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The Nepali market is saturated with things. Even though we import most products, there is no dearth of items to fit every taste and budget. But, we believe, shopping shouldn’t just be about accumulating things. The stuff you bring into your house should have a story to tell, it should bring joy, and if you can help someone in the process then that’s even better. Here, we recommend three cool places to shop. From stationery and household items to clothes and other accessories, you will find everything you need at these stunning stores.

Maya ko Chino

Located at Jhamsikhel chowk in Lalitpur, Maya ko Chino is a quaint little store that houses a lot of things. There are macrame decorations, ceramic items like cups, jugs, and bowls, copper and steel kitchen items, notebooks made from recycled paper, and knitwear, among other things. It’s a collective store that promotes handmade products from different parts of Nepal. Some local brands that feature prominently at the store include Joba Knitwear, Eco Sathi Nepal, Yellow Hatti, Saboo: Nepal, and We Will Rise Collective. All the items are well-made and thus durable. We guarantee you will want to browse the store thoroughly and won’t be able to leave empty-handed. While you are there, say hi to the owner’s much-pampered pooch, whom she took in from the streets a few years ago, and can now be found lounging in the store. She’s a sweetheart.

The Local Project Nepal

When The Local Project was launched in 2017, as a platform for native and indigenous products, it was perhaps the first of its kind. Their main aim is to provide customers with a wide range of locally made products that are of good quality and sustainable. They believe in fair wages and are driven by their desire to provide local artisans and entrepreneurs with sustainable livelihoods. They also focus on empowering women and socially excluded groups as well as promoting the concepts of recycling and upcycling. Besides their line of products, they have items from Yatri Supply Kathmandu, Riti Riti, Suiro Teas, Mheecha, Alchi, and The White Yak, among others. The Local Project Nepal has two outlets: one in Jhamsikhel, Lalitpur, inside Evoke Café premises, and the other in Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, inside Le Sherpa Restaurant. Both the outlets are closed on Mondays. Le Sherpa hosts a farmer’s market on Saturdays and this can be a great time to visit The Local Project outlet there.

Dhukuti

For home décor and crafts, Dhukuti in Kupondole, Lalitpur, can become your one-stop solution. Spread across three floors, opposite the newly-opened Himalayan Java in Kupondole, Dhukuti is the retail store of the Association of Craft Producers which is a fair-trade organization in Nepal that supports low-income artisans with the production process as well as marketing. At Dhukuti, you can buy bed sheets and covers, tableware, wooden furniture, metal furniture, tote bags and pouches, ceramics, and paper crafts including gift bags and envelopes among many other things. Driven by a commitment to fair trade, ACP ensures that the things sold at Dhukuti adhere to the values of fairness and long-term sustainability. The shop is frequented by foreigners and locals alike, with the latter now showing a growing interest in it than ever before.

A book titled ‘Harigaon Revisited: Chronicle and outcomes of an Excavation in Kathmandu Valley’ has been launched in Kathmandu. The book has been written by Giovanni Veradi, an Italian Professor and archaeologist specializing in the civilizations of Central, South and India. Other co-authors of the book are Daniel Balogh, Daniela De Dimone and Elio Paparattti.

According to him, the idea of writing this book stemmed from the need to rethink an excavation carried out in Kathmandu in years now distant from the people who took part in it and even more distant from the recent history of Nepal. Today the Valley of Kathmandu is a profoundly different place from what it was in the 1980s, and in many ways unrecognizable, he says,  the idea of the book, however, is also due to the long-term consequences of the situation created in Italy between 2008 and 2011, the year in which the Istituto Italiano per l’Africa e l’Oriente (IsIAO), sonship of the Istituto Italiano per il Medio ed Estremo Oriente (IsMEO), closed down.

The latter had been established in 1933 by Giovanni Gentile and then directed for a long time by Giuseppe Tucci. Both Institutes, as far as field activities in Asia were concerned, were in close relationship with the Museo Nazionale di Arte Orientale, where the documentation of the excavations was deposited, in particular the graphic and photographic material (drawings of all kinds, negatives and prints). In 2016 the Museum left its headquarters in the very central Via Merulana in Rome and was joined to the Museo Nazionale Preistorico Etnografico Luigi Pigorini, merging into the new Museo delle Civiltà, where today the largest part of the documentation of the archaeological undertakings of the past is kept, waiting to be rearranged and made usable.

Feel Good Productivity

Ali Abdaal

Self Help | Psychology

Drawing on decades of psychological research, Dr Ali Abdaal has found that the secret to productivity and success isn’t grind–it’s feeling good. If you can make your work feel good, then productivity takes care of itself. In this revolutionary book, Ali reveals how the science of feel-good productivity can transform your life. He introduces the three hidden ‘energizers’ that underpin enjoyable productivity, the three ‘blockers’ we must overcome to beat procrastination, and the three ‘sustainers’ that prevent burnout and help us achieve lasting fulfillment. He recounts the inspiring stories of founders, Olympians, and Nobel-winning scientists who embody the principles of Feel-Good Productivity. And he introduces the simple, actionable changes that you can use to achieve more and live better, starting today. 

The Mountain is You

Brianna Wiest

Self Help 

This is a book about self-sabotage. Why we do it, when we do it, and how to stop doing it—for good. Coexisting but conflicting needs create self-sabotaging behaviors. This is why we resist efforts to change, often until they feel completely futile. But by extracting crucial insight from our most damaging habits, building emotional intelligence by better understanding our brains and bodies, releasing past experiences at a cellular level, and learning to act as our highest potential future selves, we can step out of our way and into our potential. For centuries, the mountain has been used as a metaphor for the big challenges we face, especially ones that seem impossible to overcome. To scale our mountains, we have to do the deep internal work of excavating trauma, building resilience, and adjusting how we show up for the climb. In the end, it’s not the mountain we master, but ourselves. 

101 Essays that Will Change the Way You Think

Brianna Wiest

Self Help 

Over the past few years, Brianna Wiest has gained renown for her deeply moving, philosophical writing. This new compilation of her published work features pieces on why you should pursue purpose over passion, embrace negative thinking, see the wisdom in daily routine, and become aware of the cognitive biases that are creating the way you see your life. Some of these pieces have never been seen; others have been read by millions of people around the world. Regardless, each will leave you thinking: this idea changed my life.

In a world where trends come and go, embracing second-hand clothing is a timeless statement of sustainability, individuality, and the art of rediscovering styles with unique stories. Shopping second-hand for clothing items can turn your wardrobe into a curated gallery of sustainable fashion. Rastrika Shakya from ApEx talked with some people to find out how they feel about shopping for second-hand clothes in Nepal.

Manjila Bajimaya

In a world dominated by fast fashion and instant deliveries, the allure of secondhand and vintage clothing often goes overlooked. But I believe there are many reasons to start buying clothes second-hand. It’s an eco-friendly and budget-conscious alternative. Thrift stores, offering gently used garments, present an opportunity to discover current styles at unbeatable prices. The cyclical nature of fashion means you can easily find hidden gems from various eras, spanning the 20s to the 90s. Beyond personal benefits, shopping second-hand supports small businesses.

I think that shopping for second-hand clothes can be a great life-changing hack. Additionally, selling items allows you to recoup costs, making the second-hand experience not only sustainable but financially savvy. Also, while exploring the world of second-hand clothing I have been pleasantly surprised by the treasures and advantages it brings.

Pooja Tiwari

As a fashion student, I’m intrigued by antique clothing pieces that have a rich history, allowing us to relive the past. Additionally, some vintage items seamlessly complement modern outfits in terms of styling.

I love shopping second-hand. In my experience, each find is a one-of-a-kind treasure. Second-hand clothing is unique, and sometimes you can’t find the same product again because they aren’t being manufactured anymore. Recycling clothes also saves resources and reduces pollution caused by production, which is a good reason to indulge in it.

Samridhi Karmacharya

I thoroughly enjoy purchasing used clothes. I have a special fondness for hand-me-downs. My decision to buy clothes is often guided by the belief that I’ll wear the garment multiple times. Otherwise, I don’t buy clothes at all.  

In all honesty, I rarely buy clothes from retail stores. Instead, I’ve cultivated a preference for either having my clothes made by my local tailor or taking matters into my own hands and sewing them myself. The intention behind each piece, whether stitched by a local artisan or crafted by my own hands, fosters a sense of appreciation. This conscious approach not only aligns with my style but also emphasizes sustainability and an appreciation for the garments I choose to wear.