with 
Blossom Kochhar
BeautyBasics
Get fair with a grapes and curd face pack
Dear Blossom,
I am a nineteen-year-old lady and have a very dark complexion with dark circles under my eyes. I have a complex about my appearance. I also suffer from dandruff which causes my hair to look dull and scanty. Please suggest some beauty solution for my hair and skin.
Kashafna Shaikh
june_86@rediffmail.com
Dear Kashafna,
* Skin colour is genetically determined. However, if you have tanned due to excessive sun exposure, then your skin can be lightened.
* First of all, avoid sun exposure and always use a good sunscreen of SPF 30 and above.
* Try this complexion pack at home: Crush a cupful of grapes and add a tablespoon of curd. Mix well and apply all over face, neck, hands and legs. Leave on for fifteen minutes and wash off.
* For your dandruff problem, keep your scalp as clean as possible. Use an anti-dandruff shampoo like Aroma Magic China and wash your hair thrice a week.
* You could also use this home remedy: Take three tbsp of yogurt, half a lime and two tbsp of green gram powder. Mix well and apply on scalp. Leave on for ten minutes and wash off . Follow this routine once a week.
* See a dermatologist if your dandruff problem persists.
For practical solutions to your everyday beauty needs, write in with your full name, address and photograph to beauty expert Blossom Kochhar at beauty@mid-day.com
DailyDabba
NICOLO MOREA
Proprietor, Crepe Station
Whats in your dabba today?
Boiled chicken, chapati made from wheat and soya flour and some vegetables.
What do you love to see in your dabba?
Chicken Biryani.
What do you cringe to see in your dabba?
I hate finding desserts in my dabba.
Who packs your dabba?
My maid.
As told to Anjana Vaswani
MyFirst
Performance
Zafar Karachiwala, Television actor
I made my amateur stage debut with Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat at age six, when I was at Campion High School. I remember being so petrified of the idea that I lied to my teacher and told her my parents did not want me to act.
Luckily for me, my parents found out and coaxed me into participating in the annual drama function. I had never seen a stage play prior to this one. I played a doctor in the play, and remember shouting my lines on stage because my teacher had asked me to be loud and clear. I was so damn scared, that I refused to look the audience in the eye.
As told to Kasmin Fernandes
BargainBazaar
25 to 45% off on a range of artifacts, mirrors, clocks, lamps, frames, paintings.
At: ARTZ, 59, R.N.A. Arcade, Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri.
Call: 26350662
Check out the vibrant new collection of casual and clubwear for the youth.
At: Westside, Hughes Road and Lokhandwala.
Call: 23841729
Up to 50% off on designer sarees, kurtis, dupattas and salwar kameez sets.
At: Chetana Craft Centre, Dubash Marg, Kalaghoda.
Call: 22824983
Check out the bangle and chain festival
At: Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri, Borivali and Ghatkopar.
Call: 28335001
Send in information on sales and exhibitions with photographs for free listing at shop@mid-day.com
Ofer Cohen
My husband is missing for eighteen months. When will he return?
Dear Ofer,
I am 20 years old and I am in love with a twenty-five year old guy. Will I be able to marry him?
Name: Shraddha
Date of Birth: November 2, 1984
Time of Birth: 7.04 pm
Place of birth: Mumbai
Dear Shraddha,
After checking your chart, I can see that this is not an ideal match. You would do better if you remain good friends. Your life will take off after September 2006 and by then you will notice the changes in your outlook. Good luck.
Dear Ofer,
There is a big problem in my relationship with my husband Leon. He left the house eighteen months ago and has been missing ever since. I do not have any kids or a house of my own. I am presently living with my mother. Please tell me if I will find happiness again. Does the private company where I work have any scope for a better future and income?
Name: Sabina
Date of Birth: December 5, 1964
Time of Birth: 3.15 pm
Place of birth: Mumbai
His name: Abhinav
Date of Birth: September 4, 1981
Time of Birth: Dont know
Place of birth: Mumbai
Dear Sabina,
Even if your husband returns, there is no future in this marriage. Moreover, I see another woman in his life and he has kept many secrets from you. You are beginning to get over him now. He will try to get in touch with you next year and at that point your family might pressurise you to go back to him.
If you do so, you will find it very difficult and regret your decision. Your finances will improve when you get a new job, which will be sometime in the middle of 2006/2007. Tarot tip: In your next relationship, try not to be bossy and dominating. Also, dont bring your work home.
Dear Ofer,
I am a model/actor. I dont have much work right now, so I work in the
share market. I am very confused about my career. Please guide me.
Name: Pradeep
Date of Birth: October 25, 1973
Time of Birth: 3.35 am
Place of birth: Mumbai
Dear Pradeep,
You are closing a difficult chapter in your life, where things havent worked out for you for the last five years. You are going to see a change in your fortunes in the next two years. From November 2005, new opportunities for work will come up. But there will be pressure from your family to settle down. By the end of 2006, work might take you abroad and you will be able to fulfill your ambitions.
For solutions to your every day problems, send your date, time and place of birth along with your first name to astro@mid-day.com or fax it to 24150009
KnowYourself
Are you strong-willed?
Veejay Gaurav Kapur used to smoke thirty cigarettes a day. Two years ago, he quit cold turkey and hasnt smoked a cigarette since. Is your will power as strong as his? Take this quiz and find out:
1. Its been a week since you quit smoking and someone at a party offers you a cigarette. You:
a) Say thanks, but Ive quit b) Say youve quit and hang out with people who dont smoke so there is no temptation c) Take it and promise yourself it is the last one.
2. You are on a diet and your colleagues decide to order a pizza. You:
a) Settle for a salad b) Take your salad to another table so you dont have to smell the pizza c) Chip in for the pizza because you know you wont be able to resist it anyway.
3. You decide to study all night for your finals and you find out that your friends are going partying. Would you join them?
a) Definitely not b) Maybe c) Of course.
4.Do you stick to your decisions?
a) Always b) Sometimes c) Hardly.
5. When you tell people that you have quit drinking, they say:
a) Good for you! b) Didnt you quit a month ago? c) Laugh and say, Ive heard that one before.
