Exec Lifestyle?s Weekend Watch recommends and previews television shows, films and live events that you simply cannot miss! Check out our recommendations for this weekend (29-31 May 2015)

About Town

Beer lovers rejoice, for here is a festival dedicated just for you. If you are tired of all the same old brews you get at a regular pub or bar, here?s your chance to taste chilled craft beers from the city's best breweries like Doolally Craft Beers (and a Cider!), TJs Brew Works, Gateway Brewing Co., Independence Brewing Company and The White Owl. There'll be various food stalls, fun drinking games and some great live tunes as well.So get your tickets quickly and catch up with your beer buddies at the breezy rooftop of Aqaba in Lower Parel, Mumbai.

Movies:

Movie buffs have a busy weekend ahead. One widely anticipated international release, San Andreas starring ?The Rock?  himself, along with a number of hindi releases from a miscellania of genres. Welcome 2 Karachi featuring the king of comic timing Arshad Warsi and Jaccky Bhagnani will undoubtedly leave you in splits and at the same time viewers keep an open mind for the romantic tale Ishqedarriyaan, whose music is already popular amongst the viewers. Other flicks that you can watch out for this weekend are I Love Desi, Madmast Barkhaa, and  P Se PM Tak.

Sports:

Star Sports 4

Barclays Premier League came to end but the fervor of English football fans is hardly over. Wmbley prepares to host the FA Cup finals featuring defending champions Arsenal and Aston Villa. Villa defeated Liverpool to qualify for the final and pundits predict an even steven match this Saturday. One can catch all the action in Star Sports 4 and HD 4, 10 PM onwards.

By Papri Das

In this fiercely competitive creative business, novelty is both a luxury and a necessity for survival. And there is no one better to vouch for it than the media executives who have to keep pushing the boundaries of innovation each time they ideate. What makes ideation even more challenging is that there is no set formula to it. For some, ideas come when they fall back to their routines, while for others it?s when they are out of their comfort zone.

So where do executives source their ideas from?

When Exec Lifestyle caught up with some of the top creative geniuses in the industry, they shared some unique anecdotes on how they get in touch with their creative side.

For Madison World founder and chairman Sam Balsara, a quiet evening walk by himself does the trick. ?It is when I am alone taking a walk in the late evenings, traveling on flights or outstation at night that I think of new ideas and things to be done. It is important for your mind to be free for new thoughts to occur,? says Balsara. What?s more, Balsara isn't the only one who prefers the outdoors to reconnect with their creative side. 

The multi talented network creative head of Reliance Broadcast, Paritosh Painter, too draws inspiration from fresh air outings. ?I mostly take long walks outside. It gives me the freedom to think. Sometimes I love to sit in a coffee shop by myself and think. Whether it is home or office, indoor is invariably full of distractions,? says Painter, who also flaunts his creative skills as an actor, film director and scriptwriter.

While thinking alone may be a popular method for most executives, some only make the most of their grey cells when they are going against the grain. Take Colors CEO Raj Nayak for example, who is inspired by his interaction with others. ?People are a good source of ideas. The best ideas come to me when I am interacting with people. A good informative conversation triggers me with stimuli and leaves me thinking. Often these thoughts shape into great executiion,? says the self-confessed daydreamer. ?When I am not occupied with work, my mind automatically switches to dreaming mode. Traveling is also another time when my mind keeps ticking,? Nayak further adds.

One?s personal space also plays an important role in helping them put on the thinking cap. ?There are two spots where I?m most creative -- on my couch that sits in my bedroom, and in the tiny meeting room called Corleone at the office,? shares VML Qais CEO Tripti Lochan, who finds herself most creative on days when she has had a good practice of Vipassana.

In fact, Lochan?s way of getting out of a creative block is also getting physically active. ?I usually go for a run, or clean a cupboard; or even cook.  Things that involve using arms and legs and not necessarily the mind so much,? she adds.

When it comes to dealing with his creative blocks, ad maker and former Ogilvy and Mather executive creative director Abhijit Avasthi believes in engaging himself with something different. ?I used to experience a creative roadblock often earlier in my career but not so much these days. I think I have grown to not wrestle with ideas when its not working out and focus on other matters at hand.?

This resonates with Painter as well. ?If I hit a creative roadblock on a specific subject than I let it be for a while. I don't think about it till the time I feel I am not thinking about it at all and then I start on it all over again with a fresh perspective,? he adds while signing off. 

By Papri Das

Business cards aren?t just a piece of paper with information, it is a reflection of your professional persona and is often a powerful tool in building your network and trust base within the industry. Even with digital platforms like LinkedIn in place, several media professionals and executives prefer the old school way exchanging cards. And it doesn't stop at that. From choosing the right paper, colour and design to learning the etiquette of sharing it -- there is a science to it all.

If all this has gotten you confused, fret not as Exec Lifestyle has compiled all that you need to know in mastering the art of business cards exchanging.

From a designer?s perspective, your card?s design should convey a story and a purpose behind the company you represent.  Graphic designer Chandrashekhar Rane, who also designs business cards shares, ?Especially in a corporate setting, just like we judge people based on their shoes and watches, the design of your business card plays a huge role in how seriously your peers take you.?

While there is a range of templates to choose from, depending on one?s profession, industry and their personal approach to their work, Rane has noticed three categories on which he bases the crux of his designs. ?Based on the age demography, there are three types of business card designs -- teens to early twenties, mid twenties to professionals in their forties and finally the senior,? says Rane.

If Rane had to observe a trend in requests by his clients across the vast categories, it would definitely be minimalistic sophistication, which also includes transparent cards with the details embossed.

Rane also points out that startups and new business entrepreneurs are often seen opting for cards with pop art and catchy illustrations. ?Some even play around with the shape of the card, and choose flashy colors and contrasts to make them stand out. It?s that phase in their career when they are trying very hard to get noticed and that reflects in their cards,? he points out.

While that can work like a charm if you are in the creative field, overly designed and quirky looking cards can backfire on all your networking strategies, according to Konkana Bakshi, who runs the personality development and image enhancement platform, Savoir Faire Academie.

Bakshi couldn?t be more displeased with the range of ?creative? cards she has encountered that fail to serve its purpose. ?Cards with lots of designs and bright color codes often look overloaded, and come across as ?trying too hard.? Certainly not a professional way to go about it. A professional business card should be made out of good quality paper, ideally white or any light color with the person?s contact details printed clearly on it. Moreover, CEOs and other executives can choose not to give their personal mobile number on the cards,? says Bakshi. She admits to have come across many elegant business cards of top-notch media personalities.

Bakshi is not only critical of the types of business cards people carry but the entire culture of card pushing that one can see in professional gatherings. ?Those who come to a gathering to network are often seen giving their cards to every single person in the room, which makes no sense at all. A business card is something you share with someone after a chat or so, only if you hit a common ground and wish to get in touch with them in future. Moreover, the person giving their card must ask the person in front if it is okay for him or her to accept their card, especially if they are giving the card to a lady,? explains Bakshi.

?Needless to say, women should be more conservative when giving away their business cards in an office party. If you bring as much business cards as your clutch can hold to a gathering, and have run out of all of them by the end of the evening, you have done more than enough of networking,? she further adds.

There are certain etiquettes to be kept in mind when receiving cards as well. ?It?s impolite to take a business card and put it away in pocket or in your bag without giving it a proper glance. The ideal way is to accept the card (with both hands), go through it as if you are interested, and strike a conversation with the owner of the card for a minute or two before putting it away,? says Bakshi, adding that exchanging cards should ideally be restricted to formal and professional gathering alone as business cards in a close and personal setting gives off a cold and aloof

Now that we have powered you with the Dos and Don?ts of business card exchanging, here is a list of online sites that can help you customise creative business cards, without having to spend a fortune in hiring the pros.

1. Vista Print
2. Moo
3. Jukebox Print
4. GotPrint
5. OvernightPrints.com

What?s life without a touch of romance? And when it comes to romance, every couple has a different approach to it. While some prefer grand and lavish gestures, others keep it simple and private -- each couple has a different language of dating. This weekend, Exec Lifestyle got candid with some of the top media executives to find out what makes for an awesome date for them and how they like to spend quality time with their loved ones.

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 editions ranges, to auctions that the world have their eyes on, Exec Lifestyle gives you a sneak peek into the uber lifestyle. 
Keep an eye on this section for your weekly updates of extravaganza.

The royal fragrance indeed

The title of the most expensive perfume in the world has been given to British designer Clive Christian?s Imperial Majesty. The 16.9-ounce perfume bottle is made up of a material that is very difficult to work with and artists would often end up breaking it during the production process. 

The neck of the bottle is fashioned after the coronation tiara of the British queen and is made of 18-carat gold inset with five-carat finely cut diamonds. This collar can be customised by engraving the owner?s name on it. The content consists of essences from rare and exquisite items like rose oil, orris root, jasmine from India, Italian cinnamon rose, whose single drop requires 170 blossoms! 

Only five bottles are made annually at a price of approximately $215,000 each.  

Redefining technology

3D technology has creating quite a stir. Not just visual media, but in all spheres of technology, 3D is becoming an intricate part. Complying with it is the Logitech 3D Laser Mouse. It enables users to create three dimensional experience with a single click.

But what truly sets this mouse apart from the rest is the gold casing. It is designed by well-known Ukranian luxury makers called the Art Studio MJ.As an added advantage to its customer, it comes with a jewel micro flash drive and a diamond ring. It is priced at $24,180.

Light it up

For many years a lighter has remained the symbol of class, status and lifestyle for the aristocrat smoker. Zippo lighter manufacturers are one of the most celebrated style icons out there, and carrying a Zippo lighter definitely makes a fashion statement. 

Therefore it isn?t a surprise that the well-known lighter manufacturer would celebrate their 75th anniversary with a special edition release, which remains as the most expensive Zippo has ever sold. These Zippo lighters combine a flint-wheel ignition with a naptha-soaked wick. These butane lighters are wind resistant and reliable when it comes to resisting cold weather.  Zippo lighter from the original 1933 make was sold for $37,000 making them one of the costliest lighters in the world.

Diamonds for ears

iDiamond earbuds are presently the most expensive ones winning the competition hands down. From design perspective, iDiamonds have not achieved any remarkable benchmark, as it follows the old flat surfaced earbud pattern that was produced in their initial years. Nor is the sound quality of any exceptional level. So what makes this the most costly earbud in the world? Diamonds of course! 

These little machines are studded with 200 diamonds weighing over 1.65 carat, which is quite heavy for an earbud. And the extravaganza doesn?t end there. The earbud comes in a pure gold casing of 18 carats. 

Designed by Thomas Heyerdahl of the famous Norvegian line of jewellery, it comes with a price tag of $6400.

Bottoms up 

Joel Heffernan, the 23 year-old bartender, has made his name in the world of costly alcoholic beverages by making the Winston. 

Heffernan's makes the cocktail drink, which is named after Sir Winston Churchill, at Club 23 in Melbourne, Australia. This cocktail is mentioned in the Guinness Book of World Record as the most expensive cocktail.

The astronomical cost of this luxurious drink is owing to the 1858 Croizet Cognac that goes into it. The actual value of a bottle of this cognac is a jaw dropping $157,000 and one shot would easily set you back by $6,000.

Along with the cognac there are other fine ingredients that add to its value, such as a dash of Angostura Bitters, Chartreuse Vieillissement Exceptionnellement Prolonge, and Grand Marnier Quintessence. The drink can be garnished with a little coconut, rose essence, poppy seed essence or chocolate nutmeg dust. It is said that it takes almost two days of effort to produce one sample of this drink.

When we think of formal wear or boardroom attire, we often limit ourselves to age-old conventions of fashions. However, these conventions have evolved overtime, and often change according to the industry you are in. For example, people donning creative hats in the media and entertainment sector, those in IT or sometimes even those working in marketing are often able to get away wearing casual attire in the office? whether that means substituting a polo shirt for a formal dress shirt and, in some jobs, even jeans and shorts in the summer might be perfectly acceptable.

In fact, this summer, fashion experts and critiques are all in for some experimentation, for this season is all about bringing out that edge in your fashion and making a power statement.

Popular stylist and fashion blogger Kavya D?Souza decodes the fashion funda this summer for Exec Lifestyle!

Read on:

Shades of power:

While the beiges and blacks make for staple formal wear, men can ditch the norm by adding one statement piece to the classics. Think rust, powder blue or lavender for your shirts paired with solid hued jackets or play it safe with your ensemble and add a twist with maybe a gingham blazer.

Women can go the power suit way in a striking color like red that is teamed with a crisp white shirt to make a powerful statement.

What feels right looks even better:

For men, it?s all about the fabric this season. Linen is big this summer with men opting to beat the heat in style with linen trousers and shirts.

For women, shift dresses in solid hues or prints are making all the noise and rightfully so, as they make for a super stylish yet comfortable option when it comes to work wear.

The X factor:

For all fashion forward CEOs, you know what separates an exceptional sales pitch from a mediocre one ? it?s paying attention to details. And the same goes for fashion. A cufflink can spruce up your outfit in a matter of seconds and fun ties and pocket squares will add a dash of spunk to your otherwise drab look.

Women can wear accessories that are multifunctional. For example, tie a scarf around your shirt for that important meeting and then simply tie it on your bag as a playful addition in the latter half of the day.

The come alongs:

Accessories can make or break a look. While it's important that you invest in some high-end brands (possibly the classics!), feel free to explore through the high street racks for more trendy and fun additions to your wardrobe. Men must have a good pair of oxfords in black and tan and a wide variety of ties to choose from.

Women, go ahead and grab eyeballs with a structured handbag that will complete all your outfits with ?lan. Also, it's necessary to have a selection of jewellery exclusively meant for work wear.

Here are a few style statements that Kavya suggests for the fashion forward executives:

1) For a meeting with the board of directors - Men can go the three-piece suit way in charcoal grey, paired with a crisp tie. Women can opt for a pencil fit skirt teamed with a blazer and a closed pair of shoes that means business.

2) A weekend brunch with colleagues - Men can opt for bright pair of chinos with plaid shirt and a tweed hat. You got to show them your fun side! Women can go the bohemian way with a maxi dress in a fun print and chunky accessories. Also, don't forget a bright lipstick!

3) A cocktail party with industry friends and competition: A tuxedo can never fail you. As far as women are concerned a well fitting gown with a dash of bling is enough to get you all the attention.