Shopaholics need to make a stop here- for clothes, accessories, some junk fun, and loads of home décor stuff. The Gujarathi exhibition happening at the Women’s association hall is something you would love to check out. From hand-printed clothes, saris, gaghra cholis and kurtas, there is a wide variety for you to choose from. All, from various parts of the country!

Designer saris are available from prices starting 250 rupees. Handloom tops which are exquisite and unique are also available. Kurtas from Lucknow and Orissa are on display. They would cost you starting 280 rupees.

Accessorize yourself up with some peppy bronze jewelers. Bangles made from clay are also put up. You can check out the massage equipment available here. They cost you only a decent amount and can do wonders to you. Terracotta statues and figures of gods and goddesses are available.

The exhibition begins at 10 am and gets over by 8 pm. It is on till the 18^th of November. So make sure you don’t give this one a miss.

So which is the latest exhibition spot in the city? The fest organized by Kudumbasree workers at Marine Drive is attracting Kochiites for all its wonderful products and good food available! The exhibition has been on since last week and will end on the 2^nd of October 2012.

Organized by Kudumbasree workers from across the state, you can witness wonderful products made by these lovely ladies . Foodies must make a stop here because you have yummy dishes available from across Kerala. From the authentic Travancore fish curry, Thalassery biriyani, kappa meen curry and more, there is so much variety here. You can also relish their payasams!

Products made out of wool, cane, clay etc. are also available at decent rates. The fest is on till 9 p.m. So Kochiites, if you haven’t been here yet, make sure you make a stop today!

Bay Pride Mall, Kochi’s ‘one of the first malls’ is hosting a new pottery exhibition you would love to check out. Bringing in the glory and grandeur of ethnicity moulded into pots, you would love to check this one out. If you needed a makeover for your room with some ceramic furnishing, then this is the answer! Contemporary studio pottery ceramic exhibition brings together the kind of pots that you would love to own at home.

The exhibition began on the 17^th of August 2012, and is on till 17^th September 2012. Their pottery works would make you go head over heels, as they have showcased some really good works there. Take them home if you loved them. Creativity and simplicity is at its best here. For more information, contact the organizers at 09895532458.

Make sure you don’t miss this one, Kochi.

The Thread ‘n’ Needle outlet in Kochi needs no introduction. They host some lovely salwars and saris at good rates, and if you love shopping, you would’ve visited their store. We have some good news! Thread ‘n’ Needle is hosting an exhibition cum sale at BTH at DH Road. The exhibition will happen on the 4^th and 5^th of May 2012 at Samsar and Pradarshan Hall at BTH.

You can check out some lovely kurtis, dupattas, bottoms (leggings and patialas), silk and cotton fabrics, underskirts and night wears, and more. They are hosting some pretty accessories too. You would fall in love with the temple jewelry collection that they have!

You can get something for your home too. Bedspreads, table cloths and mats are also available at the exhibition.

Drop in between 9.30 a.m and 8.30 p.m. Make sure you own one of those goodies in sale!

‘Aaina’ Exhibition hits town. This time, they are here with beautiful clothes and decor for your homes as well. ‘Aaina’ exhibitions are well known for the uniqueness in their products. The exhibition is held at BTH, and there is much for you to check out and grab! The printed Chanderi silk saris and churidars available at the expo is something which you shopaholics wouldn’t want to miss.

Saris with historic scenes printed including Krishnaleela are selling like hot cakes! And it is not just Chanderi alone. You can dig into Silk, Tussar, Cotton, Jute saris and salwars too. If you have been in the mood to spice up your room with some ‘desi’ knick-knacks, then ‘Aaina’ has some good stuff. The lamp shades, wall hangings, dry flowers, and candle stands that are on display are something you will love to take back home.

If you have been on the look-out for accessories, ‘Aaina’ has got an answer for that too! Their display of necklaces and accessories with semi-precious stone studded jewellery are a must check-out. From Swarovski crystals, Turquoise earrings, Orange Ceramic beads and Meenakari lockets, you will love the collection that they host. The exhibition ends on 17^th March and you can drop in anytime between 10 a.m and 9 p.m. Hurry! Today’s the last day

Who wouldn’t love to fill their wardrobe with colorful, ethnic clothes? So if you are in the mood for it, then we have a good suggestion. The ‘Ahhalya’ sale happening at BTH, Pradarshan Hall is hosting an array of saris and salwars which you can choose from. An exclusive sale and exhibition of Maheshwari apparels, ‘Ahhalya’ hosts clothes with good quality brought from different states across India, mainly Madhya Pradesh.

And it’s not just Maheswari clothes that they host. From Silk Cottons, Tussar Silks, Tissues, Crepes, Chiffons, Jute and Cotton, there is much to choose from. Maheswari saris are one of the finest cotton-silk handloom fabrics available in the country. Even though it looks just like Chanderi Silk, Maheswari fabrics are unique with its geometrical factors and texture. They are mostly designed with gold zaris, checks, and stripes. Exclusively made in Madhya Pradesh, Maheswari saris add an extra grandeur to your wardrobe.

The exhibition is happening on the 6^th and 7^th of March 2012, and you can drop in any time between 9. 30 a.m to 8.00 p.m. And if you haven’t visited it yet, make sure you drop in because ‘Ahhalya’ sale and exhibition is worth a visit!

Kochi is hosting the Fourteenth DC International Book Fair and cultural fest this year. Inaugurated by the Pakistani English writer Qaisra Shahraz, the book fest this year hosts some splendid books from all genres. If you are a book-lover and you love updating yourself on all the latest ones, then make sure you don’t miss this! The fest is happening at Marine Drive and is on from the 31^st of January to February 12^th 2012.

With more than 350 publishers being part of this huge festival, DC Book Fest is looked upon by writers and publishers every year. They get to interact, share their views and discuss on literature and prose. This year too, maestros from the field will be taking part in this grand event. O.N.V Kurup, Sugathakumari, M. K. Sanu, K. Jayakumar are expected to take part in the fest this time. The competition for kids ‘Unnikale Oru Katha Parayam’ (in English and Malayalam) will be happening on the 11^th of February 2012 at 3 p.m. Kids can take part in this and try out their skills in poetry, writing and prose.

Malayalis are known to be good readers and ardent lovers of prose. This fest will be a paradise for book-lovers. So if you are one, then check this out!

Is travelling your passion? Have you wanted to travel to some splendid places and cultures? Then here is something which would be of use. The India International Travel Mart which will be held in Kochi will help you get acquainted with the best deals in the industry, how you can get to places, and reap the best out of your journey! The fest will happen at Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium from the 27^th- 29^th of January 2012. Organized by Sphere Travel media and Exhibitions Private Ltd., the fest will showcase the travel, leisure and hospitality sector at its best.

Along with giving brands in town a better and wider exposure,  IITM will help people from the industry to come together and discuss things. Corporates, private and public sectors will also be part of the event. It also provided participants a chance to network and create new tie-ups. More than 100 exhibitors along with nearly 3000 participants are expected to be a part of this huge fest. Make sure you do not miss to visit the fest.

For more details on the event, log onto www.iitmindia.com.

Time for season’s shopping! Vanitha Ice hits town. Ensuring all your shopping needs is satisfied in one go, Vanitha Utsav is a festival you wouldn’t want to miss. Every year, the organizers have come up with the best products in display. This year too, they have quite a lot of goodies waiting for you. From home appliances, accessories, clothes and food, there is much for shopaholics to choose from.

The grand festival is happening at Kaloor International Stadium, and will be on till the 5^th of January 2012. Vanitha Utsav begins at 11 a.m and gets over by 9 p.m everyday. There are more than 200 stalls at the event. You name the product, they have it! Everything is available under one roof. Every year, Vanitha Utsav stalls (of major electronic companies) have made sure that customers get products at absolutely reasonable rates. This year too, they are sticking on to it. So if you wanted to shop electronics, you know where to drop in. Sony, LG, Philips, Onida etc., all the brands are available here.

The entertainment shows that follow the grand event every evening is another thing which you would not want to miss. They bring leading playback singers and eminent artists to perform for the event. Haven’t you tried Vanitha Utsav yet? Drop in today!

For all animal-lovers in Kochi, our city will host an animal fest this week. Bringing together rare breeds of animals and birds, the fest will be something which you would love to check out. The event is organized by the Department of Animal Husbandry as part of their centenary celebrations. The event will begin on the 14^th of January and will end on the 16^th of Jan 2012. The fest was inaugurated by Union Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Mr. K. V. Thomas at the School of Marine Sciences auditorium.

The event will be happening at Rajendra Maidan. You can witness rare breeds, uncommon species of birds and fishes, exotic types of animals and more. If you have been searching for a pet for your home, make sure you don’t miss this ‘Thirukochi Animal Fest 2012’.

The exhibition would be informative for students who want to learn more on animal welfare. Dairy farmers would be the other group of people who can benefit from the fest, as they get to see and study various breeds of animals here. A seminar for farmers and deposit schemes, will also be conducted as part of the fest.