Check it out - the second edition of Boombox, a monthly podcast of what we're listening to at the bpb office. September's track selection is a little weird, a lot of fun, and absolutely guaranteed to brighten up your Monday morning.

Download the podcast or hear online here - happy listening!

The Cave - Mumford & Sons
Islands - The xx
Marching Bands of Manhattan - Death Cab For Cutie
Humsafar - Silk Route
Anyone Else But You -  Moldy Peaches
Know Your Enemy - Greenday
Goodnight & Go - Imogen Heap
Venus As A Boy - Bjork
Empty Room - Arcade Fire

Have a favourite song? Send us your recommendations at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and if we love them, we’ll add them to next month’s track record.

What: Made-to-order sling purse from Inkberri, call Simran Bijlani on 9821461309, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit the Facebook group here, Rs 1,650, ship nationally.

Why: We love when new-on-the-scene designer Simran Bijlani gives us the cool shoulder, especially the military green leather purse with pretty floral flap and sling attached. She also customises bags to suit your whims, changing colours, handles and pockets.

When: You want the new tote on the turf.

Chimp Me Out

We’ve lost count of the number of cutesy mugs, T-shirts and diaries out there, created by graphic designers and artists, architects and non-professionals for one express purpose: to take our money. After all, do you really need another handmade-paper-special-bound-doodled-on notebook?

You might initially think that Chimp (www.chimpwear.com) is just another one of these hustlers, but look closely and you’ll see that yes, this is indeed a different-natured beast, and more importantly, a kindred soul. Like you and us, dear bpb reader, it too loves letters.

Out of This World

When we spaced out on a Tuesday afternoon, we hardly expected to go that far into the solar system. Especially not far enough to run into extraterrestrial beings like Snafu, a bug-eyed, long legged, black booted alien who seemed to be in a tearing hurry. Hailing from planet Xaroz, the ET bought us right down to Earth, where he was returning for his shift as store manager at Quirko, an online knick-knack shop.  

What: Graphic playing cards by Iktaara, call Kanika on 9980801144 or visit the Facebook group here, also available in Mumbai, Pune, Hyderbad, Kolkata, Delhi, and can be shipped nationally. Rs 800 when ordered directly.

Why: Cry owl with these super cool playing cards, stamped with drawings of the grouchy bird dressed in drag, sporting a crown and juggling hearts. Under her design label Iktaara, J.J. Institute graduate Kanika Gupta also produces cool diaries and board games, which can be customised if your order is large enough.

When: You want hooters at game night.

Listen up! bpb introduces a monthly podcast of our favorite tracks. There’s plenty of rhyme but no reason for our selection – just songs currently playing at the bpb office and in our jalopy as we drive around scouting Mumbai.
 
Download the podcast or listen online here. This is where you thank us for the music!

Horchata – Vampire Weekend
Start A War – The National
Sham – Aisha
Jackie Big Tits – The Kooks
She’s Got You High – Mumm-ra
Walking on a Line – Pony Pony Run Run
Strange Love – Koop
Sour Cherry – The Kills
Lucky in Love – Jason Mraz
Where Do You Go To My Lovely – Peter Sarstedt

Have a favourite song? Send us your recommendations at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , and if we love them, we’ll add them to next month’s track record!

What: Slate clocks from mCube Design, to order call Neha Mehta on 9833163423, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or log on to www.mcubedesign.com, Rs 4,000, ship nationally.

Why: Scribble personal messages, reminders and kooky notes by the hour on this adorable black board clock that comes with duster and chalk. But bpb suggests you hold out until next week for the even cuter slate vases on which you can spell your heart out.

When: Now, it’s the write time!

What: Charm and stone vintage necklaces by Riddhika Jesrani, call 9820899989, email mailto: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.riddhika.com, start at Rs 3,000, ship nationally.

Why: Return to the Stone Age with Parsons educated Riddhika’s chunky neck pieces – vintage rocks, lush candy crystals and jasper roses sourced from all over the world, dangling from thick metallic chains. Arty-fact: these flint stones have been sported by stars like Devon Aoki and Rani Mukherji.

When: You need a boulder style.

Villa in a Box

Package Contents: One bedroom, kitchenette, bathroom, outdoor deck with shaded pergola. Electric supply, air conditioner and TV included.

Building Instructions: Show the crew to your land (no concrete foundation required), and within a month they’ll assemble these parts to make a whole 670 square feet pop-up holiday villa. On the house? Far from it. This baby will cost you a cool Rs 30 lakhs!

Chamber Made

They may be ridiculously expensive, but they’re also awfully cute, these mini villas conceptualised and built by interior design extraordinaire Pinakin Patel, who’s celebrating 25 years in the business. With these Hara Villas, not only does he transpose the pre-made holiday home from his Alibaug showroom to your property, but also designs the interior down to every detail: furniture, linen, wall art and crockery. What? No hot French maid?

These readymade holiday homes are a limited edition line, built from local timbre, eco friendly structures that advocate bucket baths and use solar panels to generate electricity. We hear there’s also an additional water-saving tap you can use while shaving, which gives out only a trickle of water. When 25 of these eco-chic homes are sold, Pinakin will set out to design a new batch. House swap!

Design Cache

Can we picture ourselves lounging on Hara Villa’s wooden deck, shaded by wide-brimmed straw hat and Pinakin’s pergola, a glass of Moet in hand? Yes. Do we have 30 lakh rupees to spare? No. Until we do, you’ll find us on Aurus’ deck, sipping Sula and planning for a piece of Pinakin.

Getting there: Pinakin, Raghuvanshi Mills, Lower Parel, call 65002400 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or, Rs 30 lakhs per villa.

What: Chromosome portraits by DNA11, visit www.dna11.com or call Qadir at 9820337065, starts at approximately Rs 10,000.

Why: Day 1 – Order prototype: canvas, paper or glass. Day 2 - Forensic kit arrives. Use collection swab to gather saliva sample, preserve and ship back. Day 3 – Lock down colour sequence. Day 30 – The easel has landed. 

Congratulations! You are now the owner of uber-cool art that proudly displays your superior genetic structure from Canada-based DNA11, recently featured on CSI NY! They work with lip impressions and fingerprints as well. 

When: You want to see and be gene.