were after him like vultures for a week. It made my own discreet comings and goings rather difficult with TV cameras everywhere. What a nuisance. Those journalists are such pariahs. Ugh. Here's hoping this won't damage his career or his A list girfriends.
Although having said that SRK seems to be going fine after his similar incident at Aurus bar in Juhu. And Aurus doesn't seem to be faring too well out of it. I hear the local residents are complaining and it may be shut down. Well I guess they have his highness Shah Rukh Khan to thank for that one.
About 2 days ago-I myself was involved in a celebrity run in- when I told off her highness (well relative foreign import newcomer) Amy Jackson and partner (yes they are together) Prateik at "Eat around the Corner" in Bandra. Anyone who lives in India knows what the status of queuing is here. It's NON EXISTENT. So I was rather shocked when the skeletal Miss Amy attempted the same. She should know better and I told her so. Who cares if you think you're royalty as the latest lip syncing, carb deprived, highly sexxed up bollywood diva... you queue like the rest of us. I mean I'm also royalty...(of some kind) and I queue so you can bloody jump in line madam!
Get in line...and eat a steak love!
What else? Ohhhh yes. I'm moving into my brand new sexy apartment in less than a fortnight and this new one will be fabulous. Details on the house warming to come. The invite list will be very select. Discretion being the key word in play. Paparazzo pariahs will NOT be welcome. Have eaten twice at a new restaurant called Cafe Mangiamo at the Turned Road/ SV Road/Linking Road intersection. Fabulous strawberry daiquiri's and a great starters menu. Check it out.
Am also dying to see Kahaani the new Vidya Balan film. I've heard pretty good things so am really looking forward to it. Although I doubt the chances are high of dragging HRH along. Vidya has now moved up into my fave 3 actress' ranking in Bollywood joining Piggy Chops and Anushka Sharma. Although Sonam Kapoor definetly wins the styliest star award in Queenie's books. She got to wear 60 Dior dresses for her film "Aisha"- lucky girl I say. 10 points to the stylist!
Right I'm off to gym (a new healthier- hopefully skinnier Queenie awaits) and then will destroy all the hard work with a girls lunch out. Then on saturday HRH and I have a St Patricks day party to attend. Will have to get a bit loose with my costume I feel. Poison Ivy? Hmmmmm.
Thanks for reading. I am back for good now. And we have so many things coming up- I'm sure it'll make for interesting reading my friends. Stay tuned.
Queenie the Diva. X
Okay so even though it's currently 35 degrees up here in Mumbai I still am completely obsessed with coloured jeans right now. There are 3 colours I want (but definetly don't need) tangerine, hot pink and sunflower yellow. I really think the vibrant colours suit our climate here in India and I'm far more into going bright up here. My main concern is working out where to get these jeans in India? I mean Ksubi is probably relatively unknown here. But I have been buying Ksubi jeans in Sydney since when they called themselves Tsubi Jeans with a T... The Rich and Skinny and Citizens of Humanity jeans I will easily get in Paris when I'm there again. Why didn't I get any 10 days ago when I was freezing my butt off in France? Oh don't ask. I didn't even remember to get any jars of foie gras- yes I failed miserably. And a girlfriend had specially asked for some. Failure. Foie gras is certainly not very p.c these days but it's still a go in France so end of topic. HRH and I still indulge in the velvet smooth deliciousness. Anyhow I'm off to search Mumbai boutiques for a pair of these jeans. I know Zara and Mango will have these for sure but I am definetly picky with my jeans. If I do find a pair of these said desired denims then I will probably jump for joy and order a cocktail. Woohoo, I'm going to get me some rainbow jeans to go with my neon yellow cardigan and hot pink silk shirt...Ok I won't wear them all at once. Get a grip you lot. I doubt the other mother's at school would take
Rich and Skinny spring 2012
me very seriously dressed like that now would they?! Ohhh now which colour first? Watermelon pink sounds nice and refreshing for this heat! The jeans will work well against the freezing hotel lobby's that are always over cooled in these parts.Trust me it's like walking out of the frying pan into the icebox.Well that's it for me tonight. I've prattled on enough for my liking. Just except to say that I'm getting very excited about our new apartment which should be finished in about 6 weeks. I popped over today to check on progress and was over the moon when I saw all the furniture they had custom made for us and the bathrooms and kitchen have all already been tiled. These 6 weeks won't be able to pass quick enough for us. This new apartment is nearly double in size than the one we are in now. Which we have dubbed the house of horrors. Anything you can imagine happening has...jack hammers in the kitchen, rats (ohhhh yes but we've handled that situation thank god!) and even exploding shower doors that cut HRH to shreds. Oh yeah it's been a joy. And let's not talk about our rude and extremely obese landlord. Hmmmm. Yes so now you get my point about how excited we are about the new apartment. Roll on April 1st. And on that positive note I must fly.
Might have bubbles since we're celebrating 20,000 reads!
Okay well now that I have all of your attention and we've deciphered that not alot of the aforementioned above is happening for this husbandless Queen... no not a divorce! HRH is just off working on the finalised drawings with the architect in Rajasthan so sex texts are as raunchy as it gets for moi at the mo.
Anyhoo I digress. What I really wanted to say was THANK YOU! I can't believe how many reads we are now up to and it's only tuesday! As of right at this moment we are at 19,799 and I am sure that by the time I wake up tomorrow we would have broken the 20,000 record! Can you believe it? Well I sure as hell can't. I am always blown away to see how many of you actually read this thing...and it's bloody incredible. Thank you all so much for the interest and support. So many of you from the States, Canada, India, the U.K, Germany, Norway, Thailand, Dubai, Malaysia, Australia and even New Zealand. I can't wait to tell HRH the news...and let's try to hit a new goal. 50,000 I wonder how long it will take us to get those kinds of numbers? Who knows....
Right well I'm off for a snooze and all going well will attempt some yoga after an extremely long time. Ohh and forgot to say that I am going to go and buy a proper sari now that it's sale season. That should be a laugh. I will keep you all posted.
Stay tuned.
Queenie xxx
Greetings my friends, I write to you this evening sitting on the sofa whilst watching the 57th Filmfare awards on the small screen. Bebo (Kareena Kapoor) is currently flying around the stage like something off a Cirque du soleil show and SRK (Shah Rukh Khan- India's Tom Cruise equivalent) is dressed in drag as he hands out awards. Just another day at the office for our favourite Bollywood royalty folks. The hilarious part is that it actually seems to be doing the trick for this Queen. Yes me. I am totally buying into the whole event. WTF??? I know all the songs, all the movies, all the nominated actors and even the music directors. I even know all the behind the scenes drama and gossip. Like who is rumored to be having an affair with who, who's sister is who (and there's a bloody few!!!) and who doesn't like each other in the industry. Yup I am neck deep in it. I decided to join the movement rather than fight it. And it has surprisingly enough been quite fun. I love the songs, and stars and movies. I know...I know. It's Bollywood. But...I think it's too late for me now. I've been lost to the other side. There's no coming back from this one.
While I was away in France I had an inkling that something wasn't right.Yes I actually suffered from reverse culture shock. I missed India like a baby misses it's thumb. I was bereft without the colour, bling, over the top dance moves and even missed the Mumbai traffic. Don't ask what has happened to me it's the India effect.Once I realised what was happening to me when I was away in France it all made sense and I just gave in and accepted that I was homesick for India.
Karisma, SRK, Bebo, Vidya, Rekha and Ranbir Kapoor dance
You know I think it's important to partake in the traditions and pop cultural trends and be aware of current events when you try to move to a new country. How else can you have anything to relate to with locals. I'm telling you that knowing the words to the latest Bollywood hits have come in very handy and definetly won me brownie points. I have definetly popped the expat bubble that I arrived with six months ago. And it feels bloody good. I feel changed. Affected by my last six months of life here in the mother land. I suppose you have to want that...otherwise you could just as easily maintain your thoughts, tastes and opinions of afar and live here perfectly well. There's no right or wrong either. I suspect I have just allowed myself to evolve (possibly even been excited by it!) and let it take me wherever it leads.
My fave Vidya winning best actress for "The Dirty Picture"
Well I'm off now. The ad break (which lasts an entire 8 minutes in India) is nearly over and I don't want to miss any of the awards show. I am suspecting Vidya Balan will clean up again for "The Dirty Picture"...here's hoping. Plus I've poured myself a chardonnay. Priorities darlings ;-)
Thanks for your continued interest. I've been out cold for several days with the flu- post france etc. Hence the lack of updates but I really thought I would spare you the gory details of all that nasty business.
Talk soon. Queenie xxx
Woohoo it's warm, spicey and loud. Yup it's Mumbai!!! I am welcoming the familiar trickle of sweat under my armpit darlings...I mean c'mon it's better than shivering your butt off! Anyhow I divulge as per usual. Tonight I am curled up with my overhead fan circulating above (ohhhh it's heavenly I tell you!) as I have some Punjab's home delivery. Hmmmmm that aloo chaat is going down so well. I am in heaven watching the Zee Cine Awards held in Macao with the pussy cats curled up beside me. Little Prince G is humming along to Priyanka Chopra's spoof of "Ohh La La" at the awards and giggling away. It's great to be home to Mumbai. What a fantastic sunday night surrounded by my little rascals, the hubby and my feline friends. Now where was I? "Ohh la la, oh la la- tu hai meri fantasy.........."
Thanks for reading darling fans. Especially those of you from the U.S.A, and India!
You know that you're screwed when all the television networks in France keep discussing the "cold patch" and the front page of every newspaper reports a drop to -35 degrees in Russia. Yes I'm screwed. Every time I check "la meteo" (weather forecast) it is in the faint hope of seeing the little yellow sun image. No such shitting luck. Every day it is the flickering white snow flake over our region.
Well on another front the festival is over. We have worked as well as possible. Wined, dined and schmoozed with everyone we needed to. Let's be honest I think I am naturally gifted at this job title. Who wouldn't be?
Well I suppose it isn't for everyone. You have to be interested in everything everyone says, bright, bubbly and aggressively push your project in the most classy manner. And never...never take yourself too seriously.
Yup "elle a du chien"
The L.A film festival offer Producers and directors labs to the deserving held on George Lucas' ranch. He has been known to make the odd appearance himself. The Irish had a very strong presence here... aren't they adorable? Would love to be hosted by them in Cork...nothing like a good Guinness either. In the cold would definetly warm you up. And of course the festival has been full of annoyingly thin, tall and very sexy french women. They have what the locals call "du chien" which has nothing to do with dogs before you ask... It means they have p'zazz or spunk or that "je ne sais quoi" which is not always a physical attractiveness but something from within. You could call it sex appeal. And the frenchies have it. Every which way you turn.
How come it all goes straight to my ass?
I must admit to be missing Mumbai. I miss the vibrancy, spice and warmth. The people in the north can be at times stressed, pale and cold. And I'm not used to it. People can be indifferent up here. They just don't seem to care...you get that feeling that you're on your own. If you don't like the service then take a hike love. If you don't like the coffee- tough shit. Which I would have to say you never get in Mumbai.
They are such vastly different worlds that there is no point even comparing. I am looking forward to warming up and heading south to visit some of "mes amis". That will make me feel more at home being in my own stomping ground and knowing the locals. Perhaps it's just the weather that's influencing me...but. Well. Hmmmm. Perhaps I'm more Mumbai now than I think. How'd that happen? Shocking. I need more cheese, wine and cigarettes. Yes that'll do the trick.And while I'm at it I wanna get myself "du chien" like all these french minxes surrounding me.
Talk soon friends.
Queenie xxx
Okay so I have an issue. (Well more than one let me assure you!) But it's just too god damned cold here in France for my poor Mumbai accustomed self. Today it was -5 degrees and tomorrow they have announced -9 degrees for our city. That is just insane. Cruel in all honesty. It is soooo cold that I have had to resort to eating copious amounts of cheese and thus I have to have the wine that goes with it. I would say I have gained at least 20kgs in 4 days. How you ask? Well cheese, wine, crepes and croissants. Need I say more? And of course the 15kgs of bulky unflattering clothing I have to wear to keep the blood in my veins from freezing. C'mon I'm part indian. I don't belong in the snow. But the festival parties are definetly making up for the cold. The people are warming up a lot and all becoming familiar faces by now. It's quite a fantastic little community actually. I had to laugh at the aging ex beauty pageant actress from the U.S. Boy she should have sued her plastic surgeon...just saying. Although she probably ended up marrying him so that wouldn't have done her any favours suing her hubby. Speaking of hubbies...? Yes. I will admit to missing mine. And the tiddly winks. Plus the thought of them basking in the warmth and vibrancy and spice of India actually makes me slightly envious. No no no. I'm in France. It's wonderful. And yes before you ask I have definetly been shopping. A quick stop at Galeries Lafayette slyly in between screenings. Sale season is fabulous here and I hit up Zadig and Voltaire for some gorgeous woollens and then bought myself a fluro yellow cashmere sweater and a hot pink silk shirt to get a bit of colour back in my life. My leopard print Manolo Blahnik's are pitiful in the snow. But I refuse to wear moon boots. I'd rather stay home quite frankly. Bon. Il est tres tard. Il faut que j'aies.
I will keep you informed with my latest. Promise will be kept. Rest assured.
Queenie the freezing Queen of the suburbs xxx
The Queen is in France for film festivals and then onto Berlin for more of the same. It is beautiful here in France with a thin blanket of snow in the town we are in... Mumbai we are not!
It's 6am and I am off to an awfully early start to the festival with screenings and meet and greets. Lots of fabulous and lots of avant euro types here. Where is the bling and bollywood? The people here look cold, pale and a tad stressed. Hmmmmm. Poor darlings. Getting ready this morning was a case of how many layers one could get on at once. Right off for a croissant and coffee. A bientot.
Hello darlings, Long time no hear if I don't say so myself. I have been a busy little bee up here in Mumbai! One of my gorgeous friends from Sydney (that I have known since I was old enough to order a cosmo) has been visiting. We have been shopping and pampering and eating and drinking ourselves around town. As you do. While HRH is away the Queen must play! Just quickly getting some bits and pieces together for our trip down to Udaipur today. My driver has whisked my girlfriend off downtown while I get everything packed. We leave this afternoon and get back saturday night. Will be fantastic.I'm in a bit of a panic as have a last minute business trip to Paris and Bordeaux booked for next sunday.That gives me a half a day turn around in Mumbai. But will be great to be out and about in France again- I can't believe it has been over 5 months. Oh dear, should I tell everyone I'm back in town? Might not be the best idea as I only have a 12 day turn around in France and will have so much to do...argh! But if they find out I was in town and never shared "une bouteille ou un verre quand meme!" I will seriously be "dans la merde". Will keep you posted.
Queenie xxx
The Queen of the small screen is in Mumbai everyone. Yes that's right it's OPRAH! And of course the US chat show queen has kicked off her week-long visit to India by partying with Bollywood stars. As you do darlings...
On Monday evening, the big O wore a stunning orange and red sari as she travelled to a party held by Parmeshwar Godrej in her honor. Bollywood acting legend Amitabh Bachchan (Big B) personally drove Oprah, Absishek and Ashwariya to the glitzy event.
Other actors who attended the party included Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan, and Preity Zinta (whose car got damaged by the paparazzo's- shame on you!) who were all in awe of the big "O". Most of Bollywood's A list stars spent their evening tweeting about how excited they were to see Oprah in the flesh!Especially SRK who was gushing like crazy I hear!!!!
I had no idea Big "B" even knew how to drive
Oprah is on her first visit ever to the motherland to film a documentary with Deepak Chopra in Jaipur where she will attend the literary festival in the famous pink city. (Could be a bit of a yawn- I wonder if she'll put her Oprah's book club seal of approval on anything?!)
She is also expected to visit Mumbai city's slums on Tuesday and then onto Rajasthan and Agra for the Taj Mahal visit.
Reports suggest she may have obtained permission to film at the famous Taj Mahal and may shoot some segments of a new talk show she is working on. Woohoo the queen is back! Can't wait.
Oprah's stunning orange sari
Of course Ms Winfrey also decided to do a tad of shopping whilst in Mumbai. She opted for an emerald Chikankdari outfit with Kashmiri work and velvet finish. Another was a deep red georgette kalidar with antique gold embroidery. "She was floored by the wine chiffon saree with black lace applique thus giving her a contemporary young Indian feel". And I bet they will look stunning on her at any of those red carpet events she's always attending! Good choices were definetly made by the Queen.
Oprah said she had wanted to visit India for some time: "I've never been to India, it's been on my vision board forever." Well too right. If it's good enough for the big O then it's good enough for me baby. Go MUMBAI!!
And just a very quick thank you to all my readers from all over the globe. I'm very impressed with all your support. Especially all of you from India, the U.S of A, U.K, Australia, Canada and Germany! Amazing.
So the girls came over on saturday night for our first drink together in 2012 and it was a fantastic evening. It felt so great to have gorgeous friends to come home to in Mumbai. Much as so many expats hardly ever enjoy coming back to Mumbai after their holidays-I was pretty damn happy with it. Life is great at the moment. 2012 is treating me pretty damn fine.
Conversation flowed easily last night as did my martini bianco lime and soda's and before we knew it the clock had struck one and it was time to hit the sack. It's always a good sign when the night passes by too quickly and you still have so much left to say...We had a brief stop off at Hawaiian shack on the way home which was a tad on the crowded side. And before I knew it I was waking up this morning snug as a bug in a rug in my own bed.
I must admit to missing the HRH ever so slightly. Having wonderful girlfriends more than makes up for the HRH's absence although it does mean my nightly chocolate intake has nearly doubled. I'm scoffing a box of scorched almonds now as I write this! Which in all honesty is the last thing me or my post xmas belly need. Good god. I do believe I will have to give the Bikram's hot yoga a whirl this week.(So many of my friends in India and ALL over the world have been doing it for years). I've put it off for so long but I think my time has finally come. I'm TERRIFIED though. What if I can't breathe with the heat? What if I sweat so much that I die from dehydration? I'll probably faint with my first sun salutation... but the prospect of burning 900 calories in one session IS more than appealing. If anyone needs to lose 900 calories around here it's me for sure. I'll just give it a go once then. I can always just run out of the class if I feel myself losing consciousness I suppose...Right that's it then- it's decided. I'm going to give it a go. Or die trying.
Queenie x
Okay so I know this is old but I just had to draw our attention to it one more time...because quite frankly it fascinates me. Firstly yes you heard right the song is called 'Chiggy Wiggy' which means nothing in english OR in hindi. And secondly I think Kylie Minogue fits into Bollywood so seemlessly that she doesn't even look like the token blondini in the clip. Who else could actually pull off the whole Bollywood thing than our very own "KYLIE"? Who else could stand their own when Akshay Kumar arrives on the scene and starts wiggling his chiggy wiggy in her face? Pretty much no one. Not only is she a MEGA gay icon but in my opinion an honorary bollywood icon too. Go Kylie. Hats off to ya. Not alot left to say I suppose. I bet she never thought she'd be shaking her chiggy like this back in the good old days of 'Neighbours'? Smirk.
Queenie xxx
Okay everyone, so I have had my profile picture pimped. Well not like as in "Pimp my ride" styles (do you know in India you can get "Pimp my rickshaw"? True story I swear ) but I decided since so many of you keep sending messages asking me what I really look like that I should divulge a little more about the Queen. It would only be fair. So as you may notice my profile picture now looks truer to form. Calling Mumbai home is something I am now more than happy to do- hence the bindi. I feel it represents a new changed Queenie for 2012. Queenie adds a little Indian twist to her attire these days so I think the bindi is very fitting. And another huge change you may have noticed are my eyes. They are now correctly green. My true eye colour. Well there you have it. I have given away more of my true identity without going over the top. We have to keep some mystery about the place kids. It keeps it fresh. How boring it would be if all was revealed. That'd be like telling a 2 year old that Santa was really just a layby Mum and Dad had set up at the toy store. No fun at all...So I hope that will keep some of you happy for now. Let's not get greedy.
And with that I must take one little Queenie off to bed. Those cocktails from lunch have definetly taken their toll. Let's just keep it on the down low for now. We don't want HRH to think he's missing out on anything do we?
Nightey night munchkins. Queenie x
Okay so Celebrity Survivor India has hit our screens and it seems everyone is talking about it around town. The Queen of course has the inside scoop- I have two friends that are Survivor contestants. I can't say which two they are but both are involved in different industries and one of them gets right into the finals. So far the most annoying contestant in my opinion is Gisele. Her constant need for male attention and manipulation of the opposite sex is just infuriating. All I can say is watch out for the quiet ones. The thing I love about Survivor India is the flicking back and forth between hindi and english which really does represent how Indian society can be heard these days. Thank god for that- it means I only have to do half the work to understand hindi because the rest of the time everyone speaks in english anyway! You won't be dissapointed with this season's offering of bitching, backstabbing, affairs and arguments. Survivor wouldn't be survivor without any of these dramas. Survivor India is currently airing on Star plus on saturdays and sundays at 9pm (I don't know who would actually watch the saturday 9pm show?) so they also run repeats on monday evenings very late for those of you that have some semblance of a social life and aren't glued to the telly on saturday nights.
Who will win Survivor India 2012?
Have decided to cancel pizza at home this evening and head out to Bungalow 9 with the girls instead. Frankly their cocktails will be a lot better than my home made concoctions and it's just easier. We'll have to have a marathon catch up session to keep up to date with everyone's latest bits and bobs. Some have come into 2012 with a baby on their arm. Some several pounds lighter (bloody tarts!) some several pounds heavier (alright, alright stop sniggering you know thats me!) Some with fancy new christmas gifts to gloat about, some with beach tans from Thailand (grumble) and some just show up for the drinks!!!! Each to their own. Right I'm off to the gym so I feel deserving of my pizza and margarita this evening. I hope you all have a fabulous day out there. Life's made for living remember. If you're not happy with an element of your life then get off your butt and do something about it! Must dash I hear the phone ringing and can only assume it's HRH. Missing me dearly of course ;-)
Signing off for now- Queenie X
If I'm going 100% veg I can still have a drink right?
Good morning darlings, it's another beautiful winters morning in Mumbai!
Happy B'day Mr Roshan
I have the feeling 2012 is going to be a goodie. The Bollywood glitterati have already gotten off to a good start with party after party in Bandra. Priyanka Chopra, SRK, Katrina Kaif and Hrithik Roshan were spotted dancing the night away at Farhan Akhtar's birthday bash a few days ago. Pri looking gorgeous in a red mini dress and Kat in a floaty yellow mini. And today we have to wish the hunky Hrithik Roshan a very Happy Birthday also! I wonder what he has prepared for the days celebrations? Whatever the case he is looking pretty damn good for 38 my friends...his wife definetly did well.
And in other news I just thought I would share that Christian Louboutin has launched a Bollywood inspired stiletto.Once you see a Bollywood film you'll definetly never forget it and the same can be said for these latest Louboutins. Known as the Bollywoody (no that last "y" is NOT a typo) just about every shade on the colour wheel is represented as well as embroidered swirls and patterns and of course plenty of bling baby!
The Bollywoody by Louboutin
The Bollywoody are available in Rani pink, peacock blue and bollywood black. Looking forward to see which celeb will be the first to give them a whirl on the red carpet as they're a little too BLING for Queenie's liking. I don't know if I would dare try to pull them off. Someone like Katie Price could definetly do it ;-)
Well that's it for now, I really must make it to the gym. Yesterday I put my gym gear on in the morning and walked around in it all day with the best of intentions. But alas I never made it. Today is a fresh start. I'm off.
Talk soon, Queenie x
Aahhhhh. I'm home. (Even though my current home is falling apart- which is another story entirely!) I'm happy to be here! Mumbai, here we are- together again. Like old friends reunited. After two weeks away on the road with the KCM, the QM, the PM, the little princes, HRH and some other darling friends I am back. The prodigal Queen has returned.
Food poisoning (yes I know...even I couldn't believe Prince M's bad luck!) a mini bus, lot's of curry, bottles of champagne, more curry, Bollywood music, let's throw in one Taj Mahal for good measure, even more curry, one too many mojito's, one too many late nights, much family arguing, did I say curry? And a hell of a lot of bartering over tacky souvenirs for the mother and you begin to have an idea of what I have just survived! It was hilarious. And exhausting. I am now one step past shattered. I think I need a holiday from the HOLIDAY!!! But at least the QM got to see the Taj Mahal in all it's glory. And that's worth it.
So I have a few resolutions for the naya saal... To finally get those hindi lessons I have been talking about, to eat 100% veg all week (dubious on the likelihood of this one) and to exercise more. My arse has grown it's own arse...sadly. It's true though. All those butter roti's and stuffed paratha's. Aaree bhagwan I need to jump on a treadmill and run non stop for a week. And maybe if I'm lucky I might run fast enough to lose one of my arses in the dust?! Doubt it but dream's are free.
What else? The HRH is currently in Udaipur working on designs for the resort. Had a wonderful visit of our land again and it was just as beautiful as ever. It's all starting to fall into place slowly. HRH is helping the PM get settled with an apartment in Udaipur and meet with bank managers etc. The poor thing is pretty homesick. He's been ringing me non- stop since we parted ways a few days ago.
I woke up this morning, dropped the wee ones off and have just been getting all my emails up to date. Groan. My housekeeper and I have had MTV Bollywood hits blaring and both been singing away loudly. Here's the one that I have rolling over in my head right now. It's from the "Ladies vs Ricky Bahl". Anushka Sharma the female lead seems to be all over everything at the moment. Her career is soaring, she's not my fave but I always have time for the new comers in Bollywood.
Esha Gupta...You see what I mean right?
I also leave you with a photo of Esha Gupta...current Bollywood/ fashion IT girl. Ridiculously beautiful...annoyingly so huh? She's currently making the transition from model to actress and is EVERYWHERE. Grumble grumble grumble. Gym for me I suppose. That's what you get for having a life. You eat. You drink. You pay.
Am planning a ladies night on wednesday night here in the house of horrors so will keep you posted. Here's to 2012 let's make it the best yet!
Queenie xxx
Namaskar everyone. It's 2012 already and what better way to start off my blog than with this oldie but fabulous goodie that my friend shared with me last night. Once you're done laughing then please also accept my apologies for the very brief updates as of late. I'm all yours now though and boy do I have a fair bit to share. Might take me a whole year to get through it all...but I'll get there eventually. Talk soon.
Sincerely yours,
Queenie (yes still alive and kicking but definetly about 20 stone heavier unfortunately- post silly season. Sigh bloody sigh).
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I hit BCBG, Topshop, Ted Baker for HRH, Marc Jacobs pour moi- bien sur and my new cheap and cheerful favourite- River Island. LOVE their kids range- for seriously cool mini hipsters I suggest checking this place out. Prince M fared pretty well out of that stop off. A new fedora, some ethnic wristbands, and some funky tangerine and red fitted cut offs. Stylee!
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