A Summer Party and You Are All Invited :)

Yay!!! It is the beginning of the holiday weekend here in the States. I am all set to have a barbecue in my backyard tomorrow. I would like to extend a virtual party invitation to all my lovely readers to join me as well :) My backyard may not look as pretty as this tomorrow but these images are certainly inspiring and sets the mood :) I love the cosy and warm setting........don't you?

Have a lovely holiday weekend and here's wishing you a very Happy Friday!!

 

 

Images: via

Fabulous Finds : PB Teen

Hello there! While browsing the web while looking for stuff for my kids room, I came across these lamps on the PB Teen website. Sometimes just changing the lamp shade in a room can give it a new look.  I guess my kids would prefer something cuter but I can't help but admire these pretty shades :) From Ikat to Suzani to hand blown glass......these lamps and lamp shades are all so stunning.

 I hope you are enjoying your virtual retail therapy at My Dream Canvas :)

Images: via

Summer's Last Hurrah

I am popping in to say a quick hello :) We are heading towards a long weekend here in the States. My kids go back to school in a few days.......my parents head to UK in a week and I have a college friend moving into town next week :) There is lots going on at my Casa :) It is a busy time for me. As Fall begins to head our way, my plan is to enjoy the last few days of sunshine and good weather!!

This coming weekend is all about family time. The plan is to head outdoors and have some fun.  I would love to plan a party for my kids to bid adieu to the summer break. The second image with the smiling kids and the picturesque setting is absolutely perfect.......don't you think?

As I head out of the door to run my thousand errands......I want to wish you all a great weekend. I might be back with a post or two and if not, I shall see you back here in a few days :)

Keep on smiling and enjoy your day!!

Summer's last hurrah......

Image 1: Mine, Image 2 : via

The Perfect Holiday Home

These are images of a vacation home in Alt Empordà, Spain. For me this is love at first sight. I really like the stone walls and the exposed wooden beams. While this home is really not a mansion it has been designed in a manner that gives the feeling of openness. I am very partial to homes where the empty spaces within also add to the design element. Where there is not too much of everything but whatever there is seems to be perfectly placed.

What are your thoughts? The first image is my favorite and I am finding it hard to look away :)

Images : via

Shop at My Dream Canvas : Festival Season

Hello there! A quick update from the Shop at My Dream Canvas. We are heading towards the Festival season and in the next few months the Shop at MDC will present gift ideas for you, your family and your friends :) With Navratri, Vijayadashami, Diwali, Thanksgiving and Christmas to look forward to......it is  also the season to do some shopping :)

Please join my Facebook page for updates regarding the Shop at My Dream Canvas. The best way to reach me is at anuseattle@gmail.com for prices and other queries regarding my little boutique!

Have a great day!!

Images : The Shop at My Dream Canvas.

Come Fly With Me To Tuscany

Tuscany.....sigh!! Yes, that is where we are going today!! What can I say......Tuscany has always been my dream destination. I fell in love with the area when I  visited Sienna many years ago. I was completely mesmerised. Since then I have dreamt of renting a villa in Tuscany.  I would love to spend a few weeks in a villa surrounded by my family and friends. Yes, I am aware that I am stealing the script from Under The Tuscan Sun :)  All I need is to find my own crumbling villa which I will  lovingly restore :) While I continue to weave my very own fairytale....... let me show you around my hotel pick for today :)

We are visiting the L'Andana. This hotel is in Maremma, on the Tuscan coast, facing the island of Elba. An enchanting hotel steeped in history. The building that now houses L'Andana was once a Medici villa where Grand Duke Leopold II and his court resided during the summer season. Fascinating......right?

L'Andana takes its name from its long driveway, which is flanked by cypress and maritime pines. The L'Andana has a SPA, a Tuscan Trattoria, golf driving range and romantic private chapel. What more can you ask for :)

I love the elegant feel of this delightful property!

 

 

I could easily spend a lifetime here :) 

 

 

Have you been swept away??

Images : via

Flowers, Sunshine and My Home

Hello to the new week!! My weekend was nice. I enjoyed lazing around in my family room with a cup of tea. It was relaxing just to watch the afternoon sun streaming in through the windows. Sometimes the simplest of things can give you so much joy :)  A dinner at home on Friday, a bit of retail therapy of Saturday and a lovely family dinner on Sunday. This weekend was certainly a good mix :)

The kids will be getting back to school soon.....life will get back to being pretty routine!! It is nice to party, relax and unwind and make the most of the last few days of summer!!!!

While I love changing the decor around in my house.......there are some constants in my home that I can never put away or get tired of having around. My lantern lamp was an inexpensive find. The lamp is not flashy but I love it :)  I feel the same way about my white metal vase. A few stems of flowers in this intricately carved vase always seems to brighten my day :) Does this happen to you?? We all have our special thing.........don't we :)

Have a great day and see you around for a new week at MDC :)

 

 

 

Images: My home so please be polite and link back. It is the right thing to do :)

 

 

Joining the Weekly Stories at Colours Dekor.

Make it Pretty Monday at The Decicated House

Tuesday Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia.

A Beautiful Saturday

It is a beautiful day in my neck of the woods. The sun is shining and the skies are blue :) I am just popping in to say a quick hello and to share some weekend inspiration. This looks like a great spot to chill and day dream :)

Have a great rest of the weekend!!

Image: via

HomeGoods Gift Card Winner

A very good morning to all of you. It is finally time to announce the winner of the $50 HomeGoods gift card Giveaway!!! Now before I announce the name, I want to thank each one of you for your comments and for spreading the word about the giveaway. I am thrilled as this giveaway got a fantastic response.

The winner was selected using Random. org. The lucky lady who gets to go shopping at one of my favorite stores is Sarah of Hyacinths For The Soul.

Congratulations Sarah!! Please send me an email me at anuseattle@gmail.com with your address. As soon as I hear from you, your gift card will be mailed to you.

Thank you all for your participation........here's a big hug coming your way :)

Image 1 : via

You are My Sunshine :)

Today is a special day!! My Dream Canvas is celebrating a very important birthday. My miracle baby turns seven today. I cannot believe how fast kids grow!! He is an absolute delight. I think I would have been a very different person today if it was not for him. I have planned a fun day for him and we are heading out of the door this minute :)

 Have a lovely day. I am sending some smiles your way :)

Image : My Own

Come Fly With Me to Morocco

"Come Fly with Me" to Morocco today. Yes, my fascination for Morocco continues and hopefully I will get to go there in a year or two :) I am always drawn to unusual hotels, the kind that are off of beaten track with beautiful interiors of course :) The Kasbah du Toubkal high up in the Atlas mountains is my hotel pick for this week.

 Condé Nast Traveller describes this property as “having the best rooftop views in North Africa”.  I can see why :) I am also loving the old world charm, the beautiful textiles, the understated elegance. It does feel like a special place, don't you think?

I am mesmerised by the first image.......it was love at first sight:)

Images : via, Image 3 : via

The Bombay Company and My Teapot

Do you  remember the Bombay Company here in the US? I believe almost all of the stores have been shut down here in the States. I do miss it though!!

When I initially set up home, I bought a few pieces of furniture from there. I was lucky that there was a Bombay store outlet close to my home in North Carolina. I picked up stuff at incredible prices!! Last weekend when I was in Vancouver, I spotted the store and decided to walk in :)  The store looked great and their signature blue and white pottery collection was still very much around. I picked up this teapot for a mere 15 bucks!!! I still need to figure out the best place for it in my china cabinet. For now it sits happily on my window with my favorite classics soaking in some sunshine :)

Here's a shot of my pretty teapot that has come all the way from Canada.......

Image: My Casa :)

Summer Inspiration

This evening as I stepped out of my house, the sun felt mellow and there seemed to be a hint of Fall in the air!! I love Fall......but I cannot help but feel a wee bit sad as my summer seems to be fading away!! My parents will leave in a few weeks. The kids will go back to school and I shall be back to my lonesome self (:

It has been a glorious summer and I can't help but reminisce!!!! However, I  would like to believe that there will be a few more sunny days before the rains set in for good :) I plan to celebrate the end of summer with a few more parties and picnics in my yard with my chairs and garden tables.

While I should be getting ready to say goodbye to my summer these images make me want to cling to it forever :)

 

Image 1 & 3 : via,  Image 2 : via, Image 4 : via, Image 5 : via

The Home of Rafael Danish in Mallorca

I have featured so many homes from Mallorca, Spain that perhaps I should go there again soon :) Wishful thinking for now :) However, I have to admit that the homes that have repeatedly caught my eye have been from Spain :)

Here's a sneak peek into another home I like. I love the soft muted palette, the comfortable lived in feel and the warmth of this home. The owner Rafael Danish was mesmerised by the land and the beautiful scenery around. She decided to build her dream home here!! Rafael is proud of her haven. The best part, she is happy to rent the home out during the summer.


Are you loving this home as much as I am ?

Images : via

World Photography Day.

Hello my lovely readers and hello to a new week at MDC. Did you know that yesterday was World Photography Day? I really do not know what I would do without my camera. It is my lifeline, my constant companion and I believe a lifelong passion :) My greatest inspiration has been the natural beauty found here in the Pacific Northwest. There are so many places to explore.....so many moments to capture........and I am always ready to click away :) Have you ever tried photo in canvas. They can be a lovely addition to your wall space. I have one of my kids in my living room.

I spent the weekend in Vancouver and took this picture of flowers growing by the side of the road. Summer is slowly fading away but I have beautiful memories of the last few months that will stay with me forever!!
Have a wonderful week. Stay tuned for some exciting stuff coming up on MDC. Only a few more days left for you to enter my HomeGoods Store Giveaway. Make sure you click Here  to enter :)

Image : My Own. Copyright My Dream Canvas

Twinkling Lights and the Weekend

Hello there and a very Happy Friday to you :)

Seattle is sizzling as temperatures are soaring . All of us in this part of the world are completely baffled about how to deal with it :) I lit some candles at home the other night. It felt nice...............the glow made me think of Fall and all the festivities coming up. I am looking forward to the leaves turning color, to Diwali, Thanksgiving, Christmas......and so much more :)


Have a lovely Friday and a super weekend!

Image : My Casa :)

Fabulous Finds : Maggie Galton

Good Morning!! Today's Fabulous Find on MDC is truly fabulous :) Maggie Galton is an art historian turned designer with her own artisanal line.

Maggie is originally from New York but now calls Mexico home! She works with artisans in indigenous and mestizo communities throughout Mexico to revive dying craft traditions and develop new products that strike a balance between modernity and tradition. Maggie's unique line of pillows, lines, tableware and accessories reflect a contemporary, sophisticated and cosmopolitan style that accents the beauty and individuality of hand-crafted products.

I am drooling over her entire collection. If I had my way I would feature her entire collection in this post but I had no choice but to feature just a few!! You can view her entire line by clicking here.


Hand woven and brocaded cotton huipil pillows................

Beautiful bed linen...............

Hand embroidered wool throws..........

El Alfar dinnerware.............................

Hand woven Oaxacan palm clutches....................

Image: via