bAGUETTE

What: Bombay ChowParty home bakery, confectionery and party catering service, call Reshmy on 9819024086 or view the Facebook group here, pick up from Andheri (W), Rs 185 for a dozen apple pie cookies.

Why: Ever see Marge Simpson turn into a cupcake coiffed with a tall cinnamon marshmallow fluff. How about apple pie that’s morphed into cookies – sweet-sticky rounds with slivers of caramalised fruit inside. These transitioned treats in pretty packaging arrived from Reshmy Kurian’s kitchen, where in addition to “dish doppelgangers”, she does fresh bread loaves, buttered rolls with ham and pickled cucumber, mole chicken tortillas and her husband’s favourite – breakfast burritos. We love that one of her services includes re-creating a dish you ate while on vacation and can’t find in Mumbai.

When: You need a yeast of burden.

***

What: Dial-a-masseuse from the Victoria Memorial School for the Blind, Tardeo, to make an appointment call 23531236, Rs 250 for a half hour and Rs 450 for a one hour foot massage.

Why: Considering all the debauched parties that your legs were photographed at last December, we think they could do with some good press. Call The Victoria Memorial School for the Blind that sends visually impaired foot reflexology specialists to your home, creating a spa experience that levitates somewhere between basic maalishwallah and fancy masseuse. They’re super skilled, not to mention reasonably priced.

When: Feet and greet from Monday to Sunday, appointments must be made a day in advance between Monday to Friday from 11 am to 5 pm.

pLUSH

What: Trikaya, 6/11 Meera Apartments, Juhu Versova Link Road, Seven Bungalows, call 265021389 / 265047177, Rs 400 for khao suey.

Why: This new Asian restaurant and bar comes with ship sails for umbrellas, a gazillion single malts, yum khao suey and the promise of stocking Amrut whisky next month. We suggest you sit in the weather-friendly outdoor section and end your meal – solid or liquid- with the lotus seed-coffee momos. Read the full sneak peek here.

When: Striling and puling want dumpling. Opens Saturday, January 14 for lunch and dinner.

***

What: Black Soda at Filter, right next to the blue synagogue, opposite Sabysachi, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Rs 85 for a can.

Why: It’s soda. And jet black. Jet black soda that tastes exactly like soda, which is to say that it tastes like nothing. Can you think of anything more useless, or more irresistibly cool? We couldn’t either. The gorgeous packaging (cans come in four different designs) only adds to the appeal. Kaala Bruni!

When: You want to get into show fizz-ness.

bANDRA

What: BooksOnToast book drive, drop off points at Thane, Bandra (W), Bandra (E), Andheri (W), Dadar, Flora Fountain, Chembur, Juhu and Pune; email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for exact addresses; book sale at Candies in Bandra (W), all titles for under Rs 150.

Why: Drowning in words, wading through pages, trying to cut down to 140 characters? This book drive is your chance to get rid of your excess books, all of which will be sold at a special sale at Candies. Proceeds will go to Hamara Footpath, an NGO that works with street kids. If you’re looking to pad up your reading list, stop by the sale for titles at deep discounts, including children's books, old Naipaul, Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath and a collection of graphic novels. Plotted cream!

When: Book drive on until January 18; Candies sale on January 22 and 23.