Wilderness

February Love

2012-02-08T03:12:00.001-08:00

I know its a wintery day today in Mumbai... But for a moment I want to Pretend Im in London enjoying a lovely Spring morning. Where I was for a brief moment in time, waiting for a snuggle and a bit of a sunshine to go enjoy HYDE Park by the afternoon for some coffee, reading and chocolate croissants and some much needed Male Attention... Is my KUKI listening ??

Tree Tents

2012-02-06T00:21:00.001-08:00

Did you know there's a place in Bavaria where you can sleep in tree tents? It's a magical campground called Waldseilgarten. Similar to the Treepee, tents are suspended from branches high above the ground. What an incredible experience. Would you want to camp in trees?

All those in Germany - this will make an amazing "V-Day" gift for your lovely ?? What do you think ?

Gifts From Wedding Photographers

2012-02-06T00:19:00.000-08:00

Don’t ask me what I think of my engagement pictures !! It’s almost like asking Hitler about Jews during the world war. Kuki hasn’t heard the end of it… poor him. I feel almost bad to tell him off each time… so either or will happen. Either I will get over the fact that he has sleepy eyes in all our pictures… OR he will get over the fact that he is never going to hear the end of that story !! LOL
Of course, I was mighty irritated at our engagement pictures photographer.. he made up do all these couply pictures which are so ANTI- what I blog about. And then he sent over a couple of hundred pictures of which he wanted us to choose a couple to make the final cut.

And then he did. And eventually with all the colour correction etc – we have a set of beautiful pictures in one album… But he only put it in a fancy bag and delivered. I was all happy, until I came across this BOX of chocolates !!

Wedding photographers sending gifts to their clients? Granted, I'm not married yet, but I never knew this was common practice. Maybe it isn't. But photographer, Jasmine Star, who also happens to be my friend of a friend of a friend, knew of other photographers who gave their clients Dom Perignon, a framed 8x10, and cookies upon the couple's return from their honeymoon. So she started sending out boxes of personalized chocolates to her clients, packaged up sweetly with custom photo paper. What a thoughtful thing to do.

Le Petite Monde

2012-02-06T00:06:00.000-08:00

These sweet and whimsical illustrations are from the series, Le Petit Monde (Little World) by Rome-based artist, Sarah Olmos. She has a new fan in me. Aren't they darling?

Polaboy Lights

2012-02-06T00:05:00.000-08:00

How cool is this giant polaroid frame light? It's called the Polaboy and I really must have one.

Tea Houses

2012-02-06T00:01:00.000-08:00

"A house and dewed ground
Guest and host
Drinking together a cup of tea
In quiet contemplation
In spiritual symphony"

- Japanese master, Sen no Rikyú

Ribbon Animals

2012-02-05T23:51:00.000-08:00

So, as promised... ill be back !! and here is my big bang series of post. First up , a little something uber creative .. small ribbon animals. You give a girl something so little gift wrapped with these cute ribbon animals on the top - it is sure to melt her heart right out !! so all the boys in the house - what is the present for the "V-Day" ?? I hope something with a ribbon animal on the top ;)

Hell I know i would be melting... ohh... btw... i have been at the receiving end of loads of surprises and gifts thanks to my very new relationship status !!! Ohhh, please now, do not write me off as a materialistic girl will u !!! I did the most random thing too - walked in and out of an electronic store with a big gizmo bag for Kunal.a.k.a. ..ladies and gentleman.. only for you.. "KUKI"

I have a ROCK !!!

2012-01-31T01:34:00.000-08:00

So I have been away for a little under a month - thanks to some very exciting news folks !! Yes, I am hitched. The lucky guy ; ) is Kunal Shah... Ive only known him for a couple of days, but it feels like we have been best friends for ever now. I say this because we already have private jokes and stares in public places - something I share with my girlies Pankti Chheda and Ami Gathani. Every time I blogged about love, everthing I ever thought about - is all fulfilled !! So I decided to take this leap of faith. if you know what I have been writing, you know I am such a romantic... But this man is way more than I ever imagine.

Our families met on the 7th of January to formalize this unision - and thats about it. That day on - he turned into this warm fuzzy person in just the right proportion I can handle... and I guess this is my happy ending of beginning however you like to look at this situation : )

A few days after I met him -- I wrote a secret letter to him, not knowing whether I will ever deliver it to him or not ?? But I knew he is the one - because after every time I met him I wanted to meet him some more... I wanted someone who befitted every world of this piece and he did... Eventually he did.. and it is a relief. I grew up knowing that I would want to be the support system to a person who would want every happy emotion.. who would be compassionate and a believer just like I strive to be. Might sound a little bit too much, but I have a feeling that he will understand the kind of relationship that I look forward to in my life.

A Relationship that is about how to tolerate, how to accept, how to like, and how to love. Learning how to give as well as to receive, and how to trust that everything will even itself out on it's own. That a relationship is about learning how to treat people as people, not as stereotypes. Learning that sometimes a kiss isn't just a kiss, sometimes it means more, sometimes it means less. Learning how to achieve, how to succeed, how to accomplish. It's about learning how to not come in first place and still be proud, and about coming in last and learning how to admit that you could have been better. Learning that through all this, you would know and grow to love your partner much more than you had ever imagined.

A relationship based on an understanding that large parties don't necessarily mean a good time. Learning that loneliness doesn't go away in a crowd, and that sometimes it's okay to be by yourself on a Friday or Saturday night. It's about learning that your lunch time crowd does not constitute your popularity, and that popularity is all a matter of perspective.

It's about learning that simply doing what you're supposed to do isn't enough, you need to put forth twice that effort in order to fully grasp whatever emotions that are thrown at you. It's about learning how to make people smile. A relation that makes you learn how to miss people enough to not stick them in the past, and how to not miss them so much that it keeps you from moving into the future.

Some call this love – but love has not been an easiest of emotion for me. I struggle to maintain myself in balance when I do find myself there - it’s a rare occasion. I guard myself strongly against such things – its makes me weak in my knees and do stupid things like writing the exact word that my heart beeps to my brains and then actually have the balls to say it to someone.

and then I did the most impulsive thing. i did eventually send it to him... and he loved it.. !!!! And thats it. On the 26th of January 2012 - after fighting a slight hangover and him nursing a major one - we took the leap of faith. We got ENGAGED !!! wwooohoooo... Its all exciting.

Thus the lack of any blog post in the month of January.. !! I promise to do a better job the coming month. We got a few pictures taken - we are not camera friendly.. so forgive us !!!

A Neutral Christmas

2011-12-14T23:44:00.000-08:00

Every year I take it upon myself to write out atleast to about 3 dozen pen friends I have made in my 25 years of existence. While the list keeps growing -- the disposable time keeps diminishing. Its already the 15th and I still havent bought the Christmas Cards yet !!!! And now - if i was the send , the mail man will go on holiday and my mails are not going to reach the 4 corners of the world. So I ask for forgiveness to those who always expect my post card - to let me free this time round. The cards will reach 15th January : ((

But look at this neutral shade pallet for Christmas... who says you need to be RED and GREEN and CHRISTMASSS !!!

Clothesline Fun

2011-12-13T00:21:00.001-08:00

How brilliant is this concept photo shoot? Stylist, Tiffany Lowry, and photographer, Sarah Rhoads, shot it together in Tiffany's 4x7 basement laundry room.

At first glance, I thought they were engagement photos, but they're not. They should be, right? If you're daring enough to strip down!

Upcycled Vintage Audio Equipment

2011-12-12T02:25:00.001-08:00

Bet you didn't know you could make wall hooks out of headphones, dessert stands out of record players, candle holders out of speaker parts, cake pedestals out of hi-hat cymbals, or serving trays out of turntables. Did you? Neither did I.

But this husband and wife team did. They discover authentic vintage audio equipment and transform them into useful household pieces. Wouldn't they make a great gift for the music lovers in your life?

Wintery Mumbai

2011-12-12T02:21:00.000-08:00

On my walk this morning, I couldn't see beyond a couple of steps in front of me. Very uncommon for a City like Mumbai...The fog remained only but for a few minutes before dawn. But it's not the ominous kind. It's the calm, dreamy, walk-in-the-clouds type of fog. Where you lose yourself in your thoughts and all the world is silent.

I wish Winter Mumbai Fog looked like these pictures.. !! The thing I love the most about Winter is the sweet morning sunshine that hits you in the face and spreads a dash of deep pink in your cheeks.

Feline Noi

2011-12-12T02:19:00.001-08:00

Where does one find such dazzling cat ear hats? They're so flirty and fun. These shots are from the Feline Noir spread in the December issue of Glamour Spain. Meeeeow.

An Ice Rink Proposal

2011-12-08T23:21:00.000-08:00

As I've mentioned before, I think ice skating is the most romantic winter adventure. Mike took Glenna to their local park ice rink and surprised her with a ring as the snow began to fall. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Bella Swan - A Beauty in White

2011-12-08T23:17:00.000-08:00

I have to say, I was very impressed by Bella Swan's wedding dress. She looked so beautiful in the classy Carolina Herrara long sleeved gown, made from crepe satin and French Chantilly lace. It will soon be available in boutiques for a mere $30,000. Thankfully, Alfred Angelo's more affordable replica is being sold for $800.

Green Gift Wrap

2011-12-08T23:15:00.001-08:00

If I received gifts like these, it wouldn't even matter what was inside. Justina makes compostable, eco-friendly packages out of gorgeous leaves, flowers, and green artist's tape. I love how she steered clear of traditional holiday colors and brought in touches of yellow and pink. Such a refreshing idea for gift wrap, don't you agree?

Whimsical Bicycle Vanity

2011-12-07T00:47:00.000-08:00

Tossed and found items are repurposed into novel ideas.

Artist Benjamin Bullins gives the old saying “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” an entirely new meaning. Taking inspiration for a single object, he then uses other materials to build a sculpture that reflects the culture of his hometown of New Orleans. Often his work is functional art, like this French themed bathroom vanity designed around a discarded bicycle. A sleek, contemporary sink rests on a wooden board and is paired with a vintage single-hole faucet – love the porcelain drop handles. The basket is perfect for hand towels. The black and white checked floor tile pattern mimics checkered flags used when the winner of a race crosses the finish line – keeping with the room’s theme, since one origin theory claims the flags were first used in French 19th century bicycle races.

The mirror is another mixed media piece Bullins assembled from a trombone case – one side of the case was fashioned into the top of the mirror, while its handle and latches are at the bottom. A pair of coach lights gives a nod to a predecessor to the bicycle, horse drawn carriages. Don’t miss the semi-mount ceiling fixture peaking into the upper right corner that was made from a snare drum. The original mixed media vanity and mirror were still up for sale at press time. This pair will have us thinking twice before tossing something out with the trash.

I-Retro

2011-12-07T00:14:00.001-08:00

If all those camera reasons are not enough to buy a phone aren't enough, I can even pretend it's an old rotary phone! The iRetrophone is a charger and dock that even lets you make and take calls from the handset. Like the good ol' days.

Wedding Photography !

2011-12-07T00:05:00.000-08:00

I'm absolutely smitten with Heather and Jon's vintage style of wedding photography. In additional to digital, they somehow juggle a plethora of film cameras and homemade lenses. And get this.

I am just back from the wedding of my best friend Raghuvir to his lovely Bride Chhavi. Much to my dismay I was stuck capturing their lovely moments on my Blackberry Camera. It sucks !!! I am so inclined towards buying the I-Phone. I saw some of them at the wedding using it and it have a lovely wide lens and clicks the amazing moments. I only wish I was a much careful user and over and above it all it had some more nicer business phone like apps... : (( I am really sad using a blackberry at the moment. I am almost hating its site !!

Gift-WRAPPED

2011-11-28T03:23:00.000-08:00

People who have known me for donkey years know I am nuts about gift wrapping and wrapping papers. Even as a grown up child of only 25 - I gift wrap as it is free at departmental stores only because I find pleasure in opening them... There, I have said it. I love Gift wrapped stuff. My friends who have known this - have grown to like me this way. On my 25th Birthday which was on 12th Nov - my best friend Pankti Chheda gave me 25 small cute gifts. If you ask me today to name all of them - I dont quite remember - what I do remember is that each one of them was neatly packed and sealed. Like a little girl I jumped opening each one after the other !!!

Arent these packages just lovely ?? Do you believe me when i say that I am in love with these packaging ??

Potted Plant Villages

2011-11-28T03:18:00.001-08:00

Ontwerpduo, the Dutch designers behind the bird cage chair, have come up with yet another whimsical project, Cottage Town. You fold up the tiny waterproof paper houses, place them inside your potted plants, and your plants become trees and forests!

Splashes

2011-11-28T03:15:00.001-08:00

How amazing are these liquid-in-motion splash images by German photographer, Heinz Maier? Each organic droplet is completely unique since they're captured at such a high speed.

Head Crowns

2011-11-28T03:08:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty sure I'm going to wear a headpiece of some sort on my imaginary white gown wedding day. Not sure what kind, but I sure am loving Danielle's natural head crowns, made out of dried branches and florals. She says they're "perfect for a special occasion... or just a pretty day".

RUST

2011-11-24T00:31:00.001-08:00

One of my favorite shoe is rust colored. That toasty yummy seventies burnt sienna orange-brown. I'm so happy it's coming back into vogue.

Cute Flower Girls

2011-11-18T01:08:00.000-08:00

Cutest flower girl ever. Or shall I say, flower angel. The bride made her wings out of preserved pampas grass.

Did you (or would you) have flower girls at your wedding?

Clémence Floris

2011-11-18T01:05:00.000-08:00

I love these dream state photos by French "image maker", Clémence Floris. They're from her series, Mes nuits sont plus belles que tes jours. My nights are more beautiful than your days.

Don't they remind you of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind? One of my all-time favorite movies.

Pillow Headboards

2011-11-18T01:02:00.000-08:00

After having looked at these amazing settings, I am hating the hard laminated headboard I have on my bed. I like, oo, not like, LOVE this idea of using pillows as a headboard. It would be extremely easy to recreate, it still keeps things minimalistic, and there would be no more need to prop up pillows for bedtime reading!

A Floating Dining Room

2011-11-16T01:12:00.000-08:00

I was doing some foodie research and flipped out when I spotted this floating dining room that serves an intimate multi-course meal to 12 guests on the water. But sadly, it closes after summer and we're one month too late. Drat.

It stays afloat with the use of 1,675 plastic 2-litre bottles that were built into the floor in order to promote clean water and sustainable ocean life. Good news for the rest of the world... it will be traveling around to partner with top chefs across the globe. I'm hoping it will float on down to Mumbai soon!

Plan for the Weekend

2011-11-09T02:27:00.000-08:00

Welcome to a year in my life. I have spent a better part of 2010-2011 trying to imagine a weekend where i will be propped in the BED all day long and just enjoy NOTHINGNESS... But little have I know that this would just be my dream. Really ?? Here's hoping a relaxed 2011-2012 weekend in beds... The reason why I am saying BEDS with an S - meaning the million weekend getaways I will be able to enjoy... love propping myself infront of soft hotel beds with TV, a fantastic view and some room service. Am I a spoilt child or what !!!

Minimalist Children's Story Posters

2011-11-09T02:23:00.001-08:00

Always a sucker for reinvented minmalist posters. These ones by Chicago graphic designer, Christian Jackson, are no exception. They come with an amusing disclaimer:
Though these are posters made from children's stories, not all images are appropriate for children.

Most likely referring to the Wizard of Oz print!

Playing with Food

2011-11-09T02:21:00.001-08:00

I've spent the whole morning chuckling over this series, Disparity, by Seattle-based photographer, Christopher Boffoli. He creates everyday scenes with tiny model train figures and admits that "there is in some part a god-like feeling to having command of an entire world, which you can rearrange at any capricious whim."

I used to play with my food as a wee one, but never to the extent of this. I really admire people who are able to maintain their childlike creativity, don't you?

A Proper English Wedding

2011-11-09T02:16:00.000-08:00

I don't yet quite know who I am going to marry, or what he would like. Quite frankly Indians spend way too much money on Flattering their guests with extravagant stuff. I am one for small intimate wedding. But if someone said in your dreams where would you want to marry - I dont quite mind this PROPER ENGLISH WEDDING.

If budget wasn't a concern, I'd fly all my loved ones to England for my wedding. Just like Heather and Neal. They got married at the Babington House, a 16th-century manor turned hotel and spa, on an 18-acre estate in Somerset. They gathered their closest family and friends to celebrate over Thanksgiving day weekend. And drove away in a vintage Rolls Royce belonging to Heather's grandfather, an original producer of the 007 films! What an absolute dream.

Project 333

2011-10-28T04:33:00.001-07:00

Oops, I lost track of time. Project 333 started on Saturday. Participants pick 33 items of clothing and wear only those 33 pieces for three months. This includes outerwear and shoes, but not undergarments, pajamas, and workout gear. Why? To declutter, and to spend less time and money on shopping for clothes, and less time figuring out what to wear. Could you do it? I'm pretty sure I already do, but a-counting I will go.

A Steam Train Ride

2011-10-28T04:28:00.000-07:00

After a long relaxing holiday up in the mountains, I am ready for yet another holiday. And I dont quite have the body to go to the beach just yet, atleast with the bloatedness I am feeling post Diwali sweets Massacre !! But dont you think it would just be amazing to snuggle upto something and enjoy a journey on a steam train ?? Did you miss the fact that I am ready for another HOLIDAY ??

Hanging Tables

2011-10-21T04:26:00.000-07:00

I find hanging tables ultra romantic. Maybe it's the attractive couple looking so in love in front of it. Naw, it's the table. There's something magical about the way it effortlessly floats above the ground. Hmm, definitely putting this idea in my bag o' wedding tricks.

A Loud Silence

2011-10-21T04:25:00.001-07:00

I'm strangely attracted to Filippo Minelli's ongoing colored smoke bomb series, Silence/Shapes. Beautiful, no? I think he captured 'loud silence' to perfection.

Rainy Love

2011-10-18T00:36:00.000-07:00

Chicago-based husband and wife photography team, Steve and Anne, celebrated their first anniversary in a downpour. They made the right decision in choosing Carl Zoch to document the special occasion, who says, "reflections are the new textures".

His work is so artistic and thoughtful, don't you think? Makes me want to grab my love by the hand, run outside in the rain, and splash around in puddles.

Colours

2011-10-18T00:31:00.001-07:00

Never a dull day in this Swedish apartment. It sits adjacent to the Humlegården Park, so Tham & Videgard Arkitekter installed colorful parquet flooring to emulate the changing seasons. Would you be able to live in a home with this much color?

The Black Cat Audition

2011-10-13T03:49:00.000-07:00

Excuse me for a moment while I compose myself. Dying of giggles. Apparently, there was a black cat open casting call for the 1961 Edgar Allan Poe film, Tales of Terror. The kitties look so confused!

Fabulous Food Styling

2011-10-10T01:11:00.001-07:00

I don't know about you, but this is the best food styling I've ever seen. German designer and prop stylist, Dietlind Wolfe, conceptualized and illustrated these colorful meals for Brigitte Magazine. They're almost too pretty to eat.

Petit Paris

2011-10-07T04:09:00.000-07:00

Emmy-winning stop motion animator turned photographer, Sarah de Gaudemar, creates minuscule Parisian scenes and captures them on film with a handmade tilt-shift camera lens. She travels to Paris often with her French husband and the city has become her "favorite place to view from a tiny person's perspective."

Can you believe the scenes aren't real? I'm so impressed. She recently compiled all her images into a book, Vintage Minature Paris.

Mood Boards

2011-10-07T04:01:00.000-07:00

I'm giving Maritza a silent blue ribbon for her stunning mood boards. They do just what they're supposed to do. Put you in a mood. In this post alone, I've gone from mourning to wistful to calm to hopeful to inspired to nostalgic. Which makes me happy.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Tiramisu

2011-09-23T07:39:00.001-07:00

Peanut Butter and Jelly Tiramisu
If having Tiramisu wasnt my FAVOURITESTE thing in the world, then this Peanut Butter and Jelly Tiramisu just toppled it over -- Here's why I loved it !!!

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
1 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar, plus more for dusting
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam
14 Italian-style crisp ladyfingers
4 cups raspberries
shaved chocolate, for topping

1. Beat the peanut butter, cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, vanilla extract and 1/2 cup heavy cream until smooth and fluffy, 3-4 minutes. Add the remaining 1/2 cup cream and beat until creamy, about 2 more minutes. (Do not overbeat)

2. Whisk the jam and 1/3 cup water in a small bowl until smooth. Spoon about 3 T of the jam mixture into a 9x5 loaf pan. Cover with half the ladyfingers, arranging them lengthwise. Brush with half the remaining jam mixture. (Don't worry if it looks like a lot of liquid; the ladyfingers will absorb it as the tiramisu sits.)

3. Spread half the peanut butter cream over the ladyfingers. Top with 2 cups of raspberries and the rest of the ladyfingers. Brush the ladyfingers with the remaining jam mixture and apread the remaining peanut butter cream on top. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 8 hours.

4. Uncover the tiramisu and top with the remaining 2 cups raspberries and shaved chocolate. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

Serves: 8-10

Recipe Source: adapted slightly from the Food Network Magazine

Vintage Suitcase & Television Pet Beds

2011-09-23T07:34:00.001-07:00

There are so many adorable pet beds out there, but I do believe Miles & Aimee's upcycled creations take the cake. They turn vintage suitcases and televisions, and sometimes computer monitors, into funky little rest havens for your kitty or small pup.

Melt-in-your-mouth Homemade Cheese Crackers!

2011-09-23T07:23:00.000-07:00

Cheese Crackers
(Adapted from a recipe on smittenkitchen.com, which was credited to a recipe in The Lee Bros. Southern Cookbook)
Makes about 70 1-inch square crackers

1½ cups (6 oz) grated extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened and cut into pieces
¾ cup (90 g) flour, plus more for dusting
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon milk
A little over 6 ounces of cheese – close enough!

1. Preheat oven to 350˚.

2. Put everything except the milk in a food processor. Pulse the processor, 5 seconds at a time, for about 5 or 6 times, until the dough is in coarse crumbs.

3. Add the milk and process until the dough gathers together in a ball.

4. Roll the dough out on a floured board with a rolling pin that has been floured until it is about 1/8 inch thick. (Deb suggested an 8×10 rectangle.)

I don’t know why I couldn’t roll my dough into a neat 8×10 rectangle. It still worked.

5. Cut the dough into 1-inch squares with a sharp knife or pizza cutter. You can put a bit of flour on the blade of the knife to keep it from sticking.Use the flat end of a wooden skewer to poke a hole in the center of each cracker.

6. Place the crackers at least ¼ inch apart on parchment paper on a baking sheet.

7. Bake for 12 – 15 minutes until the edges are just starting to brown. (Mine took 13 minutes.)

8. Put the baking sheet on a rack and let the crackers cool completely.

9. Eat! Or store in a covered container to eat within a day or two.

Fancy Schmancy Toast

2011-09-23T07:14:00.001-07:00

If the toast at Toast is fancy, then this toast is fancy schmancy. The special pan creates a delft pattern on the bread and even comes with a matching plate.

Chalkboard Postcards

2011-09-23T07:09:00.000-07:00

If you have made it to the list of people who receive a travel post card from me every now and then you will realise I love all things POST – CARD related. The feeling of something having travelled 7 oceans and touched so many hands to deliver this important piece of information to you is comparable to nothing !!
The list of people keeps becoming longer as I live my life month after month. Each time a new person is added to this list !! I feel this is so important to touch peoples lives who you think are so dear to you… that you want to be dear to them as well, if you know what I am saying.
So when I saw this post card series -- I'm admiring Robyn's chalkboard postcards. She made them for the Mailart 365 Project using chalkboard paint and a special spray so they won't smudge. See more designs here and here. Wouldn't you love to get a post card from me ??

Ladakh - where the sun and moon share 1 sky

2011-09-22T04:15:00.001-07:00

Where there is bright sunshine, crystals of snow, white sands, blue purple brown mountains, glowing waters of the Indus and the Zanskar.. you know you have arrived in Ladakh. A slightly bumpy ride from Delhi flies you over the mighty snow capped Himalayas. Right before you land you see the early morning sun rise from in-between 2 mountains and the sun is below you. And when you think where on earth is the Runway amongst all this – The Leh airport’s tarmac glistens inviting you into the beautiful region of Ladakh in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Known for its picturesque landscapes and beautiful humble people, Ladakh bowled me over from the start. My friends Ami Gathani, Pankti Chheda and I decided to take this impromptu trip much against the critiquing traveller – some sighted breathing problems, others of bad weather and even so intense – a nose bleed !! Thankfully for us – We drove straight from the Airport to the little village of Saboo where stands our Hotel – Ladakh Sarai. We fell in love immediately. At first it looks slightly unconventional, the owners are playing a game of badminton in the front yard, the cook and his lot are serving hot chai and snacks to a few guests sitting in the cosy dining hall overlooking the mountains. The breeze and the sunshine cause the trees to sway and cast shadows alternating between silver and green.

We used our day 1 to acclimatize. It wasn’t that hard for us – the tents are sturdy and warm. You only just need to slip into one of their blankets to start dreaming ! Sometime in the afternoon we had lunch and slept again. Something I would advice everyone to do.. If you fall sick the first day, you will probably ruin it for yourself. In the evening, much against my own advice we took off to see the Leh center, the market. After about strolling half and hour, you realise you feel short of breath ! But working in slow motion always helps. We then enjoyed some Hot Lasagne and some Mediterranean bread at Bon Appetite. We did bump into a bunch of travellers from all over the world and played drinking games….!!

Day 2 we drove all the way to Alchi Monastery. The drive is one of the easiest Terrain in Ladakh as a whole.. and you pass a point where the 2 rivers of Indus and Zanskar meet. A point which is clearly visible by the different colours of the waters.

When you arrive at Alchi, the cobbled pathway are lined with prayer wheels. We went crazy trying to make each one move in tandem ! We also met an old man of 80 who decided to guide us through the old paintings.

The monastery is the house of the “OLD BUDDHA” – with paintings, carvings and stupas worth a visit. A little café that sells just canned drinks is a must visit – for the owners are an old couple who let you take pictures of them and their cute little 3 year old grandchild Dharma ! The lady of the house will even suggest you wear her attire if you want to be photographed.

Day 3 is one of the toughest drives from Leh to Nubra.. the highlight of this trip is that you drive through highest motorable road at Khardugla Pass which is 18380 feet above mean sea level. It was an icing in the cake when somewhere half way it started snowing !! It was the first time after Belgium that I saw snow flakes trickle down so gently. It started enveloping the beautiful slopes of the mighty Himalayas making it a breath taking sight. This drive can be rough for people like me who have sever motion sickness. A tablet of Diamox and some “kafur” to keep you sedated shall do the trick.

You know you have arrived in Nubra Valley when the landscape gives way to white sands. Where the moon and the sun share the same sky. When you see the 2 hunch camel sitting by an oasis. This is a fairly new venture for most hoteliers in the Ladakh region. The folks are Ladakh Sarai have a sister camp called Nubra Sarai. This is not as fancy as its counter part in Ladakh, but one can tell a lot by the warmth of the staff that they have been trained well to accommodate. So when we were freezing, the cook quickly cooked up some hot Apply Custard. A yummie treat our freezing bones. Ofcourse the meal itself cannot be undermined either.

The next day we took a day trip to Turtuk. The drive to Turtuk is absolutely breath-taking. Our tour organiser – Amit of www.goamit.com fame was the one who had suggested this newly opened for tourist region just 30 kms from the border of India and Pakistan.

We drove through the most beautiful bridges running over waters trickling down from the mountains. Enroute Turtuk – not only does the landscape become most subtle but also the features of people change. From Looking Tibetian-Ladakhi, the people have more sharper almost harsh Afgani Features. Their dressing changes too. Its striking !

We didn’t really get down and do anything at turtuk. It is just a small village. But we did stop at a small shop close to the waters who served us Pipping hot Maggie accompanied by the packed lunch provided by the Nubra Camp guys !!

We were a little content having lived in the place for 2 nights – the boiler wasn’t working, but thanks to dry weather, it was okay if we didn’t shower. We longed to get back to Ladakh Sarai. We were exhausted ! and couldn’t think of anything but the coal fed heater and the hot water bag to hug and sleep so thoughtfully planned out by the Ladak Sarai folks at LEH.

But the car journey was not over yet. 4 hours drive one way – something unimaginable now, was Pangong Lake where the last scene of 3 idiots was filmed. Ofcourse when you are travelling through mountains and finally after 4 hours when you get the first glimpse of Ultra Marine Blue in your face, you forget all about the bumps and the pee breaks at plastic walled toilets. You just cant stop staring at the Pangong lake once you get to a stone throw away distance from it. The lake changes colour with the changing sunlight and shadow and the time of the day. With atleast 5 different shades on blue in sight, you stop complaining and start appreciating the peace of the place.

Until some south Indian rookie starts singing and making unhealthy remarks. Indian Tourists sometimes don’t know how to behave in a place like that. He started screaming RANCHO Kaha hai… and Tofa Kabool Karo to his friends !! Ofcourse the Gora sitting next to me had no freaking idea what this man was talking about !! But such are the nuisances of a tourist spot !! I did not want to leave this beauty and serenity of this place – more so because of the drive back to LEH for another 4 – 5 hours.

We then used our remaining time visit the Thiksey Monastery, The 3 Idiot School, An Oracle. We also saw the sun set gently over the Shanti Stupa before we retired back to the Hotel for a Chat where the so kind and generous Director of the hotel and we retreated into the living spaces of the hotel for conversation about life, religion, culture and Ladakh over some Whiskey. The night ended with an awesome meal of Italian food – Veg Lasagne, Mac and Cheese and some Garlic Bread !!! How are we ever going to recover from this holiday is beyond me !!!

But Ladakh leaves an amazing happy memeory in my soul. It gets under your skin… And all you know when you get back on the plane to go home is that this is not the last time you are going to visit LADAKH.

Super Power

2011-08-23T00:13:00.001-07:00

This poster belongs in our home because I ask Hal this question every time we watch an X-men movie.

So my question for you:

If could have any super power, what would it be?

My Answer is :
I want to influence people's thoughts.. !! ( For those of you who know me and think im quite bossy already --- Yes, I have issues moulding peoples thoughts -- And this ofcourse is fantasy !! ; )

Loving Life.. !

2011-08-23T00:08:00.000-07:00

After months of handling what I thought was Depression -- because I gained piles of wieght, binged ate, fought, bickered, did no work, almost in shambles -- I now feel like a new person.. And can happily say "I LOVE MY LIFE"

I stopped blaming others for what happened. For I am responsible for my life. No one else cares to hoots what happens to you in this day and age. One minute you could be someones BFF and the next minute she could have easily back stabbed you for greener pastures... You could have been a millionarie one minute and the other minute its all gone !!!

If you love your life, you've made it.

Ancient Ruins

2011-08-23T00:07:00.001-07:00

Wedding photographers, Erin and Ben Chrisman, got married at Hacienda Uayamon in Campeche, Mexico, surrounded by ancient ruins from the 1700's. Can you even imagine having a candlelight ceremony in a crumbling stone chapel in the Yucutan jungle? What a dream.

Potter Phobia

2011-08-17T02:52:00.000-07:00

Okay - So you can officially call me Harry Potter Phobic ! I havent had the nerve to read any of the harry potter series. Yes since ive already told you this I can also safely tell you, I am also not into Lord of the Rings. Alright - I know they are not the same. The last series that I did was Robert Langdon Series - Da Vinci, Angels and Demons and the likes.

It is on my to do list before I die tho - To sit through a HARRY POTTER BOOK !

Cheese and Charcoal Party

2011-08-17T02:43:00.001-07:00

What an excellent combination, cheese & charcoal. Brittany and Landon threw this inventive little party for what may be my new favorite online magazine, Kinfolk, a guide for small gatherings. I want to host one too. Making messes with friends is fun.

Tip: cheese before charcoal!

A Timeless Pursuit

2011-08-17T02:40:00.000-07:00

Aren't these old-Hollywood shots glamorous? A vintage polka dot Oscar de la Renta dress was the muse behind photographer, Gray Malin's series, A Timeless Pursuit. He followed this faceless woman all over the cities of Los Angeles, Paris and New York and compiled the images into a book.

Soul Sisters !!

2011-07-19T02:28:00.000-07:00

She walked in almost bullying a couple of guys around her... And one look at her and I instantly knew the connect. Within the next 48 hours I was to meet my soul sister. This was about 2 years ago - when I had gone to Baroda for a cousins wedding. I like to believe that even though I have not seen her in the last 2 years - she knows me. She reads me. She makes an attempt at keeping up with my otherwise insane life !! She is an inspiration to me... even though she thinks I am her inspiration. We love each other... We think of each other on days when we are away - our relationship has come close thanks to MSN : )

So when she said she was starting a BLOG -- It gave me this amazing oppurtunity to do something for her - that she has always done for me... provide her with the encouragement. I have promised her that there are a whole lot of people like you who are reading me today and will read her too... here is presenting the debutante, the full of life, the FAB-ulous free spirited I am in love with and you will fall in love with her too --- TULSI ... !!! Check her link out on http://fattofabandeverythingelseinbetween.blogspot.com

A Tropical Patio Paradise

2011-07-15T00:58:00.000-07:00

You'd think this patio is in Hawaii, but naw, it's in Hollywood. Granted, LA's climate is more similar to the tropics than most cities, but the blue painted wall, tropical plants, colorful parasols, and tiki lights sure transform an average outdoor space into a cheerful island paradise. Wouldn't you like to invite yourself over?

Cardboard Furniture

2011-07-15T00:54:00.001-07:00

I'm not sure I'd want permanent cardboard furniture, but how genius are these pieces for temporary solutions when you're in the middle of a move? Karton designs affordable recyclable cardboard furniture that folds up and flattens for future use.

My good friend now -- who i only recently met through a family friend is into permenaant furniture... i wonder how he view this for his business ??

Beach Camping

2011-07-15T00:51:00.000-07:00

It's funny, because when I think of camping, I think FOREST. Little did I know one would also think of camping on the BEACH. This is what happens with a sunshine loving girl first meets a sunshine loving boy : ))

Exploding Flowers..!

2011-07-15T00:49:00.001-07:00

Bryan Warakomski photographs floral explosions. Despite the violent act behind each shot, they sure look celebratory. Almost like fireworks. Now I can't decide what's more beautiful... flowers as is, or in mid-destruction. What do you think? :)

Exploding Flowers..!

2011-07-15T00:49:00.000-07:00

Rooftop Oasis

2011-07-09T02:06:00.000-07:00

I’m already daydreaming about this country-meets-urban NYC rooftop apartment. It is absolute perfection with the colors, rustic outdoor living spaces, transparent rooms and foliage galore. This reminds me a bit of the greenhouse apartment

A Hilltop Cottage in Nova Scotia

2011-07-09T01:53:00.000-07:00

Two interior designers from Los Angeles fell in love with Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia and built this simple Scandinavian-style cottage on the bluff for only $350k. It overlooks a national park to the north, the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the west, forested hills to the east, and headlands to the south. Sweeping views and seclusion... my top two requirements in a dream home.

X-Ray Art

2011-07-06T23:39:00.001-07:00

Steven N Meyers was a medical x-ray technologist for 30 years. His profession piqued his interest in the photographic process, so he began to experiment with the x-ray imaging of flowers and plants. I find it so inspiring when someone is able to use their unique skill set to turn a technical career into an artistic one.

The Starbucks Proposal

2011-07-06T23:32:00.000-07:00

I love a good proposal story, who doesn’t?! Today, I’m sharing the proposal of Mikaela and Shane. Their first date was at a Starbucks, so Shane decided to build a Starbucks in the woods - seriously! Wait until you see it! :) Shane told Mikaela (who is a photographer) that they were going on a photo field trip to this great place he discovered, well he led her to a clearing in the woods and had Mikaela close her eyes. The moment she opened her eyes, she saw this…

Mission Voice Over - ACCOMPLISHED !

2011-07-04T04:31:00.000-07:00

When I was all but 9, I sat at an inaugural function where my grand-father was a chief guest.. and it was on that day I decided I am going to condition myself in a way so as to be A SOMEBODY who gets invited places just to cut ribbons. And much to my amazement a few years down the line I was cutting a ribbon ! Alright alright – you didn’t have to do much to become a chief guest at Dominoes Pizza ! But it’s as if all these years my WISHLIST had been forgotten by GOD… and he has only just found it.

Ofcourse on top priority on this list is also lending my voice to a LIVE / a recorded PROGRAM ! And this is it -- ! Saturday I get a call from my soul brother – AAKASH SHAH. He auditioned me to do a voice over for a leading hair colour brand - they are partners to an upcoming movie Zindagi Na Milegi Doobara.. ! Of course, for all those who know me for donkey years, know that When opportunity STRIKES – I like to be number 1 in queue. And so I was… I rehearsed these promotional lines a couple too many times to get the wording correct over the weekend.

On D Day – which was this morning, I got to the Future Works Studio an Andheri. Now – if you are wondering whether it looks like that… array that… that yaa… That Entourage, HOLLYWOOD, MGM Studio types. Big modern building, large office spaces, big A/c Lobby, secret passage leading to a million other rooms, walking past the IN-SESSION Boards, quite corridors, heavily carpeted floors et all..!! Yes … Everything was just the same.. alright, maybe just a little smaller than you are now imagining… Yes, that’s perfect, just this much it looked !!

I reached to find The CORE TEAM of ARCHLIGHTS MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT PVT LTD all smiles. Mr Shashwat, Mrs Sonali and Mr Aakash – all dressed casually – no suits and boots here.. but once they started they were super professional in their approach.
It started with a small brief – with a couple of sample pieces which were discussed only to give me a rough idea of how it is supposed to be. The brief was simple and precise. There were 2 rooms, I in which the team sat – And I had to then walk to the other room – which is a sound proof room, all dark and dingy with only one spot light on the podium with the mike in front of me … And I got behind it then.

Yes folks, the mike is just like an Elvis Priestley’s mike with a little filter of sorts – just to make your voice clear and precise. Yes – at this point in time I was half tempted to break into a song to fulfil my weekend long khwaaish of recording a song at the studio ! That would have to wait I thought.

After doing a couple of takes and a couple of other styles of delivery – we were inching close to what they really wanted. For a person like me, I was feeling a little bit constricted. I speak with my hands and my eyes and my head bounce. And here I was – behind these shut doors with only my voice !!! That’s when I turned by back to them – and without them noticing I started using my hands and my rolling eyes etc while delivering !

IT WORKED !!! Everything after my secret actions started being approved. Line by line, and after patching bits of it…It was CUT – and PACK..!! Ofcourse they didn’t say that… I said the CUT and PACK UP also in my head.

I came out… We heard the pieces together. The equipment is also things we have never seen – except for in the making of films – especially when Anu Mallik sits on a swivel chair and goes like Kya sur hair, mazza aa gaya dialogues !!!
My VOICE OVER Assignment finished in less time than I had imagined ! But in all it was an amazing experience. MISSION VOICE OVER ACCOMPLISHED I SAY !!

No Man's Art Gallery

2011-07-02T00:18:00.000-07:00

This is all that we got in a mail on our Internations group… An expose called No Man’s Art Gallery.
“No Man's Art doesn't take the conventional routes when it comes to exhibiting art. Pop up galleries, guerilla galleries, Blitzgalleries, always combined with a small or big party to celebrate the art and artists are organised on a regular basis. We support arty initiatives and we are not bound by geographical borders. We make an effort to exhibit in as many countries as we can, showing as much talent as we can and make it accessible for as many people as we can.”

So we had to RSVP – and the secret location would be revealed only 3 days before the event. An amazing marketing technique – a build up Ami Gathani, My sister Dhwani Doshi and I had been waiting for. It was my first of a kinf Photography Exhibition that I was going to. And I was kicked.

The beautiful Curator Emeelie Koster explained to us that she is a part of Erasmus Mundus Program for Law and Economics - through which she travels to a different part of the world every 3 months. After 2 successful shows in Netherlands and 1 in Germany, No Man's Art Gallery is in its 4th edition. Apart from some world over artists, they also had some local artists displaying their works.

Well - There was ample of Nine Hills wine and Carlsberg and some appetizers flowing - just to add a topping on the amazing works displayed.... It was my amazing first experience. Some of these works really caught my eye. I tried to read into it - only to know I am such an amateur. And there is this whole new world of ART and ARTIST that I understand nothing about - but I was glad - this was a start !!

When I coudnt understand much of this series called "A WORLD IN CIRCLES" - the underwater edition by Roman Asmus - I had to ask my didi for reinforcement !!

Here is Dhwani Doshi and Ami Gathani's favourite. These Conaisseurs whose works I personally enjoy on a daily basis - Spent considerable time enjoying this series called "AN ODD PLACE IN TIME" - by Catharina Gerritsen

But one thing I did personally enjoy is this series of photographs by Himanshu Seth - My personal Favourite : ) Don't ask me why - I just like them much.

Other works also included this Sarah Wijzenbeek's - Feeling Blue Series. There is something about this slender sleek woman at the particular angle - super flattering !! Alright - Don't laugh at me - as I said, this is my first time.. and Appreciating art is an art in itself which i am yet to discover.

Here is an online version of the Press No Man's Art Gallery Generated.. In my view - this was an amazing concept which everyone can still go and catch.
Venue : No longer a secret - The Great Eastern Mills Compund
Time : Opend from 4 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Dates : 1, 2, 3 July, 2011.

p.s. - if you want to know whose behind these amazing photographs - its my very own friend - Ami Gathani from the Ami Gathani Design Studio (AGDS)

D for DIET and D for DOMINOES !

2011-06-30T06:01:00.000-07:00

D for DIET and D for Dominoes !!! Not the best combination ever. And just when I thought that I am in LINE with my DIET – Bazooom…. On my way to office last week I see a Dominoes is now Hiring sign !!! What !!! This can’t be the location – I said to myself. There was a dingy BAR that old men sat at and drank post work. But my worst fears or should I dare say my wildest dreams came true… DOMINOES was opening at that very location.

Strategically placed in the beginning of the only lane that I have to pass twice a day - once to enter office and once at close of day – DOMINOES was going to haunt me !! This week – up until yesterday I was adamant of not looking at it. I had also mentally prepared myself to look the other way at the fat man sitting in the Lucas Electronics store right opposite to DOMINOES new location at Saki Naka.

But yesterday as My sister Dhwani Doshi and I passed it on our way out – we made the store manager promise that He has to , has to has to make us NO 1 customer !!! We were adamant that the store should make their first sales to US. A matter of prestige for someone like me who has been a big fan of Mexican Green Chillies, Medium Size Thin Crust and the Choco Lava Cake – both from the time they have started !!!

So today on my way in – I made sure the ever similing area manager was sticking to his promise. I even made him give me a missed call on my phone, so that I could check on Dominoes whenever I wanted !! And there at 3 30 – I get the much awaited Phonecall.

DOMINOES was not only wanting me to become their first customer – but they also wanted me to OPEN THE STORE !!! WHOAAA… I was officially their chief guest and was to cut the ribbion and cake et all !!! MAJJHAA AA GAYA !!!

So while the 30 off DOMINOES MEN AND WOMEN dressed in Blue cheered, I cut the RIBBON. Had I known I was to do something so major today – I would have dressed in my best and put on some make up !!! God – when will I ever learn ???

Anyway – So, I did… and made the MAHURAT ORDER of my favourites. Then the store managers – the smiley, helpful ones took me inside – showed me the kitchen—it is mighty small I tell you !! Can you believe they churn so many pizza’s in that much space. Or atleast I am hoping they will amazingly well, now that I have opened the STORE !!

My Dad was fortunately there at the Andheri Office – so I tagged him there.. It was an event to remember… : )) He tried taking a few pictures – but his photographing skills go to the dogs without his 50+ reading glasses. We enjoyed the freshly baked Pizza with the smeltering cheese !! And then the lava oozing out of the cake and came back as happy bunnies fluttering the NO 1 Customer Receipt that my Sister DHWANI DOSHI was dieing to have !!!

Vod-Ch-Ra-ka or Vod-Ra-Ch-Ka ?

2011-06-30T04:16:00.000-07:00

So a few years ago - I went for Raghuvir - my best friend's birthday to salt water grill. This amazingly located restaurant is now shut ! What a shame ... Nothing worthy of staying ever stays in the city of Mumbai. however - apart from this - it was the first time that I dined with his girl friend Chhavi Sodani - which is an amazing memeory.. But another one of the first was when I tried for the very first time Watermelon Vodka. SO it was basically vodka with fresh watermelon juice as a chaser. But the most heavenly part of the drink was those ice-cubes in the form of FROZEN WATERMELON PIECES soaked overnight in VODKA.. !!

With every little bite into these cubes, the vodka oozed out.. !!! These pictures remind me of this first party with this couple who are going to tie the knot soon. Ofcourse - what would be perfect for this reception is a drink that i associate with them coming together !!! Sad thing is that my bummer as I fondly call him is now a Wine Drinker, but hey - who can complain when they have a watermelon mojito popsicle named after their togetherness ??

Flowers by Girish Karnad

2011-06-30T01:37:00.000-07:00

The play premiered as the opening show at the prestigious Ranga Shankara Theatre Festival in Bangalore, India in October 2006. Since then the play has completed over 50 performances in Bombay, Bangalore, New Delhi (opening the National School Of Drama Festival) and Kolkata to packed and appreciative audiences.

Written by - Girish Karnad
Directed by Roysten Abel
Performed by Rajit Kapur
Light Design & Execution– Arghya Lahiri
Sound Design – Amit Heri
On Sound – Nadir Khan
Production Controller – Shernaz Patel
Produced In Association with Ranga Shankara and Rage Productions

Destiny – I was to go see the play with Hrishabh, but the Mr Late Latif was in Bandra at 8 45 – he would never make it to the closing bell. And hence – in the nick of time Aakash Shah – the play enthusiast grabbed the opportunity and 2 mins before the close we walked into Prithvi Theatre. Tickets were sold out – Wednesday night in Juhu ?? There is no logic except it’s a Karnad play after all. We would have thought getting front row seats would be impossible – but we did manage to get 2 – only to realise that the mid-level this time, as Arundhati Nag advised to those early birds standing in line, because of the unusual set design.

There was the smoky fragrance of dhoop around us, and long ropes of blue light, as we waited for the play to begin. Not that we had to wait any more than 50 secs. This Rangashankara and Rage co-production has been directed by Roysten Abel with Rajit Kapoor performing the 90-minute monologue. The visually breathtaking set design, by Roysten Abel and executed by Shashidhar Adapa and Selva Kumar, consists of an elevated platform, such that the solitary character seated on it appears almost suspended in the air. Below him, on a stage scattered with tiny white jasmines, is an urli decorated with flower garlands. Just visible, in the shadowy darkness behind the urli, is a heap of jasmine flowers sloping gently over a Lingam.

The man sitting on the platform stands up, turns around to face us and begins to speak. The setting is a temple, and the man is standing above the temple tank. He is the temple priest who has been worshipping the Lingam for years, decorating it with fresh flowers every day, softening the black stone with daily worship, talking to it, even discussing contemporary politics with it. A married man, he lives with a devoted wife, children and old parents. One day a courtesan, Chandravati, comes to offer prayers at the temple. The priest is attracted to her. After a few silent interactions, when she does not appear in the temple, he goes to her house to find out the reason for her absence. She tells him that she is having her menstrual period. When he visits her house again, after two days, she has had her cleansing bath. She invites him to decorate her naked body with ropes of flowers, the way he has always been decorating the Lingam. Their affair continues like this, but one day, on the night of the play, the priest must confront his powerful conflicts - the pull of love on one side, and duty on the other; his love for Chandravati, his love for the Lingam, his loyalty to his chieftain, and his loyalty to his wife.

It’s not Karnad’s most powerful play - my favourites are Tughlak and Taledanda. I also felt that its English title, Flowers, didn’t quite fit for a play with such a serious theme. Nevertheless, it’s a beautiful, moving work, with some superbly crafted sentences, a rising sense of conflict, and a fine, controlled plot - the hallmark of Karnad’s best work.

But for a 90-minute monologue, Rajit Kapoor’s performance was disappointingly lacking in feeling and energy. At times, he seemed to bereciting his lines, rather than enacting them with the passion of a conflicted, desperate man. I thought the play deserved better.

But ofcourse – Aakash and I didn’t like it at first. While walking out we did try to make conversation – because the last 20 mins of the play were stretched. I had to sleep over my thoughts and when I woke up this morning I decided I still have mixed feelings for the play. We wouldn’t recommend this play, had it not be for the amazing concept of the central plot perched high up – as though suspended in mid-air.
The conversation after the play was rather more interesting – as it always is with Aakash Shah - my soul brother !

Dream Homes !

2011-06-28T01:30:00.000-07:00

It's as if illustrator, Charles Schridde, plucked every single future fantasy home out of my head and published them for Motorola in the early 60's. How does that happen?
Pss Pss... Top Secret - I may have found someone interesting to share my dream homes with that I may talk about in the near future... !!! But I don't want to jinx it before it happens... So fingers crossed for me peeps : )

Pot of Gold

2011-06-27T06:27:00.000-07:00

I crashed late on Saturday night, so yesterday when I heard the alarm go off at 8 – I was pissed off at my hyper social Physical-self for committing to POT OF GOLD – a Rotaract Club of Bombay Airport Initiative. But then my mental-self urged me to get my backside off the get ready for a big day ahead !!!

For those who don't know Pot of Gold or have not had enough of me propagating it – POG is a shopping experience for orphan and street kids. After weeks of hard work we managed to collect 900 - 1000 items including clothes, toys, stationery and art supplies. We not only collected it – We made sure we sort each and every item out for the last day. For most aunties – they saw opportunity to off load their old lingerie, table mats, sari’s etc – mostly out of the scope of this shopping experience. But we did it. We divided them into 9 categoies.
1. BOOKS
2. Girls Clothes – Tops
3. Girls clothes – bottoms
4. Infant Clothes
5. Boy Clothes – Tee’s
6. Boy Clothes – Bottoms
7. Stationary
8. Accessories – shoes, bags, belts, socks etc
9. TOYS

OMG – who could forget TOYS !!!
Yesterday we hosted 185 kids from Abundant Life Ministries and Door Step. Over 5 hours kids sorted through everything and bargained their way to the items they wanted. It was amazing the way the kids conducted themselves - no ruckus and no cribs that they were among the last and all the good things were gone. Touching to see some of the kids buying for their siblings rather than spending the money on themselves. The stall owners seemed to be enjoying themselves far more than the kids.
Most of the 185 of them were inbetween the age of 7 and 12 – which meant BOOKS – the stall that I was handling saw no takers !!! At first I had to snatch them from other counters and get them to my counter.

I also made up a 1 Book for Rs 10 --- But Rs 20 for 3 books !!!

Towards the end – I have to put a 1 book for Rs 10 and get another book absolutely free !!! LOL. I could understand why Books were so unpopular – Ofcourse the TOYS – saw maximum attention. Prices at Rs 60 – whichever you buy – kids actually started bargaining as to why they were prices so expensive.

185 kids went back with happy faces and memories they will treasure and you made it happen. Thank you so much for your contribution to making this event such a resounding huge success. A big round of applause for all our volunteers.

Black & White Holga Love

2011-06-25T02:24:00.001-07:00

You can't beat classic black and white analog photos for your wedding day. These lovelies are shot by Ashley Garmon on her Holga camera.

Living-Pool Room

2011-06-25T02:22:00.000-07:00

Completely over the top, but how much fun would it be to swim in your living room? And swing over the pool? And watch old movies from a floating device?

The crazy thing is, this home is a New York townhouse. Even crazier, there's a second pool on the roof. For the owner's pet turtles!

Build-Your-Own Breakfast Bars

2011-06-25T02:20:00.000-07:00

A cereal bar, a pancake bar, and a biscuit bar? Why was I not invited to these breakfast parties?! :)

A Barbershop Quartet Proposal

2011-06-25T02:17:00.001-07:00

Sweet alert! Scott formed a barbershop quartet with his friends so he could serenade Maddie and propose to her on the beach. The boys spent many late nights together over the course of three months rehearsing "By the Light of the Silvery Moon".

Wouldn't you love to hear how they sounded? There's nothing like four-part male harmony to melt a girl's heart.

Long Pleated Skirts & Gowns

2011-06-25T02:08:00.000-07:00

Nothing like an industrial pleated skirt or gown... ! They absolutely look gorgeous :)

But thats not just all... Look at the one pleated dress I have got. I wore it for my cousins Baby Shower --The sex of the baby was unknown - and we all had to either support a boy and wear blue or a girl and wear Pink. Here is a photo of me supporting BOY - Yah yah... the dress itself is WHITE - notice my DIY Project and made flowers out of stockings and hung them on the neckline... What do you think of it ??

When will I be Bridesmaid ?

2011-06-17T05:20:00.000-07:00

When will i be my sisters BridesMaid ?? Cant wait to strut around in these awesome gowns and meet an equally charming husband to be at the after-party !!!

Watercolors

2011-06-17T05:19:00.001-07:00

Self-taught artist Christian Couteau has transported me to far away places like Vietnam, Chile, France, Cuba and Peru in his stunning watercolors. I’m blown away!

Raw Colours

2011-06-17T03:53:00.000-07:00

Mamika .. Bazooka...!

2011-06-14T01:19:00.000-07:00

When French photographer Sacha Goldberger realized his 91 year old Hungarian grandmother Frederika was lonely and might be suffering from depression, he proposed an unusual course of therapy: a superhero photoshoot. Needless to say, I think this is WTF fantastic.

Fudge on a stick !

2011-06-14T01:04:00.001-07:00

Fudge Popsicles
Adapted, just a bit, from On A Stick!

Makes 4 standard-sized popsicles (3 ounces each) or 6 in my tiny* popsicle molds (which were 2 ounces each)

2 tablespoons (21 grams or 3/4 ounce) semisweet chocolate chips or chopped semisweet chocolate
1/3 cup (67 grams or 2 1/3 ounce) sugar
1 tablespoon (7 grams or 1/4 ounce) cornstarch
1 1/2 tablespoons (8 grams or 1/4 ounce) unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/4 cups (300 ml) whole milk
Pinch of salt
1/2 teaspoon (3 ml) vanilla extract
1/2 tablespoon (7 grams or 1/4 ounce) unsalted butter

In the bottom of a medium saucepan over very low heat, gently melt the chocolate chips, stirring constantly until smooth. Stir in sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder, milk and salt and raise heat to medium. Cook mixture, stirring frequently until it thickens, anywhere between 5 minutes (for me) and 10 (suggested in the book). Remove from heat, add vanilla and butter and stir until combined.

Set aside to cool slightly then pour into popsicle molds. Freeze 30 minutes, then insert popsicle sticks. Freeze the rest of the way before serving.

Scrapped but no longer crap ! Container Homes

2011-06-14T00:52:00.001-07:00

Amazing Homes and Offices Built from Shipping Containers
Not just for resourceful squatters, container architecture is taking the world by storm. Recycled freight containers bring efficiency, flexibility and affordability to innovative green buildings, from small vacation cabins to movable cafes, schools and skyscrapers.

Would you like to stay in one ?? I wouldnt mind hanging out in by by the water... what's say ?

The Burning Man Festival

2011-06-14T00:28:00.000-07:00

What Is Burning Man?
Once a year, tens of thousands of participants gather in Nevada's Black Rock Desert to create Black Rock City, dedicated to community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance. They depart one week later, having left no trace whatsoever. Burning Man is also a year-round culture, based on the Ten Principles. Read Burning Man's mission statement.

What Isn't Burning Man?
Burning Man isn't the kind of festival that most people are used to, with big stages and acts booked to play on a set schedule. Rather, it's an entirely participant-driven event, and therein lies the novelty.

Check out some really cool pics from there !!!

Me Grandad Ad' an Elephant

2011-06-10T02:19:00.000-07:00

Play : Me Grandad Ad’ An Elephant
Where : @ PRITHVI THEATRE
When : 9, 2011 a 9PM
With : Hrishab Sanghvi
Production : “HIGH-POT-IN-USE-TRI-ANGLE” and “NOT QUITE THERE” Productions
The Team : ADAPTED FOR STAGE BY AHLAM KHAN
Lyrics : RAMU RAMANATHAN, AHLAM KHAN, POOJA ASHER & SHIVANI SAVANT
DIRECTED : BY DIGVIJAY SAVANT
CAST : AHLAM KHAN, AYESHA RAZA, DILSHAD EDIBAM, TOM ALTER, ZAFAR KARACHIWALA
CHORUS : AJITESH GUPTA, ANSHIKA GOEL, CHAITALI BOSE, ROHIN PURI,RYTASHA RATHOD, PRATYUSH SINGH, SERENA WALIA, SHIVANI SAVANT,SOHELA JALALI, VARUN VAZIR
MUSIC : RITESH

I wasn’t expecting too much out of the play. For an odd title like that – I thought the Ragda pattice with Hrishabh Sanghvi to keep me company would be the high point of the evening. We talked about me being judgemental – it did tick me off a bit, but I care less about people’s opinion with ever passing day : )

2 bells down, he was still finishing the last of his mushroom sandwich and going gaga over the Irish Coffee which I promised we would drink after – we went inside. What I love about Prithvi Theatre is the size of it. Its small and cosy and rather welcoming. We sat on the stage left, and I did not regret it. From start to finish, this play has been adapted superbly.

If you are a theatre enthusiast like me, this is one which you definitely should not miss. Based on the Novella by Vaikom Mohammed Basheed and translated by R.E.ASHER & ACHAMMA COILPARAMPIL, “Me Grandad ’Ad An Elephant!” is the story of Kunjupattumma, an innocent and loving soul, who lives with her family in the Malabar region of Kerala. It revolves around the growing pains of this young Muslim – Malayali girl in a society of conflicts and is set against a backdrop of implied criticisms of outdated Muslim customs, an appeal to live in the present, an abundance of comedy.

Dilshad Edibam – playing Zafar Karchiwalla is simply outstanding !! Words cannot match her acting skills – her little snotty remarks of a 17 yr old.
The play attempts to understand a shy girl played by the beautiful Alam Khan, who is at the centre of human life, a community, a village in North Malabar. Lilting melodies and charming lyrics lend this story a delightful flavour that brings the region and time alive on stage. What emerges is an unexpected blend of laughter and tears, of mellow moments and sudden threat that are very intimately related to a fanciful legend about a Grandad Who Possessed an Elephant.

The story moves onto a then typical riches to rags story.. And then about a bickering household. The mother – Ayesha Raza beautifully portrays the blinded mother, fooled easily into believing folk-lore, black magic and a god that seems to not hear anything.
And ofcourse.. There is the comforter – The handsome Zafar Karchiwalla – He stole my breath away. With the depth of his voice and his poise and posture – this man surely did have women go weak on their knees. He steers this lost household into leading a life with modern day value systems.

If that was good enough for me – the girls singing in chorus – each one beautiful in their own right, danced, shook their neck in a story telling fashion and rolled their eyes to emphasize the GrandDad’s Elephant – The story was peppy, the people were amazing on stage and the audience instantly responded.

I have seen quite a few musicals on Broadway and in the West End – but this one – with the bare basics simply bowled me over… Tam tit a tam… tit a tam tita tam… The music is so well composed – in the end everyone was humming it while walking out.
Of course – The Irish coffee was not forgotten. And that was worth it too. The conversation between Hrishabh and I steered to childhood sweethearts and marriage – no no – not between the two of us – in general – that seems to be a flavour of the season for all 24 – 25 yr olds…! Even at the end of night, when we bid adieu – I couldn’t help but sing with a little neck shake and the big eyes .. Tam ti tam ti tam.. !!!

Gorgeous Gold

2011-06-10T01:19:00.001-07:00

Can't get enough of the color gold these days.

BVD - BRAVE VERSATILE DARLING

2011-06-08T23:31:00.001-07:00

Photo : Diwali 2009, GOA

A Big shout out to my second dad Bhavesh Doshi.. He is undergoing a major heart surgery this morning 09/06/2011– I wish you a speedy recovery !! May god bless you. Our happiness is when we are all together chilling during Diwali vacations, enjoying family conversations and surrounded by good food… ! We are meant to be this way – and I wouldn’t want anything different in "the perfect picture" memory to change.. ! <3 you.

Photo : Diwali 2011, CYPRUS -- The game that will travel the rest of the world- CHAUPAT

Best Wishes Via Blog from All the 7 OVERSIZED DOSHI's, 1 - 1/2 MEHTA 1/2 DOSHI and 1 FULL MEHTA !!

Chick Alert @ Vero Moda Sale

2011-06-06T05:13:00.000-07:00

When FASHION meets DISCOUNTS and the word SALE is attached to it – KHALLAS... You can expect there to be a CHICK-ALERT-A THON count downing to the day event. The Boxing Day Sale/ Labour Day Sale/ Christmas Sale day’s of around the world experience could be got in Amchi Mumbai for the Saturday Sale of Vero Moda/ Jack and Jones in their Khar – Linking Road outlet.

My friends and I like every other girl bundled up together – leaving all other important things called MONEY MAKING – to go and do some MONEY SPLURGING. I am not a big big fan of this place, but I don’t ever refrain from “checking out the scene”... And so we went. At first I couldn’t understand why the traffic was being held up by Santacruz Police station – just as your turn away from Juhu Tara Road extension. However – chattering about how we are going to go and raid the store kept us busy to not realise that it took over 20 mins to just travel less than a kilometre.

Much to our surprise, as we drove past Vero Moda – and saw the serpentine queue of GIRLS of all shapes and sizes chattering and almost littering the ever quite by-lanes of Khar/ Santacruz – you know that something’s up !!
It almost looked like the place was throwing free clothes. Women on the 3rs floor standing were seen next to the mannequin, searching high and low for that dress they have been eyeing for the last couple of months to go on SALE ! Guys lined up too – but were typically lesser in number.

We did not have the courage and the patience to join the queue – and so we drove past – all the way till Bandra and ended up eating a wholesome BRUNCH. Something which has become a bigger pass-time than any other activity for us girls.

Of course – it was only after a good brunch and a hard day at work, when we decided that we did not want to miss an experience ! So my sister and I decided to BRAVE the crowd and enter at 10 p.m. We were given an easy entry – presumably most people had finished shopping. Little did we know that they must have ravaged the entire space. The Place looked like it had just about managed to SURVIVE A WAR.

There were more clothes lying on the floor than they were on the racks. All the sizes were mixed up and people were treating items like a Rs 3295 jacket like a piece of RAG. Being a frequent visitor – since my friend AMI GATHANI and my sister DHWANI DOSHI are mad-shopped of Vero Moda – i knew some of the clothes i had never seen on the racks. Looked more like items shipped from Bangkok only to make a quick buck. And even if they were not – the way they were displayed made it feel like a garage sale.
The best items were already sold – i didn’t expect a miracle purchase anyway !! I had only gone to check the scene out. I did manage to find a nice top on the highest rack – having escaped the hands of a few 1000 girls who must have shopped there. But when I went to try it – the staff seemed overworked, hungry and exhausted and hence couldn’t care less to help me with my size or colour – not that I asked – i was just petrified at the woman who was screaming her lungs out “NO MORE THAN 3 ITEMS.” Of course it wasn’t her fault – it is something the management should have foreseen and planned in advance.

But it was an experience to see WOMEN still at it – buying clothes after clothes after clothes !!! We ended up buying lesser than we actually buy paying 100% MRP + TAX and minus the QUE... but as they say everything is an experience.

Brooklyn Beauty

2011-06-02T04:22:00.000-07:00

It’s bright and sunny when you come up from the subway, and the walk to the flea market is almost as much fun as getting there. pops of great graffiti and wall art, fluttering banners against a bright blue sky, and lots of history to remind you you’re still in new york... My tour of Beautiful BROOKLYN !!

Vintage finds for a modern world: exposed brick

2011-06-02T04:13:00.000-07:00

something i realized on my trip to new york, is that the one thing i love most about the architecture there is all that brick. i love the look of exposed brick, worn, well-lived, loaded with history. oh, if only those bricks could talk! i thought i’d round up some rooms that embrace the look of brick.

Turquoise Platform Heels

2011-06-02T00:41:00.000-07:00

I don't care if I sprain my ankles wearing them, I'm all about these shoes. Anyone know who makes them?

English Gardens

2011-06-02T00:40:00.000-07:00

There's something about a lush, elaborately landscaped English garden that strikes a full harmonious chord in my heart. :)

A Lesson for mothers !

2011-06-01T05:58:00.000-07:00

Had someone told me that gujrati cooking is the easiest in the whole damn world – i would have started cooking at the tender age of 12 and rocked it by now. Ofcourse, my mother told me a couple of thousand times to start cooking – but for all the wrong reasons.

Wrong reason #1
Your mother-in-law will say your mother didn’t teach you well
( This is how mother-in-law's get a hated image -- when the girl is just all but 3)

Wrong reason #2
The way to the man’s heart is through his stomach
(Who cares what he likes, don't you have a stomach which needs to be pleased too ?)

Wrong reason #3
What is you do not have a cook
(Mum, If I was born to Bill Gates - I would have a pastry chef, an Italian chef, A Mexican Chef, A Chinese Chef ... and a host of other chefs -- and even better I would hire sous chefs and assistants and everyone !!! -- But I live in a real world. I can deal with it !)

Wrong reason #4
This one comes when they are very angry for you spending all that money – What if tomorrow you are poor – god forbid you have this skill and you can start a snacks business of your own.
( If it ever comes down to starting a snack business -- I wouldnt be making khakhras from home !! I would start something more exotic like -- Herbed butter or something more gourmet)

Had she in plain simple words ever told me – Listen Girl – there is Mitthu, Marchu, Haldar, Dhana Jeeru and Salt and Sugar to taste in every bloody vegetable that you cook gujju style – simple and straight in the face – i would work my magic through the years ! but now – at 24 – Marriageable age – that I am learning cooking. I am liking it – but would be loving cooking had these stupid things not come my way... Cant wait to raise a daughter and a son and make them love cooking for the pleasures of cooking !!!

Mumbai Indians v/s Kolkata Knight Riders !

2011-05-26T03:49:00.001-07:00

CRICKET UNITES AND DIVIDES INDIA ! We have witnessed so the day India Won the WORLD – CUP... and now when the IPL matches are on ! It was a celebration galore that day, not only in Mumbai, but also amongst Indians all around the world – to see DHONI and his BOYS lift the world cup. Such is the power of Indian Cricketing fans. They celebrate when a TEAM wins, they mourn when their TEAM looses. In the 90’s, If we thought nothing can take away the spot light from Shah Rukh Khan away... The loss of KKR against INDIA witnessed something new – As a nation we may have loved him, but nothing becomes bigger than CRICKET, not even Rajnikant !

And ofcourse – When the GOD himself plays in Mumbai Indians – It is a must watch ! It was decided may weeks in advance that “Hunny” as we fondly called Hassnein, would buy the tickets. After a round of Me + 3 ... Oh actually its ME + 2 only now... Its only ME and Oh, now I want another 5 tickets, the number was 25 of US !! It doesn’t get better than watching the match with a bunch of people together - doesn’t matter whether it is at a modern sports BAR or sitting on the floor with cushions thrown around. But watching it in WANKHEDE, for real – the experience is unparalleled.
So it doesn’t matter if you have to leave work way in advance at about 5ish to make it to the 8 o clock game. It also doesn’t deter you that the SUN is not even negotiation with the cool Westerly winds of the Arabian Sea come in between – Match Goers will fight all odds to make it to the ELIMINATOR !!

Now, watching a match is not just buying a ticket and finding yourself to that seat. It’s about the whole build up ! You walk miles – just after you have found parking – Ofcourse the Mumbai cha Police has assisted you supposedly by making every other lane you h ad mentally thought you would park in ‘a one way’. And you think it is walk able distance – but you only realise that it is quite something when you are returning back. Ofcourse, you even pay Rs 100 for the pay and park – and you know it’s a rip-off, but you go for it anyway, cause there is no time to discuss the right of a citizen just then. Then you run into thousand people who are walking the other way – and you ask 10 people and confirm if GATE 5 – NORTH STAND is actually the way the previous person showed you.

Ofcourse, on the way – you get the TRI-COLOUR painted on your face, you even buy the Vouvouzella, the jersery of the team you are supporting... giving enough business to every other person trying to make a quick buck, thanks to cricket ! You end up paying Rs 500 for something on most days you wouldn’t care less about. Like the FLAG, I have been to so many games, and each time I want it for the next game it has disappeared from my cupboard, means more money is spent on merchandising!
But all this is worth an Investment to see KKR loose 3 wickets in less than 5 overs ! And somewhere down the line when the match gets too slow – you begin to wish that KKR makes atleast a score of 160, just so that you don’t have to pack up and leave within 3 hours of actually getting there. Everybody wants a target that is chaseable but seems like a feat to achieve – if you know what I mean.

Ofcourse, everything is enjoyed with refreshments ! With so many dishes, you are spoilt for choice. But I am yet to find quality food at a big game, like I did in Madison Sqaure Garden in New York City... When I went there once to watch a Lakers game and then to watch my favourite band – GREEN Day play ! Ahh... the joys of organised events ground is something else. But none the less – everything is enjoyeable.
And so – I enjoyed every minute of MI beating the shit out of KKR... !!! Too bad – Shah Rukh Khan wasn’t in the stadium – I would have given him a piece of my mind then... LOL. But what sold me is the MEXICAN Wave – its a wonder why it is called so – but the entire cricket stadium taking part in this wave is something.

Eventually, the match got to an interesting turn... when Mumbai lost. The sissy Rohit Sharma sobbed around for a bit.. Pollard tried but it wasn’t his day. 2 other people who I have no idea where they came from or their track record ... but BHAJJI is the MAN.. !! He finished the match in style – leaving some purple sour grapes in the stadium... while the people in blue chilled out !!!

The walk back to the car seemed like a feat – nothing beats the invention called AIR –CONDITIONING in a CAR... God Bless that soul who did so. Ofcourse, the drive back to Juhu was animated with each one discussing the game followed by the best sleep dreams ever !

Costa Rica Tree House Eco-Lodge

2011-05-26T00:42:00.001-07:00

Fantasy escape time! The Tree House Lodge is a 2-room house on the southern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, sustainably built around a 100+ year old (and still growing) Sangrillo tree, and composed only of wood from fallen trees. Can you tell I'm in dire need of a vacation? :)

The Burning House

2011-05-25T00:59:00.000-07:00

If your house was burning, what would you take with you? I just discovered The Burning House, a blog that lets you submit your answers to this question and attach an accompanying photo.

I love browsing around this space to see what other people value. But honestly, I think they're taking too much stuff! I'd just grab my man - Who I am yet to find, my laptop and cell phone. Okay, maybe an extra pair of underwear if I happen to be near my dresser before the flames engulf me. You?

He loves her ... !

2011-05-17T01:16:00.000-07:00

On Jason and Kelly's first date, they came to Ocean Beach in San Francisco as Andres Amador happened to be creating a mural in the sand. 5 years later, Jason hired Andres to create a sand-written proposal for Kelly. He brought her to the beach for a casual stroll and she was shocked to discover a similar sand mural. He had her climb the neighboring rock so she could view the message in full. She said yes.

And it gets even better. All their friends were waiting for them below with champagne. Then a limo drove them to In and Out Burger and brought them back to the beach for a bonfire where fire dancers just happened to be performing. Kelly is one lucky lady!

Potted on a Budget

2011-05-14T01:50:00.000-07:00

budget. i hate that word. my financial methodology is more along the lines of “try to be sensible and then hope for the best.” i’m not a planner by any means. i don’t, for instance, make lists when i go to the grocery store (that’s why all those tins of stuffed olives keep cropping up in the fridge.) but, i do keep the financial lessons learnt from my parents fresh in my mind –
i am a bit obsessed with the idea of indoor plants right now. But my mother hates a mess... if you step inside my house - its spacious, for 3/ 5 of us believe in minimalistic living. Ofcourse the other 2 would be my sister - a junk collector and my brother who just happens to find a place for everything outside rather than folding and neatly putting them away inside... anyone have tips for venturing into this territory? nice plants that won’t die too easily… succulents? i do love the look of them, but also don’t want our place to look like a desert garden conservatory. Also being Jain - my mother is strictly against bonsai - which stunts the growth of a normal plant -- also we do get an awful lot of sunlight in most of the flat but unfortunately there are always those crows and pigeons trying to eat their way in..., so i think our future plants would have to be okay with that.and the whole point of telling you about the budget was - she does not want me to buy those plastic pots - she thinks those are expensive - so... Im looking for other ways !!