Transformer sandals

Can't stop drooling over this. You buy one pair of sandals and you can transform them to get 49 different pairs. Each pair comes with 7 sets of ribbons. Can a girl say no to so much variety?

Wow! I am very tempted to try making these... (or even order. For $77, i still think it's worth it!)

{from the Etsy shop of Mohop, this is the Moped collection. There is more gorgeous stuff there. Go see.}

The Metallica Concert - to be or not to be?

First off, i don't listen to metal. Heck, i don't even know which bands / artists are classified as Metal. And when Yamini booked tickets online for me and the other A, my first response was "What the heck will i do there?" I mean i don't even know what songs they have sung (yes, that bad, really). So she selects a CD (Master of Puppets) for me and says listen to it. I did. I din't really mind it and even enjoyed the title track. But it dint still motivate me to make a trip to Bangalore to watch them perform. Anyhow she convinced me with you have to experience a concert, feel the energy and all that and what with my never say never attitude i finally caved.

We have train tickets booked for this evening to Bangalore, and we are to return on Monday by flight. For 4 people. I have thankfully not booked / paid for accommodation yet. But looks like a lot of money is going to go down the drain. Not just for me, for a host of other people who have booked train / flight / bus tickets to go there and come back. Really sad state of affairs this.

Looks like it was all for nothing. With the Delhi concert having been cancelled apparently due to mismanagement by the or, the Bangalore one seems uncertain too. (Apparently, Metallica stopped playing half-way through a concert tour earlier, somewhere in India. Which is weird. Considering a load of other international singers / musicians have performed here without much todo, it does seem a tad silly, doesn't it?)

Flote: Get reminders when you need to.

I don't have an iPhone that is usable right now but if i did i would download this app right away.

Imagine you come back home and realize you forgot to pick up cereals from the grocery store that your partner reminded you to pick up on the way. And then you passed by a book store and you forgot to stop and pick up that one book that you have been meaning to read. Or you have travelled 15 kms to a friend's house and you forgot to take the stuff you promised her you'd pick on the way.

Flote is a virtual post-it that will remind you of the things you need to do when you are near the place where you need to do the thing. Super, right? Like your very own personal assistant (but not a nagging partner). So go ahead and download on to your iPad / iPhone / iPod Touch and get reminded.

{Here's where you can download Flote from}

PS: It's free to download right now.

PPS: It's been developed by a friend of mine - Sikanth and his friend Maha. 

Real Steel

It's no secret i am a hugh fan of the Jackman. I made plans to watch his latest release Real Steel since the time it hit the theaters but somehow it just wasn't working out. Until yesterday that is.

The plot - Hugh is an ex-boxer and a robot fight promoter who has a 11-year old son with an ex-GF that he abandoned. The ex dies and HJ gets custody of the boy. The rest of the movie follows the life of the father and son duo who steal a robot from some kind of a warehouse and forge a bond (and also rescue each other in the process). 

Here's why you should watch Real Steel.
1. Hugh is eye-candy but the boy, his son in the movie is even more adorable. The father-son moments are sweet, and at times funny. What strikes is you that they were both cast from the same mould -extremely stubborn and crazy risk-takers.
2. The robot fights are super. You actually feel (sad, angry, happy, scared) when the bots fight. Really. I am not a blood and gore fan (even though i like mysteries and suspenses) but i totally enjoyed the fights.

My 2 cents: No dull moments and definitely better than Transformers that went on endlessly.  Go watch this man, machine and boy tale. It has something for everyone. Real Steel will entertain (even though it is quite predictable at times).

(movie poster from)

PS: The end is the only part of the movie that disappointed with it being a tad abrupt.

Wrapped Sunny Side Up Style

Every time someone joins Sunny Side Up, that person gets to hold a white board and make funny faces and get clicked. Finally after 4 and something years, the pictures finally get used - for the Diwali wrapping paper.

It's another thing that the gifts were wrapped by the very same people who received them. Yeah, we are like that only.

PS: There were some awesome cupcakes in that box. Made by Arundati, dear friend, fabulous cook and food blogger who took a last-minute order even though she had a zillion other things to do.

PS: Can you spot me? 

The doily bowl

I am not really a trend follower. Fashions come and then go away eventually but you won't find me following them all religiously. But then, if something is hot, doesn't mean i wont be part of it at all.

Like for instance, this crochet doily fixation that seems to be so 'in' right now. I have been seeing so much of it on the Internet lately and without even realizing i fell in love with it.

So out came the mod podge, some cling film, a glass bowl, an old doily that i had, a brush and lots of newspaper.  3 days and several coats later i have a doily bowl that's just perfect for a candle or some shells or  to use as a plant holder.

PS: On the left is a glass jar filled with puffed rice and topped with a tea light. Texture and glow. Aint it pretty?

Fairly lights bagged

Ever since i saw the fairy lights on a birdcage in Wake Up Sid, i wanted to do the same. But if you don't have a cage handy what do you do?

Hang a cotton cloth bag on a nail. Dump, quite literally, the string of lights into it. Plug in and switch on the lights. You have a bag lamp. Simple, right?

PS: This one got me a few compliments. *Blush*

PPS: I love fairy lights, but the ones that come in single colors. They instantly add so much romance and dreaminess, don't they?

Marigolds and diyas

Nothing spells festive and cheery to me more than marigold flowers. I love that they are so bright and vibrant.

Of course, i got my terracotta urli and dunked a few in them along with a few floating candles. I also, made a row of terracotta diyas, poured some water and placed a flower in each of them. Then i placed another row of diyas and lit a tealight in each one.

(I know these are not like super-creative or brilliantly new ideas but i thought i should share them with you all since i am going to bore you with all the little details of our Diwali in this and subsequent posts.)

PS: Tealights are brilliant. Seriously. No pre-washing / soaking the diyas. No dripping oil or wax anywhere. And the diyas can be used again. And again. And they last pretty long.

PPS: Thanks Yamini for the mairgold and the gerberas (and for helping me make the laddoo rondelles). Mwaah!

How was your Diwali?

48 hours of Diwali:

Mine was simply fabulous (the only sad bit was seeing Happy petrified by the noise of the firecrackers). 

1. I made sweets (the coconut ladoo and the malai ladoo from the Diwali mithais post earlier). I also made butter murukku (that i wanted to share with you all, but just dint have the time too).
2. Partied every night for 4 nights in a row with friends and with family (which meant i had a lot of sleep to catch up on which i kind of managed to do yesterday)
3. Played teen patti with the cousins and aunts and uncles and parents (and lost).
4. Dressed up (in a long flowing skirt in magenta that made me feel like a princess. This time i nixed the sari and am not sorry that i did). 
5. Then dressed up the home with candles, lamps, diyas and flowers (most of the ideas i posted on the blog already like the pompom garlands and the food grains in a glass but some i didn't which i will for future reference.)
6. Visited family and friends.
7. Shopped (for the home, for the boys, for me).
8. Did a puja at Sunny Side Up and one more at home (with my MIL chanting shlokas in the background that made it even more beautiful).
9. Posed for pictures. 

We mixed the traditional with the modern to make for a delightful, simple and sweet Diwali. Hope yours was joyous too... 

Diwali Decorating Three - Kolam

Gorgeous right? I came across Nitya's cooking blog - 4th sense cooking. Her recipes and pictures had me drooling. And this Kolam and lamps that she did for Karthigai Pournami is total jaw-dropping awesomeness.

I need to find someone to do this for me for Diwali. After all, nothing can be more beautiful than lamps and kolams.

Or else it's back to the poster paints and brush, that i have used the previous two Diwalis, to decorate the entrance.

{more Kolams to inspire you here}

Diwali sweets - 9 recipes from across the web.

Here's a whole lot of sweets dearies. So you can choose what you want to make based on the ingredients  / time you have plus of course, the flavors that you like!

row one
Besan Laddu | Atte ka Malpua | Rose Barfi

all 3 from my favorite chef Tarla Dalal. So far not one recipe has bombed so go ahead and try. No need to cross your fingers for this one.

row two
Malai Laddu | Coconut Laddu | White Chocolate Panna
the first two are really simple recipes from Milkmaid and the last from Arundati of Escapades to add some videshi flavour to a deshi festival. Again, sure-fire winners

row three
Alo Jilo | Kaju Barfi | Pumpkin & Banana Fudge
New blog finds. But i am guessing these should work just fine.

Have a fun time cooking up a storm this weekend. Diwali would not be complete without homemade sweet treats.

Diwali Gifting - Designer cushion covers

No one can have enough cushions, can they? I mean, they do instantly add so much glamour and color to your house. It's possibly the simplest way to change the look of your home - luxe, kitsch, serene or whatever your mood wants it to be now.

If you haven't yet figured out, the prices / sources go anti-clockwise. Forgive me for not mentioning before! :D

1. Kantha stitched florals from RajeeSood. Rs 410 each.
2. Embroidered Triangles. Rs 1099 each. A little steep though.
3. Lotus motif covers from Fabindia. Rs 760 each.
4. Shadow worked covers in white. Rs 350 for a pair. Great buy and other colors available.
5. Aubergine printed silk from Fabindia. Rs 690 each.

Diwali gifting: Appliances for less than 1K

Colorful appliances for the kitchen to brighten up this Diwali.

1. When life gives you lemons. Black and Decker citrus juicer for Rs 800
2. Some like it hot. Prestige electric kettle for Rs 782
3. Raise a toast. Orpat pop up toaster for Rs 660
4. When you need to smooth out the wrinkles. Orpat iron for Rs 691

{All items from the Flipkart store. All are discounted. There are lots more for under Rs. 1000 like hand blenders, rice cookers etc.}

Diwali Gifting - Prints and more

For someone who has everything an art print would be a welcome gift. You could gift a poster of a movie, or the Eiffel Tower or the Goddess of Wealth herself.

1. Goddess Lakshmi lithograph - Rs 179
2. Bird on a branch - Rs 900
3. Squares - Rs 705
4. Botanical print (i lost the link! too much internet today.)
5. Eiffel Tower - Rs 825
6. Sin City poster - Rs 1299

Give me a poster or print any day and i'd find a place for it.

(PS: Do share with me if any of the gift ideas posts have been useful to you so far.)

Diwali gifting - Clutched

When we don't want to carry our world, we use a clutch. A good idea to gift a special someone a glitzy clutch to go with the shimmer this Diwali.

1. Orange clutch - Rs 879
2. White Satin with Buckle - Rs 494
3. Red and Magenta envelope with Phulkari - Rs 879
4. Trendy printed clutch in green - Rs 629
5. Magenta and Brocade for a wedding - Rs 1670
6.Baby pink asymmetrical flap - Rs 995

Diwali Gifting - Bags for her

We carry our world in our bags and we can't ever have enough of them.

1. Yellow cotton canvas tote - Rs 199
2. Embroidered Potli - Rs 249
3. Ambassador printed tote - Rs 525
4. Paisley printed bag - Rs. 751

Oh, do remember to add a little something inside the bag - earrings, make up, mirror, or chocolates.

Diwali gifting - Bar accessories

Bar accessories will make super gift for friends. Especially if you have a drinking session planned.

Beer glasses for Rs 300
Shot glass set for Rs 680

You could also get a happy bottle opener for Rs 281.

{Buy online from D-Cube. Pictures from the D-Cube site}

Diwali gifting - Healthy

Herbal infusions make a perfect gift for Diwali. After all, we do need a little something to detox and rejuvenate after all the Diwali cleaning, eating, celebrating madness.

Price ranges between Rs 60 - Rs 100 for a pack of 12 pouches. Combine different packs for a very thoughtful gift.

{available at craftsvilla}

PS: Herbal infusion is to be used like tea, immerse in hot water for 5 minutes and drink. 

Diwali gifting - Bright ideas

I think i'd rather be sitting at home and shopping from the comfort of my balcony / dining table / study / bed rather than take the car out, fight through crazy traffic and crazier drivers, stand in line to pay the bill and then come back home all tired and cranky. 

If you feel like this, then this and a few other posts of mine (that i will post this week) may just help you find Diwali gifts easily, sitting in the comfort of your own home and of course, the convenience of shopping at midnight!

To start off with, here's the ubiquitous candle holder but some fancy and not-so-common versions, ideal as a gift for the festival of lights.   

1. Crystal tea light candle holder - Rs 215

2. Hurricane Lamp - Rs 510

3. Stone square shaped carved candle holder  - Rs 695

4. Glass tube candle holder - Rs 399

5. Stone oval tealight holder - Rs 695

6. Flower shaped steel candle holder - Rs 339

7. Buddha incense holder - Rs 299

Diwali Decor - Two

I found this on Honestly WTF and can't get it out of my head. I meant to make them, take a pic and post but since Diwali is around the corner, maybe you'd want to make them before i end up going to the market and getting me some wool.

Colorful, easy and so so so festive, don't you think? And better than flowers (even though i am crazy about fresh flowers). Imagine a string of these in red, yellow and orange... should move my lazy self from my self-imposed exile and go do some shopping soon.

{photo from and instructions on Honestly, WTF}

PS: So do you clean everything before Diwali? Every wardrobe, nook, cranny, drawer, shelf? I don't normally but this year i am trying. Seriously.

PPS: These'd be good as party decor or even children's room decor.

Giddyup you

A seriously cute horse dangler for Rs. 150 from the Matsya shop at Shopo. Perfect for when you want to  buy for a gift-for-no-reason. (I'd combine it with maybe shot glasses.)

{shop at Matsya}

Envelopes morph in to gift bags! Diwali gift bags maybe?

Sweet gift bags made from envelopes and tape. Who would have thought!

Ever since i  found Jessica Jones' How About Orange where i found this envelope gift bag and a bow made of a magazine page, i can't stop going back. Pretty pretty stuff there. Loads of simple DIYs and round ups of a few others. Go see.

{via HowAboutOrange}

PS: I totally believe, a great gift wrap can transform a simple gift and make it even more beautiful and precious for the receiver. What say, you? 

Diwali Decor - One

Found this candles in a glass with split peas St. Patrick's Day table decor at Apartment Therapy. Am thinking it can so easily be transformed for Diwali. Maybe rajma, masur dal, tuvar dal in different glasses or layered on one. And of course a bright candle and a super-bright runner. And some  marigold flowers. Simpleasy, na?

{from Apartment Therapy}

PS: Please share a pic if you try it. Would make me happy.

Koi yeh kaise bataaye

Koi Yeh Kaise Bataye Ki Woh Tanha Kyun Hai from the movie Arth.

I have yet to watch Arth and am hoping to do that sometime soon. Meanwhile i can listen to this song and imagine what the movie is like. Enjoy!

PS: This is one of my all-time favorite songs. Do you like it too?

Camera Simulator

If you don't own a DSLR and would like to get an idea of what controls are available then this is the site to go to. Even if you have a DSLR this is a fun site to visit. You can change the various settings like ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed and take virtual pics.

At the very least it will help you understand different settings. And as a friend would say... good fun!

{Camera Simulator}

Salad

The beet-peanut-coconut salad from Chinmayie's blog that i posted a couple of days back - I made it. And it turned out delicious. Though i did add some salt even though the recipe dint call for it.

Besides that i have been making a lot of food. Like mixed vegetable makhani and bread and cheesecake and soup and buns (them buns were a total disaster).

I love to cook. And eat. Yes, i do. 

Wall color + Homemade Art

This pic is here not just because i love the black white and maroon combo. That is one of the reasons, yes. But more because of the lovely wall art hanging there which is actually a piece of fabric that's been framed. Really awesome, right?

What i learnt from looking at this room:
One. Paint one wall in a really deep color to jazz things up - Maroon / Navy / Dark Green. Don't be afraid :D
Two. Go natural with cane and earth colors.
Three. Instead of 3 or 4 or 5 pieces of art, hang one statement piece. Yes, BIG is beautiful.

{This pic and DIY were found on HowAboutOrange. Yes, one more from there. I just couldn't not share it with y'all.}

PS: You don't even need to know how to paint to create your own piece of art. All it takes is a little bit of daring. You might not nail it the first time. Or you might. Go ahead and give it a try. 

Paint swatches to wall art

This one again is from HowAbout Orange :D

A DIY that's easy to do. A little painstaking what with all the cutting and pasting but i am guessing so totally worth the effort.

Cut triangles of paint swatch cards and stick them on  another piece of paper. You could adapt the idea and try other patterns / shapes... do let me know if you try...

{For detailed project instructions head to Jessica Jones' HowAboutOrange. The pics from her blog too}

Hot shots glasses

Wasted and Sober shot glasses from Dottedi at Shopo for Rs. 190. I know a lot of people who will love these.

{from Dottedi. There are more to choose from. *Hic*}

PS: I can't have shots. Seriously can't.

PPS: What's your poison?

Heart-shaped Bokeh

Remember the 30-day photography project a few of us did? I have been meaning to take another shot for Day 20 - Bokeh using a shaped cutout.

Finally, several months later, i found this on Pinterest which reminded me that i still had to try it out. A string of lights, a bit of cardboard and my heart-shaped bokeh pic gets done. Yay!

(Of course, being lazy like i am, i never bothered to make a tube or anything to fix over the lens, just cut the heart out in a big piece of card and placed the card in front of the lens. But considering how much i had to move the card around, it would have been worth the effort to actually make the tube.)

Drawn

Here's sharing with you something i drew and painted recently.     It's not been easy to go back to drawing after so long but it feels good. Real good. And since i am doing it just for me, i just let my feelings / state of mind / the colors take over. 

You know what a spiralizer is?

How cool would it be if a gadget could turn veggies into long thin spirals. Certainly, salads and sandwiches will never be the same again. Plus I know i can easily sneak in the veggies that the other A does not eat easily.

Presenting The Spiralizer. The mind boggles and the heart desires. Keeping the fingers crossed that the good ol' people at Anjali Kitchen appliances will somehow find this and bring it here soon...

{found the Spiralizer here}

Tara Flynn and Elle - Beautiful Fashion

So are we over the obsession with reed models already? Maybe not yet, but somewhere somebody did make a start. Elle featured Tara Flynn who is definitely plus-sized by modeling standards. Tara looks drop-dead gorgeous in every shot. Glamorous, cool, and ooh la la la sexy no matter what she's worn or not (yes, there is even a nude.)

Just goes to show if you are confident the way you are, you can carry off anything.  No, you don't really need a lip job, or chin job or boob job. When you feel beautiful it will show.

Go see. And be proud of you the way you are.

(This and more pics on Huffington Post. Must see. Must.)

PS : Am so glad Elle did what they did. Hopefully others in the fashion world will get over this obsession with plastick models.

Wake up with a smile

Wake up to the soothing strains of an acoustic guitar. Jamie McMahon designed an alarm clock that will wake you up with a smile. Have a wonderful Monday... (yes, i am aware it's difficult to do that what with the start of the work-week and all, but i am hoping you will, anyways)

{more about the acoustic guitar alarm here}

Hyderabad to Worse

I have to vent. The city is driving me insane.

1. It's getting darker  with frequent power outages. You have the kind that's scheduled and then the kind that hits you out of the blue, the unscheduled one where you are half-way through the process of making a milk shake and you are left high n dry. They are sometimes short, or long, or really long, or pull-your-hair-out-it's-an-all-day-long-with-no-power-day.
2. The roads. The less said the better. After all, there are hardly any that would classify as roads. You might say there are roads in the potholes.
3. Local transport is not a pain in the ass.  After all, it's practically non-existent. No buses or autos or trains. You can't really go anywhere unless you have your own vehicle. (Even when the autos are there, they make insane demands, like 60 bucks for 2 kilometers.)
4. The people driving on the streets know that they own the road and can get away with anything. Of course, no one knows what lane discipline means. Half a millimeter and someone will try to squeeze in and race ahead. People riding triples on bikes and zipping by is a common sight these days. If you have to take a left turn, then go to the extreme right of the road and then cut across.
5. The traffic is insane, even at 2 in the afternoon, as bad as morning rush hour or even worse. (Courtesy reasons 3 & 4)
6. Mosquitoes have become a bigger menace than ever. Literally. Bigger, fatter and resistant to most repellants and more powerful. That is, if the power's there and you can use a mosquito repellant. (Citronella cream helps, though.)
7. Today's headlines say about 136 trains have been cancelled. Imagine if someone is sick and you have to go visit. And of course, the buses aren't there too. Yes, looks like we are all stuck.

When someone asked me 5 years back, if i would consider moving to another city, i wouldn't have to think. Now too, i don't have to.

Simple cooking - Cheese tomato toast

I love cheese sandwiches. Perfect fare for breakfast. (You can eat anything you like in the morning even if you are on a diet. Really.) I used to make them like a really long time ago because the other A is not particularly fond of bread unless it has cheese (lots and lots of cheese) and i almost stopped buying bread.

I'd grate cheese on bread, add 2 tomato slices, top with another slice of bread and toast on a griddle on low with loads of butter. Oh, i'd also some salt, cut green chili  nubs and cut into triangles and serve. 

I came across a baked version which is quite the same but with different spices. Am thinking of this for tomorrow...

PS: If you don't have an oven, you could try making it in a toaster sideways. What a brilliant idea, right?

{If you'd like to try making the baked cheese sandwich, you can find the recipe here}

{pic 1 from the blog where i found the recipe}

{pic 2 from pinterest}

More simple cooking for the weekend

More decadent food to indulge yourself with this weekend.

Sliced baked potatoes: Thinly slice almost all the way through, keeping a spoon under the potato apparently helps. Drizzle with butter, olive oil, salt and pepper. Bake at 220 degree C for about 40 minutes.

To try or not to? 

PS: Raam, the other A and i have only one vegetable that we all like - yes, the humble potato. Fried, boiled, sauted, steamed, indian, chinese, continental we like it in all its versions.  

{recipe and picture from pinterest.}

Veggies and dip for a party

Julienne cucumber, carrot, red, yellow n green peppers, and beets. Store in the fridge wrapped in clingwrap.
Make a dip with anything you like. (Mayonnaise, hung curd, cheese spread, mint leaves).
Pour dip into plastic glasses or even glass ones.
Put in a handful of them veggies in the glass.
Serve.

(I know the steps were really not needed. Sorry about that.)

{found on pinterest}

Newsprint nails

Cut small strips of news paper (1/2 inch by 1 inch).
Apply nail polish and wait for it to dry.
Dip your nails in vodka or any alcohol.
Press newspaper on the nail.
Pull off, slowly if you can.
Voila!
Apply a top coat if you have the patience.

Gotta try. Like now.

{pic and all from passionnailart}

Nivya of NVY Studio

A gorgeous festive sarie from NVY Studio, retailing on Shopo.com. Unfortunately this one's sold out. Plus my family gets very irritated when i wear a sarie that has black on a festive occasion.

Black, white / cream and red makes for a sexy outfit, don't ya think?

{check out the rest of Nivya's sarie collection on Shopo.}

Dancing in the wind

{the text is by Jane Austen, the photo by me. if you'd like an actual print, 

email me on ambicasrimal@gmail.com. Tis free for i am rather happy right now.}

Felt ball rug

Gorgous multi-colored rug made from felt balls. If i could find it, i'd make it. Would you?

PS: I love felt for its no-sew quality, its texture, and its feel. I have never seen it any shops here in India. Do you know where i can get some?

{from pinterest}

Cleaning up

To clean splatters / gunk / smell inside the microwave, microwave water and a little vinegar in a microwave safe bowl for 5 minutes. Open and clean. Gotta try.

PS: I have been doing a lot of spring cleaning. Cupboards, shelves, everything is being organized. Maybe it's because Diwali is around the corner or maybe i just got tired of having to rummage through mountains to find something. What are your plans for Diwali?

{handy hint from craftylittlegnome}

Decorating with bottles and leaves

The brilliance of this lies in its simplicity. Vases, glasses, bottles - combine them all in different sizes, stick a leaf branch and voila, you bring life to the room.

{find this and more decorating idea with natural elements here}

A Door Idea

That's one of the doors at the Sunny Side Up, Batmanned. I am so in love with it. Every time i visit the SSU HQ i stop and stare. Isn't this a brilliant idea to add pizzazz to a room? 

Simple Cooking - Mint Coconut Vegetable Pulao

The cook had not come and i was in no mood to spend a lot of time cooking. I made this mint vegetable pulao for dinner recently and it was a super-duper hit.

It's quick, it's easy and it's yummilicious. The coconut adds texture and the mint and cinnamon loads of flavor.

{Prepare}
1. Wash and soak 1 cup rice.
2. Chop 1 onion, 2 small carrots and about 10 french beans.
3. Grind about 2 handfuls of mint leaves, 3-4 green chillies and 1/2 a dry coconut.
4. Crush 5 pods of garlic.

{Cook}
1. Heat 3 tsps ghee / oil. (Obviously, ghee is going to result in a tastier end product.)
2. Add a one and half inch long stick of cinnamon.
3. Add garlic. Fry.
4. Add the ground mint mixture. Fry.
7. Fry onions, add the veggies, water, salt and cook. I made it in the pressure cooker, so it cooked in 2 whistles.
8. Serve hot with curd / raita.

Serves 3.

Yikes, this is true

When i was younger, i'd wear my new clothes / shoes / lipstick / jewelry the very day i bought it or the next day. Now, new clothes sit in the wardrobe for months on end and sometimes, i even forget i have something new yet to be worn. Not a good thing, this growing up / older/ wiser, methinks...

{found on Pinterest}

Baby's breath

Aren't these so pretty and romantic?

PS: These are one of my favorite flowers but florists don't often keep them coz they are like really cheap. Baah!

{picture from}

Found a yummy looking food blog - Love Food Eat

I stumbled on this food blog just recently and just can't stop drooling at the sight of this raw beet and peanut salad with coconut.  (I must confess, i am nuts about peanuts.)

Makes me want to make this. Like now.

PS: Even though i experiment a lot with my cooking and most of what i cook i have learnt on my own, i simply can't experiment with salads. The only salad i can make is a cucumber-tomato kachumber that my mother used to make. High time i got over this fear... don't you think?

{Picture from Chinmayie's food blog Love Food Eat. Find the recipe on her blog. Her food pics are so gorgeous, i promise, you won't stop drooling.}

Mod podged it

Remember i made someone get me mod podge from the US? (You don't? That's ok.)

This is one of the things i used mod podge for. I don't have a before picture but the shade was originally a plain beige jane.

I have lots of fabrics at home so it was a tough choice but eventually i chose this block print kalamkari material that i had got from my Machilipatnam trip.  (Remember, i did the road trip a couple of months back? Oh well, it doesn't really matter.)

What's funny is the ridiculously little fabric i needed. Also it took me like 15 minutes to measure, cut and stick. I need to find a replacement for mod podge quick now!

PS: Yes, that's a mess there. Ignore it.

Sexy dining

Yes, this is a dining room. With a window seat. And the colors of the rug. And the mattress. And the cushions. Sigh!

Note to the other A: if you are reading this, then you know what kind of a dining room i want.

{picture from the portfolio of amber interior design. every room is prettines. go see. get inspired.}