The list of 10

STYLE

Every month we give you stylish thoughts to feast on. In this month's column, select earthly pleasures are neatly narrowed down to a lean 10, which may help you cultivate your character individually through right choices suggested for you from trillions of options out there in the ever-changing world of desires.

TEST DRIVE
Car: Nissan- X-Trail
Price: 20 lakh plus
Image: Chic and versatile
Why you want one: Quiet, compact SUV with enough power for native roads; small SUV with big-SUV refinement.
Bummer: Boot space small "" not a nanny's dream
Up against: Prado

QUAINT DOMESTIC GETAWAY
Hotel: Devigarh Hotel, 20 km out of Udaipur.
Price: Worth almost every penny
Image: Old World, soulfully stark
Why you want to go there: You'll never be the same again
Bummer: Drive back home
Up against: International best

KODAK MOMENT
Family portrait: Black and white
Photographer: Vibash Tiwari
Price: Negotiable
Look: Classic with a modern edge
Why you want to get one: Family comes first
Bummer: Scheduling
Up against: Biggies in Mumbai

POWER DRESSING
Fashion attire: A crisp Rathore bandgala.
Price: On order.
Contact: mail@rathore.com
Image: Suave stylish and authentically Indian
Why you want to get one: The best option to a Western suit.
Bummer: Can't wear a necktie.
Up against: Japanese designer Yogi Yamamoto

HELLO, MOBILE OFFICE
PDA mobile phone: O2 XDA
Price: Rs 40,000 and up
Image: Busy businessman; no frills
Why you want to get one: Does almost everything under the sun, with software
Bummer: Battery life pitiable
Up against: Sony and Nokia new models

TELLING TALES
Book: The Little Book of Stress "" Calm is for Wimps, Get Real, Get Stressed
Author: Rohan Candappa
Price: $1.99
Image: Fun and transit reading
Why you want to get it:
Because its aim is to get everyone around you stressed and for its simple advice like "Put empty milk cartons back in the fridge."
Bummer: Stresses you a bit
Up against: All luring reading out there

GOOD "WELL" HUNTING?
Donation: Sponsor a water well (sweet water) in Rajasthan.
Price: Rs 35,000
Who to contact: mail@rathore.com
Benefits: A gift of life for a whole community, the nametag will read your name.
Why you want to do it: A small price to pay for life and you will sleep well from their blessings.
Bummer: We take water for granted
Up against: Nothing really!

"CHINTAMANI" TO JUST SAFE MONEY
Investment: Heritage property
Amount: Rs 1-3 crore
Image: Discreet viscount
Why you want to do it: Imagine the view from the top with your loved ones by your side when you are grey and old on a rocking chair.
Bummer: Expensive
Up against: Other lifetime investments

FRUITY JAZZ LOOPS
Music CD: Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong: Ella and Louis
Released by: Verve Records Inc, USA
Image: Decibels template for a fab evening
Why you want it: Probably the best compilation of classic jazz put on one CD
Bummer: Hard to find
Up against: Ronny Jordan

NOSE POINTS
Cologne: "Eau Sauvage" Dior
Price: $55
Image: Absolute classic fresh with unlimited divine mystic powers
Why you want it: Because you can roam freely...in the sun
Bummer: Not available everywhere
Up against: Pallharigan

[Editor's note: The Rathore bandgala is a shameless plug, but is being permitted even though it bears the columnist's imprint because it is seen as a brand. Biases, however, are inherent in the recommendation.]