Sunny Side Up for Maitrise

Raam, who is a dear friend, and a director at Sunny Side Up Advertising, designed these super-cool visiting cards for Maitrise, a language training & translation academy. 

I love the use of Red and Blue. Very bold and sooo eye-catching.

I love the use of the speech bubble...  

There are multiple card designs using pictures of iconic places / events of the countries where these languages originated from... 

The one with the French greeting has the Eiffel Tower on the reverse side.

 and the one with the Spanish greeting has bull-fighting, flamenco dancers...

Hello, I am ... in German

Are you loving the designs as much as I am? 

And they lived happily ever after...

I am a big fan of makeovers. Faces, Spaces, Furniture - I can spend hours poring over pictures. One of my favorite shows on TLC was While You Were Out and I really, really wanted a nail gun and a power saw for a really long time. It did get me to gift the other A a drilling machine set though which has over time proved to be a totally useful buy.

I did a lot of rearranging, painting and decorating in the previous home and would have had some decent before-after pictures if I had put in some effort and taken a picture. And now that we are living in an apartment that we don't want to live in for too long and I don't want to spend time and money on changing much, I am missing the fun.

Given the situation, I can only pore over great before-afters. Or I could share them here.

Young House Love is a really popular blog on the Internet and both Sherry and John have done some fabulous makeovers. In fact, once I post these pictures, I am not sure I am going to find better Before - After pictures for next Wednesday.

The After looks so refreshing and pretty. I especially love the rug and the yellow cushions. 

I love the next one even more...

The stencilled floor, the geometric patterned day bed, the blue and brown, I just can't get over this one. With a little bit of hard work or sometimes a lit bit more but definitely without having to spend tons of money, you can have a great looking home... 

Have you done any redecorating lately?

A Paisley Story

Ambica means many different things. But my meaning for it has something to do with the paisley motif that I have been in love with since time immemorial or maybe since when I was in fashion school. I remember I even researched its origins and wrote a paper on it for a textile design project.

The genesis of Paisley: The paisley motif is called ambi in Hindi. The ambi motif comes from the shape of the mango. Iranian and Indians both claim the motif to have originated in their country. Pashmina shawls were decorated with this motif and slowly, they were being manufactured in a town in Scotland, called Paisley. So the name Paisley stuck. For another version, more or less close to this one, read this.

So yes, I am nuts about the paisley motif. And yes, I would like to believe that my name comes from the Hindi word for Paisley. It looks pretty, whether fat and round or long and thin, simple or intricte. I love that it is a multi-tasker and can look elegant and stately or rustic and ethnic.  Saris, skirts, stoles, paintings, sheets, furnishings, jewelry - I see it everywhere. Except as a good tattoo design.

Starting this Tuesday, I am going to share my love of all things paisley here. In the hope that blah Tuesdays look prettier.

@urbanfarmhouse.typepad

I am loving the black print on white

@grahamgreen.co.uk

And also the white embroidery on black.

Do you have a favorite motif? And what do you feel about your name and it's meaning. Do share, I would love to know...

The real meaning of Ambica / Ambika: Mother, Parvati, and also the Goddess of Destruction. And ahem, a certain website says it refers to the Bombay Hemp!! Ouch.

Jana Gana Mana

When I saw this video of the National Anthem beautifully performed by hearing and speech impaired children using sign language, I had to share it on the blog. 

The Jana Gana Mana always evokes memories of baba, my grandfather, who once sat me down and explained the entire poem to me. Even though I don't remember it's entire meaning now, I still love what Tagore wrote. 

For the meaning of the anthem, click here. 

Go to agencyfaqs for the why, who and how of the sign language version.

Via Vineeta Nair's ArtnLight

A Photo Date at the Golconda Fort

Thank you Raam, for the company, the teaching, the eats and drinks. 

Since I got my D3100, I have been itching to take pictures. Since it was my first time using a camera with manual settings I asked Raam for help. Fortunately, for him, he readily agreed. 

We first went to a mosque on a hill at Sainikpuri where Raam abandoned me the moment we reached. Uhhh! So i start clicking, get some really bad shots, a few okay ones and am just about switch from Auto settings to manual, when Raam decides he does not like this place and wants to go someplace else. 

So off we go, taking click breaks along the way. A pit stop for breakfast, and a fast drive later, we reach Golconda Fort. He stops for cucumber, and then water and then we stop again as the guards won't allow him to take his tripod in. It takes a bit of coaxing, emotional blackmail and sob stories to get it in. 

Again, Raam decides to abandon me. I turn knobs, try to figure out how to change the settings, click, get stared at, walk around and take a lot of pictures. And then the battery dies. 

Raam the sadist says: Rule #1 is always charge your batteries full. And then he continues to click with his fully charged camera while I simmer in the heat, twiddling my thumbs...

I am, officially, in love, with the D3100. To see some of the other pictures I took, dive in to my flickr photostream...

Goa Chronicles

When you go to a sunny, colorful and fun place like Goa, it's difficult not to miss it when you are back home. I am still nursing a Goa hangover and was  going through my Goa purchases and realized I hadn't shared any details here. 

So yeah, we shopped every single day of the 4 days we were there. Or, at least window-shopped. So much so, I think Y got fed up of my incessant Oohs and Aahs and Wows.

I am currently in love with hair accessories. Despite a hair rebonding treatment that cost a small bomb, my hair is invariably tied up these days. In fact, the moment it grows a bit, I pull it back. So when I saw these felt hair bands… I picked em up. 

Also picked up some music CDs, a multi colored top, tea light lamps in baby pink, white and blue and a chocolate brown top that can be worn like a skirt or a dress. 

In love with, Treasure Chest

There are several fashion stores in the small lane opposite GVK One, Banjara Hills. There is Wundershop and United Designers Collection, which are owned by my friends from college, Kedar and Rajeev respectively. A few days ago, I went to pick up some passes from Kedar when I parked right in front of Treasure Chest. 

Obviously I stepped in, definitely not because I was feeling guilty about parking there. 

Treasure Chest has a good collection of silver jewelry, and some really fashionable and 'different' earring and necklace sets. There are some nice batuas too. The prices aren't bad either. I am glad I went in. I ended up buying  few nose studs and not much else. It's called exercising restraint that I am getting better at these days.


My only regret is I didn't find this shop when I was earning and did not feel guilty about my splurge spending. 

PS: For classy clothes with a lot of detailing head over to United Designers and for fun, colorful and funky clothes, meet Kedar @ Wundershop.

Material Girls Buys: A Camera

I have been coveting this since quite some time now. And I finally own it now. A friend’s friend got it from Hong Kong and it cost me Rs. 27000.


I did a lot of research before buying it, called friends, checked prices in various stores in Hyderabad and even Mumbai. 

I still need to get a camera bag and a SD card before I can begin using my camera. On hindsight, buying it from flipkart would have been better because it comes with a bag and a 4GB card too…

In love with a rat

Yes, ok, it's a mouse. But no! Actually, it is a USB hub. Isn't he cute?


Got him from Chenoy Trade Center, Secunderabad - THE place in Hyderabad to buy computers, peripherals, cartridges and all the other what-nots you might need.

Silver at Sheyna

Are you loving it as much as i am?

I am surprised I did not like the silver jewelry at Sheyna at first. When I went browsing again I fell in love with the silver earrings on their home page. Probably because most of the jewelry in the shop is computer-generated, and looks insipid. The jewelry on the home page is real and since it has been nicely photographed too, looks fabulous. With prices that begin at Rs 300 for so much gorgeousness, I figure they would make fabulous gifts too.

www.sheyna.com

Simple, stylish gold - plated jewelry

I love spending my time buying pretty things and I am just beginning to discover the joy of online shopping. Sometimes when you simply want to window shop, the staff at stores make you feel like an insect that they cant wait to squish. With web stores, that fortunately does not happen.

Sheyna.com is a gold and silver ornament store I discovered recently. They have both silver and gold and though I am not a big fan of gold jewelry, I am loving the yellow pieces more than the silver.

Have you ever created your web persona in After Life or Yahoo; choosing skin color, hair type, hair color, clothes, make up? Sheyna has a similar app that allows you to  choose the base, beads, charms, or stones and design your own piece of jewelry. I likey J

Did I mention the prices? They are not bad on that count either – most of the gold plated ones range between Rs. 1200 – Rs. 5000

Mix, match, design and publish – even if you don’t want to buy one. Uh-oh! I can see myself spending hours on this and I really don’t need another web addiction.

These are some of my favorite pieces from Sheyna and not photographed by me. 

A bag, some spices and a lot of love

The Material Girl gets a lot of gifts. Especially when her friends travel. The other day when I wanted to buy cardamom, Aru asked me not to. She had loads from a Kerala trip. (And when she says loads, she means it.)

So when I visited her the other day, I got 5 ziploc bags  of Spices – clove, cardamom – green and black, allspice (which I have never used), black pepper and an orange colored flower whose name I have forgotten again.

Thanks Aru for the thoughtful gift-for-no-reason. 


Ty also for the lunch and the cute blue bag you got me. It's perfect for my gizmos and make-up and all the other small things that clutter up my big bag always.

I got a bag in a strawberry!

I love it when my friends travel. I get some awesome gifts :)

I don't know where my friend Mucky got this from... but I am completely in love with it. It's a small strawberry drawstring bag, which you open to get a bigger bag. Perfect to keep in my bag when I go shopping.

It's going to be my beach bag for my upcoming Goa trip. 

PS: This is the second bag i have got as a gift in March. A lovely red cotton bag with tassels on its hem from B. So much for thinking that i will tell my friends to not gift me more bags for some more time.  

Material Girl Buys: And finds Flipkart.com

I got two books from Odyssey yesterday. On my bro's casual inquiry of the bookshops I favor, I replied, it was usually Landmark or sometimes, Odyssey. He suggested I check flipkart. 

I have heard of flipkart, seen FB adverts and almost visited but never really browsed. WHAT WAS I THINKING? All of the books are fabulously discounted. The shipping's free too. And to think I have spent more that Rs. 20000 on books and movies in the past one year.

Ty, Vikas for showing me the way. You are the best, and just not for the awesome Google lunch date. 

PS: My purchases are mostly impulsive and I have also come to realize, my best shopping is when I don't decide to shop and pick up something on-the-spur. Yes, I am still going to be an impulsive buyer but for books, movies and electronics I will check out flipkart first!

PPS: And they also have the Nikon D3100 that I have been meaning to buy. For Rs 30000. Brick and mortar stores are selling it for Rs 32000.  

The studio of my dreams

Anthropologie – exclusive and expensive. But oh-so-gorgeous. 


After multiplying by 45, I currently can’t afford a single one of their goodies right now. That didn't deter me much. I surfed, selected, downloaded, sorted and made my own studio office in my head. 


A hammock chair to have tea in, a day-bed to lounge in, a big cushy chair to just sit and dream in, a sexy wrought iron chair to perch on, cushions, throws to add color and drama, lights to throw light, and a book to write my ideas on. I can just imagine a big, big room with a white floor and white walls, big windows, some plants and all this color…

PS: I have always wanted a dress form. Throwback from an era when i used to study in fashion school.

Material Girl Buys: From Fabindia

It's anniversary time here - my parent's got married on Mar 7, 35 years ago and my BIL on Mar 8, 7 years ago. As always the gifts were due. After watching 2 movies yesterday, I went gift-shopping to the Fabindia store, GVK One Mall on Banjara Hills. Though I find their stoles, dupattas and saris a bit over-priced, I love their soaps, condiments and home accessories.

Buys:

A toiletry gift pack that has 2 body washes and 2 body lotions for my parents. Rs 500.  The packaging of the products and the gift box is oh-so-gorgeous.

A multi-colored bead necklace for me. Rs 90

3 small cotton drawstring pouches for Rs. 5 each. Very useful and a must-buy :)

Spice and lemon soaps for the thinner half. Rs 58 and Rs 65.

A toiletry gift pack for my BIL that has a body lotion and a body wash. Rs 250

An ethnic thread necklace in pink and purple with triangular brass pendants and matching earrings. Rs 390

Have you been to Fabindia lately? 3 things you should check out, if you haven't already: 

* Their sauces and pickles. I have tried their salsa sauce, italian spice mix and raita mix. All yummy. And of course their organic haldi - a must-have especially if you use your spices as medicines too.

* Soaps and creams - a good range, good pricing and feel good to use. The lavender soap is my favorite, very soothing.

*Their newly launched accessory collection. Some really pretty trinkets available that will make your BFF / GF / wife very happy.

In love, with Chattai Beach Huts

When I told Raam that I might be going to Goa, he recommended Chattai Beach Huts.  They have 2 properties – one each at Agonda and Palolem.

It was love at first sight. Simple, cozy and romantic. Unfortunately, since we intend staying at Baga or Calangute, I am going to have to give this place a miss this time around. What a bummer!!

I was expecting this to be expensive but room rents are as low as Rs. 900. Someday, I am definitely going there.

PS: This place, by far, is the best i have seen on the Internet search. 

PPS: The pictures are all from the Chattai Beach Huts site.

In love, with short hair

 L.O.V.E 

My hair styles have always been different versions of short. Short, Very Short, Super Short, A bit shorter than medium length and so on. I am kind-of growing it now, but am so loving this hairstyle. Short, smart, a bit wild and really easily manageable. Maybe I should go for it, you think?

Thanks Swati, for sharing. This is my favorite look of yours. 

In love with 6 Yards of Silk

I had gone to Nalli’s a few days back and completely fell in love this multi-colored beauty. It costs about Rs 18000. Phew!

PS: The staff there is very helpful. On several occasions i have seen that they will show you saris never-endingly until you find the one you like. Their collection, though small, is excellent.

Material Girl Buys: Dramatic Eyes and Other Little Treats

Westside is one of my favorite places to indulge in Retail Therapy. I love their quality, pricing, styling and sizing. Since I have promised myself that I am not going to add more weight to my overflowing cupboards, I got myself just four things. 

Dramatic Eyes, a gel-based eye-liner from Maybelline, that is simply superb. For Rs 375. It did not smudge and I love that it is intensely black. You get the brush free with it. 

A scented candle with a spicy fragrance called Eastern Spice. For Rs 135

Shocking Pink Bands. 4 for Rs 49

Purple bands. 4 for Rs 69. The purple ones are really interesting... they are just elasticized cords that can be knotted and tied just like a ribbon. 

Material Girl Buys: Soap and Cream

I first saw Last Forest products almost a decade ago at Coorg, during our honeymoon. I remember buying Honey and Beeswax Candles and some other knick-knacks. A few months ago, I was happy and surprised to find Last Forest again at Daram – a Fabindia like store in Hyderabad that sells hand-woven / block-printed salwar-kurtas, saris, baskets, cermaics, furniture, and also Haathi Chaap products.

Buys:

Orange Lip Balm for Rs 38

Citronella Insect Repellant Cream for RS 70 (I have already started using it and the mosquitoes have so far stated away. A must-buy!

Basil Soap and Lemongrass Soap for Rs 37 each.

Happiness. Without the added guilt of damaging an already-damaged environment.

PS: There is no typo in the prices; they are really that low. Probably the same as when I saw them at Coorg! Go splurge without making a big hole in your wallet.