Shopping was planned on Saturday, but after a late Friday night was just lazing around all day. The thought of being home all day on a Saturday spooked me so I thought of going out someplace that won't break the hibernate mode I put myself on.

I thought of pampering myself and immediately called Jean Claude Biguine for an appointment, as it was the easiest being the closest. And hey what can be a better place for a good manicure than a French salon? Was happy to be immediately given a slot.


How did it go? The short review - it was alright but I did come home with happy feet and hand. For an eloborate version of my experience, read on.

The pristine white interiors and courteous staff immediately gives a feeling that you're in a plush salon. Unlike some of the other places, where the staff think of themselves as mighty and high (why do they do this is beyond my understanding as I don't think scaring away the clients is their intention), JCB had a friendly staff who promptly seated me at their pedicure-manicure space and started off with the service without wasting any time. How was the experience? I was sat down having my hands soaked in hot water, my nails stripped down and buffed, cuticles removed, hands massaged and nails painted faster than you could say big bawls. Literally. And even the polish was so quick that it occurred to me later that it wasn't finished with the top coat. Pretty much same for the feet.

I know I opted for the regular pedicure and manicure, but this was the first time it was so quick and felt lacked something. Something about it was not right. Pretty much everywhere I have been for my mani-pedis, including my regular joint, it has always been relaxing leaving me pampered with pretty hands and soft feet.

Another funny thing was - to soak my hands they gave a very small container which was a real struggle. I literally had to make a fist to ensure the palm and fingers are dipped properly, which was really inconvenient and uncomfortable. When I mentioned it, the guy who did my manicure said, 'we hear that a lot from clients, but this is what the management has provided'. Duh!!!! If the clients are complaining, aren't you supposed to fix it?

Despite everything, I was happy to see how my hands and feet looked once it was done. In fact, just to make up for the unsatisfactory service I thought of brightening up the mood with hot pink on my fingernails and a different colour on my feet - deep purple, which was a total shock even to me, as I usually go something from the nude palette. Both together cost me Rs 1210.

What I wore to the pampering session?

The whole day went out lazily, and wanted to play dress up. But after gazing at my wardrobe for a very long time I decided to wear something which had 'not been worn much' and had been long forgotten, and suddenly this charcoal grey pencil skirt caught my attention. When I joined office, I was so excited to dress up and try something different every day, and this skirt was one of the few items I bought. But soon the reality shot my face - Mumbai's financial district is no Canary Wharf of London and if I wanted to be taken seriously I will have to focus more on work and negative on my wardrobe. So this poor skirt had been long lost and forgotten due to the labelling 'formal'.

I wanted an effortless stylish look which was dressed-up and dressed-down at the same time, if you know what I mean. It had to be comfortable and casual yet stylish. So I decided to pair a colourful striped tee with the skirt and layered it with a lacy shrug. Picked my blue wedges to add height to my petite figure and add some more colour to tone down the formalish look of the skirt.



Now that I put together this look I am amused with myself. It took me just few minutes to put this look together and I never thought a formal skirt could score well on the casual meter.

What was I wearing:

Lesson learnt - experiment more and you will be surprised with the results!!!