Love…Clutch of Blooms by Emersonmade

I just saw these beautiful spring clutches on Delight by Design and hopped right over to Emersonmade to check them out. Aren’t they gorgeous? I love each one of them. Even her styling is impeccable. Makes me want to get a skirt and tie out, but in this 36 degree centigrade heat, it might be a bit much.

The clutches would be welcome, though, but what I really need is a fashionable diaper bag. How about one with a funky flower to make it look like it is actually a handbag, but has oodles of space for everything (and boy, does he need EVERYTHING!) that baby needs?

All photos via Emersonmade. Go, buy a clutch now (and I’ve put them on my wish-list, just in case you want to get me one, too, while you’re at it :)

The Great Cover-Up

I know a building in Panjim that could benefit with a cover-up like this. The Marigold Hotel (shame!), a newly built hotel seems like it has all the trimmings, except for the side of the building facing the creek, which is left exposed, unpainted and looks abandoned, if you don’t know what the building is.

I don’t think this ‘distressed’ look is intentional (the design of the building tells you a lot about the architect /owners and intentional creativity is not likely to be on top of their list) which makes it all the more sad. Town planners don’t care about the eye-sore either ($$?)

I might just go over there one morning and ask them (the hotel) about that unloved 6 storied brick wall.

pic via sweethomestyle

I’d like to live here…

Isn’t this image fabulous? The house is beautiful, but it is this allée of old oak trees that simply takes my breath away. More on allée’s in this informative post on 'Things that inspire'.

Image via ‘Things that Inspire’

The Donck Residence, Goa

I picked up the latest edition of H&E (Homes and Estates, a Goan property magazine) purely on the basis of this gorgeous cover. The magazine usually has an exterior shot of one of their featured homes on the cover. This little vignette was so refreshingly different (and so unusual for Goa) that it immediately caught my eye.

I love the distressed (rare for Goa – the land of richly polished/varnished wood) meat-safe and that it is used to store crockery. The vintage film poster is also quirky, unexpected and fits right in with the house.

The house belongs to Jennifer and Guillaume Donck, a Belgian couple now based in Goa.

The rest of the house is done up with similar finds – antiques from Belgium, almost-life size camels from Indonesia, furniture from their travels across India, artwork by Guillaume.

I’d love to take a closer look inside this home,wouldn’t you?

Sunset at Miramar

Miramar beach was awash in golden colour this evening (and a few tourists)

…going…

…going…

…almost gone…

my two boys enjoying the glorious view…

cross posted here.

Soto décor - 2

Remember my recent post on Soto décor? Here are some photos that we took during my visit to Sotohaus.

The wall art is by Sonja Weder and it is really beautiful. The lamps are acrylic with a cloth insert and have seeds, snake skins or flowers lacquered on to the acrylic.

Sonja’s affordable nature sets. You can buy these in sets (mix and match – your choice). The photo does not really show the tactile nature of the frames or the amazing colours in all its glory. The canvas has leaves, seeds, pods and strips of bark lacquered on an acrylic paint base.

I loved these snake-skin lamps made from moulted snake skin found by Sonja. They are beautiful (and this is from someone who doesn’t care much for snakes otherwise).

Look at this exquisite creature!

 

A close-up of a lamp with seeds

and Sonja’s trademark leaves - gorgeous

Sonja and Thomas themselves are very friendly and lovely to talk to. I hope to see them again soon and we’re looking forward to our custom project being completed.

I’d like to live here…

A calm green space to look at, just to look at, is what I’m craving today.

Photo via http://reneefinberg.blogspot.com/

Love…Sotodecor, Goa

I recently profiled Sotodecor, an amazing store in Goa, for The National (a newspaper published in the UAE). Sotodecor is owned by Sonja Weder and Thomas Schnider, Swiss nationals who now call Goa their home.

Soto products are unlike anything available here – beautifully crafted furniture, lamps and art work all embellished with nature’s discards and sealed with layers of lacquer until a smooth finished is achieved.

The technique is similar to decoupage, but the finish is extraordinary. I was very impressed with the quality of Sonja’s work and the attention to detail. L and I were so taken by the work, that we have now placed an order for our own custom-made lamp – more on that later!

Read my article here.

My first Giveaway win!

I’m terribly excited to hear that I won a giveaway hosted on one of my favourite blogs Automatism! The prize is this exclusive gorgeous leaf pendant made by Amy of Amelioratic – isn’t this fantastic!

I can’t wait to get this in the post. Thanks, Lori and Amy for a wonderful giveaway!