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bIKINI

What: bpb’s Goa trail – Elsewhere, near Calangute, call 09870011500 or visit http://www.aseascape.com, start at Rs 32,000 a week; Cantare, Calangute, ask for Maurice; Cook in a Goan home, call Felix on 09822180904, pick up from Calangute, Baga and Candolim, Rs 1,500 per person.
Why: Avoid the tourist crowd that flocks to Goa this time of the year and follow bpb’s secret trail instead, living in a tent resort that doesn’t have an address, haunting a hidden new bar, and learning to cook authentic vindaloo in a Goan house.
Note: Also check out our list of over 90 recommendations on where to eat, shop and stay in Goa.
When: You want an epic sized Baga.

pARSLEY

What: 1 tbsp party catering service, call 9920366630 or log on to www.1tablespoon.com, start at Rs 225 per person for 4 starters (minimum order of Rs 5,000), servers included for party of 20 and more.
Why: After eat, tray and loving his way through New York (short work stints at Graffiti and Bar Lupa), Varun Sheth recently moved into a neat Mumbai kitchen where he caters out a mixed bag of gourmet treats - pretzels with beer cheese dip and chicken peri peri, khao suey and gnocchi. We tried and loved muhammara, mushroom crostini and chocolate fondant.
When: Spooner or cater.

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What: From the Rabbit Hole, fashion bloggers’ garage sale, location to be decided, join the Facebook group for updates, Rs 10 to Rs 1,000, tweet or wall about them and get 10% off.
Why: A group of style bloggers - Dhruvi from Alice Wandering, Aastha from Indian Summer, Samidha from Street Style and Karishma from Purple Peeptoes – pool in their cool stash, including old (they prefer “vintage”), barely used and new clothes along with fun accessories. bpb’s eyeing a pair of forest green brogues for Rs 700.
When: Glee market from December 17 at noon to December 19 at 9 pm.

bEAR HUG

What: Animania products by Design Temple at Good Earth, Raghuvanshi Mills, Lower Parel, call 24951954, 10% profits go to NGOs involved in animal conservation, start at Rs 400.
Why: Hunt down this pretty range of products that give refuge to twelve endangered and sacred Indian animals, stroked by seven artists from across the globe. They make for great gifts, these diaries, playing cards and posters that sport bright green parrots, wise owls, snappy crocodiles, stately eagles. Love you zoo!
When: Launches on December 15.

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What: Batti Bandh, visit the Facebook group here.
Why: Be the brightest bulb in the chandelier by turning off all electrical appliances for one hour this Saturday, as part of Batti Bandh’s initiative for energy conservation. We’re so put off!
When: Pull the (c)lever on December 11, from 7:30 to 8:30 pm.

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Event Round-up: Little Shilpa’s pop up store at Bombay Electric for one month starting December 10; NH7 Weekender in Pune; The Absolut Bar Crawls on December 11 in Bandra, starts at 8 pm, call 9819496695.