There’s a new Mrs Vase in Bandra and this one is rather sweet. She lives in a leafy lane and puts chocolate bouquets in containers of every kind, from popcorn tubs and pretty shoes to baskets and silver boxes. 

Tasting Buds

This is Candylicious, a brand new candy store where chocolate and sweets are bunched together, perched on long shiny stems, nestled in organza leaves and arranged with ferns. You can either pick branded candy – Bounty, Snickers, Mars, Twix, Lindt, Ferrero Rocher – or use in-house Belgian chocolates, recommended by owner Samira Baig. Also available are chocolates in cribs for baby showers and chaotic mixes of many brands that come in containers which can be reused as pencil stands. Easier on the eyes is the grown-up section where arrangements are more elegant and colours more subtle.

Pecan Petals and Saccharine Stems

bpb’s never been a fan of candy or balloon bouquets, but at this gaily painted store we found quite a few tasting buds that appealed. Take for instance the long stem flowers (fun to buy individual sticks) topped with the most divine chocolate – one bite into the rich hazelnut ganache and wafer confection, and we knew to take Samira’s recommendations more seriously. If you want to cut out the foliage, pack a batch of these in one of their fun gift boxes and you’re good to go. Also cool are the giant rainbow coloured lollipops that can be presented in a bunch. Forty Licks compilation, anyone?

If you have a day’s notice, bpb recommends you build your own candy bouquet instead of buying off the shelf. That way, you can pick the candy you want, and ensure that your bunch isn’t too busy. When we go back, we’re getting a spray of colourful candy sticks in a popcorn tub and Belgian chocolate roses (broses?) in Hanging Garden-style shoe vase.

Welcome to the Neighbourhood

Candylicious isn’t home delivering yet - they’re going to wait out the rains – but hope they’ll be “ready to send some over by the time Sachin Tendulkar moves into his new home down the road,” jokes Samira. Perhaps a welcome-to-the-neighbourhood blue bouquet, she tells us, blooming with ten (the cricketer’s lucky number) sweet flowers. She’s on the ball, that Mrs Vase.

Getting there: Candylicious, shop no 72 A, Perry  Cross Road, opposite Perry Cross Road Mosque, Bandra (W), call 67427358 / 9820047447, start at Rs 400.