Psychologists have observed that office d?cor and design affects work culture and overall productivity of a company. Therefore it becomes important to ensure your company has the right and functionally efficient interior d?cor. Keeping the modern office needs in mind, Gloob D?cor has come up with a new range of office space solutions titles Elestro.  What makes these interior plans unique is how its stresses on employee comfort and satisfaction.

Gloob D?cor, a startup led by IITians has pioneered in wall coverings sector since its inception in 2011 and successfully taps 180 plus cities of the country.

Gloob D?cor co-founder and managing director Ankur Muchhal elaborates that the idea of Elestro was conceived from a need for concept-based furniture in office space for better productivity and employee engagement.

Gloob D?cor founder and director Kunal Sharma said, ?The market for office furniture is vast, with our new range of office furniture we have tried to cater corporate needs of perfect work environment.?

In this concept, the workplace is divided as per spaces in an office for example ?All Space? (open space), ?My Space? (personal space), ?Co Space? (interactive space), ?Save Space? (compact space), ?Play Space? (canvas) and ?User Space? (Activity based working), thus successfully catering to a wider demography of workers and different functionalities. ?We are already into turnkey solutions and by introducing EleStro we have taken a plunge into designing and manufacturing of unique workspace. EleStro has the potential to become a change-catalyst in the office space industry,? said International Sales and Strategic Alliances partner and director Mrinal Sharma. With recent foray into the designer furniture and accessories segment, Gloob is also fast changing the rules of the home improvement market in India and Asia Pacific.

By Papri Das

New age fashionistas have overhauled the stereotypical definitions in the fashion world.  What used to be ?it? and chic yesterday, no longer holds your eyes and casual wear isn?t to be taken casually, anymore. Forget getting a dress for an important dinner party, choosing clothes for a weekend get together with friends also asks for your special attention now. Just grabbing whatever from the wardrobe and matching it with some accessories won?t do any longer; there?s no room for slacking when it comes to your casual wear as well. So how does one keep innovating with their look?

Bollywood?s favourite designer Rocky Star answers this with his brand RS, which he launched exclusively with Shoppers Stop recently. ?I believe one can look glamorous everyday and by glamour I don?t mean expensive. My brand is all about bringing glamour to the consumer at an affordable rate. It?s about change and innovation and moving on to the next thing quickly. RS won't just have clothes for men and women, but a whole range of lifestyle accessories like deodorants, handbags and more,? says the excited fashion designer who recently showcased his collection at the IIFA awards in Malaysia.

?This year the stars played it safe on the green carpet in IIFA Malaysia,? Rocky adds as a side note. ?While they all looked gorgeous, they showed up in their comfort zones. I expected some daring and high end fashion at IIFA this year,? he adds.
A short glimpse of the collection on the ramp showed a very modern selection which were more inclined towards simple monochrome dresses that can be easily styled into different looks for a variety of casual occasions- from late afternoon movie dates to evening hangouts with pals. A few striped black and whites stood out amongst the dresses that gave away a smart and sexy appearance, further enhanced by the stylish hand bags also from RS.

?Rocky has done a very good job of bringing his Bollywood sensibilities to the modern buyer with affordability,? says Bollywood actress and RS brand ambassador Bipasha Basu, looking gorgeous in a bright red dress with frills around the deep V neck. ?He is a dear friend and it?s good to see how he has grown as a designer over the years. His experience and understanding of both worlds - the glamour of Bollywood and the functionality of the everyday life --- is reflected in his brand,? she adds.
The hotness meter reached alarming levels at the show when male models walked in flaunting the brand new RS men?s brief collection -- a first by any Indian designer. ?It is good to know that an Indian designer has come up with a men?s underwear collection and I feel obliged to be the first one to be associated with this first in Indian fashion world,? says Karan Singh Grover, brand ambassador for RS, who sported a funky T-shirt with embossed prints and a fitted jeans at the launch. The collection will be exclusively available in all Shopper Stop stores as well as their online shopping portals. So log on and shop away!

Money can?t buy you happiness but it can surely buy the means to keep you happy. And for those with an eclectic taste in lifestyle, happiness often means being able to indulge in their passions. From antique collections, luxury rides, limited edition ranges, to auctions that the world has their eyes on, Exec Lifestyle gives you a sneak peek into the uber lifestyle.

This week, spoil yourself by taking an ultra luxurious retreat in UK, try the new nude shoes by Louboutin, and take a ride in the all new Mercedes designed private jet.

Going nude:

Matching shoes to the colour of your dress used to be yesterday?s formula. Today?s fashionistas are all about the edge and Christian Louboutin?s Nude collection gives them exactly that. Launched in 2013, this unique collection which earlier catered to a limited shades of skin colour have now added five new shades from pale to dark brown. These nude colour stilettos accentuate one?s ankles. It goes well with both smart cut suits as well as short dresses with sharply done edges. The shoes price ranges between USD600 to over USD1000.

Flying with Mercedes:

Mercedes has long been a symbol of luxury among automobile and remained a dream car for many. After taking over the roads, this German automobile leader is now all set to conquer the skies with their brand new range of private jets. Mercedes Benz has teamed up with European airline service Lufthansa which has the largest flying network, to launch a new section for their cell design. With an aim to enhance the private jet flying experience these two automobile and transport leaders have come up with a studio that specialises in designing concept cabins for private jets. Ensuring high end luxury and comfort within their automobile interiors isn?t something new for Mercedes; they are masters of the game. In fact, this won?t be their first time at lending their architectural expertise to another company; they had earlier designed yacht and copter interiors as well. This association of Mercedes with Lufthansa?s subsidiary division Lufthansa Technik is expected to elevate the lifestyle for those who seek mid air comfort and affluence. According to Gizmag.com, the two companies revealed  the first look of their innovative cabins on the prestigious platform of the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, which was held earlier this month from 19-21 May, 2015.

On the rocks:

All you single malt lovers out there, hold your breath as Scotch makers Tullibardine brings you one the rarest whiskeys - a 1952 Custodian Whisky. Soon after the release it has been touted as the most expensive single malt whisky in the world. The bottle?s maturing time is remarkable and if one takes the year of bottling into perspective the whiskey has existed since the reign of King George VI, and seen through 12 British Prime Ministers, 12 US Presidents, the moon landings, Concorde and a new millennium!

Retreat to luxury:

Possessing a large amount of wealth hardly leaves one with a peaceful mind, and hence they don't mind spending thousands of dollars just to get a few days of vacation in a secluded place where they can meditate and unwind. If you think peace comes to you cheap, think again. UK is a proud host to one of world?s most expensive yoga retreats called , which is set amidst the beautiful locales of Turks and Caicos Island.

The wellness center offers some of the best yoga experience including daily yoga classes on private beaches, amazing spas with specialised treatments. Other features include Japanese bath (Onsen), Jacuzzi garden, and more. Accommodation rates per person per night range from $500 which includes terrace rooms to $13,700.

Money can?t buy you happiness but it can surely buy the means to keep you happy. And for those with an eclectic taste in lifestyle, happiness often means being able to indulge in their passions. From antique collections, luxury rides, limited edition ranges, to auctions that the world has their eyes on, Exec Lifestyle gives you a sneak peek into the uber lifestyle.

This week, we have something special for the bibliophiles, sustainable fashion, and the ultimate way to indulge in the rains with designer umbrellas

Bibliophile?s treasure:

In this era of digitisation, it is a novel site to see millionaires rejoice over the sight of writing instruments which their favourite authors had once used. Such was the case in the recently held Paul Smith Pencil auctions. The Secret Life of Pencil is a charity that exhibits and auctions pencils or photographic prints of them belonging to iconic writers, authors and artistes.

The humble pencil enjoyed some limelight through its photographic prints that is as individualistic as fingerprints of the artist. Each one helps you draw inference about the character of the owner. As per Luxpresso.com, Stephen Fry, David Bailey, Sir Quentin Blake, Tom Dixon, Mike Leigh, Philippe Stark, Paul Smith and 52 other famous owners showcased their pencils at this auction. Apart from these limited edition pencils, the auction also featured a concept car sketched by Jaguar Chief Designer Ian Callum that showcased his love of the 4B pencil, hand-carved pencils from Anish Kapoor and Pam Hogg, a unique sketch from Paul Smith and a one-off large Solander presentation box containing prints of all 52 participants. It will be available for online auction through Paddle8 as well.

Fashion goes green:

The recently held EcoChic Awards 2015-16 set a new benchmark in sustainable fashion in its fifth year and reached Indian shores. Ensemble, along with Hong Kong-based charity organisation Redress, introduced the award to the Indian designers at their multi-designer store in the city. Co-hosted by Ensemble executive director Tina Tahiliani Parikh and Christina Dean of Redress, the event saw an overwhelming support by IMG Lakme Fashion Week. It also witnessed an insightful journey of eco-friendly fashion in the presence of sustainable fashion designer and expert Paromita Banerjee.

Tina Tahiliani Parikh was later heard saying, ?We have always promoted new talent and I feel that this is a great platform to find young designers who are also dedicated to sustainable fashion.?

According to luxpresso.com, EcoChic Design Award aims to create high fashion couture pieces with minimal waste. Following the online application, which closes on 15 August 2015, 10 selected finalists from Asia and Europe will present their sustainable collections at the Hong Kong Fashion Week in January 2016 and the first prize grants an opportunity to design a new up-cycled collection for the leading luxury brand, Shanghai Tang. Additionally, the best Indian designer applicant for the eco challenge will get an opportunity to showcase at IMG?s Lakm? Fashion Week that will be held in August 2015.

Be Rain Ready:

The last couple of weeks saw Mumbai groaning under the constant downpours of monsoon. It?s time to stop complaining about the incessant rains and embrace it with some rain-appropriate accessories. Umbrellas not only protect your designer clothes from rain and shine, they are a remarkable fashion accessory as well that can do wonders to your image. Not just that, owning a branded umbrella or parasols as called by many, has been a symbol of class and luxury from ages. A recent research by The Richest website listed some of the popular high end umbrella brands, mostly Italian manufactured. It included Channel (their vintage collection is to die for), ?Pasotti? by Italian Umbrella with Swarovski Crystals costing USD $360, Hermes ?Pluie de H? that can make your wallet lighter by USD $485, Alexandra MC Queen umbrella with skull handle ($568) and Swaine Adeney Brigg by Malacca Flask Umbrella for Men (USD $1,270).

By Papri Das

During the week, they put on their best Hugo Boss suits, Piaget watches, and Italian handcrafted shoes, during a typical day at the office. But come the weekend and late evening, you see them donning jeans, boots, bandanas, tight T-shirts, as they head for the bright lights of the stage, guitars or haversacks slung over their shoulders. Meet the modern day rocker CEOs.

These are the guys who continue to pursue their musical gifts, even as they drive their corporate charges to new financial and growth milestones. They spend their time rehearsing and getting into the groove with their band mates before a performance at either a Blue Frog or an NH7 Weekender. And when they really let it all out, just playing to the thousands in the audience, nobody would guess they are the corporate types.

Take Universal Music India CEO Devraj Sanyal. He has gained a reputation as a CEO who is re-imagining and recreating his recording company into a new organization ready and fit for the fast evolving music ecosystem. But Devraj is also famous amongst the metal heads in India for his band Brahma, one of the forerunners of India?s metal scene from 1994 to 2005.

?We got our first big break through the IRock festival which used be very huge. After 10 years of active presence in iRock opening most major rock festivals in India we saw ourselves doing two hour and three hour long sets,? shares Sanyal crediting the success to they have achieved to their diversion free focus. ?Unlike most rock bands, none of us had any addiction to drugs or the like. It made us tighter as a band and extremely focused on what we wanted to achieve,? he reveals. 

Of the thousand plus gigs that Brahma has played, Devraj says their act at Manipal in --- is a standout.  ?Mad  monstrous crowd! They didn't let us leave the stage for 30 minutes more than the rehearsed set. At some point we were playing the metal version of ?Smoke on the Water? by Deep Purple and the fans set the side walls on fire as we sang the chorus ?fire in the sky?,? narrates Sanyal. ?At that time it seemed the ultimate show of love by ours fan but on hindsight it was a scary experience.?

Leo Burnett India CC, Rajdeepak Das reveals he has taken a shot a deejaying and hangs out with a lot of deejays. ?Being a deejay is the coolest thing,? he confesses, with his top DJ being David Guetta. These days however he is busy building up his music playlist. ?I am massive on Bob Dylan. I also like Rodrigues. I have all his released and unreleased work as well,? he says.

 Mumbai-based digital content and distribution company 120 Media Collective CEO Roopak Saluja used to do night shifts as a trance deejay. And he even has a record label Procyon Records, which signed on and released other artistes in the past.

 He recollects zipping from airport to hotel across different countries while at ad agency Young & Rubicam. But the hectic schedule could not get the deejay out of him. He would continue spinning records and getting trance fans to get into the groove in the EDM capitals in Europe. 

He shares: ?I was literally living my life out of a suitcase. There would be times when I would fly in from Singapore airport and not even go home, catch another flight to some place like Portugal or Amsterdam over the weekend. I would then play a gig  or gigs and come back to Mumbai  airport on Monday and directly go to office.?

 Roopak rubbishes all claims that deejaying is relatively easy and can be done even when holding a day and week job. ?People believe that you simply need a playlist of two or three hours of the popular tracks but they don't get the hard work  which goes into creating that music set of two or three hours. As a deejay you need to be constantly listening and exploring new music and keeping up with the world?s trends While the three hour play happens once a week or so, you spend the entire week and you burn the midnight oil listening and researching. So yes, it is hard work indeed, but the people I met and parties I had made it worth it,? says Roopak.

 Apart from running a creative ad agency, Bartle Boge and Hegarty CEO and managing partner  Subhash Kamath has built up a fan following for his music being a regular performer at advertising industry awards functions and dos.  ?I used to sing in a band when I was in college but it was short lived after I started work years later I found myself jamming with friends in parties or office gatherings, and at one time I was asked to form a  band to perform at an advertising event,? says Kamath. ?I was surprised to see how well we were received. Soon after a few more people (some from advertising and some professional musicians) got on board we formed the band Wanted Yesterday.?The name reflects the ad industry?s plight of short deadlines for creative as well as his love for the classic rock and blues era.

 There are others in the south east Asian region who mix their music with work. And that too pretty well. Consider the band Uranus which has some media heavweights as its members.

 Among them: event and conference company Branded CEO Jasper Donat, TigerGate boss William Pfeiffer, ad and documentary film maker Ocean Vista Films CEO Craig Leeason, Siren Films founder Ed Bean and former Channel V VJ Dominic Lau. The motely crue has been performing for quite a few years now and they even have a booking agent and play in clubs and bars in Hong Kong and at industry events.

 However, most of the corporate chieftains we spoke to, confessed that their musical careers are important ? but they rank lower on the priority list after their day jobs and family. Says Sanyal: ?My job as an MD and CEO always comes first and the band second. It?s a conscious decision I have taken a long time ago and the boys have been very respectful of it.? However, the band is fiddling with the idea of releasing their third album.

 Kamath finds the time to rehearse and jam but he finds the coordination piece between all his mates a major challenge, because each one of them is pre-occupied. Gigs therefore are limited.

 Ditto with Uranus. The rockers have regaled their fans ? especially in the industry ? over the years, but play only at select venues. ?Music is in our blood,? says Donat. ?And we will continue to play as long as we can.?

Rock on!

Mutton Tikka Masala, Paneer Kofta Makhanwala, Awadhi chicken Biriyani, fried dumplings and sizzlers-- do you feel your mouth watering already?How often do we find ourselves giving in to temptation and ending up indulging our olfactory organs to some mouthwatering but MSG rich junk food? And there are times when it?s not the gluttony within us, but the sloth that compels us to take the easier and less time consuming way out of hunger -- look up the closest fast food joint online and order! Those with a sweet tooth and a penchant for everything cheesy and creamy have the hardest time staying away from all the yummy desserts, which are also the highest contributor to your body?s calorie and fat meter.

One can?t really blame the foodies for having a hard time keeping themselves fit,. Especially when healthy food and tasty food sound contradictory, and almost all dining outlets care less about their customers? well-being and more about filling up tables. Just when you thought that you have to give up on your favourite white chocolate cake altogether, here?s an alternative -- restaurants that specialise their menu on a healthy diet.

 Exec Lifestyle has compiled a list of fitness friendly restaurants who offer you delicacies based on a healthy diet without compromising with taste. Take a look:

1. Flat Tummies:  

As the name suggests, this Mumbai based online food delivery service caters to a health conscious demography and is already a hit amongst the who?s who of the city. Some of their popular patrons include Mandira Bedi, Emraan Hashmi and Soha Ali Khan.

Started by food enthusiast and biotech scientist Monica Muthappa, who began cooking at the early age of 10, Flat Tummy specialises in gluten free, dairy free, chemical free food which is delicious and loaded with nutritious ingredients. Not to mention it is sugar-free and packed nicely in an eco-friendly package.

It was when Monica?s  husband became intolerant to gluten that she turned her attention towards healthy alternatives to ?junk?.

?I realized there are millions of people who have similar needs for nutrition and health but are deprived from it. They are not readily available in the market. This was the real motivation to make snacks that are very tasty but equally nutritious and low calorie,? she says.

Must Try: Vegan Ice creams in different flavours, ?Chocs Cherry Ferry?, a chocolate mousse based frozen dessert  Protein bars, Flaxseed Jam cookies and Choco Peanut Spread

2. The Protein Bake Shop

 Healthy diet isn't just to get that goddess like body and stay slim. Sometimes a low calorie diet isn't a choice but a necessity to keep your ailment in check, and Protein Bake Shop understands that well.

Started by a Dubai based nutritionist, Rashi Chowdhary, The Protein Bake Shop was launched keeping in mind the plight of those diagnosed with diabetes and the like.  ?I?ve seen eight year olds being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I?ve seen young teenage girls struggle with a negative body image due to insulin resistance and I?ve seen many adults succumb to the vicious never ending cycle of yo yo dieting,? Rashi points out. 

The best thing about this online bakery is that is guarantees to satisfy your sweet tooth without compromising your health. 

She further explains, ?The Protein Bake shop products are high in healthy fatty acids, completely free of refined sugar, dairy and even whole wheat. Gluten-rich grains are replaced by gluten-free flours. Sugar is replaced by dates, figs and honey. In the protein power range Carbohydrates are kept under 10 grams and whey protein isolate is used to improve the carbohydrate to protein ratio.?

Must try: Almond cookies, Peanut Butter Slices, Chocolate stacks, Peanut Bites, Chia + Flaxseed Slices, Chocolate Mousse.

3. Apple A day:

?An apple a day keeps the doctor away,? is a proverb we are familiar with since our childhood, which stresses the importance of fresh fruits for our daily nutrition and well being. Plus, they are tasty. But in our fast paced life, we frequently resort to fruit juices instead, either at a popular juice parlor or from a supermarket in a tetra pack. Both the options more often than not contain added colour and preservatives.

That?s why we give you an alternative -- Apple A Day, a juice parlor in Mumbai which promises you fresh fruit juices without any added sugar and preservatives. And, unlike the other two, Apple A Day has an peppy looking kiosk where you can sit and sip on your favourite smoothie.

?I personally dislike places which offer juices with too much sugar added. It takes away from the nutrition value of the fruits,? says a spokesperson from the juice shop. ?Thus we at Apple A Day always strive to keep the essence of the fruits.?

Must Try: The mixed juices

4. Just Unjunk

 Let?s face it, who doesn?t like an occasional dose of fast food in their lives? Be it pizza, fried chicken or pasta from the MNC joints or the good old pakoras and samosas by the street,  junk food is something you can?t avoid for long.  And once you do, all your efforts at that new dieting fad go to waste.  

Thus the peeps at Just Unjunk have added a new twist to their menu and unjunked all the popular fast food items on it.

 ?Any food me by itself is not a junk food, but it is the method of preparation that makes it one,? says the food chain?s co-founder Yash Bhatia.  

?Take a samosa for an example. A fried samosa is unhealthy indeed but you can unjunk it by baking it which also retains the taste,? states Yash. 

He cofounded Just Junk with Divyesh Panchal and today it serves health conscious foodies in Mumbai?s Bandra and Lokhandwala Andheri areas through its two outlets. Walk in any time of the day and don?t be surprised if you bump into a celeb from the film and television industry.

Must try: Multi-grain Panini sandwiches

5. Diet N Taste

?Diet and Taste? -- these two juxtaposed words are what this outlet offer to its customers. A healthy menu keeping in mind the needs of the diet conscious foodies without compromising the taste. A favourite of many regulars who frequent this joint, Diet N Taste has garnered popularity amongst the fitness freaks in the city. With its wide range of of mouth watering delicacies it excels at maintaining quality, even  during heavy traffic hours. Among its fans is TV actor, anchor and celebrity Rithvik Dhanjani who mentions it as his favourite place to eat in the suburb of Andheri. 

Must try: The continental dishes