A Friday at home

The rain seems to be here to stay. I was hoping for some sunshine this weekend but that's not in the picture. I should stop complaining as the view outside my window is actually very nice. Its green wherever you look.......outside, and on my windowsill. I love changing the plants in my pretty pink bottles. I am now going to make myself a cup of coffee and read a book. The perfect pastime for this weather..don't you think ??? I can at least try till my toddler wakes me up an demands attention :-)

Have a weekend full of smiles!!!!

I am linking up with new friends at the Fabulous Nest Friday blog hop over at Housewife Bliss.

From India with love

With the luggage restrictions bringing stuff from India is getting harder and harder. I am so glad I bought two of these little tables from India a few years ago. I love the kundan (engraving) work on it. They are small and versatile and I move them around as needed. My little toddler, finds the tables fascinating and is constantly pushing them around. Hope it survives all the attention from her!!!

I am linking with Show and Tell Friday at Cindy's fabulous blog: My Romantic Home.

and Furniture Feature Friday at the lovely Mustard Seed Creations.

Dreaming of the sea

I could not resist another post to showcase these lovely designs from Thibaut!! Aren't they pretty?

After a few weeks of sunshine, Seattle is back to being rainy and cold. I am not pleased!!! However, looking at these lovely rooms, I can't help but day dream about the sea. The sun, the beach and all things coastal.....dont you agree???

Pictures courtesy : Thibaut

In love with these

I adore these chairs....don't you ??

Pictures coutesy: Thibaut

Spanish Inspirations

A gorgeous courtyard from a home in Madrid, Spain and stunning bedroom. These images are so beautiful that I had to share them with you. I am mesmerised by the courtyard with its stunning tiles and gorgeous greens. I could spend hours surrounded by such beauty.

The adore the simple, stylish and yet rustic elegance of this bedroom. I love the dark wood, the details on the wooden door and the sun streaming in.......

Images courtesy: Nuevo Estilo

Exciting news..

I have some exciting news to share. A photograph taken by me of Mt Ranier, has been published in the newly released eleventh edition of the Schmap Seattle Guide. This is my first publication and I am thrilled. Hope you all have a great week ahead. My Monday has been pretty great so far, and I am very thankful :-)

A day in the country

As family we love the outdoors. There are so many gorgeous places around Seattle. I could spend a lifetime exploring them all. There is one such hidden jewel close to home, and I absolutely love it. The Country Village in Bothell is a quaint place for a lot of family fun. Spring is a gorgeous time to spend a day there. Train rides, flowers in bloom, roosters and ducks, lovely stores, little cafes it has it all. Here are a few pictures from our trip to the village. My two toddlers were giddy with excitement as there was so much for them to do :-)

Do visit the Little Red House for some great inspiration and lovely mosaics!

Friday is here !!

A good book, a hot cup of tea, endless possibilities or a blank canvas. May your weekend turn out exactly as you hoped...

Picture courtesy : Thibaut

Andalusian dreams

A road trip in Spain years ago was like "An Affair to Remember". As I look at my pictures, the memories of a gorgeous Spanish summer beckon......

The Andalusian region in Spain had always fascinated me. We spent only a day in Seville and the highlight of the trip was the visit to the Alcazar. A royal palace and originally a Moorish fort, it was unlike anything I had ever seen. A unique fusion of Spanish, Christian and Moorish architecture, it took my breath away. I had to tear myself away to continue our journey.....

Arcos de la frontera is Andalucia's most dramatically positioned pueblos blancos (white village) with a stunning setting. Arcos, balances atop a rocky limestone ridge with its whitewashed houses and stone castle walls looking down precariously at the fertile valley below. We were fortunate to have spent a night in this beautiful village. The experience was surreal.

We made a brief stop in Marbella, a beach resort by the Mediterranean sea. A pretty Andalusian coastal town with a charm of its own. It seemed to be the playground for the rich and famous with its numerous yachts. I did feel left out not having a yacht of my own :-)

A side trip to Ronda was an impulsive decision and we were not disappointed. Ronda's old town had a lovely historic charm with its dramatic views and the steep El Tajo gorge. The cobbled streets and the quaint stores made for a lovely stroll.

I am not sure where I took this picture. Its either Madrid or Seville..... I have to jog my memory to remember where this was. However, I love the architectural details of this imposing building.

Last but not the least. I took this picture from the car of the lovely sunset over the Andalusian countryside. Are you dreaming of Spain? I am, and I long to return........

All pictures are taken by me!

Home

Hope everyone is having a good week. I am so looking forward to the weekend. Its been a stressful few days. I need some quiet time at home with the family. Here are a few corners from my home..have a great Thursday!

A Peruvian touch..

I recently came across Edmundo Contreras work which I am showcasing today. He is a Peruvian artist who works in the andahuaylino (Andahuaylas) style. He uses painted glass and crackled finishes in a technique that is both traditional and modern. His motifs range from the pre-Hispanic, colonial, and ethnic to the beauty and culture of the Andean world and its wildlife.
In his own words ""My art strives to be a testimony to history and tradition". Edmundo has received the Vizcardo & Guzmán Medal as a master artisan, awarded to him by the Peruvian Congress. You can clearly see why he is called a master craftsman as his work is outstanding. I love the look and the intricate patterns in each of his creations. My favorite is the clock in the first picture and I would love to have it in my home.

Pictures courtesy: http://home-decor.novica.com

Romance and Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber..

A fairy tale setting............is how I remember my trip to the picturesque town of Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber. A lovely little town in Bavaria on the river Tauber, this is a must see on Germany's Romantische Straße (Romantic Road ). The fabled "Romantic road" winds through forgotten sections of countryside, walled towns, picturesque villages and imposing castles. Rothenburg is definitely one of the prettiest medieval towns and a personal favorite.

Rothenburg, boasts of Gothic and Baroque architecture and an almost fully intact old city wall. Tall towers dot both the inner and outer walls of this city decorated with clocks and beautiful archways. This lovely town with its red roofs and 13th-century city walls seems untouched by the passage of time. I am a dreamer at heart, and the romance and history of Rothenburg is simply unforgettable.......

Seasonal Mosaic

The weekend comes to an end...and what a glorious day in Seattle. I am linking up with Mary at the Little Red house with a mosaic of pictures taken by me of my favorite city in summer, fall and winter...

Drop by here for some lovely mosaics and have a great week ahead.

Sunday sunshine..

Enjoy your sunday with sunshine and these pretty floral designs......

Pictures courtesy: Country Living

Vision Mongers: Making a Life and Living in Photography

Happy Weekend everyone!! For my birthday a month ago, a friend of mine gifted me a lovely book on photography. My friend works at Amazon where she heard the author of "Vision Mongers" speak. She thought of me and bought the book as a gift. Thanks Jyothi:-)

The Vision Mongers by David duChemin is captivating, inspirational and a great read. David is a full time world and humanitarian photography, teacher and author. In this book he talks about " transforming your passion into your vocation" and his incredible journey to get there.

My favorite quote from the book " In an age where high levels of competence at your craft are assumed, the thing that differentiates us is vision: the way in which you wield your craft to tell the stories you see with your eye and your heart."

Its a book that I am currently reading and I am loving it......

Davids's work and blog can be found online at PixelatedImage.com

Candlelight Mosaic

Its Friday!! My weekend may not turn out exactly as I had hoped.....however, I decided to do something fun. I created a mosaic of my favorite candlelight pictures from home. I love tea light and candles and I burn them often at home. They light looks pretty and gives me a sense of calm.

Hope you all have some fun plans for this weekend. Enjoy it and keep smiling :-)

Cindy at My Romantic Home is having another exciting Show and Tell Friday. This is my second participation in this series. I enjoy it immensely as I get to know other fellow bloggers. Its wonderful to meet so many creative people with wonderful ideas and immense talent. Thanks Cindy!

Antiques within contemporary spaces..

Ready for some eye candy? An Australian company called Elements brings French, Indian, Anglo-Indian, Art Nouveau and Moroccan antiques to fit into contemporary spaces. Located in the heart of Sydney this shop sources architectural antiques from different parts of the world. They also do repairs & restoration of architectural fixtures. As you can see they have an impressive collection...

Pictures courtesy : Elements