againbeborn

1st B'day Party Invite

2011-07-08T17:19:00.000-07:00

Arnav's turning One. Can you believe? I am so excited to have created his first party invite. It turned out rather impressive.

This is the inside...

I hand die-cut the airplane wings for some fun!

Crepe Mrytle Flower Bouquet

2011-06-22T20:00:00.000-07:00

I hardly EVER see Mrytle flower arrangements in homes and I decided to honor them for sweet Thursday. My mother helped cut them down short because they tend to hang really low due to their own weight. It just looks so stunning on our island right now. I am excited to greet them tomorrow morning.

What is your recent out of the ordinary flower arrangement? Have you thought of looking into your garden and making a bouquet of unusual foliage? I'd love to hear!

If you notice, Mom and I, let some leaves float in the water for some drama and I must say that it has a lovely glistening effect. You must try. Ofcourse the vase has to be large and super squeaky clean. :)

Cook Republic!

2011-06-21T14:37:00.000-07:00

I am weak for food. All the time. And so naturally I love food and design blogger Sneh Roy at Cook Republic. Check out her blog and you'll see why I don't need to elaborate much on her at all. She is beautiful, brilliant, and above all the best blogger!

Enjoy!

Wicker!

2011-06-17T07:21:00.000-07:00

I was trying to find stylish wicker breakfast chairs and then landed upon this beauty! Must share..

The Perfect Bedding

2011-06-03T12:01:00.000-07:00

So my husband is an engineer and for him a basic bed-in-a-bag would have just gotten the job done. Whereas I am a little different. I obsess over the perfect colors and the right theme and oh does it go with our character and let's analyze ourselves to the point of no return and basically clear ludicrous obsession over what - a simple piece of fabric we may lay upon? Ah but that is the fun of life.

So after meticulously talking and pondering over what kind of people we are and how much upkeep we like and what colors we are and bla bla bla...after countless trips to all stores under sky for the right pillows...after an hour's drive to downtown Dallas in rush hour with a sleeping baby in the carseat who blissfully stays ignorant of the world and his mother living in it - I arrive at what you see below.

We are happy with this messy wrinkly quirky sleek sexy clean white organic crispy love nest. So Take That 'BED-IN-A-BAG'! :)

West Elm | Euro Pintuck Shams | $9

World Market | Petal Pillow | $20

Target | Rich Queen Purple Rose Pillow | $20

Target | Clean White King Sheet | $16

World Market | Silver Soft Blue Pillow | $9

West Elm | Duvet | $70

Oh So Cute Buttohns

2011-06-02T19:40:00.000-07:00

What is it about buttons that just pulls at your heart's string and raises the cute alert a zillion times! Check out these finds. They are adorable and I just love the belt by -Astronette- on Flickr. So Talented!

My Bedding Craze

2011-06-01T20:36:00.000-07:00

So lately I have had to fashion our bedding for the hubby and me to feel a little bit more sexy and sleepy. I have never paid attention to our bedding before and now that I have put together just the perfect set for now - I AM IN LOVE. I am a believer. Yes the perfect bedding can make you feel just right when you snuggle in after a long day's work.

Look at some inspirations I found.

Starry Bedroom

2011-05-29T21:34:00.000-07:00

This is so beautiful and dreamy!

Quilt for the Summer

2011-05-21T08:14:00.000-07:00

I am loving this quilt from West Elm. Lately I am obsessing over Yellow.

Sitting Area

2011-05-19T09:28:00.000-07:00

I love sitting areas. When I bought my sectional my father-in-law said 'Well this is hardly a conversational piece!'. It's true in a sense.

Sectionals are very matter of fact and they are 'L' shaped and are comfortable for plopping and just relaxing on your own or matter-of-factly seating a couple of people when you have a party but it doesn't speak cozy and oh-so-inviting as a plush fiber couch and a few chairs of different styles from different eras all just asking you to come sit and simply talk.

Isn't this cute?

McKinney Downtown District

2011-05-08T14:30:00.000-07:00

Today I went with a friend to Mckinney Main Street and just had a blast. We had sweet home-made strawberry cake and sandwiches at Spoon's Cafe.

Arnav loved his first pasta salad and ofcourse he couldn't handle sharing that scrumptious cake with me and my friend. He wanted it all!

And when window shopping I came across this lovely bit. How cute is this tea/bar cart. I loved it and immediately wanted to share with you.

Antiquing in Weatherford, TX

2011-04-24T20:07:00.000-07:00

I had a fun weekend antiquing in Weatherford, TX with my best girl friends. One of them grew up in Weatherford and I have heard her talk about this lovely hometown of hers so often that subconsciously it became one of my must-go-to destinations in this life-time. And I am GLAD I went. Leaving Arnav was pretty hard. Believe it or not in about eight months this the longest I have been without him. I must say Daddy dearest took great care of him and neither of them missed me. :)

So my girls and I ate chicken salad sandwiches, stuffed our faces with chocolate interpretations (merengue, german, and BROWNIE!), topped it all with ice-cream, and then contemplated getting snicker doodles. Once thoroughly full we decided to damage our wallets as best as girls could and you are about to see what yours truly bought!

I am SOOOO EXCITED about my retro chairs. I have been searching for the perfect individual seating for my living room for the past 4 years. Yes. 4 Years. Yes that is odd and compulsive. Obsessive. All of that. But it's a prized possession a gal/wife/now mom DESERVES to have for umm...let's say MAY 8TH!! :)

These Ranch Oak Vintage chairs were originally $190 a piece and I bargained these beauties to $100 a piece.

Gorgeous backs

Tray for my trinkets. $5
Earrings $3

Ornate mirror $15

Wooden chess and game set for the dear husband $6

He loved it!

Herb Signs

2011-04-20T15:42:00.000-07:00

I am loving these. And ofcourse want them for my little herb garden.

Go get them for your little gardening soul. You deserve it.
Etsy Artist: vicandalbie Vintage inspired objects for home and garden.

Peacock shoes

2011-01-10T19:12:00.001-08:00

I don't know why but when I saw this shoe it sort of reminded me of the colorful 2011 I plan to have. LaplumeEthera from Santa Clara, CA is brilliant!

Raw Butter!

2010-11-11T18:56:00.000-08:00

I made raw butter at home and am so proud of it! Here's how I did it.

This was truly a fun project and something my family will enjoy for years to come. :)

Spice Racks!

2010-11-07T07:21:00.000-08:00

I've been obsessed with spice racks lately. But usually a rack is boring. Check out these new twisted uber modern spice storage designs from artists. It soo cool and functional! They make great gifts.

cookoutsidethebox's etsy shop

GneissSpice's etsy shop

GneissSpice's etsy shop

lovelywoodcompany's etsy shop

purposedesign's etsy shop

saltycityspice's etsy shop

saltycityspice's etsy shop

sittinginsawdust's etsy shop

Woodenbliss's etsy shop

Whoooaaaaaa!!

2010-10-15T12:50:00.002-07:00

Okay so it's been a long time. No it's been ages. I feel like I have been out of the scene well once again despite promising to write more.

How could I? I was keeping a little tiny one inside and now he is outside. The difference you ask? None. He needs me today as much as he needed me when I was pregnant with him. :) Is it joyous you ask? OFCOURSE. But what about design? What about my career? What about colors and shapes and all things I went to school for and slaved away in countless jobs for. That portfolio book? That career in a firm. Hmm. I really don't know where everything is taking me. All I know is that there is a sweet little boy needing me right now and despite the swarming questions of ambition my priorities remain straight and unconfused. He needs me. I am here. That's all.

So blog world I turn to you to keep me occupied and involved in design. Life is too busy and offers too much of a mix-media to ever say 'I am bored.' I am home. I am taking care of the little one. And when he sleeps I shall sneak away and sketch or research for my next blog. Wish me luck. Wish me a sweet motherhood full of rewards and trials and tribulations. I stand with grace, gratitude and earnest.

So in that name here are some cute little finds!

Baby Shower!

2010-06-06T06:33:00.000-07:00

My friends threw me a baby shower and truly it's my first experience being at a traditional all-american baby shower as well as receiving one. I cannot express in words how wonderful and special everyone made me feel. It was a very intimate setting and we played games, ate scrumptious lunch and dessert, opened up gifts and just had a great time. Enjoy!

Adopt a dog card

2010-06-05T05:18:00.000-07:00

My very good friend and cubemate at work is thinking about adopting a dog. At times I heard him voice out to me that he wasn't sure about being 'ready'. I wanted to create this card for him as a confirmation that he indeed is ready and sometimes out of fear we are fooled into thinking that we do not have the courage, that we aren't ready. Have you thought that the very reason such a birth of contemplation might occur due to the fact that you are ready. Otherwise where does this debate stem from? So you have already started the first step of being ready and accepting. But there is a bit of doubt to brush away and blow out of your vision.

So your subconscious knows it that you are ready but you must pass one more test of asserting to yourself somehow or someway that you are indeed READY.

France Day 5: Cheverny, Chombord, and Blois

2010-05-29T09:56:00.000-07:00

On Day 5 we visited three palaces, Cheverney, Chombord, and Blois. We also got to taste wine and have lunch with the locals at their restaurant and wine tasting venue. The different styles of cheese and the green salad were purely refreshing. The accompanying bread was fantastic! The palaces burst with stories of love, deception, greed, political regality, ostentation, and above all with details of the everyday life of 14th-17th dwellers.

The young King Francis I was 25 yrs old in 1519 when he initiated the huge
enterprise of building the Chateau of Chambord. I think he is my favorite French King
and it probably has a lot to do with the fact that he was quite tall for a french man and did I
mention that he was a favorite of the ladies.

After he reconquered the Italian province of Milan, this keen young king
and huntsman built this castle originally intended as hunting lodge.
He reigned for 32 years and spent only 72 days at Chambord!

View from the hollow central column created by double spiral staircase that wind independently
around linking all of the three chateau's floors. This kind of innovative layout and ingeniousness of
the central staircase suggests that Leonardo da Vinci may have helped Francis I inspire this project.

Wood Engraved 'F' for Francis I

Beautiful antique door knob

Stone Stove

The king used to come through these doors on his horse and directly
go up the center spiraling staircase to his room riding his horse sometimes

View of the garden

One of the royal wings

Horse-drawn carriages built for the Comte de Chombord in 1871

And now to the wine-tasting and lunch. The tour we took allowed us to lunch
in a family domain with organic wines.

This was beautiful - a man pressing grapes in a wine glass

The electronic pipes spouted the wine of your choice. We had to taste it and
then note down it's intensity in aroma, flavor, where we thought it could be from, what kind of grape,
how long it's been aged - needless to say I miserably failed.

Akhil the wine connoisseur he is, ehem ehem, royally takes a sip
and diligently scribbles notes that he refuses to share with me!

The best salad I have had to this day at La grande Chancelier owned by small towners

Yep he is ready!

Flowers flowers flowers everywhere!

Chateau Cheverny
This Chateau originally was lost to the crown due to state fraud and was handed from King Henry II to his mistress Diane de Politiers who rather preferred the Chateau de Chenonceau. Hence the Chateau saw many ownerships ever since. After being passed down, sold, bought again, now the rightful owners are descendants of the aristocrats and they have liberally opened it up for the public's view.

Wall panels

Marlinspike in The Adventures of Tintin was based on Cheverny.

The luxury oozes out of these rooms

Akhil and I love clocks and have never seen anything like this

This is a over 400 year old tree in the gardens of Cheverny

You are thinking 'What on earth?!'
Well the family owns 70 hunting dogs who are taken out for hunts biweekly. They are half English foxhound and half French Poitou — are bred to have big feet and bigger stamina.Their feeding time is a major tourist attraction and while we didn't get to view the feeding directly, I did find a cool video from Derek on Motionbox that you can view below. This is a really cool video! I wish I had caught this moment myself. And I couldn't help but marvel at the clean spotless floor left behind. You'll see what I am talking about once you view the video.

Aww - just don't get near him during his feeding time.

The last of chateaus for today - Blois! Prounounced 'blwa'
Can you believe that these decorative gargoyles were actually water drainage spouts.

Another gargoyle drainage spout.

Blois has an ancient fortress that slowly transformed into a royal castle after being acquired by different kings. There are three wings to this castle, one by Louix XII, another by Francis I and another by Gaston d'Orleans.

Inscriptions of Queen Catherine de Medici and King Henry II as gold wall paper

King Henry II was known to have mistresses and his favorite 'love' was Diane de Poitiers. Isn't it interesting how when the King Henry II's 'H' combines with Queen Catherine de Medici's 'C' it forms into a a double 'D' representing Diane de Poitiers whom the King adored for the rest of his life.

Royal trays

A video from the Wine Cave

Little Batch Botanicals

2010-05-25T14:08:00.000-07:00

For those of you who know me personally also know that I am a freak when it comes to natural therapy and earthly living style. I am one of those who will grind her own spices, grate fresh coconut even through carpal tunnel pain, cut her fresh vegetables minutes before dropping into a a hot pot, make her own creams and oils, and wait out a headache for days before even entertaining popping a pill!

Well recently I took to making my own beauty care products. I have had a hand at making lip balms, basic soaps, and moisturizing oils. This recent intrigue thankfully landed me right on Little Batch's Etsy Shop! Not only do I love all her concepts but the photography and the product design amply invite me to just try her hand made vegan products. Please take some time to visit her shop at LittleBatch and enjoy the below images.

Prairie Press, the art of Nature's bounty by Antje Kay Sutton

2010-05-20T14:17:00.000-07:00

Look what I found! Antje Kay Sutton's fresh Etsy shop!! The whimsical art inspired by nature's finds are truly amazing. If I owned these notecards, I wouldn't part with them at all. I'd frame them! These are beyond personalized notecards. And I simply love her bio. Look and read on...and find her at shop prairiepressart. She is selling these notecards for $12.00 USD.

This is my favorite!

You might catch a glimpse of me walking gently down a wooded pathway, or stopping curiously on the side of a country road. I may pick up some special little piece of nature’s foliage because I see an interesting shape or a beautiful hue and I begin to compose a piece of art in my head, using my new-found treasure as a key ingredient.

Later in my studio I carefully create each magical work of art using only nature’s flora, such as wildflowers, leaves, grapevines, twigs, tendrils, pods and bark.

My work includes birds, and animals with whimsical attitudes as well as innovative interpretations of woodland scenes, cultural designs, still life settings and carefree bouquets.

Antje Kay Sutton

forgive

2010-05-19T08:57:00.001-07:00

I created this piece of art for my best friend and her husband to hang in their cute apartment but never really presented it to them. I find this Oscar Wilde quote quite interesting and wanted to commit myself to a poster design featuring his quirky communication.

Hope you like it.

entry-way inspire

2010-05-14T13:36:00.000-07:00

I just stumbled upon this and fell in love!

Artists from Tibet and Nepal

2010-05-08T05:00:00.000-07:00

I just happened to land upon a lovely video where a film has been featured on how tibetan and nepalese wool makes it's journey all the way to us.

Just watch the people engrossed in their work from start to finish. We don't always appreciate this but the things we carry in our homes, the garbs we wear, the plastic we store food in—everything has gone through a journey. It has traveled through hands with energy of different sorts. It tells us stories that we do not hear.

I felt moved watching this movie. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did. Visit Interiors to watch the video. And look at the fabulous rugs too!

Out of the Scene

2010-03-11T05:29:00.000-08:00

This morning I woke up with nothing but my blog's thought in my mind. Once I heard somewhere when you wake up in the morning, tell yourself out loud 'Today is a great day!'. I did that too. I smiled.

As some of you can see, I've been out of the scene for such a prolonged time. This is because suddenly one beautiful day, the Universe graced Akhil and I with a lovely surprise in my womb. I am carrying our first child for the past four months and recently found out that it is indeed a little boy who will enter our world of happiness come August. And as any child full of mischief and twinkles, he too has caused quite a bit trouble for his young mother; I've just been suffering incessantly with nausea. It's amazing the transformations that happen to your psychology during this time and I allowed myself some time to live in the grace of what the moment was offering without any other distractions.

I am finally back feeling great in my health just as is intended by the course of life and need to get reading up on blogs that I missed; collect materials for my own blog; and come back to the art scene.

I must say one thing. My child has made me more peaceful and makes me feel closer to all things created. So with that renewed and refreshed sense of respect, I'd like to share this lovely rose that I took a photograph of.

Salvation and Butterfly

2009-11-22T19:54:00.000-08:00

Lately I have realized that I am absolutely okay with not blogging every single day or making it a point to beat myself with worry over missing two or three days of blogging in a row. Now I find happiness in doing it when I truly feel like it. And the readership will come. It may come slow but it will definitely come.

So lately, I have placed trust again.

I still have to blog about 2 more days on France. On my down time, I am working on it.

No rush.

Meanwhile, I am enjoying painting and drawing while Akhil watches hours of endless t.v. :) For some reason I kept staying away from painting. I kept convincing myself that no ofcourse it doesn't make me happy or any such thing! When I am done with a piece, the surge of emotion I have tells me I am convinced falsely. So here's a little stroke of happiness I found over the weekend. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did making it.

I am still trying to find my style. It's been many years. I don't feel that I am good or even decent so far. I want to run to the finishing line ofcourse but have to remind myself that this is a process just like all else in this wonderful life of ours.

I gifted this one to a friend of mine for her b'day

France Day 4: Château de Versailles

2009-11-02T19:18:00.000-08:00

Day 4 was the last day we were going to spend at Palace Trianon. We wanted to take it easy on this day. Later in the evening we were to catch a train from Paris to the town of Tour.

The day started with just bidding our goodbye to this lovely hotel

A random embossing emerging from a concrete wall. There were no signs of any chocolate stores nearby. Still so beautiful.

Fresh blue cheese salad

Salmon pizza for lunch?

Salmon Pizza for lunch!

Entrance to Palace of Versailles.
The unbelievably gorgeous château of Louis XIV.

This royal palace stated the absolute monarchy of Louis XIV

This is where the King and his subjects prayed. To prevent the nobles from establishing regional power, the King introduced a strict court rule of etiquette with elaborate ceremonies and exacted procedures. This included morning prayers at this church inside the palace of Versailles to assert personal and absolute rule. Part of these rituals were his highness's 'rising in the morning' where the king was awakened by offerings of holy water and a thorough medical check-up.

I found his shoes and the heels fascinating.

Beautiful flooring

Exquisite and grandeur doorways

Marble floors

Ceiling

Hall of Mirrors - one of the most famous rooms in the world

Room-divider

Louis XIV's bedroom

The queen had a bed chamber too that I couldn't photograph properly. Here's a really eerie detail. The queen had to give birth publicly in her chamber to prove the legitimacy of the heir!

Hercules Drawing Room (18th century ballroom)

Restorations constantly happen (See far behind Akhil)

Garden

Château de Versailles gardens

Depiction of hunting dog. The Château was originally built as a hunting lodge. The extensions and embellishments were additions to the palace years later when Louis XIV wanted to escape the revolutions against the monarchy without appearing to have given power.

Beautiful statues like this are aligned on both sides of the garden as seen in the next image.

This is a stunning view in person

Yes. That boy is sleeping at Château de Versailles. No words. :)

End of Versailles Palace

Love this sign!

Yummy chocolate mousse! And ofcourse HOT CHOCOLATE!!! MY FAV!

France Day 3: Musée du Louvre, Basilique du Sacré-Coeur, Jardin du Luxembourg, Tour Eiffel

2009-10-16T05:25:00.000-07:00

Pls. note that you can click on the pictures to see a larger view.

Who doesn't know the Louvre Museum. Our third day was even more fantastic! We mixed it up with a bit of museums, visiting a really cute square called place du Tertre. And ofcourse this day too was packed with tons of street-walking. I think I am really proud of the fact that A and I got to know the streets so well. They are the arteries of Paris.

Louvre - It was a surreal feeling to read Davinci Code by Dan Brown and visit these inverted pyramids

Tour Eiffel

Us in Jardin du Luxembourg

Jardin du Luxembourg

I thought that everything-I mean everything-in Paris from street signs to ads, from chairs to hoarding signages, from restaurant signs to metro maps, everything was just beautiful!

Basilique du Sacré-Coeur
Church of the Sacred Heart offers the most beautiful and stunning views of Paris. You can see the people sitting on it's steps soaking in anything they can on a rather cloudy day.

Front facade of Basilique du Sacré-Coeur

This artist named Paris drew a modern water color portrait of yours truly. He was quite demanding on how I should frame his work of art. I shall follow his directions loyally. :)

I saw so many beautiful bouquets of sweeping flowers and plants bursting out of pretty pottery on every street corner, hanging outside every window, bordering every restaurant and pretty much randomly appearing wherever my eyes went. Apparently the towns and streets of France are constantly competing with each other on how they can look more beautiful with their flora and foliage than the next town. Wow! What a healthy competition!

Mime with an umbrella. They aren't immune to the weather either. :)

This is the square I mentioned above, place du Tertre. It was full of artists waiting for tourists. They were all so relaxed however. I felt that time moved so slow in this square. There was an underlying harmony being created by all these artists. You have to be there to feel it. And look at her cute hairstyle!

View from steps when we were on our way to Basilique du Sacré-Coeur on a cloudy day.

Musician relaxing, smoking, singing, strumming.

These are houses.

Leading up to place du Tertre, I noticed this type of artwork pop up on walls of shops.

Here too!

This is what I am talking about. Look at the signage!

So cute

Love the yellow seats

I decided to take a pic of their ads. They have huge real estate on metro walls. I found their marketing ads particularly enormous.

Exactly like NY Metro! I am sure the designer/agency was the same.

The tables were small. The chairs smaller. And no one seems to mind eating on a busy street. It's all good.

Who needs orange cones when you have stark black office chairs? C'mon people!

Yes this is true. The streets are that small. You can walk on it. You can sit alongside a wall on it. You can drive your motorcycle on it. Or your bicycle on it. You can do anything in the world.

A's espresso at Restaurant du Musée d'Orsay

I hate coffee ice cream with a passion. I hate pistachio ice cream even more fervently. But there is one country in this entire world where I will happily gulp it down, licking the spoon and plate until they exist no more! That is France!

White fish with mashed potatoes at Restaurant du Musée d'Orsay

Yumm - fish with polenta.

Musée d'Orsay

Musée d'Orsay

Musée d'Orsay

This is a humongous clock at Musée d'Orsay. When I say humongous I mean that in my life I have never seen a clock this big and this ornate.

Louvre (outside)

Louvre (inside)

Louvre (inside)

Louvre (inside)

Louvre (inside)

Imitation in Louvre (inside)

Louvre (inside)

Louvre (inside)

Bakery!

Louvre (outside)

Coming out of the backdoor of Louvre

Through a window

Okay. I love her socks here.

France Day 2: Place St. Michel, Square du Vert Galant, Pont Neuf, Cathédral de Notre-Dame, Quartier Latin, Arc de Triomphe, Allard Bistro

2009-10-14T21:26:00.000-07:00

Pls. note that you can click on the pictures to see a larger view.

Versailles Cafe

Started out with some hot chocolate, hot coffee and tartine (baguette) with butter.

Their hot chocolate is so different from ours. The milk tasted different too!

These cafe tables are really really small. Some even scaled to just about 24X24 in.

Place St. Michel

St.Michel square was built in the memory of an ancient chapel that used to exist here.

St.Michel fighting the dragon

Monster spouting water. These were beautiful to look at.

Square du Vert Galant

At the western tip of Ile de la Cité, Square du Vert Galant is a little garden dedicated to Henry IV who was also known as 'Lusty Gallant'. I had no idea of this at the time when I kissed Akhil.

Pont Neuf
Oldest bridge of Paris dating from 1578. Trust the Bridge.

Look at the size relationship with the man in the bright blue umbrella.

I loved the signs.

Walk along the Seine River

I saw so much graffiti during my train rides and couldn't photograph them since we were always moving. I was happy to find this scrawled on our walk alongside the river. This is obviously an uprising art of rash and rebellious budding youngsters and it secretly juxtaposes with the traditional art history that Paris offers all around openly.

We walked everywhere on these. These lovely cobble stones are all around.

Husband and wife on the Seine

These feet took us a long way. I want to thank them. :)

Cathédral de Notre-Dame
The building of this gothic cathedral church began in the 1200's.

Notre-Dame means 'our lady' in french

Western facade depicting a rose with Mary and Jesus in it's center

entryway doors

door detail

this is some serious carving

sunlit cathedral with illuminated depictions of saints and god

these are not your typical stained glass windows

Métro
After Moscow, Paris is the 2nd busiest Métro of the world.
The station architecture resonates Art Noeveau. The signs are simply fab!

Inside the métro, musicians entertain passer-by

The faint art on these tiles were truly one-of-a-kind. The picture exactly represents how faded the art looked. It was probably an intended style.

Quartier Latin Latin Square
The bohemian square once had a very different feel to it with artists and hippies buzzing around. It was an intellectual center. Now it's lined with food of the world, book stores, filled with students and tourists.

Okay, I found the stop signs really fascinating. Look at how tiny they are. And the little man is ridiculously hilarious!

This is called lovely marketing. I felt like drinking coca-cola after seeing this.

Arc de Triomphe
This is a french monument commemorating soldiers who fought for France, especially the Napoleonic war and WWII.

View from the top of Arc de triomphe after climbing 284 steps. This is just one of the many avenues extending from the Arc de triomphe—revealing the famous Champs-Élysées that is bursting and bubbling with high-end luxury stores, cinemas and cafés. From a panaromic viewpoint, it appears star-shaped spurring tentacle like avenues.

Allard Bistro
A 1900's bistro

Duck with olives. I don't need to elaborate on this deliciousness.

Raw Salmon with potatoes

what happened to it afterwards...

French Bread

Hope you enjoyed and will come back for Day 3! :)

France Day 1: Trianon, Centre Pompidou, Bastille, La Coupole Brasserie

2009-10-13T19:55:00.000-07:00

I am back. This trip was like a dream. I've planned to post each day of our vacation separately just like we traveled. Please feel free to click on the images to view them larger.

Day 1: Trianon, Centre Pompidou, Bastille, La Coupole Brasserie

We decided to enjoy our stay at a quieter city, Versailles, and making quick 30 minute metro rides to the Paris City.

Our trip started with a wonderful surprise. We got a free upgrade to one of their best rooms! Trianon Palace Versailles, The Waldorf Astoria Collection is a beautiful three-acre wooded parkland with a nested palace. This palace, while speaking the royal language of centuries from the outside, was quite a surprise from the inside. The luxury filled modern decor still preserved the sense of regality that once kings and queens enjoyed.

Pls. note that you can click on the pictures to see a larger view.

Outside of Trianon Palace

foyer

a little stunning nook

i love the tiled black roses. it leads you to the sinks and bathtub. how creative! the floors were heated!

there were balconies in the bathroom. god help me.

this beautiful silo art was on the closet doors

view from our balconies

lazy sheep grazing

Once with much hardship we peeled ourselves off our hotel room, we started out our day by visiting the Centre Pompidou Museum only to find it completely closed off by red fire trucks and ambulances due to an emergency. Unfortunately we did not get to visit the inside of the museum. Here are a few pics from the outside.

These colorful pipes add so much to the architecture of Centre Pompidou.
A dream of France's former president Georges Pompidou, this museum became Paris controversy. Some called it an eye-sore. The edgy grid-like architecture with boldly painted pipes and ducts (green for water, red for heat, blue for air, and yellow for electricity) seemed like it was oddly mocking the old Beaubourg neighborhood for it's plainness.

The streets were filled with such colorful motorcycles.

Automated bike rental station named Vélib which translates to 'bicycle freedom'. The first 1/2 hr is free. There are bike stations every 300 meters apart and they can be rented on an hourly, daily or weekly basis. Check out this site to learn more: http://www.es.velib.paris.fr/

Picturesque streets

Front facade of Centre Pompidou - you can see the red fire trucks here. It seemed that a man had fallen off the scaffolding and had unfortunately died in this manner. Moments later, after they detected his demise, they shrouded him with red cloth to prevent gathering of onlookers.

A metro sign. I have no idea what it says.

Genie de la Liberte' or the Spirit of Liberty commemorates the Revolution of 1830.
It marks the site of the prison Bastille that was stormed during the French Revolution.

Crêpe maker! Spreads rich nutella, bananas, strawberries and whatever you can name under the sky on your crêpe.

We finished off the day by dining at La Coupole Brasserie where truly a Montparnasse scene can be felt if you find out that people such as Hemingway, Picasso, and Louis Armstrong once jotted, sketched, composed in this restaurant. We drank fine Bordeaux wine, Beaujolais (2006) here.

More to come tomorrow. Hope you enjoyed.

Versailles! Paris! Tours!

2009-10-04T07:15:00.000-07:00

I am super-excited. For my birthday Akhil is gifting me a trip to France! Unfortunately, I do not have my dad's SLR camera and will have to do with taking pics with my canon midgit. :( Nevertheless, I really hope to take some awesome pics and share with you guys.

Here's our destination route:
A. Versailles (we'll be staying here; sight seeing chateau de versailles)
B. Paris (Sight-seeing - louvre museum, eiffel tower, champ-elysses, arc de triomphe, notredame, musee d'orsay, st.germain, bateaux mouche on the seine river)
C. Loire Valley (Sight-seeing- tours, chenonceaux, amboise, clos de luce, chambord, cheverny, blois)

a bientot!

Ayi doors door doors!!

2009-10-02T10:34:00.000-07:00

I wanted some cool door inspirations. Flickr came to my rescue. I have collected a few images of some fascinating doors and door handles from around the world.

In an average home, doors can get lost and people hardly have the money or energy to invest in stunning door details. Maybe we can extract a few ideas from these images and be inspired to do a bit more easy-on-the-budget type of detailing on our doors? Splashing some paint? Sticking up our old wooden or metal spatulas? Forks? Spoons? How about fresco? Chalk paint anyone?

courtesy of wade2tall's flickr photostream

courtesy of temp13rec.'s flickr photostream

swahili carved doors

courtesy of SewerDoc's flickr photostream

courtesty of rishao262's flickr photostream
this is neat. i have seen quite a number of indian homes having this kind of framed door.

courtesy of Puzzler4879's flickr photostream

courtesy of photogramma1's flickr photostream

courtesy of nicholas macgowan's flickr photostream

courtesy of momcarey's flickr photostream

courtesy of Joe Cashin's flickr photostream

courtesy of J K Johnson's flickr photostream
look at that beautiful blue stone

courtesy of GwennieP's flickr photostream

courtesy of GregGoBlue's flickr photostream

courtesy of fireweaver3's flickr photostream

courtesy of Firenzesca's flickr photostream

courtesy of diesmali's flickr photostream

courtesy of Crestview Doors, Austin TX's flickr photostream
okay peeps, that is a stenciled door! and for a kid's room!
here are two words to this kid's parents - 'adopt me.'

courtesy of craft & creativity's flickr photostream
my fav! so much fun!

courtesy of bvrdc's flickr photostream

courtesy of
Bettina.Schwarz's flickr photostream

courtesy of Banana Donuts ~ Half Baked Photography flickr photostream

Food is art too!

2009-09-26T15:04:00.001-07:00

'A' for Akhil, is my husband. It's hard to describe him. But I think I can sum it all up in this conversation I had with him recently.

Preeti: I am so sad. I have been blogging, granted irregularly, for a year now but I only have 10 followers!
Akhil: Sweetheart, look at this. I have no followers. I don't even have a blog.
Preeti: (stares back blankly while suppressing a burst of laughter)
Akhil: You are doing this for yourself, remember, not others. All else will come.

I love that. That is Akhil in a few words. He is wisdom and simplicity all combined in one. Is that possible?

So I thought I'd dedicate a blog to a wonderful gesture he made recently.

A gently fruity german wine.
Gewûrz means 'spicy' in german. It is sweeter than Riesling and has an intense flowery bouquet. Though this wine pairs really well with curries, mexican dishes, or deserts, we actually tried it with a simple savory whole trout that he baked in the oven on a bed of herbs such as dill and parsley.

The fish was to die for. I wish I had taken better still shots. I am still learning. :)

All mine! :) Thank you Akhil.
Recipe: At 500°F, A, baked the whole trout on a bed of olive oil, red onions, parsley and dill after sprinkling kosher salt and pepper on the fish. Isn't that simple? Oh yes, slip in some lemon wedges inside the fish.

Manifest

2009-09-24T15:29:00.001-07:00

I have been working on a couple of manifestations recently and thought I'd share this art I made inspired by my experience. Have you experienced manifestation?

Pamela Michelle Johnson

2009-09-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

An ex-civil engineer working on scrumptious aimed-at-your-tummy oil paintings is exactly what I am talking about!

Pamela Michelle Johnson soon made this tremendous switch from her career as a civil engineer to a full-time artist after her significant trip to Japan where she was awarded an artist in residency at The Institute of Ceramic Studies at Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park in Shigaraki, Japan (2003).

She writes in her statement 'Teetering towers of hamburgers, drippy stacks of syrupy waffles, sticky piles of sugary candy... Junk food. It's the taste of America. It is what we eat. It is who we are.'

I do agree with Pamela and you know what - if I had 42" by 72" painted canvas of drippy stacks of syrupy waffles cascading down my kitchen ceiling, um, I would simply rest all my dietary ideals and either gorge down an entire stack of this deliciousness or I'd stare at Pamela's painting until my stomach fell sick with syrup. I am not exaggerating. I am absolutely mesmerized by her content, style, and scale depiction.

The royal colors, glistening highlights on mouthwatering jelly sandwiches and candies, abandoned Entenmann's half-eaten pies, those forbidden Hostess snack cakes conjure up only one word - gluttony. Two words. Insatiable gluttony.

I guess Pamela's work has successfully evoked all those feelings that she intended to. Check out her bio, statement, and her great site pamelamichellejohnson.com.

Thank you so much for allowing me to feature you and your stunning art. I am left speechless with a poptart stuffed mouth. Ah! The guilty pleasures.

WAFFLES / 42"x72" / oil on canvas / 2007

VALENTINES / 26"x26" / oil on canvas / 2009

STARLIGHT MINTS / 40"x26" / oil on canvas / 2008

SARAH/ conte crayon on paper / 2006

POPS / 20"x20" / oil on canvas / 2009

PB&J II / 44"x58" / oil on canvas / 2009

UNTITLED / 36"x72" / oil on canvas / 2009

ICE CREAM SANDWICHES / 52"x48" / oil on canvas / 2009

HOSTESS CUPCAKE II / 34"x52" / oil on canvas / 2009

GUMMI BEARS / 72"x30" / oil on canvas / 2008

FROOT LOOPS / 20"x20"/ oil on canvas / 2009

BUNNIES / 50"x46" / oil on canvas / 2009

COOL RANCH / 20"x20" / oil on canvas / 2009

CIRCUS ANIMALS / 52"x52" / oil on canvas / 2008

UNTITLED / 54"x35" / oil on canvas / 2009

Reality

2009-09-23T08:24:00.000-07:00

Entryways

2009-09-21T10:00:00.000-07:00

So you walk into a home and the first impression they are able to make immediately is through the entryway. You know, a couple of years ago, I didn't even think it was part of home decor but now, it's the highlight of a house. That first 'Wow' you get better be gained by your entryway or else!

Think about it. Whether it's a stranger just visiting you to hand over a flier or a neighbor or your family, your entryway should be able to captivate or define a mood within them. You get to state that. No matter how or what they might have felt before entering your house, the minute they take that step into your humble abode, you want an energy that is definably positive and radiant. This is what you must make your guest feel. You need to awe them. Widen their eyes a bit and thump the beat of their heart noticeably faster in excitement.

Okay, I know I am being a bit too dramatic with entryways but look at all these pretty pics!

love the buddha statue

harmony of colors

Ina Garten's Hampton's home
love the neutrals here and the crisp white sofa

decor8
'aaah yeaahh! add boots and you'll have the perfect entryway'
says the girl in me :)

www.countryliving.com

4.bp.blogspot.com

bp1.blogger.com
we painted our bedroom in this royal blue and it really exudes a tropical feel.
this wash effect is really pretty and check out the cool blue slated stones on the floor.
me heart fluttering!

A house from Domino Magazine

Entryway featured in Domino Magazine

putyourflareon's flickr photostream

atelierpompadour's flickr photostream

xJavierx's flickr photstream

b-drawn blog

2009-09-08T20:32:00.001-07:00

I've been guilty of secretly holding on to a blog story that I started to write a long time ago.

Meet B-drawn blog, a wittily-named, blog; a master of lines and it's graphical twists; a typographic queen; a zodiac illustrator; and lastly, as she casually puts it, the creator of 'drawings to share' on her site. How innocently this powerful artist summarizes her talent for us!

Needless to say that the owner of B-drawn blog, Barbara Alonso, is so talented that she simply has her striking pen marks dancing to her tunes. Some of her work makes me feel as if a symphony is playing in the background and the lines are swiftly shaping up negative space.

What I would love to know is how she manages to slip in those wonderful typographic treatments so seamlessly into her drawings that they seem to play a challenging game with your vision. I am referring to 'Tree of Knowledge' and '5 against 1' artwork.

I cannot pick a favorite in her work. Each piece competes well and and teasingly acquires equal admiration in my heart.

Barbara, thank you for giving me the privilege of featuring your work.

Please check out b-drawn blog + site + etsy shop to see more work. The three sites are great!

anamorphic

angel

autumn

lady in red

solace

zodiac sign libra represents balance
random info: i am a libran!

zodiac sign taurus represents strength and stamina

zodiac sign saggitarius represents energy and exploration

zodiac sign gemini represents complexity and duality

figurehead

waterbearer

Tree of Knowledge

5 against 1

Fall Trends 2009-2010

2009-08-22T04:43:00.000-07:00

Hey, Fashion isn't fashion. Fashion is Art.

I am not a big shopper of clothes. All the girlfriends go wide-eyed when they hear me say this. Shopping is to a woman as oxygen is to mankind or nature. I have always been fascinated by clothes and shoes, their designs, patterns and cuts but if you asked me to shop for clothes for myself, I give you the look of a lost puppy with hopeful eyes of you helping out.

So I am very happy to hear that my sweetest friends are ready to take me out as long as I nod my head in compliance and try everything they ask me to. Once I was done, I found myself with five lovely dresses that will absolutely abide fall trends.

I am so excited about my dresses that I couldn't even sleep. An entire night has passed and my thrill hasn't ended. It prompted me enough to research fall trends and I am so excited to share this with you in one blog.

So all you girls who are googling desperately what you ought to wear, clicking through hundreds of links and all; well, stop. Here's your one stop shop. This one is for you.

It's unbelievable the power trend-setters have. If they asked us to start wearing our hand gloves on our feet, I think we would!

Of course, we would. It's Art Baby. Now I am quoting one of my girls. 'Boo-Ya!'

oh yea high boots

would ya wear this?

www.refinery29.com

i didn't know these could look so absolutely cute paired with tights
cloak & dagger

cloaks are in
www.fashionising.com

love the overboard patterns
www.fashionising.com

torn stockings. this is not a joke.

Copenhagen Street Style outside the Minimarket Show

sheers

Just Cavalli

streetstyle_copenhagen

Boo-Ya

Salvatore Ferragamo

Doutzen Kroes

get ready for plaids
the fashionist

the sartorialist

plaids looks so cute on skirts

chunky heels

squared-off toes

laceup boots

reptileleathers

New York

2009-07-17T20:43:00.000-07:00

We lived in NY since 1994 when we first migrated from India. Though I was fascinated by the so named 'melting pot', the constant flood of new people crowding the streets or are they alleyways, tired me endlessly. This had only meant fewer seats during treacherous bus rides, stench to bear in the subways, and more toes to step on and get embarrassingly blasted away with profanity.

Little did I know that all the things I hated about NY would comparatively make Dallas look barren and boring. I was confused for the longest time about NY. Did I love it or did I hate it? This trip resolved the conundrum. It took me about 15 years to see NY for it's beauty. These pictures were taken all the way from Queens to Manhattan, East village to West!

Enjoy.

I love his colorful umbrella.

This is truly hilarious. Only NY can glorify McDonalds like this!

Red fire truck!

This was a really cool mat. The words are cut-outs from Malayalam* magazine and newswpapers.
Malayalam: One of the 4 major Dravidian languages spoken in the southern states of India. Spoken in Kerala, India.

Random street art exercised on a door.

Cobblestones

I liked the signs here coaxing people to go around. Everyone follows obediently.

Double decker bus showing off proud NY

A busy street

During gay parade

Glassy sky-scapers

Victoria Secret ad. Isn't this really lovely? I love the 40%off in red.

Random Kitty Statue as a public art exhibit.

I have no clue what this is but it was at a crossing

Really? Slow?!

Look at this beautiful street signage.

Busy streets

Side of a pub

I like the red

Pretty pottery

Curious New Yorkers

Street ads and graffiti

I really liked how they carefully painted the fire exit in green.

The Trump Tower

Count the ads on this one! There is so much information. You can have breakfast, lunch, some desert,
and watch Hangover!

Aah. Ofcourse, this had to be the last image. NY Police.

But I didn't know!

2009-07-14T07:26:00.000-07:00

How many times have we blamed someone only to have them turn around with a bewildered look, defensively opening their arms out wide to say...

Rule of thumb: If this is said genuinely, forgiving is the best deed. :)

Taim

2009-07-12T15:35:00.001-07:00

I am still going through hundreds of my NY photographs. Gosh! I didn't know how many I clicked away with that SLR.

Meanwhile, I thought I'd quickly sort through a particular series that my tummy thoroughly enjoyed. Taim! Deliciousness deliciousness. Located in West Village, under the shades of tree-lined paris-like streets of Waverly Plaza, an Israeli delicatessen extends personal invitation to realms of heaven with their generously stuffed pitas of hummus, tahini, israeli salad, hard-cooked egg, and fried eggplants (this that I have described is called Sabich). Coolly wash all of this down with date-lime banana smoothie and finally scent your buds with their sweetly sweet homemade baklawa.

They have mixed falafel and mediterranean platters too. Oh by the way, when have you ever been blessed with three differently flavored falafels? There's the Green traditional, with parsley, cilantro, and mint. The Red with roasted red pepper. The Harissa with tunisian spices.

Upon arriving back in Dallas, my mother-in-law who is here on a visit from India asked me, 'Why can't we email Einat Admony, the owner of Taim, to open in Dallas as well?' Sigh. If only...

I love their chickpea logo. How perfect!

Look at all the recognition.

Please enter the doorway one at a time. I advise from first hand experience.

Look at all the colors.

My father-in-law (left) and husband (right) eating away happily.

Clearly, my mother-in-law is here only to eat and has no time for paparazzi. :)

This is embarrassing to admit but my only regret is that I was in such a frenzy to eat that I never even photographed any food. :(
But courtesy and thanks to The Girl Who Ate Everything who took the most delectable photograph
of Taim's iconic falafel sandwich.

I wish I had

2009-07-10T06:52:00.000-07:00

How often does time pass by and lines appear one by one demarcating what we could have, would have, but never did. I have always tried to stay away from feeling defenseless or helpless from not knowing what to do. I believe that each one of us should do what we wish we had. Time fleets and the only secret it tells us are these inner desires, longings, wishes and dreams that are awaiting to be enacted upon.

Here's to wishing you had.

Mixed Media: Water color and ink pen

Hello to New York

2009-06-27T03:17:00.000-07:00

I am off to New York for the next ten days. Yes, it's exciting and this time I promise to myself that I will capture New York from my eyes. As a dweller of it for some odd 10 or 11 years, I sure do have a perspective. I am also going to try my hand at my dad's reaaaaallllly expensive digi camera. Yayyy! I am so excited. This will by first photography project. But until then, this image, courtesy of Flickr find, .I Travel East . represents exactly how I know New York.

In NY, one thing stands still whilst all else moves. Thats NY!

I miss you

2009-06-26T05:48:00.000-07:00

Yes Honey

2009-06-21T05:05:00.001-07:00

I don't know if these are any good but I sure am having some fun doing them.

This illustration came to me when I was in the midst of doing yoga. While doing yoga in 98.6 degrees of heat, why I would think of a guy holding a remote control saying 'yes honey' while watching desperate housewives is something I really don't even want to ponder.

I do like doing these mini illustrations with type entwined. I can get a message out yet carry out fun little shapes in elementary form. And I am sure, like me, you'll know at least one person who can directly relate to the man on the couch. :O

Dialogue

2009-06-18T19:34:00.001-07:00

What we say and what we mean.

I am happy making these illustrations. To tell you the truth, I am in absolute glee that I have decided to get back into paintings, drawings, collages. They allow me to openly express what I want relayed without running through approvals.

When I am tired from graphic design, I turn to simple things like paint and paper. Please comment away on stuff you see. It always gives me encouragement and I would love to have a dialogue with you, my reader. :)

Black bedrooms

2009-06-17T20:08:00.000-07:00

Black is a bold color to go for. It's for the adventurous, the envisioners, the confident. I decided to collect photographs around this theme. It's sexy, in the moment, and smoothly captivating. I love how it defines these ooh-la-la bedrooms.

Here's where you should use pink!
banjariinfo

Pretty wall paper. Close up coming next.
basicallydoors.co.uk

Look at the beautiful wall paper. Those graphic florals are precious!
basicallydoors.co.uk

Black headboard and lamps - black used in subtle ways
decorpad

You know not until you check out these images collectively, do you notice that black really makes everything pop. It gives that extra umph and attention to other things around your bedroom.
desiretoinspire

gemmaa herns bedroom

gemmaa herns room

Black headboard against black papered wall. Love it!

Louise of Lorraine's bedroom where she mourned her husband's loss
Cháteau de Chenonceau
Here's a story:
At Chenonceau Louise was told of her husband's assassination and she fell into a state of depression, spending the remainder of her days wandering aimlessly along the château's vast corridors dressed in mourning clothes amidst somber black tapestries stitched with skulls and crossbones.

Flickr find: Lyndar T. Merciless

This color combination for bedrooms is unusual but it's working wonders.

Not feeling bold enough. Test the waters and paint just one wall black. :)

Is this even real? So pristine.

Publish Post

Own Now

2009-06-16T20:09:00.001-07:00

Here's what I've created today.

'Own NOW'

French wine and La Chocolatiére

2009-06-13T15:02:00.000-07:00

I am surprised with a lovely gift from France. Here are some images for your eyes to feast on! Everything was delicately packaged. The aroma of chocolate tempts like a mistress when you open the lovely box.

And I just can't wait to sip this wine!

Bordeaux
This wine's popularity dramatically soared after the marriage of Henry Plantagenet and Aliénor d'Aquitaine. This alliance resulted in the province of Aquitaine English territory. Before this, France's vineyards and wine production were quite low as were their exports. It's the Romans that first cultivated extensive vineyards in France to provide sweet wine for their soldiers.

Husband tells 'Demi-Sec' means half dry-half sweet
'Douh' means sweet
and 'Molleux' means extra sweet

La Chocolatiére, Tours

There are 50 chocolates in this box.

I love the gold imprinted name

Close-up. Isn't it pretty!

Our home

2009-06-11T19:20:00.000-07:00

Last night the tornado sirens went off. For a moment, I thought it was a joke. Then when I caught a glimpse of the sky turning purplish green– as if, it just about had, HAD it! I turned around and ran inside the closet under the staircase with my three dogs.

All I could think of was the eye of the tornado aiming down at me, swooshing me around, and tearing my loving home apart that my husband and I sweetly made.

Today, after arriving home from work, I simply picked up the camera and went around my house photographing all the small details of decoration and design that I put thought into. Today I truly looked at everything without criticizing it, changing it around, and seeing it for it's beauty. Here's my home in it's details.

Fern

2009-06-08T17:52:00.000-07:00

I really love this image. I photographed it at Grand Canyon. A delicate fern standing in a backdrop of the formidable canyon. It inspires poetic thoughts.

I think beauty and strength; grace and determination; life and age.

Dwell inside. What do you feel when you see this image?

I am alive too

2009-06-06T12:35:00.000-07:00

Here's a sketch I am working on. I still need to color it. I am going to try my best to keep this an acrylic only base.

I worked on it some more and here's where it stands -

Will share more progress
(I've never really documented the progress of an artwork. This will be interesting)

Plant me

2009-06-03T20:35:00.000-07:00

Plants make any home serene. I have a keen interest in plants - foliage and florals. They make a place cheery, calming and peaceful.

They are alive and if you aren't a pet person then this is your chance to take care of something that is breathing, growing with you day by day. I remember my joy at seeing tiny pepper saplings pushing dirt over and growing from seeds that I had sown.

After a tired day, there's a joy that is renewed at the sight of perky green leaves happily showing off hues of green, revealing buds or better yet blossoms! I've gathered inspirational spaces that make use of house plants. Enjoy these happy plants.

courtesy of www.styleroom.co.uk

courtesy of www.myhome-o.com

courtesy of www.homeinteriorzone.com

courtesy of www.giftedmag.wordpress. com

My bamboo

varunmukthi flickr photostream

Tennessee Purrsians Cattery flickr photostream

Tennessee Purrsians Cattery flickr phtostream

stevehuang7 flickr photostream

sarahnmoore flickr photostream

PhotoStock-Israel flickr photostream

ooh_food flickr photostream

mistdog flickr photostream

lubrico flickr photostream

koko_studios flickr photostream

jessek's flickr photostream

ex_libris flickr photostream

darkgardyner

chubbymooncookies flickr photostream

back_garage flickr photostream

back_garage flickr photostream

back_garage flickr photostream

anamateur's flickr photostream

alexisirussell

The light in me reflects the light in you

2009-05-28T07:06:00.001-07:00

I haven't posted anything lately largely because I've been working the spaces of my house a bit. There's still a large shopping list but I am one of those people who likes to take time in filling up her humble abode. I am not a rusher. I want to study the nooks, the hallways, the open spaces and draw up a thousand possibilities for functionality and beauty. It's not easy to find the perfect coffee table that serves my husband, my dogs, my morning coffee and at times - my tired feet.

That is my excuse for not blogging for a while.

I've also been working on a visual piece.

Yoga is my love. One day, I shall certainly post about it. For now, I want to share with you what I hear from my teacher everytime I finish up a session of yoga. In a very sweet and soothing voice, I hear these enlightening words from her soul, 'The light in me reflects the light in you'.

The light in me reflects the light in you

Lolafalk

2009-05-19T16:48:00.000-07:00

Say hello to the mixer of patterns.

I've always felt that art doesn't just stem from sketches, drawings and paintings. It's mostly vying for unique inspirations and assets— marrying them and birthing new ideas that you can proudly own. Lolafalk does just that. This art isn't bound by the traditions of originality, it's new-age. It's intent, horizons and interpretations are open to borrowing and modifying. Such an artists's wild imagination collects scraps, documents ideas, rocks back and forth between logical reasoning and unjustified emotions that her art will provoke.

Lola has got an eagle-eye for patterns.

She calls her handbags clever and whimsical. That they certainly are. She isn't afraid to use complementary bold colors, patterns that out do each other, show off pompous snazzy contrasts. Stripes with checkers, florals with polkadots, velvet with satin and cotton, plaids with starry squares, seriously, the combination is endless.

And her Lulu clutches pride themselves in being found at rather polar travels and settings. For a sleek little clutch that she is, she can take you from 'work to play, day to night or Brooklyn to Bangkok.' What more does a gal need?

Urban Lola Tote

Urban Lola Tote

Sofie Clutch

Sofie Clutch

Lulu Clutch

Lulu Clutch

Greta Purse

Greta Purse

Greta Purse

Greta Purse

because your sofa needs lovin' too

2009-05-18T16:58:00.001-07:00

This is what Laura Davis from design lab is saying.

Oh! Just check out the cute pillows she stitches. The colors are dreamy and light. She makes these out of vintage bed sheets and I love the subtle graphic featuring modern chaises and seats. The messages on these pillows are darn right cute! Come on, who wouldn't laugh at a stylish pillow saying 'You suck!' or 'It's not me, it's you.'

The pillows caught my attention first, but it really wouldn't be fair if I didn't mention her beautiful plate stands. Yes, I'll have some cake on those please. Really! This just shows what a bit of epoxy glue and a refined imagination like Laura's can create.

Artist, Laura Davis, at her Etsy booth

Fun Pillows

Egg Chair Pillow

Digital Print pillow set

Repurposed Vintage Jewelry holder
or in my opinion
cookies, candies and confections holder :)

You get the point, I don't need to title this one.

Vintage Teacups on stands

Break up pillow

These are the best!

More from Laura's booth

Barcelona chair pillow

Remnants pillow

Bird pillow

Sigh..these are so graceful...

Jane Joss

2009-05-17T15:00:00.000-07:00

Jane Joss is founded by Alyssa and Joslyn Krismer. This textile florist does some superb fashionable work with fabric. Bouquets made with only the finest selection of fabric and exclusive stitching visually merge floral patterns on leafy shapes.

This duo borrows their inspiratin from nature's elements and if you pay close attention to some of these patterns, you'll see that their dedication equals mother nature's.

I love the way they combine colors, the way the rich brown branches pronounce the criss-cross of the white thread holding everything together in perfect harmony. This is perfection.

Golden Branches

Black Midnight Toile Branches

Perfect Purple Branches

Sahara Sand Branches

Close up of Sahara Sand Branches

Rust Red Branches

Petal Pink Branches

Ocean View Blue Branches

Garden Green Twigs

Etsy Bash

2009-05-17T06:56:00.000-07:00

Spring isn't gone yet and it was made well known yesterday. All day long, we drove and walked through pouring rain. It did a fine job of refreshing the air with new life.

I think due to that Etsy didn't have as many visitors or perhaps people didn't know as much about it. Whatever it was, far from rain, in the shelter of a basement, inside 1409 South Side Lamar, we entered ambitious artists selling mini magnets, crocheted cup holders, textile flowers, wild jewelery, patterned purses and pillows with attitude.

Only a few artists took my fancy and I sought permission to feature their work. I am going to post generic photographs here for now and will take the time to blog separately about each. This is just a teaser. :)

Old type art above elevator
Is there a name for such style?
I've seen it on old-world parchments, scrolls, pamphlets and hand-written books.

Sculpture

Pamela Michelle's rings, prints, necklaces

I am a Hat and I am red

So are we.

Textile flowers by Jane Joss

Laura Davis Design Lab

Cool Handbags

Two Hills Designs, Katie Toohil

Random Sewing Machine
Okay, here are two things I must have and don't yet:
Vintage Sewing Machine and Typewriter
(No, I do not sew nor would I ever type on a typewriter)

Okay, there's definitely more to come. An elaborate blog on each designer. Remember, this is just a teaser.

Paristic Stickers

2009-05-11T19:15:00.000-07:00

I really had no intention of blogging today. I should be working on my drawing right now but how can I resist this. I was getting ready to research typographic interior decoration when I fell right in the lap of typographic heaven in the form of stickers!

Trompe l'oeil, artistic stickers, transform your living room to the dimensional world of Paris. Made of matte vinyl, these expressions of parisian urban landscape combined with urban furniture bring the outside inside. It creates a setting of your choice within your four walls.

'Paristic was created in 2007. Specialized in urban stickers this company was created under the impulse of two Parisian friends. One is graduated from a business school and the other from the famous Parisian University of “Les Beaux Arts”.'

And you've always wondered what happens when you put a business graduate together with a crafty artist? Wonder no more!

C by Hilton McConnico

The Eiffel tower

Paris Skyline (view B)

Wall Zip

Sweatshirt

Sow luck

Panneau New York

'No smoking'

Moi et?

Le Heron

Le Cheval

Guimard Metro Sign

Footbal by HMC

Fairy

Dali

Culte 39

Classic Balustrade

Body builder

Au Jardin des tuileries

Vegetal Fx

Folkio

Ants

2009-05-11T03:42:00.001-07:00

I took this photograph at my home in Pandalam, Kerala. They were all on a mission and I couldn't really see where to but most definitely they were on a mission.

Sweet Shelves

2009-05-10T08:55:00.001-07:00

I am a proud owner of 'Shelf Expression' by Marthe Le Van. Have you ever browsed through this book? Oh! It is an encyclopedia of shelving ideas and projects.

The book showcases colorful shelving images as you are about to see and I am so inspired by it that it actually leaves me confused. I want to do it all and don't know where to begin. Just this afternoon, I declared to my husband that I'd like to strip down all of my perfectly good oakwood kitchen cabinets and replace them with clean bright white shelves. He looked at me wildly and simply asked 'Why?'.

I had no practical reason, all I imploringly wanted to say was 'Because - I saw it on Shelf Expression!' Sigh. :)

Yea, my idea isn't going to fly in the house. But I do have this blog. So here you go and look closely. Look at the detail work. Identify the innovative ways shelves are being used as. Skateboards shelves, cubies, modernista shelves, it's all here.

Shelving has taken an altogether different meaning in today's times. Take it all in and try something new in your own home.

Paint Bucket shelves, Shelf Expression

Humble box form storage cubes, Shelf Expression

Shelving from cE Hotel

Hanging bookshelft from Unal&boler studio

Quad Bookcase

Pisa Bookshelf

Open shelving

Maria Yasko's shelf

Really really neat

Window shelf featuring last year's basil seeds, lamp, and Ganesh painting (my home)

Ever since I was a little girl, I have wanted a dressing table.
I didn't want anything very fancy - just a small corner where
I could get ready and keep my jewels, lotions and fragrance.
I used a chair as a shelf for my wooden framed side-mirror.

Collector shelves, Shelf Expressions

I reall love this.
Magazine shelf, Shelf Expression

Exterior window shelf, Shelf Expression

Peg Brackets, Shelf Expression

Ultimate air skateboard shelves, Shelf Expression

Shower tote shelves, Shelf Expression

Toolbox shelf, Shelf Expression

Thingamajig shelf, Shelf Expression
(hint hint: dish drainer)

Bottle rack shelf, Shelf Expression

Ooooh Beauty! White marble tops.
Threshold shelves & doorstop support shelf. Shelf Expression

Close up of Mail sorter shelves, Shelf Expression

Mail sorter shelves, Shelf Expression

Step ladder shelf is great. Shelf Expression

Vintage drink crate shelf, Shelf Expression

Sailing basket shelf set, Shelf Expression

Chair shelves, Shelf Expression

Corner shutter shelf, Shelf Expression
Oh yea - it's easy. The book says 'Put some old bead board and a matching pair of shutters
to wonderful use in this uncomplicated, yet quite satisfying, shelf.

Flexetube by Doris Kisskalt

Equation bookshelf by Marcos Breder

Cubbies!

Stiletto Heights

2009-05-07T17:48:00.000-07:00

It has been a crazy week at work and I really had hoped that I could blog everyday but that obviously hasn't taken off so well. I am still very glad that I get to do it atleast every other day. :) I am also in glee about the comments I've been getting. It's wonderful to be encouraged. Feels nice. Thank you all so much.

And now, I am going to breathe deeply and rejoice this moment where I get to write about Jennifer Gordon. She is a mixed-media collage artist from Ohio who creates wonders on paintings, ACEOS, journals, and art boxes. What you are about to see is just breathtaking!

How does she do it!

It appears magical, with soft foggy hues dissipating away, revealing mysterious ghostly women running secretive calculations behind them. The colors are daring pastels, the theme is unnerving and chilly at times, an empowerment of sorts, and then ofcourse there's that uncanny touch of warm floral motifs running hurriedly through the edges, dear john type letters running in cursive...Jennifer is amazing! Feast your eyes at these now..

...and guys just so you know, she is running a sweet 'buy one get one free' sale on etsy.

All Women have secrets

Alice's Ghost ACEO on small canvas 2.5x3.5 inches

By Gaslight 4x4 inch reproduction print on wood

Circumstance ACEO on small canvas 2.5x3.5 inches

Her Ghost Wandered The Moors ACEO on small canvas

Marie Antoinette (reproduction print)

Pandora III (reproduction print)

The Caged Dream (8x10 original on canvas panel)

The Countess -reproduction print

The Courtesan (reproduction print)

The Pianist's Ghost 500 pieces series number 93 (10x10 on wood)

Titania's Playing Make Believe ACEO on stretched canvas 2.5x3.5 inches

When Girls Turn Into Dreams 500 pieces series number 92 (10x10 on wood)

Naughty II (mature vintage nudes) Digital Collage Sheet

Art of seating

2009-05-05T05:33:00.000-07:00

What say you?

You don't have dogs and you are on a budget? Well, you are the perfect candidate for having floor seating in your home.

Now, I really want to do this at my own home. We have an area in the house reserved for our altar. This part of the home is reserved for gratitude. We pray here, confide to the universe, nurture hope, and drift away to dreams that we want to be a part of. My dogs come by and share this energy during shedding season which is why, though, floor seating would be ideal, it may not be really practical.

This blog is the closest that I can come to fulfilling my own floor seating aspirations. :)

Urban Outfitters makes these beautiful low benches with curved legs.

This is so lovely. Thai style seating

Pristine colors

Japanese style seating

This is very unique. They are stackable and really unique
because they make floor seating enjoyable and comfortable with a back rest.
The Za from MisoSoupDesign.com

Thanks to Natala007's photostream on flickr

Cool Indian style low seating. I love the legs.

Thanks to Tara home

More cushions!

Dining Japanese style

I found the sanskrit type really cool here. Oh yea, more cushion seating..

Pretty

Belgian designer Alain Monne designed this lovely low arm chair.

Beautiful large floor cushions by Roche–Bobois

These low couches are also great alternatives to floor seating

Roche–Bobois

Love love love this one.
Saved the best for last!

Beginnings

2009-05-03T20:12:00.000-07:00

'I am the thread that runs through these pearls.' by Vivekananda.

I've been trying to get back to sketching and painting. I have seen that what I need most is patience. At times, there is a literal block stuck in the passageway of creativity or artful thinking. I need concepts. I need to visualize them in my interpretations. Then I need colors. Selective brush strokes and techniques. Type that illustrates and upholds my concept.

'I am the thread that runs through these pearls'

Koco Greeting card

2009-05-01T21:55:00.001-07:00

So I am trying really really hard to get back into painting. It's been so long since I have touched a brush, swept a stroke, sloshed paint onto a palette, tried to scrape dried paint off my cheeks and I think it's time for me to renew myself. I know my father-in-law will come here in a few weeks and inspire me to learn the painting technique he has mastered so effortlessly.

What I wish to paint is abstract. Dogs, horses, flowers, simple messages of love in casual type. I am reminded of Jeanine Koconis, a.k.a., Koco. Have you ever seen koco greeting cards? They are absolutely lovely and travel straight from the heart. They are simple, childlike, elementary in colors and technique. She calls her cards 'word+image' art. I use to work for her and I secretly envied her talent. She owned a beautiful brownstone building filled with canvases where she had just let herself free and made profits too!

I was not able to save any of the cards she presented me with...out of an act of kindness, I gave them all away to someone dear at that time. I am unable to find hires images of her work but am in glee over whatever little I could find.

I want to share them with you.

This is very typical of Koco. She is raw, straight-forward, to the point, and then all of sudden, catching you off-guard are the most thought out words such as this:

"Really, what's happening at its most profound level is that (a) folded piece of paper is allowing for a link or a bridge or a connection between the person sending and the person receiving it," Koconis says.

"So I think that what's possible with a greeting card is really incredibly profound," she says, "because it's going to that core place, that core part of our humanity."
~ Jeanine Koconis
Quote from CNN Style. Correspondent Elsa Klensch contributed to this report from CNN

Since RedStamp is the only site that had decently sized photos of her cards, the least I can do is give them recognition.

She's a Teacher card

Pajama Stripes Feel Better card

Prism of Flowers card

Poetry of Flowers card

Musical Conductor congratulations card

Baby Boy new baby card

Hold on to a Star greeting card

Straight, No Chaser father's day card

Emotional Idea mother's day card

Bride in profile wedding shower card

Art and Science graduation card

Art of Kindness card

Love your Life card

Collage of Ties birthday card

People Smile in the Same Language card

We are for each other love card