HELLO.....I am back!

 Its been a while since I was here, I do hope you have missed me ........cause I sure have :) I left for India in the summer and I am back as Fall seems to be settling in! My Great Grandfather's Shyrdak rug has been restored and I am delighted. The rug could not be restored in totality but I have managed to salvage three pieces out of it! One is a runner, and as I set it on the table today Autumn seems to have made its way into my casa! The rust and orange hues give me a warm and fuzzy feeling!

Today, has been eventful as my kids headed back to school. The alarm in the morning was a rude shock! Two months of endless pampering at my parents home and now reality has hit with a bang! Sigh! I am feeling sorry for myself today!! Ha..Ha..

I have handpicked and curated a new collection for The Shop At My Dream Canvas which will be online soon. There are a few surprises in store for you and I have some exciting posts lined up!

Its so good to be back! I would love to hear from you!!

Images: Copyright My Dream Canvas

Heading to Marrakesh?

Are you heading to Marrakesh soon? Its been on my bucket list for a while. Lets see when I get there! Another place on my list is Slovenia! I am day dreaming a wee bit these days:) While surfing the web recently, I stumbled upon an article which makes for an interesting read.

Read about what a Michelin Star Chef  says you must bring back from Morocco on Conde Nast Traveler. I do love shopping for culinary goodies on my trips. On my trip to Italy last summer, I brought back a ton of spices and oils particularly for my mom who loves to cook and experiment!

So what's on your bucket list for this year? Also if you have been to Slovenia or Morocco, I would love some tips!


Image: via

My Dream Canvas Goes To Italy!

When my husband asked me where I wanted to go for my birthday...I knew I would say Italy :) I fell in love with this country the first time I came here nearly 14 years ago. Today, I am back for a two week driving trip around Italy. We start off in Milan, head to the Dolomite's, then to Tuscany, followed by the Amalfi coast and end it in Rome. I have been to some of the places before and some are new for me! I shall post as often as I can. However, I will be on the road a lot. My plan is to to take thousands off pictures, drink tones of cappuccino,eat loads of gelatos and soak in the Italian life :)

I planned this itinerary keeping one image in mind that I saw on the web. Today, I am heading off to find that spot. If  I do.....I shall be elated, if not, then it will be quite an adventure. Wish me luck :)

I shall share the details soon.........

The picture above is of the Duomo ( cathedral) in Milan. 

Image: My Dream Canvas

Frida Kahlo and a Pretty Cafe

Are you a fan of Frida Kahlo? She is certainly an international sensation and its hard to ignore her fascinating portraits. In Mexico, her face appears on postcards, books, posters, paintings etc. I saw this lovely mural in a small cafe in the art district in San Jose Del Cabo. I was immediately drawn to it and we ended up spending quite some time there!

I loved the cafe's ambiance. It was small,cozy and simply perfect.  My children sat there drinking their mango smoothies, while my husband and I sat quietly and chatted! Somehow this cafe and our time there has stayed with me. While I sat there, I could see myself living this life :) Its places like these that make me daydream! I think of my dream of owning a cafe cum book shop filled with my collection of eclectic treasures and Global finds :)

Life seemed simpler, less complicated and not so stressful as I sat there with my thoughts. It was a special place indeed!!

What are some of your favorite travel memories apart from the obvious tourist attractions of course ? I would love to know your story?

Image: My Dream Canvas and subject to copyright.

Travelling My Dream Canvas Style

Hello there!! Today, I am going to talk about my other passion " Travel".  Mr MDC and I are poles apart....and are very different temperamentally, the one common ground we share is our passion for travel. He and I are very alike in that respect. We can hit the road anytime :) Travelling is also an expensive passion. Therefore one has to get creative and he is good at that :) We hate making quick trips and try not to fit in too many things. 

We travelled extensively before we had kids but fortunately we are continuing to do so even now. My kids love it and they are very sporting!! The destinations have changed a bit, its no longer as hectic or adventurous but its still pretty good :) My favorite trip so far has been to Italy. We spent 14 days there and I came back thinking that it was just the tip of the iceberg :) The build up to our trip involves scouring the library for guidebooks. Hubby is also a part of some travel forums online etc. My favorite author for Europe is Rick Steves. I think he is brilliant. We also read Frommers and Fodors for other destinations.

We am more of the "off the beaten path" kind of people. We usually rent cars or use public transport and explore places on our own. Trying out the local cuisine in a "hole in the wall" kind of place is a must on our trips :) Hubby conveniently learns a few phrases, and puts on the various accents with ease as well. I have a tough time doing that :)

As you can clearly see, I have travel on my mind! I can't wait to be off soon..............

What about you, do you have some special family travel trips and traditions? I would love to hear about it ?

Image: My Dream Canvas

A Road Trip and a Room Crush!

I am back from a mini road trip close to home. We were two families in one car, good friends, happy times, squealing kids and the road ahead....... this pretty much sums up my two days!

It was fun and stress free......the best kind of vacation :) I was only gone for two nights but these mini vacations help recharge my batteries :) I got to breathe in the fresh air, admire the gorgeous views and laugh a lot :)

We stopped for coffee in a really small town by the water. The coffee shop was adorable. It was a quick stop but ten minutes in that place helped me unwind even more. There was something about the feel of that place that made you feel welcome. A charming little place that will stay etched in my mind forever! Here is a picture I took while waiting for my coffee:)

Sharing a space I found while browsing the web. I think this is a gorgeous room. For me, the perfect inspiration to kick start the week ahead!

Image 1 : Anu @My DreamCanvas, Image 2 : via

Fiery hues and Daydreams

I would do anything for a cup of coffee right about now :) I spent the morning cleaning up my study . Finally it is time for a break!! Now, only if this cup of coffee would appear magically from somewhere :)

The leaves are changing color. This image from Fall last year reminds me that I need to head up to the mountains for a day trip very soon. It has been crazy on the home front off late and we have taken no breaks. As a family we love short road trips that takes us a few hours from home but feels like a million years away.

What is your favorite thing you like to do with your family?

Image 1 Unknown, Image 2 Mine

The Farm Kitchen

I am a crazy person :) I love to discover new places, especially if it is off the beaten track :). This Saturday, I packed up my kids, hubby and my parents into the car......drove onto a Ferry to go eat breakfast :) 

The Ferry from my house is half and hour away. The 30 min crossing was beautiful and the water and the snow capped peaks in the distance looked beautiful. I have tried to capture the beauty of the Farm Kitchen through pictures.  I just had to try and show you how lovely this place is :) We were greeted warmly and served a scrumptious breakfast. I loved the setting. Dining under a white linen canopy looking out towards lush greenery and an array of flowers was absolute perfection!!

After breakfast we walked around the entire farm. My kids loved it!!! Wide open spaces for them to run around.......I felt like running with them and bursting into a song :) Thankfully, I did not sing.....I would have scared everyone around :) Sigh!! Sometimes....I wish I could live in a place like this.......far far away from the madding crowd :)

So for all those living in the Greater Seattle area......hop on to the ferry and head to the Farm Kitchen for their First Saturday of the month breakfast!!! You will love it.


Have a super week!!!

My daughter running around trying to find her brother :)

How I wish this little cottage.....was the office for MDC :)

The pretty pretty flowers.......

Images: Mine. Please do not copy and if you do please be polite and link back.

Joining Tuesday Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia.

Joining Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style.

Day Dreaming and Travel

It is one of those days and I don't feel like doing anything. :-) However, day dreaming sounds good :-) The images below do not help at all.

It has been a while since I travelled to Europe. Hubby and I took numerous trips to Europe after we got married. We were there every year for a while but our visits have slowed down since we had kids. Now that they are growing up,  we plan to go back there soon.

I remember the cobbled streets, the palaces, castles, museums, cafes, the twinkling lights, the music.......the gelato in Italy, the desserts in Vienna, the rugged beauty of the Spanish coast, the famed Gondola ride in Venice, the beautiful train journeys in Switzerland.......yes, we did them all :-)


I have the travel bug in me now and it refuses to go away :-) Sigh, if only it was easy to hop on a plane and disappear amidst all this beauty!

Have a happy Friday and indulge in a bit of day dreaming with me. I would love the company :-)



Clocktower, Rouen, France

The beautiful Vienna....

Malaga, Spain

Gondola Stand, Venice Italy.

Andalusia, Spain

Lauterbrunnen Valley, Switzerland

Image 1 : via, Other Images: via

Wednesday musings...

Groan...grumble...groan!! On this crisp beautiful fall day I am surrounded by a pile of suitcases as I need to start packing for my trip. The excitement of getting ready for a trip.......nah, that's not for me :-) I want to skip that part and close my eyes and just get there with my luggage intact :-) The packing, the repacking, the weighing of the suitcases....Oh! the fun has just begun!!

So how is your week coming along?

I think I deserve a break from all the stressing and thinking and not the packing :-) So, this is where I would like to be.......unwinding with a good book in this gorgeous space!

Image 1 : Unknown, Image 2 : via

Come away with me to Essaouira, Morocco

It has been a while since I featured a hotel or  wrote a travel post. These images of Villa Maroc in Morocco makes me want to fly away.....away from reality where my head is filled with dreams of faraway places :-)

I love everything about this Villa! It is so charming and full of character. Morocco has always been on my list of places to visit. I do believe I will make it there someday :-)

 Marie Claire Maison describes this hotel beautifully" At the hotel Villa Maroc in the medina of Essaouira, one feels at home, in a world of simplicity and warmth, where gentle pleasures are enhanced by the flavours of ancestral family cooking, updated by the lady of the house."

So are you as besotted as I am ???

Images: via

Corsica beckons...

This place has it all.......history, charm, romance and for the dreamer in me....a trip to Corsica maybe??? These are images of a beautifully restored Olive Mill dating back to 1878. This mill was lovingly restored 5 years ago into this gorgeous home! It has three stories of living space and includes original stone walls, chestnut doors, wooden beams and floors.

I love the old world charm and the stunning interiors. A perfect getaway don't you think??

I am one of those people..... I de -stress by redecorating my house and I dream about vacations......you get the drift :-)  Ah! to travel and see the world is the ultimate luxury! Here's a travel tip for you...sign up for the American Express Starwood Card. I can vouch for the number of vacations we have taken due to its fantastic rewards program. We have one coming up next year as well and I can hardly wait!

Here's a question for you..........practicalities and finances aside, what is your dream destination? I would love to know? As you can see....I have travel on my mind :-)

Enjoy your day!

Images: via

I am back

I am back from a truly spectacular road trip to the Canadian Rockies. We drove nearly 2000 miles through the most amazing scenery I have ever seen. My two kids surprisingly took it rather well.... and we are back safe and sound :-) It feels great to be back home. The sun is shining as the new week dawns......what are your plans for this week? I have a lovely home tour coming up, tons of pictures from my trip and hopefully another peek at the products coming soon to "The Shop" at My Dream Canvas. Its going to be an exciting week.......I promise:-) 

Image: via

Luna Seas

Hello Monday to all of you! Let me introduce you to my new love.....yes, I am smitten and very much in love with a cute little cottage called Luna Seas! I came face to face with this delightful home on a recent trip to Vancouver Island, Canada. There, outside the little town of Sooke, was this dreamy little cottage waiting for me to stop by :-) We pulled the car to the side of the road and walked down the walkway and there it was.....paradise on earth!

A one bedroom, one bath oasis with magnificent views of the Pacific, the Olympic mountains and a sail boat or two in the distance. It was love at first sight for me :-) I could imagine writing a novel, painting a masterpiece, having a romantic affair with my husband (yes I am boring) or simply gazing out at the sea!!! I am not kidding when I say that I am a dreamer at heart :-) You can imagine how reluctant I was to get back into the car......and after we got back to the hotel I did some research about Luna Seas on the web. Luna Seas has no TV or internet......okay, after I heard that I knew that I might go a bit crazy  after a few days.........but as a vacation and a weekend getaway this would be absolutely fabulous!!! To know more about this cottage, read about it here. 

Here are a few of my memories captured through my camera lens of my new love "Luna seas"

All images : Mine. Please do not reuse without written permission.

I am linking up with Colours Dekor's Weekend Wrap Up.

Luxury in the Pyrenees

Ah...Spain!! The two weeks I spent there five years ago was never quite enough. This elegant and charming home makes me want to return even more :-) I am not sure, if I can afford to holiday in the Pyrenees mountains but.........it doesn't hurt to dream??

This 1000 year old property is now the Casa De San Martin hotel. A beautifully restored property which once belonged to the oldest monastery in Spain. Its rustic elegance and modern amenities makes it a dreamy and idyllic retreat for me :-)

Perched away high up in the mountains and away from reality, where time stands still. The Casa De San Martin beckons.......

Images via

Bali Part 2

The magic of Bali continues... Dramatic, artistic and imposing temples, divine sunsets and gorgeous flowers everywhere!!! Its hard to capture Bali's immense beauty...... and this is simply a preview!! Have a lovely weekend my friends:-)