Bagging New Frontiers

bRAND NEW

What: Tart Cafe, Express Towers, First floor, Nariman Point, Call 66028080, Rs. 55 per cupcake.

Why: Situated bang in the middle of the corporate district, this new cupcake-cookie-coffee shop makes the work day go down, in the most delightful way. We like the red velvet cupcakes and adorable shoe-shaped cookies.

When: You need a sweet excuse to make yet another coffee run.

***

What: Taj Safari’s Banjaar Tola, Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh. For reservations call 9212305607 or visit our website http://www.blogger.com/www.tajsafaris.com. Price on request.

Why: Spanking new luxury tent suites (each with a separate fairy lit deck that opens out onto the river and a secret pool) put you in the heart of the wilderness… but with an eco-friendly air conditioner.

When: You want to rough it out in style.

pRESCRIBED

What: Shen Reflexology, 16, Link Corner, Off Linking Road, Bandra. Call 26055578 or visit http://www.shenreflexology.com/, Rs. 320 for 30 minute hand rejuvenation therapy.

Why: Because the minute you step into this tiny (they only accept four guests at a time) Zen-like space, your stress begins to melt away. And the real therapy hasn’t even begun yet.

When: This Sunday, through March 15. As part of a Women’s Day special, Shen is offering three free half hour
sessions for every three one hour sessions that you buy.

***

What: Natural hair fall treatment, Shai Hair and Beauty, Krishna Sanghi Marg, off Hughes Road. Call 3805706, Rs. 600 onwards.

Why: Shai owner and hair expert Rahat Nathani uses a chemical-free wonder treatment to tighten your scalp and stop hair fall. Her product pick: Leave-in hair restructuring Liss Ultime Night Cream by L'Oreal Pro, Rs. 525.

When: To take the load off your shedding.

bACK BEAT

What: Oleander fashion for women, Bandra West, Call 9870220035 for an appointment, Rs 1,800 onwards.

Why: Planted flower; uprooted flower; went underground; back now. Designer Swarna Gupta, owner of former Bandra store Magnolia and current supplier to Top Shop, is back in Mumbai and retailing out of her residence.

When: After futile rounds of the city’s stores. When you see her designs, you’ll be glad we nosed her out during one of our secret-scouting trips.

Cheers, Big Ears!

bUZZ

What: Dial-a-bar from Myst, Call 9920010729, Rs 1,500 onwards.

Why: Because all it takes is a call for this floating bar to anchor in your living room. Along with deliciously potent cocktails and shots come matching glasses, mixers and garnishes. Also thrown in: a bartender to lend expertise and an ear, in case your guests need mid-party counselling.

When: You want to set the bar for legendary house parties.

pIECE

What: Sitar-shaped wrist watch from Little Bent, Rs 2,800, call 9969054987 for a custom-made piece. Visit www.harshadpatankar.com.

Why: In his quaint Chembur workshop, artist Harshad Patankar can make anything tick. Combining wood, silver and leather, this time-keeper puts watches in mini guitars, tablas and any other shape that tugs at his strings.

When: Time is of the essence.

* * *

What: Indigreen organic hand-painted Bollywood Poster T-Shirt, click here to order, or visit www.etsy.com, Rs 1,800.

Why: A fashion designer, environmental activist, and movie poster painter collaborate to bring you clothes and accessories that will cause everyone around you to see green.

When: You need an organic-fix, down to the T.

bREAK IT OR FAKE IT

What: Inter Okinawan Gojuryu Karate, at your home in groups of four, Rs. 8,000 per person for a two month course. Email Zeenat Mistry at zpmistry@gmail.com

Why: Wife of martial arts veteran Pervez Mistry, Zeenat’s classes are the perfect combination of fit and fight. And if a gang-war is not your scene, she teaches one-on-one as well.

When: When might is right.

* * *

What: Weightview.com, where you can upload your photo, and cut fat, spruce, and airbrush your way to a new thin you.

Why: This instant gratification route beats crash dieting.

When: Your hips don’t lie, and the truth ain’t pretty.

Love in a Brown Paper Bag

bED

What: A Really Good Screw, order online on www.happilyunmarried.com Rs 500.

Why: Happily Unmarrried gives it to you - a screw-shaped loose change collector with a secret cavity to hide condoms. This quirky V-day gift option keeps you safe from the moral brigade too.

When: A good screw is hard to find, especially on the busiest day of the year.

pARCEL

What: Love Lunch dabba service, email lovelunch@gmail.com for menus and rates.

Why: Because Khao Suey will replace khandvi and sabzi will make way for Sushi in your dabba. With Japanese, Burmese, Thai, American, Lebanese and Italian fare on the menu, it's all about loving your lunch.

When: You want to eat out of the box.

***

What: Gucci Sima Clutch, Trident Hotel, Nariman Point, Rs. 37,000.

Why: Because bags are the new flowers – and with this golden heart (shaped) clutch, you’ll really feel the love.

When: You’re making your Valentine’s wish list.

bISOUS

What: Bay View Terrace Bar, Hotel Harbour View, Opp. Radio Club, Colaba, Rs. 125 for a beer.

Why: Because spectacular views of the sea, the Gateway and the Taj hotel, along with its obscurity (and slight shadiness), make this open-air bar one of the most romantic spots in the city.

When: Perfect for a non-Valentine’s Day date, which just happens to be on February 14^th.

***

What: Flavoured honeys, Under the Mango Tree, call 9833154478 or email outmt.in@gmail.com, Rs 200 onwards for 500 gms.

Wanted: Sweet, do-gooding date whose shades range from gentle to exotic.

Found: MIT graduate Vijaya Pastala's organic, fair trade honey – available in Litchi, Forest, Sesame and a whole slew of other flavours.

When: You want your honey with an expiry date.

Weekend Call

bREW

What: Kala Ghoda Café, 10 Ropewalk Lane, Fort, call 2633866

Why: A white-washed-sun-splashed space, great coffee, free wireless, arty crowd. Why not?

When: You need a (tiny) oasis of calm in this mad city. Bicycle over on Sundays and earn green-points in the form of a free espresso or macchiato.

pOSSESS

What: Vintage sunglasses, Bombay Electric, Colaba, Rs. 3,500

Why: At a store where some dresses cost a cool 25k, these quirky (and seriously cute) in-house sunglasses are a steal.

When: You need shielding from not only the sun, but also the overdone bling of branded shades.

***

What: Bottle gardens at Green Grower, opp. Bandra talav, Bandra (W), Rs 250 to Rs 5,000

Why? Horticulturist Anusha Bubber puts plants in open top fish baubles, sleeping ship bottles, funky sealed vases, and pretty much any glass container she can find.

When: You want green thumbs without getting your hands dirty.

bELLS

What: Chaupaati Bazaar Phone Classified Service, between 8 am and 10 pm daily, call 9222221947.

Why: Because it’s about time Mumbai got its own Craigslist. Buy and sell second-hand goods – everything from appliances to furniture and even pets (no joke!) - on this hotline.

When: Anytime you’re moving in, out, up, or down.

***

What: One Tree Music Festival, Taj Land’s End, Bandra (W), Rs 1,500 for a two-day pass, get tickets on bookmyshow.com

Why? Because you’ve always wanted to shout “Bamboleo” out loud, and Gypsy Kings founder Chico is in town this weekend to help! Despite the stuffy venue, we’re excited about this year’s line-up, which also features Blues biggie Bernard Allison.

When: February 7 and 8, 2009.