Drive in the Rain...

Monsoons are the best time for drives as the road beckons you to come experience the beauty of the nature and be enthralled.
Pune boasts of a lot of green areas and picturesque landscapes around the city which become splendid in rain. There are a number of monsoon destinations at a short distance from Pune.
One such weekend we traversed Mulshi whilst it was raining, we took an impromptu drive, as the climate was perfect and ideal for a beautiful journey.
Monsoon drives make everything all the more gorgeous and enticing.The road leading to Mulshi itself is gorgeous and beautiful however I was in for a shock as all I could lay eyes on for a greater part of our road trip was constructions, unplanned development , ugly structures and bungalow schemes. I was really heart broken seeing the nature rapidly being eroded, destroyed mercilessly. Finally after what seemed like ages, farms started creeping in slowly and got a sudden joy, happiness and surprisingly a drastic change in the climate.
Mulshi being a rice growing small village is all busy in rainy season, it has the mulshi lake and thus the road is dotted with small rivuklets ,waterfalls, streams which finally joins it. Everywhere I laid my eyes I found beautiful rice farms and men and women working in their make shift rsincoats (ghongdis).
The mist looms magical tales around the mountains. Its like we are straight into a fairytale book. The road was so beautiful filled with amazing sights, eyes could hardly behold.

Have a look for yourself - 

We started late afternoon with a light snacks, some packed sandwiches, fruits and water (I always prefer to carry my own water bottle from home especially in rains.).

Mulshi is hardly an hour and a half from Pune and a sleepy paddy village with Tata lake and picturesque setting. The views are really mesmerizing and one cant help but get drawn to them. We couldn't get enough and continued on the Tamhini Ghat road which is renowned for the beautiful gurgling waterfalls dotting its landscape (the roads leading towards Tamhini is not that great and very patchy). Mulshi has its own share of waterfalls and rivulets everywhere you lay your eyes.

 

A Hamlet just out of a fairytale.

 

I was a little girl all over again, playing in every stream, waterfall and rivulet I could manage to get in.

 

 

 

Here goes my favorite pink umbrella. 

 

Should I laugh or should I cry :)(

 

 

Such awesome weather does wonders to the appetite.

 

A perfect drive. A perfect weekend. 

This drive really got a smile to my face and a sparkle back in my eyes.

Mulshi remains one of my favorite monsoon weekend getaway.

One can just go for a drive and enjoy the sights, have hot tea and snacks at the small humble eateries or have a day trip carry your lunch and have a picnic spread finding a good spot or one can even visit a resort and spend time. I am up for all options.

What do you like? Let us know..

What I wore-

Shorts and capris remain my monsoon favourite however it was too cold for either of them.

Denims- Levis
Cardigan- Splash
print Singlet- Ginger
Footwear- Goa Market
Umbrella- Mahabaleshwar market

You can shop for my look here

cardigan

top



 

here

top

 

heart umbrella

 

jelly monsoon flip flops

 

footwear

xoxo
Bhakti

Floral love in Monsoon

Its the rainy season and the love for floral prints continues. Flowers blooming and rains seem perfect with each other. I love to add color to my outfits and monsoons are perfect to add those hues to the wardrobe. Here I have some floral tops which I would love to have in my wardrobe. I am digging the 3rd and 5th. Would love to try both these with shorts (perfect monsoon attire for a casual day) or with slim fit jeans, wedges and a Tote or perhaps a sling.

1

2

3

4



5




I am definitely picking all of these, just cant have enough of floral love. What about you ?
 



 

 

 

 

You can buy them here if you are a floral fan too.



 xoxo
Bhakti

Good byes !!

There are so many type of Goodbyes. The casual ones, the relationship hard hitters, saying good byes to family before going out or for a vacation or bidding good bye to a destination or the long care free days. So many ways in which one can bid farewell whether be it a happy one or in difficult sad times but they all come with a heavy heart. They mean to part and parting has never been easy. 

On one such journey, a destination close to heart, saying good bye on the last day. 

Last day of our Goa vacation which was full of fond memories and cherished moments. For me bidding good bye to even a destination is always difficult. I frown and become grumpy with a sad puppy face. Well I have promised myself not to miss those last moments by being all difficult and living the vacation till it last( one can always try ;p). 

On any beach destination, I have to bid adieu by dipping my feet a wee bit one last time in the sea. It's like me offering my gratitude for this wonderful experience and one last moment to click it forever in my memory. 

 

  Me bidding Good Bye to Goa ,... 

The tradition continues .. 

 

 

 

 

 

My travel outfit - hassle free and comfortable for a road trip back home with a tinge of cute quirk;p

Tracks- Bangkok 

T-Shirt - quirky - fashion street 

 

But keep a happy face as we part to meet again to make new memories, isn't it ? 

Good bye friends until we meet again!! 

 

xoxo

Bhakti

Monsoon for the Chai Lover ..

Our article featured in Citadel Pune Magazine August 2014 issue 

Finally the Rain Gods have showed mercy on Pune and at last the monsoons have descended in full swing making the city resplendent.
Everyone is thinking cozy afternoons curled with books with hot cups of chai, coffee along with pakodas and maggi to go with such beautiful weather.
Where there is demand there is definitely supply ;p
Cafes serving to your fancies are mushrooming all over the city in a new avatar. The new age chai cafes catering to your taste buds along with your comfort are here to rule and are we excited and glad for the same.

Here are some Chai cafes not to be missed and definitely must visit.

Pagdandi Books Chai Café

Shop No.6, Regent Plaza, Baner Pashan Link Road, Behind Symantec, Baner, Pune, Maharashtra 411045

Drown yourself in the era gone by in this small cozy café and make a conscious lifestyle decision.
A creative place with a concept which promotes alternate lifestyle choices. One can avail of their different services on offer. A wide collection of book library, they offer a gallery wall which  allows budding artists and photographers to display their work for a nominal fee, along with soul soothing music and healthy food options to tantalize those taste buds. Its pure bliss to curl up with a book in a corner with some masala chai and gooey home made brownies or play a some board games along with friends over popcorn and kulhad chai and sweet buns. A quaint little café with cozy and warm ambience and seating to suit your mood. Its like stealing some moments, a way of life from our hectic schedules and lifestyle. A happy way, healthy choice and its made happier with their in-house curio store selling small handicrafts made by the underprivileged. Happiness in small things. I love to spend Rainy afternoons over here.








photo credit- Pagdandi

The Chaai

Mayur Centre, First Floor, Fergusson College Road

Pune, Maharashtra

020 6920 5000

My next pick is The Chaai café located on the busy F.C. Road which is completely opposite to our previous café.
Sleek and stylish in its décor, its classy and a happening place with loud foot tapping music. Here you are pampered silly for your cuppa of Tea. From Masala Chai to English tea with muffins, you name it and they have it. A vast menu boasting of a myriad selection from all over the world spoiling you for choices.

When you have the option from having teas from all over the world, you are bound to have favorites. Mine being the cranberry iced tea over here and I love to have it with their roasted chicken pizza.
The Chai over here comes with a view not to miss. Sipping on your tea whilst the rain drops pitter patter on the window against the back drop of the busy F.C. road illuminated with street lights, can this get any better? ;p




photo credit - The Chaai

Our next stop is -

Chai

91 8446692233                                                                                                                    

Chai Salunkhe Vihar Road, Pune

 

This place is more different than the previous two. Miss those olden days and kettle chai Thela (carts)
. Miss no more because this is exactly what you will get over here. The rustic ambience is what draws one in. This place is high on entertainment and drama- walls plastered with olden movie posters, kettle lamps, bamboo walls, bench style seating a complete thela environment recreated. Bollywood music blasting loudly, pocket friendly, small and simple menu, board games to keep you engaged.
Chai served in kulhad, small chai biscuits, bun maska and maggi to chose from the list of yummy things.
Simple experience bound to get a smile on your face.






photo credit - chai

This was my List for must visit cafés this month. Until next time take care and let us know which are your favorite ones.

xoxo
Bhakti