My Life My Style: Simi Garewal

I'm a free spirit

Best work moment

In Rendezvous, when you get so lost in an interview that you enter another 'zone'. And recently, when I learnt that my website, simigarewal.com, which I personally wrote and designed and which carries my work and life within its pages, crossed 13 million hits in 16 months. Now I communicate with millions. So rewarding!

Books on your bedside

The Accidental Prime Minister, The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri

Massage or workout to de-stress

Workout followed by video games, video games and video games till I am too tired to stress.

Designs that have caught your eye recently

The ones worn by Deepika Padukone. Stunning!

Favourite spirit

A 'free' spirit, as in soul, needing no artificial intoxication

Favourite wine

I don't drink wine, but if it's mandatory then Blue Nun

Your sleeping ritual

I am a night owl! I prefer going to sleep at sunrise. I do my best work in the quiet of the night - write my scripts, research, solve amazing puzzles with ease. My brain peaks when the world is in slumber.

Favourite TV show

Suits. Am so in love with Harvey Specter

Best gift received

The intangible one - a letter, a photograph, a verse, a memory

Best gift given

When my sister Amrita's beloved pet dog Diva died, I gifted her an adorable chihuahua. The joy she brings multiplies each day.

Favourite cuisine

A variety it has to be - ranging from Thai, Italian, French, fusion

Newspapers, TV channels and websites you prefer

Times Of India, The Indian Express and The Economic Times are a morning must. I also subscribe to The Guardian and The Economist. I watch all the English news channels. For leisure, Fox Traveller and HBO HD. Websites: YouTube

What food items do you like to shop for?

My suitcases are like a mini gourmet supermarket - from bergamot to cheeses, from spices to sea food. So organised am I, I even carry a portable freezer box.

On a plane, do you prefer to network, sleep or catch up on films and reading?

Films, film and films - right up to the time they switch off the transmission

Fancy coffee or masala tea?

Coffee - a blend of Colombian with Rossa - and black lemon tea with Splenda. I even carry my own RealLemon concentrate in a squeezy.

What do you cook on your day off?

I COOK! From soups, Thai cuisine to fancy desserts, cakes, souffles and chocolate truffles to fresh homemade pasta and ciabatta bread. Not taking orders yet!

Your favourite city

In this magnificent world, just one favourite? Okay - I love Vegas. It takes me to another zone.

You get your work clothes from

In front of the camera: Shahab, Armani and Anamika. Behind the camera: usually comfy cargos and track-suites from Nike or Reebok.

The shoemaker you trust your sole with?

I am miffed with most of them right now. Their heels are way too high.

The gels and oils and lotions you swear by

I'm allergic to most products. Presently Les Naturelles and Kiehls work for me. BioMedics Facial Cleansing gel I cannot live without.

Your favourite evening wear

I feel dressy in my Shahabs, be it long skirts or jackets. White of course!

What's your weekday breakfast like? And weekend?

Lemon tea followed by almond honey flakes with fresh homemade almond milk and seasonal fruit.

God for you is…

Nature. In all its glory. Bountiful. Devastating. Awesome.

Your workout regime

First the treadmill to warm up, then the exercise ball, then pilates. One hour daily.

Your ideal dance music

Depends who I'm dancing with! On my own I dance to all the rocking numbers - Bollywood stuff also gets me out of my chair.

At parties do you like to talk turkey or make PC?

Parties are to socialise! Chat, joke, have fun. But when there are film people around - it always veers to goss and turkey!

A few of your goddesses are

Maharani Gayatri Devi for classic elegance; Aishwarya Rai's inner and outer beauty; Nita Ambani's drive… and yes, wealth!

Alpha males you know

An alpha male is usually a leader who inspires and is, without intention, the centre of attention. He has integrity, is learned, charismatic, and mysterious, among other qualities. So, Ratan Tata and Shah Rukh.

Your favourite motto

Don't take yourself too seriously. No one else does.

Simi Garewal
Actor, TV host