#blogboost 31 Day Blog Challenge blog boost blog challenge shopaholics shopping trends ultimate blog challenge

… and anyone who knows me know that in itself is quite a task !!

Unlike most women I know, I really don’t enjoy shopping … to a point I actually hate it … the very thought of having to cram myself in a tiny changing room and trying on clothes makes me skip any shopping trips that my girlfriends plan.  

But today, I was on a mission and that was to find the perfect dress for my upcoming birthday party !  A few days earlier I spoke to a friend of mine DS and she volunteered to go out shopping with me. (so glad she did because in Bombay I wouldn’t even know where to start looking for a dress for myself !)

DS turns up to meet me with her super cute hubby SS and before I know it – both of them are browsing clothing racks picking out outfits they think would look good on me (which I thought was the sweetest thing!).  DS and I almost killed one of the store assistants ‘cos she was seriously obnoxious and had no clue about customer service.  This woman kept insisting that an outfit I was keen on ‘would not fit’ .. guess what – not only did it fit perfectly as SG would tell you all – but all three of my friends loved it on me !

After breaking a sweat in the miniscule changing rooms (they should just be called cubicles ‘cos there’s barely any space to even turn around properly let alone change comfortably) – I was ready to call it quits and just head home !! I’m not kidding when I say that shopping and me are just not meant to be !  But with loads of encouragement from my entourage outside (who were kind enough not to laugh at me when I came out all dishevelled) I manage to continue trying on a few more outfits.

DS took pity on me and the four of us took a quick coffee break – only to be joined by my darling HRH and his boyfriend. The conversation there is fodder for another blog as SG might agree.  A quick motor bike ride across Bandra to another store – a few more outfit changes and I managed to leave with one perfect dress :)

Not a bad day at all ! And I still managed to get through Day 17 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge ! if you are taking part – don’t forget to share your link below !

 

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Imagine the collective surprise and relief of the mostly invisible North East community in Mumbai, when a young Assamese couple took the initiative to launch a store that makes available goods from ‘back home. Oineetom is a Miri love song (of the Mishing community in Assam), and also the name of the handloom and handicraft store by Neeyor and Rouhan Sharma, located in Navi Mumbai.

A few years ago, Rouhan’s mother, Era, taught a few young girls, who dropped out of school, how to weave and how to be creative with their designs, while managing her own role as a planter’s wife, in Central Assam. Later, she built a make-shift workshop on a plot of land near Numaligarh, Assam, and began to showcase the creations that came from there.

Why Go There ?

Comprising a small area and a loft, Oineetom stocks products that are authentic to the North East communities of India. Popular items include the authentic silk (paat and muga) sarees and mekhela sadors from Assam, metal beads from Manipur, wooden miniatures of some famous landmarks of the region, and accessories from Nagaland. Cane, a North-East specialty, is always a best-seller - as furniture, ornamental trimmings and also as floor mats.

Rouhan believes that the USP of his store lies in the quality of products that he offers. “My mother uses natural and vegetable dyes, for example, and she offers to her customers a range of colours that you never knew existed,” he says. Versatility and convenience are also reasons for the interest that handicrafts have garnered, he adds, but “People are going back to an organic lifestyle, too, to decrease their carbon footprints, and endorsing Indian handicrafts are as non-synthetic as you can get.”

Pricing

Prices begin at Rs 5000 for a saree, and can go up to an average of Rs 8000-9000. Typically a furniture set would cost around Rs.22000; although they also have table stands made out of tea bushes and these are available for Rs. 800 and up. You can also find premium Assam tea which is priced Rs. 40-50 lesser than the usual market price.

How To Find them

• Store address: Shop No 17, Shreeji Heights, Sector 46A, Palm Beach Road, Next To State Bank Of Hyderabad, Seawood West, Nerul West, Navi Mumbai - 400706
• Contact: Neeyor Sharma +91 80808 09052 or Rouhan Sharma +91 9867490361
• Email at oineetom.h@gmail.com

 

Nupur Barua rather unwisely, gave up a career as a journalist to pursue another in the world of fiction television. After attempting to understand the industry for six years, she finally gave it up to return to her first love—writing! Currently based in Mumbai, Nupur provides content and edits on a freelance basis, and occasionally designs presentations for movie and television pitches. Follow Shopping India on Twitter for the insiders-guide to shopping in India.

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Wow ! It’s been 4 years that I’ve lived in Bombay (yeah I still can’t call it Mumbai) and I must admit other than Colaba Causeway and a few high street stores – I don’t have a clue where to go when it comes to shopping. It doesn’t help that I’m possibly the worlds’ worst shopper and still get my Mum or sister or friends to go shopping on my behalf. I kid you not !

Every Sunday my mates go off to partake in some retail therapy whilst I try to take it easy. One such Sunday I came across a blogger, Nivedita of India Shopping Guide via IndiBlogger and I suggested that she and her fellow shopaholic bloggers be my guest here on my blog.

So without further adieu, for all you shopaholics out there – let’s look at the Changing Trends in Mumbai.

In Mumbai, the common man did not always have access to art and craft from Maharashtra or other states. One had to travel to Colaba, in South Mumbai, to pick up a genuine piece of art, and, more likely than not, pay too much for something that may be less than authentic. The discerning Mumbaikar waited for various trade fairs and exhibitions to pick up pottery from Jaipur or shawls from Kashmir.

High rent rates and space constraints were the least of an investor’s worries. To begin with, most artisans and craftsmen live in rural areas. The communication gap between them and the urban entrepreneur seemed too wide to bridge. Sourcing reliable and skilled labour was always a problem. Liberalisation did not help much either – it brought in shiny, new products that made terra cotta pots and cane furniture pale in comparison.

All that changed has changed over the past few years. . Numerous independent, privately-owned businesses that showcase Indian artisans and handicrafts have mushroomed across the city. Competition is fierce, and word-of-mouth is the best marketing tool.

Over the next few weeks, we will feature young entrepreneurs who have dared to be different; their ventures that are in some way a platform that encourages the love and appreciation for the skill and labour of the invisible craftsmen across various parts of India.

Nupur Barua rather unwisely, gave up a career as a journalist to pursue another in the world of fiction television. After attempting to understand the industry for six years, she finally gave it up to return to her first love—writing! Currently based in Mumbai, Nupur provides content and edits on a freelance basis, and occasionally designs presentations for movie and television pitches. Follow Shopping India on Twitter for the insiders-guide to shopping in India.

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Wow ! Did I just clock on to that concept ?? I’ve managed to get into the habit of saving over the last two years … I’m 27 years old – turning 28 and I have only just realized the value of savings and how they come in handy. 

Tuesday will be the last day of my 2 year tenure as an employed individual – prior to that I used to run my own business and the itch has come back – so am leaving my job to start afresh on my own – again.  It’s the 5th day of the month; my November payslip hasn’t come in as yet and probably won’t for another 2 weeks (as I need to submit my exit form interview) and I’m already feeling slightly strapped for cash !  Talk about a blow to the wallet with Christmas around the corner !

I’ve always been a fan of online shopping considering I hate waiting in long queues and actually having to try on things.  So I’ve spent the last few days thinking about how to go about getting my Xmas pressies out to friends in the US and came across some super deals on Savings.com which showcases offers and discounts for over … hold your breath … 4984 Stores !!!

That’s like giving me the keys to my very own chocolate shop – better yet – it’s like having my own Theobroma ! There are some fantastic brands on the site and I came across quite a few that I liked.  Some of the killer deals included “Old Navy Coupons” ranging Free Shipping as well as discounts up to 75% on women's’ wear =)  In India it’s impossible to get Old Navy items – so I was excited to find this .. now I just need to figure out if they delivery internationally !

I also came across some "Body Shop Coupons” which is currently hosting a Friends & Family 20% Discount for another few days !  I’m definitely making my way to my local Body Shop to check out some of the local deals.  My cousin and sis-in-law are both handbag fanatics (ok which woman isn’t ?) and it was great to discover a new site (well for me it is) called E-Bags which has a stunning range of handbags as well as duffel bags, laptop bags and much more.  The best part about the site is that you can see the bags in different colours and it clearly shows the discounted rates so that you don’t have to wait till check-out to find out how much you are spending. 

To avoid bargain blunders if you are first time online shoppers – you must scrounge the web and do a comparison before picking up the first good offer that you see.

Don’t thank me – thank the Gods of Google and my new best friend over at Savings.com for some of the season’s best buys =)