Friday, 8 April 2016

Tips for Economic Shopping

Shopaholics can spend an entire day, every day of the week in a shopping mall. The strong pull of a new dress hanging by the window, a pair of sandals standing out from its counterparts or a fashion accessory that you come by while strolling is really captivating. 
However, sadly, we don’t live in an ideal world and as adults we also lose the license to fantasize. Therefore spending an entire day in a shopping mall seems like a distant possibility so far. The needs thus arises to shop ‘smart.’ To utilise the time you’re in a mall to not just tick everything on your task list, but to also spare a few minutes for window shopping, you have to follow a certain procedure.
So, don’t just start your car and drive to the mall with hefty expectations, always go keeping the following shopping strategies in mind.

  • Make a list                         

It’s an age old practice, which some of us now consider as out-dated. But it’s still the most effective way to keep a check on your spending. You’re investing your hard-earned cash and crucial time into this outing, a few minutes of penning down won’t harm at all. Firstly look around and see what you have and what you need, from groceries to utility items. Please note that buying new clothes should generally not be on the list until it’s really important. Remember to keep that list in front of you all the time and not in the back pocket of your jeans.

  • Make a budget

Oh how we all hate it! Going to a shopping mall with spending constraints. But like discussed, we don’t live in an ideal world and making a budget will help you save money. Take a look on your list and assess how much money you’re comfortable spending on it. It will be painful to say no to several things, but the satisfaction of saving money for end of the month troubles will be deeply gratifying. Don’t overthink after you’ve set the budget and start shopping right away.

  • Cash payment should be preferred

Paying with a card is an epitome of how we lead our lives these days, easy and lazy. Just a simple swipe and no hassle of carrying cash and counting notes. You should be aware that we tend to pay 20-50% more while using credit or debit card. Right after forming the shopping list and deciding a budget, withdraw the required cash and don’t pay with your card! Also, if you don’t rely on the card and spend from an apt cash amount, chances are that you won’t overspend.



  • Set a time-limit


Just like saving on money is crucial, saving time is equally important. Shoppingin Delhi can really take a lot of your time if you include travel time too. Dedicate a few hours to your outing and finish off the list within that timeframe. If you have a lot of idle time, window shopping would naturally creep in and the whole exercise of forming a list till setting a budget would go waste. You can also plan another task for later in the day so that when you’re done shopping you have to rush to do that. 

  • Shop solo

If you happen to shop with a friend who’s equally shopaholic, it can be a dangerous combo. Shopping alone lets you concentrate on what’s important and what’s worth ignoring. Shopping with your kid can also slow you down. If you’re visiting Select CityWalk, you can leave him at the probably the most interesting kids play zone in Delhi, so that he can have his own fun while you shop at a desired pace. Shopping alone is surely an amazing experience. 

Sunday, 28 February 2016

Tips for Shopping on a Budget

Shopping is one of those activities that one does not really need an occasion for, it can be done anytime and anywhere. Unlike some other activities that are more need based or require more than one person, shopping can be done without needing any reason. Shopping in Delhi is truly a pleasure since there are so many places and areas where one can get wonderful items. Whether one is looking for budget and cheap trinkets or one wants to get the best of best, like high end international brands, all of them can be found in this city. Delhi has got something for everyone, no matter what one might be looking for it can all be found here. Delhi has always been recognized as an important center of trade, which has spanned from the times of medieval era, more so for the northern India.

Some of the most prominent markets in Delhi have taken their names from ancient trading towns, but the fact that just allures people to Delhi even more is that along with these generations old market, one can also find modern shopping malls and complexes. This mix of modern and traditional makes Delhi a heaven for avid shoppers. As tourist one can find all manners of items which reflect the rich culture of our country, from authentic jewellery, to carpets, handicrafts, silverwares and precious silks and wool. As a native, one will already know all the nooks and crannies that provide just what one is looking for.


However, Delhi shopping for new migrants to Delhi or even natives can be a bit difficult, with rising prices and budget issues. The ones that face the most issue are college students or those who are not yet earning a lot, like those working in start-ups or junior level positions. These are the people, which need to make a budget for their shopping limits and need to be careful of what they buy. Everyone needs to shop, that is granted, but the point is how one shops, and when one shops that can make the world of difference. Thus, for those that are still not able to do budget shopping, here are a few tips which can help one buy the things that one wants and still save a bit of cash at the end of the day:


1. Look for Sales:

This tip is perhaps the most obvious one and still something that many people do not give enough attention to. Delhi is filled with shopping markets, malls and retail shops; however, the secret to budget shopping is buying items when there is a sale. And one does not need to worry that there won’t be a lot of sales, instead almost every shop hold multiple sales. From season end sale, to sale during the festival times and sometimes certain brands also have special discounts on account of an anniversary or other such milestone.

2. Buy Multi- Use Items:

Make sure that when one does go shopping, to buy items that can be used multiple times. Try to go for neutral and subtle colors that can be mixed and matched in several different ways. Also limit the purchase of pants and lowers in favour of buying shirts and upper wears. One can still use the same lowers many times; however it is the upper clothing that is noticed.

3. Select Where to Buy:

There are many places to shop in Delhi, from the affluent Select Citywalk mall to the small markets like Janpath and Sarojini Nagar. What one has to decide on is where to buy their items from. Now, one does not need to think that a mall will have only expensive items, as even there sales and budget shops exist that one can buy from.


4. Shop in Off Season:

It is widely known that many brands almost slice the prices by half during the off season. This is a helpful tip that one can use when buying necessities as one can buy summer clothing in winters and vice versa and the price will be drastically lower as compared to when they are in season.

Wednesday, 24 February 2016

4 Places in Delhi for Shopaholics

Delhi, capital of India has a lot of things to offer. It has both overwhelming history and fine modern culture. It is known for its heritage and different way of life and traditions. This richness is reflected in the food of Delhi, as the city offers different types of people a variety of cuisines and so on. Delhi is the place you swear by, no matter whether you are an avid shopper or you are a foodie like me, you would definitely fall in love with this place and for those who love street food, Delhi is heaven for them.

Are you planning a trip to Delhi? If you are, do pay a visit to the historical monuments, forts and mosques. For all the shopaholics out there, you have to visit its several markets to enjoy shopping in Delhi at its best. 

Delhi is the hub of places to shop. From the lavish buildings of shopping malls to the wide spread street shopping sites, the city of Delhi has it all. Here’s a list of markets where you can buy fashionable, stylish and trendy clothes without making a hole in your pocket. Also, learn the skills of bargaining from Delhiites while you’re shopping.


•Sarojini Nagar- It is named after Sarojini Naidu. This place is one of the popular shopping areas in Delhi to buy clothes. Sarojini Nagar is slightly different than others as if you are looking for branded clothes at a cheap price, then this is place you should be. If you are in hurry, I would suggest not going there as there are lots of options to confuse you. You better avoid Sunday afternoons as it is the rush hour, with the locals coming out to shop.



•Lajpat Nagar- It is famously known for hand-made embroidery of Lucknow chickan. This place demands to be visited once when you are in Delhi. You can get various kinds of accessories, clothes, footwear and saris here. If you have already got some bargaining skills, you might even save a few bucks while shopping from Lajpat. You will also discover some mehendiwalas around the market. They apply mehendi at a very nominal price. One important thing to keep in mind is that the shopping area is closed on Mondays, so plan accordingly.




•Chandni Chowk- This place is one of the oldest and most popular markets in Delhi. It holds an astonishing amount of history. The place is very crowded and encompasses every colour of Delhi. Katra Neel Market is one of its famous markets here, which offers various kind of fabrics like silks, satin, cotton, muslin and crepe. Khari Baoli is a must visit for spice lovers. One can buy electrical goods from Bhagirath market which is Asia’s largest market for electrical goods and this also offers medical equipment and allopathic medicines. If you are fanatical with pearl jewellery, you must visit Moti Bazar; which offers exquisite collection of pearl jewellery.




•Janpath Market- The shops are starting from outer circle of Connaught place to Windsor Place. It’s attracting tourists with its colourful shawls, attractive t-shirts, dazzling earrings and a lot of junk jewellery. If you are an ethnic lover, this place will surely satiate your desire for junk jewellery. In winter, you can get some really good woolen clothes within your budget. Janpath market is closed on Sundays.



If you want to visit a mall in Delhi, you can go to Select Citywalk, one of biggest malls in Delhi and if you are with your family, this mall has a huge kids’ play zone. It is known to have quite an well- liked kids play zone in New Delhi.

Wednesday, 10 February 2016

Why are Malls so Popular?


Up until a few years back, stepping out of the house, whether for a family outing or a groups of friends getting together, was a hassle. There were not many places that a group of people could come to a consensus easily and in time. There were of course, the typical markets and bazaars, and playgrounds and such. But there was still no such place, where one could a multitude of different things all under one roof. One would still have to shop in one place, then travel either by auto, or on foot to go somewhere else to eat and then travel some more to finally get back home.

However, since that time, people of the city have been blessed by the boon that are malls. Malls like Select Citywalk and more quickly grabbed eyeballs from near and far and gained immense popularity within a relatively short period of time. These malls have the thing that people have been wanting all this while and that is almost everything one can imagine to have a good time, in one place.





It is no wonder, that malls have become so popular, that they have become the go to place for people all over the city. Whenever a group is unable to decide on where to go, the easy answer is a mall. In a mall, one can shop, eat, watch a movie, and even participate in a number of different activities, without having to travel much.

One can find in a mall, the best restaurant in Delhi, top brands for shopping, from domestic to unknown and unheard of international brands too. The versatile and vast nature of malls which is able to cater to people of all ages, from small kids to the elderly, is something that perfectly lures people over to it. All these reasons are more than enough to elevate the popularity of a mall.

Tuesday, 19 January 2016

Cafes: The Perfect Place To Hang Out At

If you look around, you are bound to find some restaurant or eating joint near you. The best part about the food industry is that it can never fail; where there are people, there are bound to be restaurants- big or small- around them. However, in the recent years, the popularity of cafés where one can just chill and hang out with friends at has shot up, and one can find good cafes in every nook and cranny of India. From main markets near residential areas, to commercial hubs, to shopping malls- there is no dearth of good eating joints nowadays.

Cafe in Delhi - Select Citywalk
In fact, a friend from another city enquired about the best café in Delhi while planning her travel and stay in Delhi. She wanted to stay at a place surrounded by great places to eat and chill at. Similarly, my friends and I are busy planning our itinerary for our trip to Mumbai in the coming days and we have marked the best of cafes with live music, great food, and amazing nightlife. The point I am trying to make is that cafes have become such an important part of city life that one can’t help look for the best places while planning a trip to another city, or even a day out with friends in another zone of the same city.

In fact, there are always new and happening places opening in Select Citywalk, my favourite mall in Delhi. The place is always buzzing with people from all walks of life, and the malls offers something for everyone- young and old alike. Apart from the great many places to shop and dine at, it’s important for all popular places including malls to have a dedicated Kids Play Zone in New Delhi wherein the kids- from toddlers to older kids can have the time of their lives. Hang Out at Select Citywalk is one such entertainment destination for kids where party, play, and have lots and lots of fun.

Hence, if you wish to explore great cafes, just head to Delhi’s famous malls and you will find all at one place. Cheers!

Tuesday, 29 December 2015

The Joys Of Roaming Around A Mall

The holiday season is here and so are the vacations. Whether it is school, college and even offices, albeit for a small time only. But vacations are here but the outside is so cold, thus roaming around in open markets is out, unless one is willing to be out of the house before 12 and then only can one take pleasure in the sunlight. But even that sunny day is difficult to come by. So, what does one do, where one can go out and experience the holiday cheer while at the same time not having to bundle oneself in numerous layers or freeze.

Select Citywalk - Best shopping malls in India

Well, thankfully, there is a very simple solution this problem and that is to just visit a mall, either near you or even one that you have been wanting to visit for some time. There are a lot of places to shop in Delhi, a mall being perhaps the most popular place these days. And in such a chilly weather, malls are just perfect since they are heated, indoors and yet have so many options to choose from.

One can just take their friends, gather a group of people and just go to a mall. Even if one does not really have any destination or any work in particular, even then, a mall would provide ample places for entertainment. There are bookstores, gaming arcades, shops, restaurant, cafes and more.

There are also multiple movie theatres in Saket, Noida, Gurgaon and other malls all over the city. So, one can even go and see a movie and then shop, eat and literally spend a whole day there without running out of things to do. Or one can just laze around in a café or the food court, having steaming food, desserts and just catching up with friends while doing people watching.

Monday, 14 December 2015

Why Select Citywalk Is The Best Mall in Delhi

I have recently moved to South Delhi and I must accept that this part of my city was practically unknown for me. I did not know about the places to hang out, to go grab a quick bite or to catch up for a movie. Also, I did not have many friends in and around the area I put up so there was no on really to show me around.

Once, my colleague and I decided to go for a couple of beers after a rough day at work. She took me to Select CityWalk, of which I had only heard of in the past. I have never been here before and I realized what I have been missing! The mall was in fact pretty close to my place but my ignorance never led me to it. Right next to the Svelte hotel in Saket, stands the mall which is a home to several brands and restaurants. Not only this, the mall had a beautiful outside seating arrangement which was mesmerising!

I suddenly got the address of all that I was missing. This mall boast of a multiplex and my colleague told me the movie experience here is grand! I made up mind then and there that this is where I am going to come to see the latest movies! Also I was spoilt for choices when I looked around for a place to eat! No wonder it is one of best malls in Delhi! You can have a bite of any cuisine from the restaurants in the premises of the mall.

I was a bit bedazzled to look at the all the international brands together and I was almost planning to drop by the next day- all by myself to explore my potential shopping destinations! Needless to say, I am grateful to that colleague of mine who introduced me to the mall, which is I feel the heart of Saket. Love to go back there!