With the monsoons nearly halfway through - I hope! - I thought I'd give you a rundown of the items I've been using the most during these wet days.

As I've been saying ad nauseam, I know, I've really been digging the dark side. Dark colours don't show dirt and water stains so badly as light colours do. They don't need to be well lined to avoid a free show should you happen to get caught in a downpour. And if they're in lightweight materials - like this outfit - they dry off very quickly indeed. Which is a necessity not just for those days when you do get caught in the rain, but also for regular washing too. With the weather what it is, everything takes an age to dry no matter how good your washing machine is. Lightweight fabrics mean that your clothes won't need a full two days to dry after being washed.

These wellies have been an absolute lifesaver for me. When I bought them, I was simply looking for a pair of black rainboots as I already had a brown one. But the Chelsea-style of these have made them perfect for regular wear. Wellies, aka gumboots, are usually mid-calf length. They're amazing for wet days when the rain is pouring down. But on those days when it's just a drizzle, although the streets are mush and muck, they can feel too cumbersome. These boots are perfect! They protect your feet from all the gunk, but they're only ankle-height. They're so convenient. I have been using them nearly every day since I bought them. The only con is that they are really slippery on the type of tiling you usually find at the entrances of buildings. Walk carefully there, or risk a sprained ankle.

This umbrella has been my go-to for years now. I think it's a little over four years old. It fits perfectly into the cross-body bags I love. It holds its own  - more or less - when faced with strong winds. And it is just so cute. It most definitely isn't one to take out with you in a thunderstorm. But it's exactly what you need to have on you "just in case". It's kept me dry in many a sudden shower. It's honestly the handiest thing I own.

Torrential downpours mean that you don't feel like making much effort with both makeup and accessories. Rings have to be removed if your hands get wet. Long earrings get so tangled up in wet hair. And necklaces are just asking to get tarnished. I bought this collection of tiny, rose-gold hoops from Accessorize a short while ago, and they have fast become my chosen accessory. They make your outfit look stylish, but they aren't the least bit fussy to wear. They won't get tangled in wet hair. Should they get wet, they won't be ruined. I have worn them every day since the rains began in earnest. And I'm pretty sure I'll be wearing them till the end of the season.

As with accessories, so with makeup. Who can be bothered to put on a full face of anything in this weather? Added to that, my doctor has prescribed a few facial peels (follow my IGTV for more on that) and you'll understand why makeup is a no-go for me right now. It's the time when I turn to my lip glosses. And in particular these lip oils from Clarins. I bought them sometime last year, and I have to say, I truly love them. They have a touch of colour (although the 02 one has none) and are super-moisturising. The 03 shade, which is the one I've photographed, gives your lips a lovely berry tint and tastes like berries too. I have one stuffed in my handbag at all times. They are expensive, but I have to say, I feel they're worth the money.

The final item I've been using non-stop are my rose-tinted sunnies from Forever 21. I bought them as a novelty piece for a few pics. But they have fast become my sunglasses of choice in this weather. Aside from the fact that they are quite on-trend, the rose-tinted lenses mean that the world looks brighter than it actually is. Something very useful on these dull, grey days. I don't quite understand how light works, but I can tell you that the difference in brightness when you have these on is astonishing. Seeing the world through rose-tinted glasses truly means seeing a brighter picture - literally! I have been using these since I bought them. I haven't put them away once.

There are a few other things that I use - my bucket bag being one of them! - but these are the ones that I reach for on a daily basis. What do you use regularly during the rains? Let me know.

Till next time,

MumbaiGirl.

IG: @maryannecp