What: Gingr food messenger, view at http://gingr.me/en/, app available for Android phones, free.

Why: This nifty new app app lets you text restaurants to place orders, make bookings and complain about how they forgot to send you extra soy sauce with your sushi… again. Pretty and user friendly, Gingr allows you to search by cuisine or area, as well as make dinner reservations and figure out happy hours during your next boring meeting. Multi-tasking, anyone?

When: You’re in the mood for text-mex.

Confronted with the ide(a)s of March, a late night Audrey Hepburn movie and the memory of Jo March selling her “one beauty” for a good cause, we decided to cut off all our hair too. bpb spoke to some of Delhi’s stylish short-haired ladies for their tips on the best Edward Scissorhands in the city. Here are their tips, so you too can lose twelve inches where it counts. 

Alex, B Blunt:  Recommended by Smita Singh, founder/creative director at 11.11 by CellDSGN and owner of Elma’s, Edward’s & TLR, Alex is good for haircuts that grow out very well, and are super easy to maintain and style yourself.  B Blunt, M 42, GK 2, call 41066761, approximately Rs 4,000. 

Neo, Silhouette: Vaishali Mathur, editor, Penguin Books loves Neo because he creates hairstyles specially for you, and is careful about texture, bounce etc. Silhouette, The Oberoi, Dr Zakir Hussain Marg, call 24363030, starts at Rs 2,200. 

Deepak, Headstart: For people who just want to get rid of all their hair, and leave their trust in the hairdresser. He comes recommended by Ankita Kumar, lawyer, P&A Law Offices. He’s emigrating to Australia, so get in there early Headstart, M Block Market, GK 1, call 65186374, closed on Tuesday, approximately Rs 1,000. 

Tony, Salon 52:  Two ladies: Nilanjana Roy, author, The Wildings and Mihira Sood, lawyer—both speak for Tony.  His haircuts tend to wash and wear and last for a long time. He’s like the Goa of hairdressers.  Salon 52, M 52, GK 2, call 29221001, approximately Rs 600 to 800.

Peter, B Blunt:  Nayantara Rai, journalist, CNBC-TV 18 recommends Peter because he's all about showing you different options on his iPad . B Blunt, 6 Basant Lok, Vasant Vihar, call 46031333, approximately Rs 1,300.

Chop chop!

We have a manifesto called The World According To Us. Key points in the agenda are:  fewer suits and more artists, puppies as mandatory companions for sick people and the second Tuesday of every month designated as Lie In Bed And Think Of A Great Idea Day. This might take some time to implement, so we're currently consoling ourselves with simpler joys, like a bespoke denim service.

Your Fly Is Open

We’re as tired of the word ‘bespoke’ as you are, but IML jeans (abbreviated from It's My Life) looks like the real deal. Choose a design from the collection at their website - the gallery contains over 60 styles in different colours including a leather finish red and frosted pink - and one of eight fits - skinny, mid rise etc, although if we were you, we'd steer clear of boot cut. Nitpickers can even design belt loops, pocket squares, lining fabrics and thread colours.

Book an appointment, and a representative will visit you at home to figure out your measurements and requirements. A fitting of the product will be arranged 2 weeks later and a final pair will be delivered to your doorstep. Time for a pocket change, yes?

Getting There: Call 9555546546 to make an appointment, or book online. Rs 6,900 for mid-rise frosted pink jeans.

From: “where can I order 150 cupcakes?” to “my car broke down, please help me” and even, “my kid just swallowed phenyl, what shall I do?”, our Facebook newsfeed is littered with questions. To these people we say, check out Local Circles, a new website that operates somewhat like Facebook, except with a more exclusive society. You can only become a member if your Delhi neighbourhood is listed—and since the site is very new, ours wasn’t yet.

For example, if you live in Jangpura, you list your address (or as much of your address as you are comfortable with) and you appear with your real name and credentials on a Jangpura network, connected to your neighbours, your landlord and even your local parlour aunty.  It works on a recommendation basis, so if you’re looking for an AC mechanic, you can check out what others in your ‘hood have posted about a particular guy, or even ask for advice yourself. All members need to have identity approved offline before they can join, and if someone is behaving inappropriately or spamming the board, you can flag them to be taken off. Three strikes and you’re out.

Started by Sachin Taparia, a former employee of the aviation and auto industry, the idea behind Local Circles germinated when he moved back to India and realized all that he didn't know about his new home. With no technical know-how himself, it might have been just one of those ideas that passes in the night, but he found some other people to help him, including his co-founder Mukesh Gupta, who has a Silicon Valley background. With funding and investment from Nadir Godrej, they’ve managed to get the show on the road. So far, neighbourhoods covered include several in Noida and Gurgaon as well as Defence Colony, Panscheel Enclave and Vasant Vihar. Sachin tells us that he sends hard copies of invitations to homes, with a unique member code on them that people can then use to log on. A neighbourhood is added when there is enough demand for it, so go on and get yours on the list!

XOXO

Apart from working as a listings selection, Local Circles also operates on a sort of Yahoo Answers module with what they call Interest Circles, people having discussions on various things. At the moment, there are several pediatricians and parents discussing health issues, another one dealing with security and yet another for yoga classes. You can also choose to broadcast an emergency message to your circle, which will be updated via text and email, in case you’re in trouble or your society is about to have its water tanks cleaned. Or, you know, throw a party for your neighbors. At the very least, you'll never have to depend on the kindness of strangers again, Blanche DuBois.

Getting there: Visit www.localcircles.com, membership by invitation only, free.

Chris Rock can always make us laugh, but we couldn't stop rolling our eyes when we first read what he said- “Women need food, water, and compliments. That's right. And an occasional pair of shoes.” No, Chris. A woman needs many, many shoes and bags and jackets, and she might want to gather her loot all around her and lie in it. (No? Just us then?) It breaks our hearts therefore, when our much loved pair of heels go all wobbly or a well worn pair of boots get a tear. Who you gonna call? Shoe Spa!

He Tried To Per-Suede

Shoe Spa, based out of Noida, will pick up your shoes/leather bags/jackets from any location in Delhi, Noida and Gurgaon. They will then proceed to diagnose how bad the situation is. If the injured object can be fixed with leather patchwork, pasting, suede re-colouring, stitching and minimal surgery, they will do so. Your crummy heel will be returned to you in much better in 5 to 7 days. The pickup service is available from 12 pm  to 7 pm on all days of the week, with the exception of Thursday. We suspect that could be due to a case of mid-week revelry, but hey, we're guilty as charged ourselves. Our suede boots were repaired at Rs 499 and we were told that bags can be repaired and cleaned starting from Rs 999. If your shoe is as good as new, they will only charge you for cleaning and throw in some minor repairs absolutely free.

The service has earned a solid customer base via recommendations, though they promise us that their website (currently under maintenance) should be up soon. We suggest that the next time your favourite pair are near demise, you give these guys a call. 

Getting There: Call 9990567999 to ask for a pickup. Rs 199 for leather patchwork, Rs 499 for suede shoe spa.

What: Artisan tea and coffee for your next party by Jugmug Thela- Chai & Coffee, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , approximately Rs 50 for a mug-size drink.

Why: Because champagne is so 2012. Give your next bash a cutting (chai) edge with the help of the dudes -daytime graphic designers -at Jugmug Thela, a fun new service that will set up a kiosk of "artisan" tea and coffee, doling out tea made from 12 secret ingredients and Italian-style coffee to your guests. Also coming up are blends from Costa Rica and Vietnam.

When: You want to raze the bar.

bpb’s monthly listing of the hottest work opportunities in Delhi. Know of a cool job opening? Send us an email on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and we'll list it for free!

Brown Paper Bag is looking for a project manager with one to two years of experience to run an awesome new program. Strong organizational and people skills required. Email resumes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it / This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Done by None, the online fashion brand, is looking for a full time graphic designer for their Gurgaon office. Candidates must have three to five years of experience in digital media. Email CVs to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

A Little Anarky Films has an urgent requirement for a producer to work on the studio's post production projects with a leading global TV network. Email CV to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Taylor & Francis The UK based publishing house has openings for editorial researchers in their Europa Publications international reference team. Candidates based in Delhi with a flair for the language and a Masters degree are encouraged to apply by March 5 to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Happy Hands Foundation, a not for profit organisation reviving Indian arts, crafts and culture is looking for a design project associate. Prior experience is preferred but not necessary. A graduate in a design oriented discipline is preferred. Apply online here.

Bharat Thakur Artistic Yoga is looking for young applicants seeking to become yoga teachers. Applicants must be under 27 years of age with good communication skills. Mail your CV along with a recent photograph at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call Meghna Bhargava at 9886909455.

Barry John Acting Studio is looking for a part time Drama Teachers in Delhi, Mumbai and other cities. Candidates must possess a love for theatre and experience in acting or arts teaching is required. Email your CV to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

We know that you're crushing on the idea of working from home, swept away by the image of sitting at your desk in pajamas, your cat curled up in your lap, but trust us, this is the wrong boy for you. Might we introduce you to co-working instead? It's a latch made in heaven!

Ideas Of March

Founded by a group of five serial starter-uppers (the main founder Varun Chawla recently sold his company My Guesthouse to MakeMyTrip.com), 91 Springboard claims to be the city’s latest flexi-office space, and allows you to rent not just a desk, but also an internet connection, colleagues, admin, and a reason to get dressed in the morning.

There are also a bunch of add-on services at the 10,000 square foot space, including courier services, web designers, HR and even a lawyer who comes by once a week to answer questions that anyone might have. The space is open 24/7—good news if your best hours are in the middle of the night—with power back-up and a cafeteria space, with a few delivery options nearby.

With offices named after popular computer games, an open plan desk area and lots of light, it’s prettier than most offices we’ve been in. It’s a bit far out, but right next to the Mohan Estate Metro, which makes it reasonably easy to get to.

Hatching Job

Getting a desk at the space is a bit of a mission, however. AnandVemuri, one of the other founders and former R&D engineer for Caldera Medical tells us that it is only open to entrepreneurs—that tired word - or freelancers that work with entrepreneurs, so that they can create an environment where people can talk to each other and make useful contacts. He does, however, admit that they are basically looking for interesting people doing cool stuff. Maybe if you took along your guitar?

There’s a day pass you can get (which the founders aren’t quite so picky about) which includes the free wifi and access to the lounge and conference room.

Besides a co-working space, 91 Springboard also serves as an incubation center (a full list of on-site mentors is available here.) It’s a flexible module, anywhere from 6 to 18 months, and in exchange, they will have some equity in your company. Could your cat do that?

Getting there: B1/H-3, Mohan Cooperative Industrial Estate, Mathura Road, near BMW and Audi showrooms, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to apply for a co-working space or ask for incubation, Rs 499 for a day pass.

“Brighten up, remain my true and only treasure, my all, as I to you.” – Beethoven to unknown girlfriend

“But the ring of fire still burns around you and I, keeping our love hotter than a pepper sprout.” – Johnny Cash to June Cash

“You seem to be a woman who has been loved in her childhood.” –Marlon Brando hitting on a stewardess.

Just today, in an email from a friend, we learned he was going to the post office—the actual post office—to mail a book within the pages of which he had inserted a note of admiration to the one he admired. We looked around at our email filled world, and were filled with a strange kind of wistful envy. The art of letter writing is lost. The art of good speeches has gone the way of text messages: “Congrats!” replaces “I wish you so much happiness and love on your wedding day.” Dealing in words ourselves sometimes we mourn the loss of a good sentence in our inbox, something that makes us pause, and laugh, that evokes so much more than a Whatsapp message could.

Always Wear Sunscreen

You couldn’t have Marlon Brando write that letter to your lover or Johnny Cash apologise prettily for an indiscretion to a friend, but with the help of Mumbai-based website Words For You, you don’t have to stumble to find the right sentence anymore, just outsource it to their team of freelance writers with a list of points about what you want to convey and they’ll do the rest for you. Ingenious? We thought so.

Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish

Words For You began when Suneet Kumbhat, a new engineering graduate had to give a speech at his sister’s wedding. He knew what he wanted to say, but he didn’t know how to say it. In contrast, his father came up with an excellent speech which was well received by all the guests. Suneet realized there were many more people like him who could use a little help and got in touch with his friend Abhijeet Agarwal, described by Suneet as an “amazing writer.” Together, they put together Words For You, where products include the usual corporate/marriage speeches but also the more eclectic: the apology note, the love letter, the marriage proposal and the resignation letter. Most of the writing is done by Abhijeet, but they also take on freelance writers, mostly college students, to craft some words for them.

I Still Have A Dream

You give them a brief, with your emotions and key points to be mentioned, which helps, but if you can’t think of what to say, they also have a questionnaire prepared which you can answer and will help them to write.  While there are a list of suggested products on the page, you can pretty much get them to write anything—from a blog post to a start up email. Plus, discretion is guaranteed, so you don’t have to be worried that your fiancé will find out your beautifully worded proposal wasn’t you after all.  At the moment, the website has a bit of a clunky ‘contact’ page, but they’re quite swift in getting back to you, and also provide writing samples on request. Sealed with a wish?

Getting there: Contact Words For You (www.wordsforyou.co.in), Rs 700 for 350 words, send in your request one week in advance.

Not that we believe in the whole hearts-and-flowers Hallmark nonsense, but we had a rather lively discussion recently here at the bpb office about the best presents to give or receive on Valentine’s Day. Or any other day of the month, really. And after much searching (with this website providing eye candy), we stumbled across just the thing at the Art Fair last weekend. Artist Suraj Kumar Kashi did an installation of book covers on bricks, and get this, is willing to work on commission, with any book you want to preserve forever. Mor(tar) please!

Wall Eyed

Suraj did a bachelors in Fine Arts from Art College, Patna and a masters from Delhi’s College of Art before he moved into advertising with Ogilvy for three years. But, since painting had always been his primary passion, he quit his corporate job and moved to the canvas, where he’s been for the last decade.  He’s only been experimenting with bricks for the last couple of years though.

First, he coats all the bricks—just the regular ones you get at construction sites—with cement, washes it with texture white to make the art work last longer, then sketches on whatever book jacket he wants to use. And last, he fills in the details with acrylic paint. While the Art Fair only had about 15 brick-books on display, you can also check out his work at the Devi Art Foundation, where he put up an installation of all the books he’s done.

We spotted Khushwant Singh, Mahatma Gandhi and Jesus book jackets, as well as some lighter fare—a chicklit book on art called Faking It—and some magazines, including Tehelka. While you may not want that Open magazine cover in your house forever, we suggest getting some of these cool ones.

Getting Stoned

Brick bookends. What a great gift for our writer friends. That way, we’re providing the brickbats and the bouquets.

And if book jackets aren’t your thing, but the medium is, Suraj can turn pretty much anything into a little installation for you, from photographs to paintings, to that picture of your departed cat you have on your cellphone. Dust to dust!

Getting there: Call 9891557129 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , approximately Rs 5,000 per piece, view the Devi Art Foundation installation till April 16, Sirpur House, Sector 44, Gurgaon.