P(r)etty Cash

With intermittent drizzle for company,we visited the street food lane near Model Colony,looking delightful with its array of inexpensive quick bites that range from pizzas,sandwiches and burgers to the more complete vegetable pulao. We tried out the Cheese Vegetable Pulao for a mere Rs 35,which had a helping of cheese generous enough to make most major pizza restaurant chains turn green with envy; Cold Coffee for Rs 20,and a salad that came as accompaniment. A total steal at just Rs 55!

And if the palate desires non-vegetarian treats,then the food court near the Chatushrungi Temple is a good option. A bowl of Chicken Noodles for Rs 50,or a plate of Chicken Kebabs for Rs 75 is a good bargain. For the more experimental,a street-smart Vegetable Pizza at the same venue for Rs 40 is not a bad try either. A trip to the Parsi Bakery in Camp,during the afternoon happy hours can fetch Chicken Burgers Rolls,and a whole lot of others for anything between Rs 25-35. And all this is on a buy-one-get-one-free offer.

Wardrobe Function

Brands will be brands and their prices will never willingly go down to the level of the common college-goer. But there are ways to get around it. Street markets offer clothes which look just as good as the originals,but without the branded price tags on them. “Branded kapde aur yeh jo hamare pass hain sabka quality same hain (The quality of branded clothes and what we sell is the same),” informs Imtiaz Sayyed at Fashion Street in Camp,where a t-shirt with the Nike Swoosh on it,costing Rs 1800 at the official outlet,can be had for Rs 120 with a little haggling and pleading. And the quality is close enough to pass off as one. In the old city in Tulshibaug,one can pick up accessories and even inexpensive tops and pants for as less as Rs 100. Accessories ranging from clips,bands,bracelets,and even watches can be picked up for anything between Rs 10- Rs 100. No Guarantees included though.

Accesorise it right

Now what good is an inexpensive wardrobe without the right accessories to team them it up with? The Hong Kong Lane on JM Road is the right place to get the baubles in order. From dog tags,rubber and charm bracelets,necklaces,ear and nose rings,scarves and caps,everything is available here – for a price tag that would not even come close to burning a hole in the pocket. A dog tag for Rs 50,five rubber bangles costing Rs 20 and a Bob Marley wristband for Rs 30,and voila! Mix and match,permute and combine,to set your look of the day.

Hair work,needle work & the rest

Of course,no one is going to offer you a tattoo for a price tag of Rs 100. Unless you are willing to take the risk of infection at a local village fair. But a designer hair cut for Rs 100 at a swanky parlour on Boat Club Road is not a bad bargain. Or as Jeruh Dastoor,manager of Salon Champy,puts it,it is “An inexpensive hair cut,with the same feel and look of a designer style for an affordable price.” Exactly what all youngsters want. Another place to get a fancy haircut without snipping holes in the pocket is at Jawed Habib’s unisex Salons. At the Jawed Habib Kiosk at Gold Adlabs,Kalyaninagar,there is a perpetual line of youngsters wanting to get the latest happening look. And all this for hundred bucks! Most small-time jewellers can take care of nose or a ear piercing for as less as Rs 100- Rs 150.