Ok, so now you have a ring from him and it’s time you start looking for that perfect dress. However you are utterly at a disadvantage as you do not know where to start. Shopping for a wedding dress can not only be a thrilling experience but also a very exhausting one. But since it will by far be the most important thing for the best day of your life you need to start planning, and start planning right. So here are a few tips that you need to keep in mind while looking to find that ‘one dress’ that speaks to you.

• Plan on the look you wish to opt for… contemporary, classy, romantic, etc in advance by browsing through wedding gown sites and magazines. 
• Since a salon appointment is typically 1.5 hours, book not more than 2-3 a day so as to make the most of each salon instead of worrying about the next. 
• Bring only two or three people to show for your wedding dress; ideally your mom, mom-in-law and best friend so as to limit opinions and suggestions. 
• Do not think about the size you fit into, just focus on the fit of the dress. Never plan in advance for a size down thinking of losing weight, pick what fits best now.
• Keep your price range in mind and discuss the same with the salon; and always try gowns in your price range. 
• Try the gown with the footwear you want to wear or atleast the heel height so you know the way the gown falls to be sure how the dress looks. 
• Bring proper undergarments to try on with your wedding dresses so you get a clear picture of the transformative powers of the right shapewear and bra.
• Last but not the least, have an open mind to new styles, cuts and lengths. You never know which gown will look gorgeous on you than the one you had in mind.

These are two of my most favourite wedding gowns.



With these tips, I hope you are able to pick the right dress for your wonderful day. 
- Heena

Triumph unveiled its new brand identity with a beautiful gorgeous logo emphasising femininity and empathy at Grandmamas Café, Lower Parel. The brand has made waves with its exceptional craftsmanship in lingerie making for women since 1886. 


At the launch were Femina Miss India finalists, Mrs. Jennifer Kapasi, Head of Operations of Triumph International in India and Mr. Shalindra Fernando, General Manager of Triumph International (India and Sri Lanka). With Triumph tying up with Femina Miss India as the confidence partners, the new logo was unveiled in the presence of the Miss India aspirants. 


Mr. Shalindra Fernando spoke at length about the vision of the company emphasising the future with a walk down the company's past. The maker of lingerie since 1886 with a reputation for providing outstanding quality and exceptional craftsmanship with a reference to their heritage. Communicating the strength of the brand’s heritage in combination with its progressive personality, the beautiful new logo conjures up everything the brand stands for and where it is headed.  

Mrs. Jennifer Kapasi spoke about the brand passionately. She emphasised saying, "Sensual without being overtly sexy, feminine, informal and warm with inner drive and strength, our realigned look is rooted in craft, and multifaceted to reflect our extensive range of products for various occasions. Emphasizing femininity and empathy, our new logo is influenced by vernacular German handwriting of the 18th century and our logos from the mid-20th century. The flowing and looped bespoke lettering balances warmth, femininity, fluidity and strength. We believe that our latest promotional photography truly catches each element of our brand personality as we speak woman to woman, capturing realistic aspirations and moments in her life."

During the event we had a change to catch up with Jennifer and asked her two-must have products from the brand and here is what she said... 

At the launch of @triumphlingerie new logo, we caught up with #JenniferKapasi and asked her about two products from the lingerie brand @triumph_india every woman must own.... #TheNewTriumphxFMI #TriumphIndia #LingerieExperts #TheNewTriumph

A video posted by Heena Shah-Dhedhi (@heenadhedhi) on Apr 18, 2016 at 10:06am PDT

Get shopping now, 
- Heena 

As she grows up, my little princess has developed a mind of her own and is now dictating our travel itineraries. Even before we chalk out our travel plans, she wants to know what the destination has in store for her, whether there are activities for her age group, and how much time we allot for the said attraction. So the bottom line is to find places that will excite kids, and the South of the United States has abundant kid-friendly places that will keep your little ones engaged.

The Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum offers the life cycle of the Packard Motor Company through the eyes of the gallery founder Arthur Stone. It features automobiles from the early to mid-1900s that showcase the history of vehicle evolution and emphasize the progress in automotive engineering.
Accommodations close to the gallery area a must, as every kid, little or grown-up will love the walk into history, especially the huge space dedicated to U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Dubbed as the "Gateway to Fun", Kissimmee is just minutes away from multiple world-famous theme parks including Universal Resort, Sea World Parks and Resorts, LEGOLAND Florida and the magical Walt Disney World Resort. Beautifully tailored for kids of all age groups, with four different parks within, Disney World must be on every traveller's itinerary. Stay close to make the most of the Magic Kingdom that transports you to the world of your favourite Disney characters. The Animal Kingdom takes you on an animal adventure, while the Hollywood Studios helps you rub shoulders with the glitz and glamour of the movie world, and through Epcot, you tour different countries to live their culture.
The World of Coca-Cola, located within driving distance of College Park, is a fascinating dream place for cola lovers. The attraction opened in 2007, giving visitors a glimpse into the history of the world’s most loved soft drink. You will be exploring 1200 odd artefacts from the company, the bottling process, and a never-before-allowed access to the vault of the "Secret Cola Formula".
The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art,  founded in 1975 within Salisbury University to promote wildfowl art and advocate the significance of art and culture is a must-stop attraction. Today, through its immense knowledge and professionals; the museum offers education about wildfowl art and carvings through exhibitions and you can enjoy a quick carving lesson at the Woodcarving Club or browse through art exhibits. Due to its growth over the years, the museum has moved to Schumaker Pond, that has a lot of tourist accommodations around.  

The town of Pismo Beach is a classic beach town located on California’s central coastline that opens into beautiful white beaches and great weather. Pismo Beach is one of the five cities that is part of the 'Clam Capital of the World,’ and the town continues to celebrate the ‘Clam Festival’ every October to loads of clamming enthusiasts. With a gigantic clam statue that awaits at the entrance, the clam festival is buzzing with parades and competitions.

Apart from the regular beach fun, Pismo Beach offers a lot of high energy activities to enjoy including riding, fishing and dune-bashing. One must do-activity in Pismo Beach town is to rent an all-terrain vehicle and go on a drive all through the dunes to the highest peak and enjoy exotic views of the ocean.

Another aspect of the town that you need to experience is the Monarch Butterfly Grove that houses thousands of Monarch butterflies looking for shelter from the freezing winters. Pismo Beach is full of Eucalyptus trees that attract butterflies to form clusters with a shingle effect providing the much-needed warmth and support.

Once you have finished these must-do activities, travellers can indulge in some sporting activities like golfing, horse-riding, surfing, kite-boarding, sky-diving and sea kayaking. The Children’s Museum and the Athletic club also offer a unique experience to treasure. Just as there are a number of unique experiences to choose from in Pismo Beach town, there are a variety of stay options.

The Pismo Lighthouse Suites is the only all-suite hotel in Pismo Beach that has beautiful suite accommodations for the family. The oceanfront property is multi-themed with the nautical theme a perfect option to relax. Most of the suites have either a private patio or a private balcony for travellers to unwind.
Address: 2411 Price Street | Pismo Beach, CA 93449 | Tel: 805.773.2411 | Fax: 800.245.2411

The Cliffs is all about ‘living in luxury’ in a full-service resort with amazing views and world-class amenities. The resort also boasts of amazing golfing championships and wine trails along with exceptional guest experiences. The resort spa is known for its relaxing therapeutic body massages inspired by the elements of the sea.
Address: 2757 Shell Beach Road | Pismo Beach, CA 93449 | Tel: 805.773.5000 | Fax: 800.826.7827

The SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel is the perfect getaway that offers numerous activities for the whole family. The sunrises and sunsets from the retreat are said to be the most gorgeous. The retreat has many awards for its wine tasting programs, the sand dune adventures, and golf courses.
Address: 2241 Price Street | Pismo Beach, CA 93449 | Tel: 805.782.8400 | Fax: 800.773.4525

The Spyglass Inn is perfect for a romantic getaway with its perfect balance of casual approach and cosy retreat. Special rooms offers the latest in modern amenities whilst backed by private terraces and indoor fireplaces. With easy accessibility to the beach, the inn is a sought out stay for those who want some privacy while being close to the beach.
Address: 2705 Spyglass Drive | Pismo Beach, CA 93449 | Tel: 805.773.4855 | Fax: 800.824.2612

So what are you waiting for, get travelling! Start packing and head to Pismo Beach for your next holiday. After all, your stay is sorted already.

- Heena

Shopping and travel go hand-in-hand, and when you’re in the United States Northeast region you must explore the shopping havens for their premium outlets, flea markets, antique and boutique shops, the massive shopping malls and the city centres. Some destinations have special villages dedicated to local products that will leave you mesmerised and wanting more.


Williamsburg, Virginia
The shopping options in the capital city of Virginia are unlimited. The city is full of premium product outlets, high street boutiques, one-of-a-kind antique shop and a large mall. The Yankee Candle Village in Williamsburg is an uncommon, unexpected and unforgettable experience; that of being in the midst of the world's largest candle stores with 250,000 candles and more than 200 different scents. 

Reading, Pennsylvania
It is said that Reading is the best place to splurge while shopping as the shopping options available suit all enthusiast whether spontaneous and impulsive or dedicated and true bargain hunter. As the antique capital Reading has numerous stores brimming with the treasures of history. With more than 30,000 square feet, the Antique Complex is a tremendous barn with 12 individual shops and a flea market. The Antique Complex is like a department store of antiques, that might take a while getting used to. 

Stamford, New York
All shopping in Stamford in saturated in the Town Centre that offers a gigantic mix of retailers and services. Over a hundred brand stores under one roof including the likes of Armani Exchange, Coach, J. Crew, Brooks Brothers, Macy’s, Michael Kors, Saks Fifth Avenue, Sidney Thomas Jewellers, Williams-Sonoma and XXI Forever; the town centre is the place to be at. So make sure your credit card limit is upped before you head in the direction. 

Atlantic City, New Jersey
The best of both the shopping worlds is present in Atlantic City by way of the Tanger Outlets The Walk and the Boardwalk. High-end retail brand stores to discounted brand factory outlets, the city offers great options. The addition benefit of tax-free shopping on clothing and shoes makes is the shopping haven for men and women alike. So it’s best to rack up during the sales and make the most of shopping time. 

Long Island City, New York
A self-contained town known for its industrial commerce and production Long Island City’s new shopping stretches and traditions staples provide diverse shopping options. It does give visitors an edge with its thriving independent business scene with a cosmopolitan approach. Art is the one thing that one should look at picking up when visiting this New York city. 

If you ask me about my shopping habits, I'd say that I  would first love to explore all available shopping options, going from one store to another to understand what the city offers. Once I know what the local offerings are I'd then go hunting for the best gifts and souvenirs to take back home. For that systematic craze I call shopping, I sure need to stay put in one place for at least a couple of days. Finding good accommodations that are budget-friendly, in the centre of all the action and above all very comfortable is a must.

- Heena