/ Thoughts from the Editor-In-Chief, November 2010

by Hina P. Ansari

Thoughts from the Editor-In-Chief, November 2010

Jul 16, 2013

Frolic This Festive Season

Every year, the excitement builds as we pack up our Halloween goodies and get a head start on the festivities that close off yet another year. Whether it's Diwali, Eid, Christmas, or New Year's, we all cherish this wonderful season.

There is one thing I love about the holiday season: The infectious energy that seems to wrap its loving arms around the city. Smiles get bigger, strangers exchange friendly glances, doors are held open for multitudes of people and greetings are cheerily bandied about with a sense of sincerity. I love walking the city streets and just taking in the decorated shop windows and the costumed carollers on the corners. And I love seeing family and friends congregate at the local café as they take a breather from shopping. Everyone is in a great mood. It’s all good. It’s all happy. You're humming along to the Christmas tunes that fill the air—and then something happens when you step into your favourite boutique or mall. That easy breezy vibe is then subtly and politely pushed aside to make way for the “I must find the perfect gift” frenzy that seems to build up every holiday season.

Everyone has that list. We check it twice. We spell check. We double spell check it. And then when it comes to actually fulfilling our Santa duties, we are often left stumped. And I, for one, can tell you it happens to me every year. I think I know what to buy. Then I get sidetracked with something that's even bigger, better and ultimately pricier. “Budgets be damned,” I carelessly proclaim. "It’s the holidays!”

So when we were thinking about expanding our yearly staple, our much loved Holiday Gift Guide section, into an entire issue, we knew that not only would we be serving up fabulous gift ideas for you and the oh-so-hard-to-shopfor people on your list, but for everyone else on your list as well. We continue to keep the ANOKHI flavour intact by bringing you the latest trends, tips, tricks, and of course, the fabulous head-to-toe looks you can deck out in while you deck your halls (Fashion, page 33; Beauty, page 61 and Style Bazaar, page 27). Our Living Space (page 81) and Compass (page 87) sections are packed with ideas geared to make your soirées stylishly sizzle. Make your home shine with Make Your Statement (page 81) and be the belle (or beau) of the ball with entertaining tips (Hosting and Toasting, page 82). Of course, one should never forget their mind, body and soul (and heart). We show you ways to keep replenished (Health & Wellness, page 71) through this harried yet honoured time of year.

'Tis the season to bask, beautify and bestow. So while you're making your gift list, sending out invites and keeping track of your own social calendar, make sure you take time to really enjoy it all. They only come once a year, and with our Holiday Gift Guide Issue in hand, you can make your holidays truly ANOKHI.

Best,

Hina P. Ansari
Editor-In-Chief

As always love to hear your feedback. Feel free to write to me at [email protected].

_{BY: HINA P. ANSARI / PUBLISHED: NOVEMBER 2010 ISSUE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ARKAN ZAKHAROV}

Hina P. Ansari

Author

Hina P. Ansari is a graduate from The University of Western Ontario (London, Ontario). Since then she has carved a successful career in Canada's national fashion-publishing world as the Entertainment/Photo Editor at FLARE Magazine, Canada's national fashion magazine. She was the first South Asian in...