This Diwali,think green

Some of the products might fall in the ‘reserved for the well-heeled’ category but brand manager Ami Gupta explains that it is because only the best ingredients from around the world are used. “We make a high investment in the raw materials that are used. All the preservatives in the products are natural.”

Along similar lines is Lush at Phoenix Mills with its veritable forest of beauty and wellness products. Above all else,Lush is about the vibrant aromas that make you feel like you’re frolicking in the Garden of Eden. You could also dip your beak into their new vanilla range including the vanilla puff dusting powder or the vanillary solid perfume priced at Rs 830 and Rs 760 respectively. And those candy-scented soaps just make you itch to take a nibble. (Better if you don’t). “I love the Lush soaps. My favourite is the Ice Blue with its fresh minty smell. And if you want to go wild,make sure you get the Supernova with its orange and cognac explosion of confetti,” advises Anjali Mohan,a Government Law College student and ardent Lush advocate.

Catering to the nitty-gritty of daily life is Mother Earth at Sobo Central. Their banana crocheted bags,Jaipuri vases,palm leaf trays and hand painted ceramic crockery is enticing enough to make you shell out the money without drilling too big a hole in your pocket. “All the products are made by rural artisans. Our attempt is to provide a market linkage to the rural people and thus promote dying Indian arts,” says Pinaki Ghosh in charge of operations at the company. We did love the life-sized Kalamkari paintings and the cocky coconut zipper pouches priced at a measly Rs 200.

If you want a pan-Indian handicraft experience,make haste to the annual Dastkari Haat Samiti exhibition which is being held at the Prince of Wales Museum from October 8 to 14. Jostling within the crammed spaces of the Coomaraswamy Hall are Tussar silk sarees from Bihar,handloom shawls from Gujarat and crystal glass jewellery and figurines from Delhi. “All the saris and kurtas are embroidered with phool-patti work from UP where organdy cutouts in floral and leaf motifs are used to embellish tussar silks and cottons,” says Farida Rizvi who has been showcasing her wares at the exhibition for the last 20 years.

And taking khadi to the high streets of fashion is Bombay Electric in Colaba with their tres chic trapeze tops,boxer jackets,tunics and balloon dresses.

So here’s what the patron saints of shopping prescribe on this recession-entrenched Diwali when even the savviest of shopaholics might need to tighten their Gucci belts: don’t shop more,just shop wise and go the whole green hog.