Ah, these days of the glorious spring sun. And serious dilemmas. I don’t wanna be holed up in my stiff and starchy office cubicle while the warm carefree molten sunlight beckons But then, do I really want to be Working From Home in my threadbare PJs either?

So I figured the perfect February Day Out. Me and my laptop, out on a date. All we need is a cuppa joe, a big sunny window, and uninterrupted Wi-Fi access. (Plus a market with ample opportunity for an impromptu get-up-and-go shopping spree, if that ain’t enough!).

And here’s a roundup of the best spots in the city to do that:

Market Cafe. The only cafe in the city that lets you browse for free, provided you run up a bill of 200 bucks. Which is a cakewalk, considering their bruschetta with feta cheese on walnut bread has just such brilliant munchie potential.
8, Khan Market, Middle Circle (opposite Khan Chacha’s), Ph: 41757703-04. Timings: 11 am to 11 pm.

Cafe Coffee Day. For a phones-switched-off, high caffeine-intake day of serious website-surfing, head to their CP outlets, where for 250-rupee internet coupon, you can access more than 4 hours of the net.
N-11, Outer Circle, Opp Scindia House, N-Block, Connaught Place, Ph: 64638610. Timings: 10.30 am to 11 pm.

Barista. Silver nosepin and trinket-shopping to bookend the browsing at the only Barista cafe in the city that lets you browse for as little as 30 bucks (at the rate of a rupee a minute). Add the extra pleasure of oozing chocolate centre of the Double Chocolate Muffin, and lo! you’ve discovered cyber bliss.
M Block Mkt. M-43, Part-I, Greater Kailash, Ph: 41635792. Timings: 9 am to 11 pm.

Last weekend was most unusual. The boyfriend was travelling. My BFF was down with an eye infection. The gang was away on a camping trip. And I suddenly realized I had two whole days staring back at me and not a single thing to do. Bored out of my wits, I picked up a book my sister had left behind after her visit, and curled up on my fave sofa.

It’s called Next Door, by debutante author Jahnavi Barua. And each of its 11 stories came to life and spoke to me over the weekend.

Jiu, the little girl from ‘The Magic Spell’, asked me questions as I cooked myself a packet of noodles. I had one for her. Why did you eat those unidentified seeds? I asked her. She said nothing, looking at me with her serious eyes.

Dhiren Majumdar from ‘The Patriot’ cheered me up when I was feeling particularly low. “Hey, I sheltered an insurgent and my folks still love me. Do you think you’re in this alone?” he pulled my leg gently.

Babli from ‘Tiger’ sat beside me as I tuned in to my fave telly talk-show. She held my hand as the subject of adolescent sexuality came up. No words were necessary.

In ‘A Fire in Winter’, I found my brother — now working in a far away land — and felt close to him through Jeet. We, too, had been brought up by a girl who left her own parents to look after us and, in the process, became something more than family.

‘Honeybees’, ‘River of Life’, ‘Holiday Homework’ — each of them brought back someone I’d known, someone I’d forgotten, in subtle strokes and plausible plots.

Something made me put down the book and call, first, my BFF and then my bro, to tell them I love them. Next Door is good. But real life, first hand, is better.

Next Door. By Jahnavi Barua. Published by Penguin. Price: 250. At bookstores nationwide.

There’s no place like home, they say. And while I love Bangalore, every so often my mind wanders east, to the city they now call Kolkata, but which will always be Calcutta to me. I just need to close my eyes and I can see it all — the colonial buildings, the traffic jams, ma’s cooking. The other day, when I was threatening to get maudlin again, my friend decided he’d had enough. And so he dragged me to Oh! Calcutta’s brand-new Bangalore address, the latest from this multi-city chain.

I might have been a pushover, but even my pal was charmed the moment we stepped into its cool foyer — all whites and browns with the interiors done up in darker tones. Quaint plates and place-mats told stories of the city, while artistically framed black-and-white photographs of landmarks and celebrities made me feel right at home.

The all-traditional Bengali cuisine-heavy menu had me in a tizzy. Finally, we ordered Bhapa Aloo (baby potatoes steamed in a marinade of the quintessential mustard, chilli and spices in a banana leaf) and the Kakra Chingri Bhapa, crab meat and shrimp cooked in much the same fashion with just a dash of coconut.

I would have happily ordered seconds but my friend wanted to move on to the entrees. I insisted on Jhinge Aloo Posto, sweet gourd and potatoes cooked with poppy seeds and green chillies, the gravy subtly flavoured with kalonji. An absolute must-try. And we had to have the kosha mangsho — a rich, lip-smacking mutton dish — with luchi, light deep-fried flour breads.

For dessert, we dug in to malpua, made with flour, milk and ghee and flavoured with cardamom. And to wash it all down, we had aampanna, a sweet-n-salty mango drink.

Now I finally feel at home in Bangalore.

Oh! Calcutta. House of Lords Building, St. Marks Road, Bangalore, Tel: 22277722. A meal for two costs upwards of Rs 1000 (minus drinks).

For me, true-blue Mumbaikar that I am, ‘Iranian’ has been associated more with brun-maska and bentwood chairs than anything Middle Eastern. But since I’ve vowed to broaden my horizons this year, I decided that I must check out UK-based stand-up comedian Peyvand Khorsandi’s brand of humour, which celebrates Iran and his people even as he makes fond quips about their eccentricities.

He gets away with it. Because he’s young, he’s good-looking, he’s Iranian, and — before this starts sounding like a personal ad — he’s really hilarious. I loved his recurring ‘How to be Iranian’ theme that’s peppered with a few asides about stuff he’s learnt from Mumbai cabbies. ‘How to be Iranian’ is actually a show that he started with his sister (now a rising star on the UK comedy circuit) in 1999 in Los Angeles. Ten years and many countries later, he’s still able to keep the crowd in splits.

I think he has a lot of spunky charisma which draws you in and makes you a part of his world, letting you into the secrets so you can enjoy all the insider chuckles. In a city that’s starved for good stand-up comedy, Pevyand’s one-man-show is like an all-you-can-eat buffet. Bon appetit, or, as they say in Iran, “Noosh-e jan!”

Peyvand Khorsandi performs 10pm onwards tonight at Bootleggers, Pipewala Building, 4th Pasta Lane, Colaba; Tel: 22020455; Entry free, cocktails start from Rs 200 and starters are Rs 100 and up.

Every style diva has her secrets. So do I. When my friends gasp ‘ooh where’d you get that from?’ I just smile mysteriously. I’m feeling somewhat confessional today, so I’ll tell you mine: Kala Aparajita.

It’s on the ground floor of the VHAI building (near IIPM in the Qutub Institutional Area). Open the tinkling door, and you step into a treasure house. My absolute favourites are the silk mirrorwork bags in luscious colours, designs and all sizes. Plus spectacle cases, evening bags, passport bags, sling bags, potli bags, and handbags big enough to put those hobos to shame! I also love their ceramic pottery, especially the open-mouth froggy I bought the other day, that can alternate as ashtray, trinket-holder, or loose change box!

My other favourite is the miniature colonial almirah-shaped CD rack that has the daintiest drawers at the bottom. And oh, if you’re a stationery junkie like me, you’re sure to land up with a stack of those handpaper bahikhatas — with Mughal miniature and banarasi sari covers — one of each for yourself, and the others for gifting!

I can spend hours just salivating — Kalamkari skirts with flouncy gota hems. Tribal art friezes in wrought iron. Throws and cushion covers in a riot of Mashru silk-and-mirror colour. Elegant silver earrings, and funky thread-and-ghungroo jewellery. Jams — apricot and plum. Brightly coloured tile square pegs for the kitchen.

The best thing? Fair trade. Kala Aparajita emerged from VHAI’s work with artisans in its post-disaster programme (in Orissa and Gujarat), and the grassroot projects with low income group artisans all over India. So when you buy an evening bag, a big percentage of the sales money goes right back to the artist.

So there. Whether you shop for a cause or just because, I’ve given you my style mantra!

Kala Aparajita, Voluntary Health Association of India, 40, Qutab Institutional Area, Ph: 26518071-72, 26515018, 26965871, www.kala-aparajita.org. Prices from Rs. 90 to 2,000.

The difference between a Trendy girl and the rest? A Trendy girl’s comfortable in her own skin. No size zeroes for me, thank you. But with all the hoopla surrounding the new book by Rujuta Diwekar (the trainer whom Kareena Kapoor can’t do without, ya!), I decided to read between the lines.

In Don’t Lose Your Mind, Lose Your Weight, Diwekar (who has also trained Saif, Karisma, Sonali Bendre and Anil Ambani) shares her mantras: no South Beach, no Atkins, no detox, eat all you want as long as you plan right and ‘train your stomach’!

Train my tummy? Apparently I can shrink my stomach by feeding it smaller quantities of good stuff (peanuts, almonds, cashewnuts — in moderation, and lots and lots of fruits!) on time.

I zipped through the book, written in anecdotal style and peppered with Bambaiyya lingo, and found that Diwekar’s wisdom matched my grandmum’s: savour what you eat, reduce your portion size, and eat on time.

And these are her four principles of eating right:

* Never wake up to tea or coffee

* Eat every two hours (Apparently Bebo does this — she starts off the day with fruit and then has mini meals between lunch and dinner! What does for a mini meal? Peanuts, dry fruits, an idli with chutney, a cucumber, a carrot, and so on.)

* Eat more when you’re more active and less when you’re less active

* Have your last meal two hours before hitting the bed

Not exactly rocket science, is it? I’m not so sure though of getting up to a plate of fruit instead of my morning cuppa. Nah!

But what I really liked about Diwekar’s philosophy was this: Don’t deny yourself. Eat within limits. If you like pakoras, eat ‘em, go for that paneer paratha if you want, and if chocolate pastry’s your thing, indulge. Mmm, I’m so loving it!

Don’t Lose Your Mind, Lose Your Weight, by Rujuta Diwekar, Random House India, Rs 199.

There’s no depression so deep, I find, that can’t be cheered up with a slick of lipstick. No gloom so grey that doesn’t respond to a dab of blush. Make-up is a mood-elevator right up there with my Apple iPod and Abhay Deol.

So when I was feeling particularly low the other day, I treated myself to a stopover at the brand new Lancome counter in the city. Only the third such outlet in the country (after Mumbai and Delhi), it stocks the entire range of basics and colour cosmetics. Enough to warm up a grieving heart.

I started by checking out the skincare range. Long years of research have yielded in cleansers and toners for every skin type, for over-active oily adolescent skin to mature skin, like my mum’s. I picked out the Advanced Replenishing Cream Cleanser for her; it promises re-tightening and repositioning with the help of anti-ageing molecules.

For myself, the true treats awaited in the colour cosmetics section. The attendant recommended Teint Idole Ultra, a 14-hour retouch-free foundation that’s as light as it is long-staying. With the flawless complexion in place, I just needed a twirl of the Hypnose waterproof mascara to open up my almond eyes.

Next, lip colour. Would it be a voluptuous colour from the L’Absolu Rouge range, a creamy, luscious formula? Or a young, peppy high-shine stain from Juicy Tubes?

Just then, my cellphone buzzed. Who would it be but my BFF. Somehow, she’d sensed that all wasn’t well with me, and was inviting me out for a night in town.

That was the clincher. “The gloss, please,” I told the attendant. To match my bright new mood.

Lancome. Lifestyle, Oasis Mall, Koramangala. Tel: 64511814. Prices start at Rs 800.

Wallet?
Ho-hum.
Omega Seamaster?
Only if I won the lottery!
Cute puppy?
I’d land up looking after him.

Getting him the perfect gift’s getting tougher every year. Or so I thought until I stumbled upon Tart. A website after my own heart, created by the whimsical Aashiyana Shroff (of VongWong and Dragonfly fame), Tart’s all about delivering delectable goodies at your doorstep.

Presided over by a drawing of a saucy little tart of the feminine sort, the site is simultaneously witty and informative. As I pored over the details on all the types of ‘bespoke, cupcakes, cakes, cookies and desserts’, I realised how much I was enjoying the process of placing my order. So you can understand that when I finally did decide what to get for the Mr, I also called for a few yummies for yours truly!

I’ve ordered him a dozen of the Valentine’s spesh — red velvet chocolate cupcakes with a cream cheese frosting. And just in case he misses the point, I’ve got them spelling out his name and mine with little sugar hearts for added emphasis! Of course, I saved my fave flavours for myself. A mixed box of mini, bite-sized cupcakes — dark chocolate with chocolate frosting and tiramisu topped with mascarpone. They arrived right on schedule, beautifully packaged and in impeccable condition, shining with the goodness of freshly baked perfection. They even passed the taste test with flying colours. Luckily, it’s not impolite to type with your mouth full!

My V-day shopping may be taken care of, but I’m already looking forward to being a regular at Tart. Layered cakes, savoury pies and quiches, fresh baked breads and even party orders that promise to remain a secret between us so I can pretend to have slogged over that smooth lemon pie all evening while I was actually at the Nail Bar!

I guess it does take one smart tart to understand another.

Website: www.tart.co.in; Tel: 66208080; Prices start at Rs 50 per cupcake and Rs 10 per mini, depending on the size of the order; Free home delivery from Colaba to Worli.

I am a teetotaller mostly, but an occasional glass of red wine is one of my guilty pleasures. The smell of crushed grapes, mmmm. Pure ambrosia

So when it came to pre-V Day primping, I chose vino as well! I had heard about the V-Day spesh, involving lots and lots of wine, at the Aura Spa at The Park, so I checked in, all set to get my senses swirling.

A warm welcome at the well-appointed reception later, I was escorted to the changing room, and deposited in the sauna, with some lovely honey infused herbal tea. But that was just the prelude.

The real thing came soon after: a full body scrub, a Balinese massage, and a facial with grapes and wine. My therapist started with a scrub made from crushed grapes, wine, brown sugar, and sesame oil. I have to say it was the softest exfoliation ever, for 20 minutes or more. The dim light, the fruity fragrance, and soothing music — I was drunk without touching a drop! Post a warm shower, I was given a Balinese massage with olive oil. Finally, the climax, the wine facial — starting with a scrub made of honey and semolina to exfoliate dead skin, a massage with blended oil, milk cream, and the grand finale — a mask made of grapes, wine, and molasses!

I was given the option of a wine bath, but I decided to give it a miss. I was already heady, and all a-glow.

I have to say Bacchus is one of my favourite gods.

Vinotherapy (from the Heaven Scent package) at Aura, The Park, 15 Parliament Street, Connaught Place, New Delhi.Ph: 23743000. Price: Rs 4,000.

I’m so not a Ms Valentine. I don’t mind fuchsia in my fashion, but when it lands up in the form of a big and bright heart-shaped box of candy, I turn green. And although I sometimes feel like celebrating the V-day just to get back at those fanatical funbusters, I know that this year, all I want to do is get away from the city for the weekend and soak in some ‘us’ time minus the schmaltzy rhymes. I did a bit of homework on this and since you’ve been such a good girl all year through, I’ll share these prize gems I mined.

Tunnel of love: Go back to the Stone Age and let your man drag you to a cave. Well, we can never be quite so unsophisticated, of course, so visit Guhantara, near Bangalore, instead, where you can have your cave and live it up too. Experience air-conditioned cave-like suites with skylights, sit-outs, Neanderthal wall doodles and comfortable beds. Unwind at the Madhushala lounge bar and gorge on authentic local cuisine at the Sambhojana restaurant. Not exciting enough? How about some tunnel trekking or an ayurvedic massage?
Guhantara: Sy No 177 & 177/18, Nowkalpalya, Kaggalipura, Kanakapura Main Road, Bangalore South Taluk; Tel: 080-28432464/5/6 and 09740998981/2/3/5; Website: www.guhantara.com; Cost: The Cave Suite is priced at Rs 9,000 per couple, per night, plus taxes and meals.

Peaks of pleasure: Care for some relationship rejuvenation? Ananda in the Himalayas (an eight-hour drive from Delhi) has this tempting Himalayan Romance package that’s great for rekindling the spark. Luxuriate in the Kama Suite, get scrubbed, rubbed and wrapped with everything from Himalayan honey, rose, sandalwood and vetiver, enjoy couples yoga and share a rose petal bath in your room.
Ananda — In the Himalayas: The Palace Estate, Narendra Nagar, Tehri-Garhwal, Uttaranchal; Tel: +91-11-26568888, +91-1378-227500; Website: www.anandaspa.com; Cost: Room rates start at Rs 26,000 plus taxes and therapies.

Grape time: This one’s fabulous if you can take off from Mumbai with like-minded friends. The stylish three-bedroom bungalow called Beyond — so close to the Sula Vineyard — can be yours for the weekend. Splash in the swimming pool, lounge in the private balconies that overlook vineyards and the peaceful Gangapur lake and have familiar and delish Italian veg fare at the Little Italy ristorante nearby. Do a wine picnic by the lakeside, take the vineyard tour, sample choice wines and come back in a happy haze.
Beyond, Beyond Sula Vineyards, Survey No 1, Gangavhare Cillage, Gangapur-Gangavhare Road, Nashik; Tel: +91-9970090010; Cost: Beyond can be rented at Rs 20,000 per day plus tax, including a wine tour and wine tasting session.