What: Lulu Australia, Moonstone Apartments, Linking Road, Santacruz (W), bags start at Rs 2,000.

Why: There are new totes on the turf as Lulu Australia opens at Linking Road, bringing with it bags of all shapes and shine. bpb recommends the waterproof beach and pool bags – mostly because they made us plan our next vacation – featuring vintage prints, watercolour portraits, candy stripes and pink hibiscus flowers. Also available: wristlets, accessory pouches and bowling bags.

When: You want to follow new handles. Opens today, May 17.

This advertorial has been sponsored by Amrapali Jewels

Amrapali’s New E-Store: Tales of the Travelling Trinkets (view the slideshow version here)

Have a conversation with one of Amrapali’s jewellery pieces, and you’ll think they’re name dropping. But keep the conversation going and you’ll find that these trinkets have truly travelled all over, from the Cannes and Grammys to the Oscars and IIFA awards. A Jaipur-based jewellery brand – named after a legendary courtesan from the time of Lord Buddha – it features earrings that have been to Angelina Jolie’s bedroom and brooches that have been designed especially for the brand by couturier Manish Arora. And you thought you were bright!

The cool thing though, is that Amrapali’s new e-store features pricey jewellery, but also collections modeled after gazelles and Bihar tribes that won’t break the bank (starts at Rs 2,000). We introduce you to the travelling trinkets that have been places. Come say hello. They’re not stuck up, we promise.

The Gazelle Brooch: Like a deer caught in the spotlight, this gazelle brooch is perfect for the rebel who has no place on her dresser for conventional jewellery. Last spotted on actress Freida Pinto.

The Jhumki Earrings: Vidya Balan wore these silver earrings that can seamlessly go from day to night.

Gold Pated Dholki Beads: Inspired by the tribes of India and favourited by the tribe of Bollywood, several women have put their necks on the line for this one, including Diana Penty, Rani Mukherjee, Kajol and Kiran Rao.

Filigree Earrings: This contemporary pair of gold plated earrings have been to Hollywood actress Halley Berry’s dressing table. Two tickets to the Monster’s Ball, please.

What: Record Store Day celebrations at Nova Audion, 3, Fairlands Building, LJ Road, Mahim, call 24318586.

Why: Tune in to Nova Audion’s Record Store Day celebration this Saturday where you can  stock up on vinyls from artists like Coldplay and AC/DC, buy entry level turn tables, cleaning kits and inner sleeves. Plus, go on record with other vinyl enthusiasts.

When: On May 11 from 11 am to 7 pm.

What: Manchester United Pitch Gift, buy it at http://www.excitinglives.com, Rs 1,950.

Why: If you’re still grieving Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, this should cheer you up: bpb gifts you a Manchester United mini field that claims to have authentic grass and seeds from the Old Trafford pitch!  Have a field day with the stadium box, seeds, soil and instructions on to grow your mini pitch that comes with a certificate of authenticity from Manchester United.

When: You want to get more than (greeting) carded.

Ditch the DM for a different kind of message this summer with bpb's quick round up of the prettiest postcards from around the city. Remember, these belong in the post box and not on your office soft board. Write to us!

Play Your (P)Art

If you can’t afford an original Atul Dodiya, invest in a 7.5 X 5 inch postcard that showcases his art. Sold to the gentleman in the Hawaiian print shirt!

Available at Aurobodh, Studio No 5, Vasundhara building, near Cadbury House, Mahalaxmi, call 23514884, set of 24 postcards, 7.5 X 5 inches for Rs 500.

Stamp Your Feet

Earlier this year, design house Sixofusdesign (www.sixofusdesign.com), gave out 300 sets of postcards – with stamps – to friends and family under the ‘Project Connect’ initiative. Each of the nine postcards, in orange white and black, bears a retro design and different message such as, “Long Time No Hear”, “Peace” and “Thank You”. The idea was to get people to write to each other and rekindle personal relationships, says founder Janki Shah.

Sixofusdesign is giving away 20 free sets to bpb readers (without stamps) – but only if you promise to use them and not pin them up on your soft board. Write to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to get a free set. The winners will have to pick up their set from SIXOFUS Design, 25 Sahakar Niwas, ground floor (entry next to Mega Stationers), Tardeo, next to SOBO Central Mall.

What: Shivan & Narresh’s new online store, visit at http://buy.shivanandnarresh.com, Rs 7,000 for a bikini.

Why: Ice lollies, water sprinklers and mint drinks in tall glasses may have to compete with Shivan and Narresh’s newly launched online store that instantly cools. You can now buy their beach and resort wear on the web, where candy stripesmerge with swimming pool blues to create maillots, two piece bikinis, bandeaus and more. There are also super pretty but pricey hand painted linen dresses.

When: Now that summer has begun. May Day, May Day!

A swing, stately white arches, pretty block printed fabrics, latticed grills, comfort laced with slight impatience.  If you were born in the late 70s or early 80s and live around Bandra, then this mosaic of memories could be lurking somewhere in the back of your mind too. And it will play a fuzzy slide show in your head when we say "Patterns".

Housed in Bandra's famous Patkar Bungalow, Patterns was one of the first Anokhi-ish lifestyle stores in the city, which shut down over a decade ago. Owing to its pretty location and fascinating hammocks, it was one store that this Scouter did not mind accompanying her mother to on long shopping trips,  even when she laboured over what cushion cover would go best with a rug.  And whether we should get the rug at all. Since then, the bungalow has hosted a bunch of stores including Yamini, Escada and currently Goa's Snip Salon & Spa.

Memory Test

The reason we re-visit the Patkar Bungalow is because one of its residents - Aarti Patkar - is finally renting out its garden to you. If you share her penchant for pretty things, that is. Let us explain. A former stylist and freelance event organiser with Fashion Week, Aarti wants to use the 1,800 square feet courtyard behind her house (as well as two indoor rooms) as a space to promote design and creativity. She calls it The Vintage Garden and can either add you to her curated list of events or you can pitch an idea to her. Garden State?

Coming up this Friday and Saturday (April 26 and 27) is The Vintage Garden's first event - a pop up store (free entry but email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for an invite) featuring a fun mix of designers including Shahid Datawala, Suhani Pittie, Fluke Design, DBrain Clothing Co, Twist by Bambi & Ana and more, who will retail clothing, jewellery, accessories and furniture. While she hasn't fixed on upcoming events yet, Aarti has a ton of  ideas including film screenings in a garden and recreating Chor Bazaar at the Patkar House, complete with actual vendors from the market.

We not only suggest that you score an invite to this weekend's Patkar Pop Up - for Patterns nostalgia and pretty acquisitions - but also that you think up a fun way to occupy this 1920s Colonial courtyard. In a manor of speaking, of course.   

Getting there: The Vintage Garden at the Patkar Bungalow, 34 D Turner Road, Bandra (W), call 26402004, pop up shop on April 26 and 27 from 11 am to 8 pm, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for an invite, view the Facebook page here.

What: Briefcase bag pack from Nappa Dori, available at their Delhi stores but they ship to Mumbai, to order call 09873550062 or visit http://www.nappadori.com, Rs 10,500.

Why: Death of a Salesman would have been far more romantic with this pretty biscuit coloured mini tin trunk-like briefcase featuring leather detailing. Half belonging to a doctor and half to a salesman, the cool thing about this Nappa Dori trunk is that it turns into a bag pack, is small enough for daily, non-travel use, and comes with a key. It’s available in a range of colours including glossy yellow, forest green and sky blue, but we much prefer the muted cream and black.

When: You want to be part of the Carry On series.

Here’s some comic relief for your beauty battles: M.A.C’s new collection based on Archie comics, consisting of cutely packaged lip, eye and nail products with names such as Betty Bright, Heiress Lodge, Boyfriend Stealer and a bunch blush tones that fall under Ms Cooper's purview.

We liked the lip colours the most, and went home with Daddy's Little Girl, a fuschia lipstick with strong blue undertones and satin finish. A bit bolder than our standard M.A.C Impassioned, wear this to unleash your inner Ronnie and go to dinner with your girlfriends. We're sure Ms Grundy will approve.

Getting There: Available at M.A.C stores in the city.

This Scouter has been collecting En Inde necklaces for years now, hoarding thick ropes of cobalt blue and pendants shaped like fish bones, wearing a thin chain with a wicked steel scabbard almost every single day this month. It is a surprise then, that we walked out of the new En Inde store in Meharchand Market with not jewelry but a black silk dress, severe in front with army of ruffles sewed onto the back.

Red Earrings

We could be accused of skirting the issue, but the truth is that while newbies will find plenty of En Inde pieces to take home, the collection doesn’t offer much innovation for shoppers familiar with the brand. We found more of those above mentioned scabbards for instance, dipped in a lovely matt gold this time and dangling on black string; thick strands of flattened, pearly beads that looked like a thunderstorm around our necks, but which we remembered from Le Mill in Mumbai; and brief steel tubes identical to those on our cobalt necklace, bought almost two years ago. We did spot some pretty new bracelets, thin strands of shimmery gold leavened with tiny cylinders; and a wide steel band that we want to wear to our next kickboxing lesson.

Earnest Hemmingways

Yet, there was plenty of new game at the sprawling, windowed first floor space, all thanks to the clothes. These have been curated from a nice mix of established and flourishing labels, including Rajesh Pratap Singh, Tilla, Pero (of course) and White Champa, and represent as aesthetic echoed in En Inde’s jewelry: geometric and severe, but leavened by a sense of play. We cooed over a white dress with fat, three dimensional straps; the explosion of ruffles on a little black dress; and a blue Pero shirt that managed to seem airy and saturated all at the same time – although if it’s Pero you want, you should check out the current collection at Ogaan in Hauz Khas Village. If you leave with your bank account intact, your will power is stronger than ours.