Valentines, Three Decades later...

It was just another day, another date. One more Sunday morning, the same old doorbell with the Milkman, Dhobiwala et al. She sat with her morning cup of tea just like any other day, her only “me time” before the day started with all demanding her attention. The newsprint was filled with the colour red & heart shaped paraphernalia. Ofcourse! Its February 14- St. Valentine’s Day! The day to celebrate love. She skipped through most of the pages, skimmed through her whatsapp messages which again reminded her of Valentine’s Day via the forwards. It didn’t mean anything to her. It was just another day. 

The kitchen clock struck 9 o’clock & she knew the maid would ring the door bell. She turned towards the kitchen to refill her cup of tea when indeed the bell rang, she opened the door expecting to see her sleepy maid but wait, she didn’t! Instead who she saw was a girl in pink, smiling & greeting her, “Good Morning Ma’am!” Must be a mistake. As irritated as she could be, she looked at the girl questioningly, only to be told, “Ma’am, I am Hema from Belita - Salon comes Home. You have an appointment with us right now.” Wooaah! What happened to my morning? She wondered! Before she could ask the girl to check the apartment number, her otherwise nonchalant husband of 30 years, shocked her by hugging her from behind & whispering in her ears, “Happy Valentine’s, My Love”. She could not believe her ears & turned to check if it was indeed him & not a dream! 

The Belita therapist was let in & she went about her work- Disposable soft sheets were laid out on the bed, Newspapers were spread out on the floor on which very swiftly the pedicure tub, tools & equipment & the various creams etc. were laid out. A disposable gown was laid out for her. Quickly, her otherwise sleeping kids put on some spa music in the room, aircon set to an ambient temperature and some air mist sprayed, curtains drawn, Her Spa was all set to welcome her. The husband led her into the room, presented a red rose & planted a kiss to say, “I don’t need a Valentine’s day to tell you about my love for you, but I do need you to forget it all, sit back & enjoy this spa treat, because you deserve it”. She blushed just like a teenager. It was indeed love! Before closing the door, he winked & asked her to be ready for a surprise! 

She was nervous. She didn’t know what to expect from this “Spa”! The Belita therapist politely explained it all to her, the various treatments that had been booked for her, be it the spa Facial, Manicure-pedicure, Swedish Body Massage et al! She sat back & for once forgot all her daily routine & allowed herself to soak in the beauty treatments!

Three hours later, rejuvenated, she stepped out of her personal spa to find her bag packed, a dress & two tickets to Goa. #pamperyourlove

What is your Valentine's Day Story? - 

You will find this heart touching story on:  Belita India - Salon Comes Home

MINK Laundry Services - Pamper your CLothes

Women & Clothes- the never ending saga! I always got mad at my mom for spending so much time sorting out the laundry, buying all possible detergents, conditioners, being super cautious with her silk saris & repeatedly wearing them before Dry-cleaning! I never understood why would you not Dry Clean it after each wear!

Here I am now married to a #Hujband who loves his suits & loves me in Silk & woven saris & crepe dresses. I can't help accept that yes, I have evolved into my Mom! I sort the laundry basket, scour for types of fabric conditioners, look out for stains. I carefully wear my saris & expensive dresses & wear them selectively & dry clean them even more carefully!

Being part of networking forum soften throws up opportunities at you to try out various new products & services! They genuinely seek an opinion. Some try to influence the review whilst some stay clear from any such gimmicks. I prefer the latter as it allows me to be me and honest with my readers.

So here, I am reviewing MINK Laundry Services. 

A small background on where I come from when I evaluate Dry Cleaning Services. Habits are inculcated young, my Mom taught me that if you can buy & wear a sari worth Rs.5000/- plus, you must treat it like an asset, care for it & maintain it well. She swore me to forever & forever trust only Beauty Art Drycleaners for all the heirlooms she passed on to me & I would acquire over the years. So yes, I believe in old school experience when it comes to taking care of my clothes because they truly understand weaves! 

So here was MINK tempting me with trying any of my -5- pieces of prized possessions to be dry cleaned! Haw! I thought, modern technology on Indian clothes! Yet another Presto. (Do not get me started on Presto!)

So MINK's claim to fame- Pampering your clothes & Absolutely Premium right from placing a pick up order to receiving it. 

Placing a Pick up Order: rather easy over Whatsapp

Punctuality: On Pick up, within 20 mins in Powai

Client Engagement: Well Informed & extremely courteous Staff 

Clothes Given: A brand new Linen dyed Pathani Salwar Suit, a never before washed but often worn Dinner Jacket, my #Hujband's favourite leather suede finish jacket & a silk sari which bleeds colour & had a stain.

Post Handover of clothes, the feeling I had, Premium, reminded me of the House keeping staff at any Good business hotel. 

I received a message with a pic of the stained sari which they were trying to get rid of & keep me in the loop.

Now, here is the twist. So MINK promises delivery within -48- hours. I gave away my clothes on Saturday. I definitely did not expect the clothes on Monday given Sunday would have been an off day. However when on Tuesday I did not receive my clothes, the anger in me rose because I cant stand unfulfilled promises. 

So I messaged them the next day demanding to know about my clothes to which I received the standard response that they are truly sorry for the delay & the stain has delayed them and I will positively receive my clothes the next day. 

Now, had these clothes been urgent, I would have blasted the day lights out of them but they were not. These were just long over due clothes. (Plus, I was reviewing them, hence pushed myself to be super patient)

I received my package today as promised.

Delivery: Profusely apologetic for the delay, Smiling, courteous well educated staff handed over the jackets in the hanger along with the folded sari & set in a cover.

Post Delivery Feeling: Yes. Premium. I particularly liked their packaging i.e. the cover, quality of hanger (hope they maintain it), the branded paper bag (ensures repeat use), the sari cover (ensures the sari stays in it in the wardrobe). Clothes don't smell of hard chemicals. The colours have not bled either. Ironing seems crisp even in the current humidity. 

So yes, over all, a good service experience & more importantly the clothes seem to have been pampered well. The packaging definitely steals the show.

Question is Value For Money? Well, they are a premium service so let us not talk about VFM as it is priced above the average local Dry Cleaner. It is the price one pays for guarantee & service. 

On what occasions would I personally use their services again? Wedding & Heavy saris, expensive jackets when needed expressly. Especially steam ironing of trousseau attire. Regular Clothes I would most likely skip. I would definitely like to try infant wear & expensive Pashminas with MINK to see if the softness can be maintained or made better! 

MINK Best Suited for: Expensive Couture & most loved clothing which requires genuine care. Yes, our outer skin too deserves pampering!

Pricing: 

*Note: This review was sponsored by the company, however, the views expressed are my own sans any influence & bias.