Reversal of roles..

On 14th of February,  St. Valentine is commemorated in the name of courtly love. Little did the Romans realize that the world will celebrate that date with grandeur and glory.

All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.

Charles M. Schulz

This day observes second biggest celebration after Christmas where sales of greeting cards reach a record height since couples express their affection, fondness, and yearning for each other.

Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone - we find it with another.

Thomas Merton

Love, compassion is at its peak on this particular day. 

The minute I heard my first love story, I started looking for you, not knowing how blind that was. Lovers don't finally meet somewhere. They're in each other all along.

Rumi

How did it happen that their lips came together? How does it happen that birds sing, that snow melts, that the rose unfolds, that the dawn whitens behind the stark shapes of trees on the quivering summit of the hill? A kiss, and all was said.

Victor Hugo

In order to make it a special day, couples either choose to dine out, find the most exquisite spots or ideas to romance just to make it unique.

 I think a role reversal can also help create a magnificent evening. He cooks, cleans, and serves while she gets the bouquet, the booze, light the fragrant candles, select the background music, and then after dinner swirl on the dance floor hand in hand while taking him down memory lane with pictures clicked over the years or just everyday incidents.

Let's be frank, we are living in a male dominant society, and giving charge to your spouse/better half/ mate/ partner for one day to make the choice for an evening that she would desire could tell a lot about you! While you get to plan the meals and know how to execute it on the table. Voila! Impression and memories are made.

“It takes four men to dress a salad: a wise man for the salt, a madman for the pepper, a miser for the vinegar, and a spendthrift for the oil.”

anonymous

As it takes two to tango, the Valentina and Valentino can continue to enjoy this date that is centuries old thus helping them highlight their gray strands, which could be fifty or more cause of the stress a relationship could endeavor. The above action could bring a particular closeness when trying to wear each other's shoes thus leading to enjoying the actual fifty shades of grey in unison!

An ordinary evening that started with humble understanding, just to make it a memorable day, can make the couple touch or reach many avenues in their relationship. Understanding, Longanimity are some of the nouns that get into the grey cells of the couple, as they reminisce about their past while promising to make a bright future for themselves.

Mantra for today: Love is a gift that requires a barter of caring, affection. 

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This post has been written for Baggout Blogging Contest on Valentine's day. Baggout provides awesome deals on Flipkart, Myntra, Jabong, Snapdeal, Amazon, and 100+ other online stores.

When Bipasha weds Harman in a Baggout style

"Hmmm...now my fruits of hard work will unfold." I take a deep breath as I sip my Chardonnay and look at the wedding card of Harman Baweja unites with Bipasha Basu. 

"Phew! Those past few months felt like I was walking and talking even in my sleep, while getting it all together for their special day. I am glad Baggout could deliver their attires and the accessories on time." I murmur to myself as I confirm a final arrangement and seat myself in the audience while admiring the podium where the couples will exchange their vows in the beautiful chapel in Paris Las Vegas, USA.

Just then the phone rang, I answered it, and again got to my feet and started walking towards the exit. 

In a few minutes, I was in the room of the bride, making sure all her accessories are in order as she was getting dressed. I admired the quality and the design of the jewelry and could not help, but express it out loud. Bipasha and her friends were quick to acknowledge with me. It was a wonderful bargain especially since it went so well with her lehenga.

 

Jabong

I give her a quick update on the itinerary for today, to which she nods as she is being adorned by her dresser while the makeup guy dresses up her big expressive eyes, which were already beaming with happiness despite the late night cocktail party.

Snapdeal

Finally, after her make up done. She gets up to change into the dress that took days to choose, thanks to the varied vendors in Baggout that had so much variety to offer. But then the convenience makes up for everything especially for people who are short of time. 

After a few minutes, she comes out dressed in her complete attire and all the people in the room paused for a few seconds as we admired the bride with some loud, "aawww's," some sweet pecks while the mom lovingly just hugged her with moist eyes.

shopclues

I look at the watch, and brief Bips about the ceremony that will start in another ~15 minutes, while I get up to catch a glimpse of the groom.

Knock on his door, but to my surprise the door is half open. I let myself in, to a noisy bunch of men who are still not done celebrating his bachelorhood. They continue to rejoice with clinks of glass that are brimming with champagne, while the groom nods at all cheerfully.

We both exchange glances and I show him the watch while signaling my ten fingers towards him.

Geez! boys always need to get a short break cause they are never particular on time, huh!

He looks at his watch and says out loud, "seriously, we have only 10 minutes until our ceremony? Wow! Time flies."
That comment made everyone quiet for a few seconds, nevertheless, and they started cheering even more just the thought that they have only five minutes until the groom starts walking to the chapel.

I keep standing while maintaining a steady smile and hoping that the hands of the clock tick fast, and I walk the groom to his destination. 

Soon, the clocks ticks 7pm. I clap twice indicating that it's time. 

homeshop18

Harman was quick to obey or maybe just the deep urge to get moving from the rambunctious crowd that was getting difficult to control. He was dressed sleek in the sharp cut of the blazer, and the black was giving the extra perk to his personality, all thanks to the timely click and delivery of baggout.com

myntra



I walk with him while sharing a few casual laughs and am followed by his friends who seem to have mellowed down a bit.

Settle him at the stage, which is surrounded by his immediate family and a priest who has started the rituals of the Hindu marriage.

I walk towards the bride's room, as I recollect all the paperwork done to get the arrangements switched and approved for Paris Las Vegas. I breathe in a sigh of relief especially since all that was requested for, was approved and shopped for, and today both the bride and groom will be finally be getting married.

As soon as I entered the room, Bipasha was on her feet and started walking towards me. I loved the simply radiant bride. The lehenga and the accessories were adorning her so beautifully that she was a grace personified figure. I whispered my compliment into her ear, and she nodded in agreement more so cause she agreed that shopping her bridal outfit from baggout.com was the best suggestion and deal ever!

Finally, the bride and groom are under one roof.

I finally seat myself in one corner and watch the fun as the relatives and friends takeover the rituals. 
I take a peek outside the chapel into the streets of LasVegas and find nothing different in what was happening inside this room. 

Life is a gamble everywhere!

But, then if man does not take chances, what is the point of living!


Today, as Bipasha and Harman are making an attempt to open a new chapter in their lives, I wish them the very best!

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This post has been written for Baggout.com where the theme is: Your favorite celebrity is getting married and Guess What "You have been appointed the Wedding Planner". Your entry needs to discuss on how you would plan the whole wedding for your favorite star assuming that all shopping and bookings are done through Baggout.

When Sonam Kapoor used Baggout to go to Cannes

"Mom the date is arriving, and my designers have not yet shown me the preview of the dresses." Sonam fumes as she is checking her messages on her phone.

Mom is finishing up with her design for a particular client, and is sending in her finals by clicking the Send button.

She nods with apprehension takes a deep breath and replies, "I could suggest you an option, only if you agree to listen to me, and not throw a tantrum of how desi it is."

"Anything! anything right now, mom. I know your plate is already full with back orders. But, do you know anybody local that I can knock on their door, and get the service I need." Sonam asserts as she puts her phone down and walks close to her mom's working table.

"Sit down" orders her mom

She readily agrees, and looks at her with quizzed eyes.

Mom is busy toggling her fingers over the screen and has her eyebrows twitched. After a few seconds, she has a smile on her face as she looks at the screen with content, and after a silent hum, she turns the screen towards her daughter who is eyeing her all the time.

"Look at this site." mom continues with contentment, "it has all that you need. Join this site for free, then go to your favorite retailer via Baggout and shop normally. Your cash back gets automatically tracked in your Baggout account and you will eventually get some cash back." she says with a wink, and continues, "Best part that it is local, and you can shop for anything under the sun here..it has a variety from food to fashion, mobile, books, travel and electronics for all age groups. Pauses and resumes, "And no hassle of looking at your watch and calculating the time difference." she says with a broad smile and an elated tone.

"Baggout.com. Seriously mom" was Sonam's first reaction.

"Every body goes to this site for their shopping." she says with a sneer. "I need something fresh. something vibrant." she pauses and continues with a soft murmur, "Will this site have it?"

"Absolutely! Sonam browse through it." she is ordered.

She obediently starts to browse, but has a frown over her face. Mom watches her until that frown fades away, and goes back to working on her clienteles requests.

Sonam's fingers are moving briskly over the screen, she is so engrossed that she is humming to a tune in the background without her knowledge. Mom looks up, extends those muscles around her lips, and goes back to work.

"Gosh this site not only has dresses, but I can also accessorize myself." she says in a jubilant voice. "It's like one stop shop place, at the comfort of my home. Just like I shop with my international designers via Skype." Sonam is thrilled.

"That's the point, my dear." Mom chips in, "Now find your favorites, and let's shortlist." she asserts.

Sonam gets comfy by putting up her hair, leaning back, and crossing her legs. She takes a sip from her cup, and continues to browse, while making notes of the garments on a notepad.

In an hour's time, she has shortlisted her choice for her trip to Cannes where she will be showcasing herself for two days.

"Mom, let me share my stuff with you." she says excitedly as she shares the screen with her. "I plan on wearing a traditional attire on one day and the other two days I wanna dorn the vintage look"

Mom leans over, while adjusting her glasses.

"The prices are darn economical, and I can accessorize from the same place. This is gonna save me so much time."

"And money" Mom murmurs.

Sonam laughs, "yes, you got that right." as she winks at her.

"The designs are chic and trendy, I love it! Thank you mom, as usual, you are the best" she says with a hug.

"Now I have to pay with just a click" she chips in with ardor.

"No going from stores to stores to accessorize a particular dress. they have so many stores under Baggout that, all I need is an internet connection, and voila I save up on gas, and screen myself from the heat and pollution", she continues to rattle on as her fingers are moving in a lightening process.

Mom is quick to point out, "Did you check out the on going deals of various retail stores?"

"I did, mom. But, I shopped under Trending Products, which showcased many products from various stores. This assortment made it easy to shop." she quivered over her success.

"That's neat" Mom chides in.

Just that moment, Rhea enters with a phone in her hand, "Sonam there is this Le Palima designer on the phone for you from Paris."

Sonam frowns and whispers to her sister, "Tell her, I am not around."

Rhea looks at her with a frown.

Sonam shows her those bookmarked items in her Baggot Cart, and that makes Rhea go Wow!

She nods and winks at her sister while taking the phone off mute and answering it.

"Voila! I am all set for being the brand ambassador of cosmetic giant for this year!" she quivers in delight and swirls around.

"Thank you Baggout.com"

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This post is pure fictional and has been written for Baggout.com.