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Entries in shops (8)

Mon, January 18
6:00PM

Baby Couture

My sister claims that I buy clothes for my daughter because I hardly fit into anything anymore; that of course is far from the truth, albeit not too far. My daughter will let me dress her for just about 6-8 years (if I am lucky), so right now I can get away with all the frills and bows one needs in a lifetime. So, sad as it may sound, the birthday party ‘frock’ has to be as cutesy as my baby.

I have found the answer to that annual search for the perfect birthday party dress. ‘Jingle Bells’ has been a popular store for birthday party accessories and arrangement, now they do clothes too. Their new store has one of the widest selections of party wear for kids, especially girls and they also do custom outfits. Their forte is western wear with an emphasis on dresses and gowns, though my personal favourites have been a-line cut, shin length, satin dresses with just a hint of embroidery around the neck. The in-house tailors are meticulous about sizes and leave margins for your growing princesses. They stock the prettiest buttons, bows, frills and lace this side of town, so go have a look.

They also stock hair accessories, jewelry and shoes. These outfits can be excellent for weddings and ethnic events since they are way more comfortable than salwars and lehengas and just as pretty.

Customized outfits for kids start at Rs.1600. Open from 10:30 am – 8 pm. GF 10, Mega City Mall, Gurgaon. Ph: 0124 4146414

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AuthorParul | CommentPost a Comment | | |
Tue, October 6
4:00PM

Cool ideas for trendy tots


Get set for a magical tour aboard the Big Red Bus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Big Red Bus created a huge stir when it opened in Bandra. Our visit to this fantasy land was peppered with ‘no baby please don’t climb into that fire truck bed’….. but thankfully nothing broke, proving the durability of the products and that the staff were unperturbed by a curious baby.

Radhika Mukherjee has set up this bright, colourful, exciting store with displays that trigger the imagination and ideas on how you can do up or re-do your kids room. The tastefully displayed doll houses, themed beds – cars and fire trucks, animal shaped clothes racks, adorable chest of drawers, cribs, brightly coloured cupboards, tea party tables and chairs, theme curtains, clocks, bins, lamp shades and stationery will make you wish these were around 35 years ago. But hey – they are here now and you are a mommy so try to ignore the steep prices and indulge in a little drama for your child’s room. 

We are headed here soon to pick up the animal pegs clothes hanging stand. Browse through the concept catalogue or even meet with the team to set up a complete theme based on your space, requirements and budget.

Even if you don’t have redecorating plans, a few of the décor papier mache fish and butterflies in attractive colours with mirror work are great add-ons for any room.

Dr Ambedkar Road, Bandra (W). 26053367. Open from 11 am to 8 pm. Prices start at 300/- for small items.

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AuthorPriya | Comment3 Comments | | |
Thu, July 16
11:31AM

Party in a Box - literally!

A one-stop shop for themed birthday favours

I like to believe that I’m the queen of thrift; I don’t always pinch pennies, I just feel I should get more for my money. Over the last year I have rethought buying the ‘Made in China’ labels when it comes to the kids - especially the toys, tattoos and sippers. This decision becomes harder when it comes to birthdays, especially big ones that mean goodies and return gifts that run into 20-30 pieces.

After a harrowing last year where I did goody bags which included a colouring book, crayons and candy for 42 kids of assorted ages (and none looked to thrilled with what they got!), I made it my mission to find a store that gives me trendy, fun and customisable by age return gifts - either Indian made or imported from countries with better track records. 

Thats when a friend suggested ‘Party in a Box’ in MGF Mega City Mall. Party in a Box imports over 4000 products mainly from the US. So there I was stuck between plastic pineapple sippers and adorable picture frames - unicorns for girls and soccer for boys. Huge synthetic balloons, banners that run across an entire living room and inflatable palm trees were just a few of the cool things available. They also stock napkins, plates, paper cups and plastic cutlery in smaller packs with themes like beach vacation, tropical fun and fairytales instead of the usual licensed characters like Dora, Ben 10, etc.

I love the name and I suspect have now developed a mild obsession with the place!

Party in a Box

Open from 11 am - 7:30 pm. FF 32A, MGF Mega City Mall, MG Road, Gurgaon. Or call Gaurav Chadha - 0124-4229790.

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AuthorParul | Comment1 Comment | | |
Sun, July 5
6:00AM

What a Gem!

SapphireThe owner inside the Sapphire store

Anyone who has spent even part of their childhood growing up in Bangalore will be familiar with the toy store Sapphire on Brigade Road. It’s been there as far back as I can remember, so that’s a long time. This old doyen of toys did something new and have opened a bigger, much bigger store on Richmond Road just after the Lifestyle store.

Needless to say, I was excited- I love toy shopping. I know, I am already living vicariously. So we (my husband’s in it too) bundled my indifferent 4 year old son one evening to check it out. It is the promised land! Two floors of unadulterated fun. What’s great about it, is the range. You can pick up aimless but fun stuff from Rs.10 to really nice top of the line toys and gizmos. For a change you forget all that educational mumbo jumbo(Don’t get me wrong, I want my son educated as much as the next mom) and concentrate on pure fun. Cars, dolls, bikes, board games, cd’s, blocks, stuffed toys, books, video games, puzzles, stationary, you name it –they’ve got it. It’s an excellent place for birthday party return gifts. 

We enjoyed it much more than my son who is a very conservative shopper, but I am sure his time will come. Guess what I got? Fart cushions!

6,Brigade Road ‎and Richmond Road after Lifestyle.
Tel:080 25587255

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AuthorSwathi | CommentPost a Comment | | |
Sun, June 7
1:06PM

Young guys who could teach a new mum a thing or two about baby stuff

The ultimate baby shop!

You have just announced ‘the good news’ and are being bombarded with unsolicited advice. Information overload and how! Fear not however, you shall soon learn how to deal with it and some tips may actually be useful.

I remember being paranoid about my ‘to buy before baby arrives’ list. So we went to the large baby stores and were confronted with 4-page list of things we had to buy. The first trip was futile and exasperating. After the initial panic settled, we realised the basics need to be covered – this child needs to be fed, kept warm, dry and be loved. So don’t let the master marketeers feed on your naivety - just think, plan and then head out.
A few of my colleagues pointed me in the direction of a little store named Al Burhan in Bandra bazaar. It is owned by the Golwala family and the affable sons, Huzefa & Khuzeima run this baby store that stocks everything: jablas, nappy cloth squares, liners, diapers of every brand, bottles, socks, caps, wrappers and more.

They home-deliver and also have the best rates in the city for imported Pampers. A unique feature is the take back or buy back of liners or diapers – even opened packets. Mr. Golwala senior even organises great short, cotton feeding night dresses that won’t remind you of your great grand mother.

Don’t expect any frills at this small, non air conditioned shop but do expect to browse through a large collection of baby wear and requirements at unbeatable prices and be amused when the 21 year old Huzefa teaches you the nappy cloth folds!

P.s. Write to me if you want to see my final ‘to buy before baby arrives’ list.

Al Burhan Collections, 96, Bazar Rd, Bandra, Mumbai 50.
Tel: 65167576, 9892918061 / 9870200272.
Timings: 9 am to 2 pm and 4 pm to 8 pm. Sunday shut.

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AuthorPriya | CommentPost a Comment | | |
Thu, June 4
10:04AM

Delhi + NCR: Kids Rooms

 

The Perfect Little Room

Most kids have their own room despite the fact that they bunk with their folks for what feels like forever! That’s the case with us by the way. The nursery happened before the baby did and hunting for stuff to accessorize it with was a journey that I am still on, it’s been four years! Since we weren’t aware of stores that stocked everything we needed under one roof and were budget priced, we customized the furniture with a local carpenter and decided to do the drapes, linen, bedding and accessories the traditional retail way.

After much reconnaissance we zeroed in on ‘Kids At Home’. The husband fell in love with everything he saw but I was quite definite about what we needed and what we could spend. They stock everything from bedding to customized throw cushions. The accessories include table lamps and baby gift sets and the linen is adorned with sporty and funky prints rather than cartoon characters.

They have a small maternity wear selection and this is a good place to pick up a feeding pillow, swaddles, crib sets and rugs. My personal favourites are the super soft comforters and towels. Find them at –

Shop No: N-11,
Greater Kailash Market,
New Delhi - 110 048,
Phone- +91 11 4143 3310

Baby Shop - Fortis La Femme
S-549, Greater Kailash Part-II
New Delhi-110 048
Phone: +91 11 4058 7901

(Open from 11 am - 8 pm)

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AuthorParul | CommentPost a Comment | | |
Mon, June 1
6:00PM

Candy Burst: Delhi + NCR 

 Birthday cakes and other desserts

 

Kids ask for the strangest things - especially if you make the mistake of asking them! We have always felt that it’s never too early for an opinion, so when our daughter turned 3, we asked her which cake she wanted. We were expecting the usual suspects, Barbie and the like, but what we got for an answer stumped us completely. She wanted a cake made of candy. To be honest it was an adorable request, one that her little mind comprehended as a possibility and fortunately for us, we knew just the place.

This outlet does some of the world’s best chocolate desserts, yes the world’s best. I had seen their folder of cakes and I was personally keen on an octopus sitting on a mantle covered with starfish and shells (all edible) but our little girl would have none of the usual stuff. So off I went to Sweet Obsession to discuss this cake. Our daughter was thrilled at being able to mix her two favourite foods, cakes and candies and the kids at the party found it unique too. This year she would like a castle and I know just the people to order it with.

Check out Sweet Obsession for some of the most eclectic birthday cakes and birthday decorations. You could even consider catering for the party with them since they have an extensive Italian and Mexican menu.

Open from 11 am to 11 pm, 7 days a week, stroll into Sweet Obsession at the Shopping Mall, Arjun Marg, DLF Phase I, Gurgaon or call Dushyant at 9810267333.

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AuthorParul | CommentPost a Comment | | |
Tue, May 5
12:47AM

Indian Dreams

You’ve become used to catnaps and power snoozes and sleep deprivation are your middle names. But your baby’s sleeping hours are sacrosanct (as much for your sanity as her health). So to make your kids’ bed time stories even more imaginative, tuck them into Good Earth’s gorgeous quilts and pillows from the Gumdrops collection.

Very Indian in inspiration, using traditional motifs in very creative ways, these pieces are enchanting. I loved the vibrant elephants from the Haathi Mere Saathi line. The funky fish inspired by the Indian Ocean in the Machli and Tortugas line were adorable. There’s even a Wah Taj duvet and bed cushions. Made from the softest cotton, these lovely bedthings will nestle gently against the most sensitive young skin. There’s no conventional ‘blue for boys, pink for girls’ thing which I always find a little limiting- just very original themes that are a visual treat for both mommy and kids.

The baby-sized set comes with tiny bolsters, a pillow and a little duvet, and there is a larger sized set for older kids that will last till they are 8 or 9. You can buy some of the items separately or the set as a whole, so they make great gifts for different budgets as well. So get ready for a lot more enthusiasm for bedtime!

Available at all Good Earth stores in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore. From Rs 1200 upwards

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AuthorRuchika | CommentPost a Comment | | |