To all those men who thought they are over with their expensive jewellery-showering obligations once they’ve walked down the aisle, here’s a wake-up call. Women love gifts and they look for occasions to ‘net’ them. At present, they are riding high on their recent discovery: ‘Push presents’ (name derived from undergoing the pain of labour, doesn’t mean at all that C-section moms don’t deserve the present) or simply ‘baby baubles.’

‘Push presents’ commemorate birth of a baby and are the latest gift-giving tradition. A trend, which caught on in the West in late 90s, is being popularised by Hollywood celebs. (Pierce Brosnan gave his wife Keely three gold and diamond bracelets when their son was born.)

Back home, the tradition of giving gifts to the mom and the newborn is common. But most of the times, the onus lies on the in-laws or the parents. Lifestyle talks to some neo-moms and mothers-in-waiting in the city to ascertain the ‘generosity metre’ of their spouses.

“I have been very lucky in this regard,” says Payal Sabu, a city-based designer. “When our son Viraaj was born, my husband gifted me a beautiful diamond and emerald set. His gesture made me feel very special,” she beams.

Prabhjot Dang of sector 61, Chandigarh did not get any ‘material gift’, but her husband went out of the way to help her settle in new role: “He took a three-month break from his hectic corporate career, just to be with me and the baby. After all, I gave him his bundle of joy and deserved that special treatment,” quips the woman, whose son, Anhad, is now of six months.

For Sapna Singla, a mom-to-be from Panchkula, her husband Vikas is planning a holiday in ‘God’s own country’. “She loves travelling, so I thought a sojourn to the backwaters of Kerala would be a perfect way to unwind. Though I guess we have to wait till the baby is at least 6 months old,” says the man who’s all set to become a proud papa in September.

Diamonds top the wishlist of Shruti Chawla of Sector 38, who is midway in her pregnancy. However, her doctor hubby Dr Kunal Chawla has his own plans and is not ready to spill the beans right now.

mona@tribunemail.com

When the days are long and the air is warm, you want to throw open your windows and bring freshness indoor. But with furniture, draperies and tit-bit of home accessories placed for that chic look, there is no space even for air. Though one realises the fact, but everyone cannot afford the luxury of re-doing a home every now and then, or take a trip to hills for a happy summer holiday. So, we at Lifestyle, suggest a few changes that can lighten up and freshen up your home décor for a wonderful summer seasonal change.

"It's not necessary to change every room or throw out all the old furniture, but there are lots of ways to re-style," says Jaswinder Kaur, interior designer from Prime Décor, Mohali. She adds, "For that summery feel first take out all the dark accessories like velvet pillows, wool throws, dark coloured curtains etc. Next you can put a fresh coat of paint on a hallway or on a wall of a drab room. Choose a fresh colour scheme and use hues like lemon yellow, apple green, or sky blue for that cool effect."

Next she says, "Furniture shape and size also makes a room look big or small. For summers the house needs space and you can do so by adjusting things. For example, if you have small dining area instead of a round or rectangle dinning table one can use a square table. This will not only add space to the room, but would make it look spacious."

Nothing brightens up a room like white so, Ajay Gupta, owner Dream Home-26 store suggests, " Add pastels to you décor, that is the simplest you can do for a change. Add light curtains, fresh white trims, pastel bed linen to bring in a fresh summer change. Though one cannot afford to change furniture with seasons, one can re-paint the worn out wooden furniture to highlight an area and bring brightness."

"Bring in fresh, flowering plants to welcome summer," says Preeti Dhillion, homemaker from Phase VII, Mohali.

She adds, "Toss out the brown plants that you're trying to nurse. Add fresh flowers or indoor plants to your guest room or the living area, this will brighten your mood and the home décor for sure."

"Well, another idea can be to paint a single back wall with a bright, summery colour. How about lime green or sky blue or lemon. Choose a colour that complements your rooms decorating scheme," says Jaswinder.

Rustic is in, so remember to keep it simple. Avoid cluttering of gadegts and decoration pieces. You can store them away for summer hibernation.

Last but the most important, summer means insects and mosquitoes so consider a screened veranda and windows, so that air can flow freely and can cool the summer day without that persistent humming noise.

In the end we would say, ‘A change is as good as a rest,’ so go ahead and make a change!

jigyasachimra@tribunemail.com

Art-Miniature, abstract, renaissance, figurative or else modern; which is most precious? Sells for million dollars? It was mother art and straight from the heart! Tanishq patrons on Saturday must have been surprised, and pleasantly so. The kids replaced craftsmen and colours, canvas and crayons ruled. The jewellery brand showcased the art works of self-organized Mother's Day painting competition contestants. Some works!

One sheet huddled in a corner says, 'mother hold you in arms for sometime, in hearts forever' another drawing likened the equation, 'Mother=God', yet another says, 'Mother is the dearest on earth', one more 'Mothers are the best things on earth' and of course the Happy Mother’s Day in every conceivable shape and size lining each effort.

"There are some great thoughts involved in the works and they go very deeper," says Ravinder Kumar Sharma, professor, Government College of art, there to inaugurate the event and adds, "A child may become a scientist but it's art that can provide a beautiful dose, it's only here we give them the freedom to make two plus three equal to six. This event is also like bringing them back to ethical fold." Talk of event, and Mayank Kampani, regional executive, Tanishq, chips in, "The whole initiative was to make children scratch their thoughts and display it all on paper. All these paintings will be gifted to their respective mothers." So what's next, perhaps Father's Day? He adds, "There are no plans as such but we will keep doing something or the other on similar lines as the time and resources permit. Even this was one of the initiatives in the broader framework of company's commitment. World Environment Day is near so let's see."

Spell, Corporate Social Responsibility and he's got something. "Our company does not use Cadmium for soldering, while making jewellery, the burning of cadmium produces fumes that can cause cancer to the craftsmen involved. We instead use Indium, which is much expensive and harmless." Not that the mommies needed a reason to splurge on jewels, but this can be the 'newest' one!

— Manpriya Khurana

Mother's Day is a day for each family to honour their Mother. And on this big day Lladró has an extremely wide and varied range of products, the themes of these emotive ceramic and gres figurines range from the classical and historical to the modern and minimalist. Full of life and tenderness, these sculptures make us part of the special bond which unites mother and child. All characters convey a relaxed introspected look, with an attitude of quiet happiness and satisfaction towards the family and life.

Swarovski celebrates Mother's Day with exclusive products created to mark the occasion. Combining pieces of jewellery with decorative accessories, the collection is characterised by a sense of poetry and sweetness, elegance and tenderness. Every item makes a sparkling gift that is sure to delight any mother.

The Alana Pendant is shaped into the universal form of the heart, showing mothers just how much affection we feel for them. As a final, refined touch, the piece features a central stone cut in the form of a flower, fusing the delightful heart with the delicacy of a petal.

Adding a touch of poetry to an everyday object, Swarovski has also created a key ring with an attractive heart-cut Rosaline-crystal, in a piece that delivers both practicality and style.

Having employed the butterfly as an emblem for Mother's Day. This year, the colours of these ephemeral beauties catch the eye and celebrate the arrival of spring with shades to capture the heart. Whichever of these pieces are chosen as gifts this Mother's Day, they are sure to provide a little extra sparkle and light to the celebrations.

Mother is an angel and most beautiful gift to the human by God. So make your mother feel the spirit of these words on this mother's day with a hug or gift her something that makes her home the most beautiful place in the world. For Mother's Day Maspar has come up with offers by which you can express your love and respect for your mother. Maspar gives you a special option to get monogramming done on the range of towels. You can also gift your mother a Kitchen set. The set encompass of items including aprons, tea cozys, napkins and place mats.

Other range of products that can be bought includes soft mercerised sheets, top sheets, quilts, blankets, bedcovers, bedskirts, curtains, rugs for the bed room, ensembles for bath including bathrobes, shower curtains, absorbent towels, table top collections, fabric for upholstery to custom curtains. —TNS

An exhibition curated by Dr. Tirthankar Bhattacharya of some select works in mix media by Hirdey Kant Sandil from the state of Jammu & Kashmir.

Sandil's works are fresh and comes directly from his heart. Spontaneous and undisturbed by the set norms of artistic idiom, it showcases the journey of Hirdey - a tribute to the glorious valley once known to be the heaven on earth, with a hope to regain its lost grandeur and glamour. He dedicates the show to his mother. The exhibition is on at Zazen Art Centre - 47. —TNS

Indian cinema was considered “infradig” several decades ago, but it has become the “best example of national integration” as it brings people of different castes and communities together, Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan said at the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) press meet.

“Indian cinema, for those perhaps unaware of its existence 70 or 80 years ago, was an entity that was looked somewhat down upon socially. Children of good homes and people from more elite families were kept away for many years because it was looked down upon as something infradig. But over the years, it has grown to an extent that it has almost become a parallel culture,” Amitabh said.

IIFA aims at taking Indian cinema beyond Indian shores and this year it is celebrating its 10th year in Macau after having travelled to countries like Britain, South Africa, Singapore, Dubai and Thailand in previous years.

“I have to say that we in India have a 5,000-year legacy of culture that Indian cinema in the last 100 years has become a very integral part of. But whether this is good for the country or not, I don’t know,” the actor added at the event held at the plush Venetian Macao Resort-Hotel, which will host the three-day IIFA weekend June 11-13.

The 66-year-old, who is among India’s most internationally renowned film icons, said that the fact that he is in Macau for the first time for IIFA “speaks volumes about the progress that Indian cinema has made over these years and the identity that it has created in the minds and hearts of the people not just living in India but outside as well”.

Amitabh, the brand ambassador for IIFA, said that at times he wonders what is it about Indian cinema that draws fans from other countries, while stressing that films have only brought people closer together within India.

“I have always believed that our cinema really integrates everybody who lives in our country - when he goes out to buy a ticket he never questions when he is sitting on his seat who is sitting next to him - whether he is a Hindu, a Muslim or a Christian - what colour, caste or creed he is - we laugh, cry, and sing the same song. And this the best example of national integration in my eyes where cinema brings people together,” the megastar said. — IANS

Actor John Abraham, whose prison-break film Hook Ya Crook got wrapped up way ahead of schedule, says he plans to join a workshop for his yet-to-be-shot Abbas Tyrewala’s 1:800 Love during the unexpected break.

“We’ve finished the film 27 days ahead of schedule. Can you believe it? And such a difficult film requiring huge amounts of canvas crowds and concentration. David Dhawan is one of the fastest and most efficient directors I’ve worked with,” said John, who is now used to delays in Bollywood.

“I’d have liked to take a holiday. But God has his own plans. I’m plunging into a month-long workshop for 1:800 Love, something I wouldn’t have been able to do if David’s film hadn’t wrapped up well in advance.”

The workshop with Abbas and his wife Pakhi is expected to change John’s speech pattern and body language, making him more casual and connected with the London-based character he plays in the film.

John, who also needs to work to normalise his 31-inch waist and six-foot-one-inch height, said: “I just have to be a normal guy in Abbas’ film which is what I am anyway. Just have to sharpen my skills at normalcy.”

When asked if Hook Ya Crook is supposed to be a cricket story, John said: “It’s a prison-break story. Cricket is a small part of the film. If required we’re getting (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni on board for the film.”

With a huge female fan following, John is also one of the best choices for brand endorsements and this time it is Garnier who have announced his appointment as brand ambassador for ‘Garnier Men’.

“Garnier is a brand that is young and emits positive energy. It believes in taking care of yourself and the world around. These qualities appealed to me when I decide to become their brand ambassador,” the actor said. — PTI & IANS

Comedy films seem to be the new flavour of the season, feel the actors of the movie Paying Guests.

After Yuvvaraj failed at the box-office, Subhash Ghai, who is trying his hand on comedy films, feels that, his upcoming movie Paying Guests will surely be appreciated and loved by all.

Ghai, whose production house Mukta Arts has produced successful films like Aitraaz and Iqbal among others, believes that people want to see comedy movies now.

“They want to leave behind all their worries and have fun,” he said.

“People want to watch comedy film because they want to keep aside all their problems and worries aside and want to have fun when they watch a movie,” actor Shreyas Talpade said.

“It is challenging to play a role in comedy movies the actors have to make sure that even the way they walk, they talk, their body language and several other small things should be kept in mind. The audiences should have laughing tears in their eyes,” said actor Javed Jafferi. — PTI