Hospitaly with Responsibility!

‘Hospitality with Responsibility’ this is the catch line imprinted on the shopping bag which ‘Meluha, the Fern’ hotel, located in Powai, provides, as a complimentary gift to shopaholics like me.

The 'cool' jute bag

I was indeed impressed with the ecofriendly jute bag and also with the Meluha Hotel’s endeavour to instil ecological consciousness! Even their tea mug has some enlightening facts about why we should stop using plastic bags.

Here are some of the ecofriendly bags with cool messages!

Green is no more a choice, it is a necessity!

From Cotton cottage - clothing store

Enjoy the good thing inside, then do a good thing too - by recycling.

Brown bag from Starbucks - Coffee store

The “Golden Fibre”

Visiting handicraft stores and admiring the craft of the talented artisans is one of my favorite hobbies. Last month, I happened to stop by a handicraft store at the Mumbai International airport. And could not resist buying a cute jute lunch bag. I was very impressed with the way it was designed – as if it was made from a newspaper!

And the good part was, it listed the advantages about of jute and its related news…

Jute is Cute!

Jute News

Here are some of the facts about Jute:

1) Jute industry engages 4 million farmers and 2, 30,000 workers.

2) When jute sacks are disposed, they are re-processed into yarn or      felt, used as compost and landfill. Thus it is very ecofriendly.

3)  Jute contributes towards USD $180 million towards our foreign      exchange earnings.

4)  Our food grains and sugar need 6, 21,000 metric tons of jute to        keep them safe.

5)  Jute grows well in lowland. It requires plenty of rainfall. It              grows mainly in India and Bangladesh.

6)  Jute is also used in making paper.

7)  India is the largest producer and consumer of jute in the world!

8)  Bangladesh is the largest exporter of jute fiber in the world!

These jute bags and other jute products are sold by Jute Cottage whose promotional phrase is : Jute is Cute.

For more information, please visit their website: http://www.jutecottage.co.in/

My love for ecofriendly bags continues….

'Tuk-Tuk'

Shop review # 2

‘The zippy… little gift shop’ Yes, this is the tag line of this wonderful store packed with an amazing array of gift articles. Most of these quirky and cute handicrafts are made from ecofriendly material and are handmade by NGOs which work with underprivileged people.

Take a glimpse into this interesting store.

Enter 'Tuk-Tuk'

Feast to the eyes!

Varied collection

Ethnic bags...

Cotton garments too!

Amazing array

Varied fare

This store, also conducts creative workshops for kids along with Inspire Trust – a unique concept in Goa, as there are very few places which do so.

Thus I happened to visit this store with my daughter, last month on a Saturday. My daughter participated in their pompom making and decorating workshop. She got involved in this creative pursuit during the workshop, and enjoyed it thoroughly.

Art- work in progress,,,

I have done it!

This store was started by Bharati Marwaha Kumar in 2011 in an endeavor to give back to the society. She is very much passionate about this venture and is full of life!

I picked up some 'really' cool articles from this store and tried hard to resist picking up more....

My loot!

A cool fridge magnet - May God bless you.

Handmade rooster - key chain

Cool Tassels with a cute dog - made of elephant poop! Amazing...

Vegetable fridge magnets - Pea pod and brinjal

Handmade damsels to add to my doll collection.

Do visit this store and you will definitely be tempted to pick up some ‘cool’ handmade articles!

The store is conveniently located in the building, opposite to Hospicio hospital in Margao. Once cannot miss it!

The address is:

A104, 1^st floor, Pereira Plaza, Opposite Hospicio Hospital 

Margao, Goa.

Handicrafts belong to a world existing before the separation of the useful and the beautiful.-Octavio Paz

Nirvana!

Shop review #1

Am I a critic? Maybe, however I love to review things, services, products, hotels etc and write about them. So here come's my first review of a shop.

Last week, I happened to stop by 'Nirvana' shop at the Goa airport  at the Departure lounge. A cool shop with a Goan theme. T-shirts, mugs, magnets, book marks, coasters and cool bags. I love bags, especially the ecofriendly cloth /canvas bags which look cool and are reusable. And could not resist buying a bag (it was a bit pricey for Rs. 499 only) and some of the Goan memorabilia. These are marketed by the ‘Nirvana’ company. The service representatives at this shop, both of the girls, are very customer friendly. And graciously showed me around the shop, which was recently inaugurated in July 2015. Though the Goan theme based items at this shop are cool, I must say these come at a price! However such pieces are rarely available in the touristy or the common marketplaces in Goa. Do check it out!

I love Goa! Don’t you?

Note: The best part of travelling is that you come across different people, places and products - the 3 P mantra to one’s advantage! Motivation to travel more!

'I LOVE GOA' bag

Don't Worry, Eat Curry!

Goan themed memorabilia.

Fridge magnet: Happiness is being in Goa ! Very true!

Coaster: Just chill out in Goa!

True Nirvana!

Bags of love – for the planet!

What’s new about canvas and cloth bags? Apart from the fact that I adore them, these are currently in vogue for many reasons. I remember many years back, when I was a kid, using cloth bags was considered out of fashion and I used to refrain from using these bags.

However, I also remember during my childhood days (on my way back from school) seeing some Banjara women making colorful cloth bags with embroidered flowers and ruffles. I used to always admire those beautiful handcrafted bags…..Wish I could get one of such a creation!

My love for fabric bags continues…. I simply love the fact that these are environment friendly, reusable and a worthy investment for a small price. I am sure some of my relatives and friends have been amused to receive a cloth bag as a gift from me. Well, these are indeed green gifts!

A cloth bag which I picked up at the local grocery store - Seijo Ishii (there are a chain of such grocery stores across Japan) in Nagoya, Japan.

What are the main advantages of using a cloth bag?

-         - Environmental Friendliness

Propylene plastic bags are made from fossil fuels. The process used to create plastic releases contaminant byproducts into the atmosphere. And the main disadvantage is that plastics do not biodegrade for a very long time – around hundreds of years!

Cotton, hemp or jute are made of renewable natural fibers.  Thus cloth bags are biodegradable.

 -  Strength: Cloth bags are more durable than plastic and paper bags. Thus they can be used over a long period of time.

  - Style: These come in a lot of designs and sizes to match your budget and your personal style. Unlike the plastic bags, most of which are transparent, these come in a lot of colors and hues. Make your style statement!

Thus cloth bags are Viable, Fashionable, Recyclable and Economical! 

You agree!