Shopping made easy

Originally uploaded by lools.

Given our extremely stressful lives jam-packed with work and social commitments, there's no time left to do anything else, especially on work days. This can be really frustrating given that the holidays are just around the corner and it's time to start collecting gifts for close family and friends back home. My friend, Shivani, and her cousin, Nitika, made shopping fun and easy for their buddies tonight by organizing a lovely Shopping Party!

I was introduced to three designers at the event:

SUMRITA - a collection of handbags, stoles and pillowcases. Featured in numerous magazines in India including Cosmopolitan. Her bags have also been used in Ralph Lauren's fashion shows in Europe.

RISSY LYN- customized frames for every occasion. She has made frames for Sarah Jessica Parker and was recently featured in InStyle Home Magazine.

CHRISTINA DESIGNS-the latest jewelry trends with semi-precious stones, all handmade.

My favourite items on sale were not the designer pieces (though they were exquisite) but a line of hand-made soaps called Don't Be a DirtBag! I even met and chatted with the founder of this brand of soap. Jim lives in Brooklyn and handcrafts the soap at his home studio. He makes all the soaps with natural oils of Olive, Coconut and Palm for the base. Then he creates unique variations by adding special ingredients like Avocado, Shea Butter, French Roast Coffee, Dandelion Leaf and even Yerba Mate! I can't stand to drink Yerba Mate but was convinced by Jim that this herb restores youthful hair color, retards aging and reduces the effects of stress. Clearly, these soaps are meant to treat the face, the body as well as the soul!

Shivani didn't want us to shop on an empty stomach after a long day at work so she had arranged for fine wine and finger foods which were yummy!