10 questions with a lawyer (and it's not about law)

Cristian is a lawyer who has been practicing law since the last 30 years but he is also a brilliant photographer and an avid traveller. Cristian M was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1953. He lives in Argentina and has been "married for more than 30 years to a wonderful woman". He has two children - a daughter and a son and two grandsons.

I met and spoke with him for less than 5 minutes when i had visited Agra in October and he took my picture and emailed it. We have been in touch ever since. When i asked him if i could interview him for my blog, he readily agreed. 


So here's presenting my first interview on this blog with an amazing photographer and a very generous man… hope you enjoy it!

1. When did you start taking pictures and what got you interested in photography in the first place?

C: Many years ago, when I was probably 17 or 18. I just felt attracted to the power of images to convey all kind of feelings. 

2. What camera do you use, the lenses you have and the software you use?

C: I use a Nikon D3x. But I always carry with me a small camera: Canon S95. Lenses for the Nikon: a fisheye, a 105mm (for portrait) and two zooms 17-55mm and 18-200mm. The latter ideal for travel. Software: Photoshop (for just the basic), Camera Raw & Bridge (both part of the Photoshop package), Kolor Autopano Giga for panorama stitching and Tiffen Dfx (I strongly suggest you try the latter).

3. What are your other passions besides photography?

C: Music. Can’t live without it.

4. Which is your favorite travel destination that you would like to go back again to? 

C: Paris first, Venice second.

5. If you had an option and no restrictions where would you like to go?

C: Afghanistan.

6. Tell me about your favorite picture

C: Despite the fact that my photo collection is now over 40,000 it didn’t take me so long to make up my mind on this question. It’s a photo that I took to my daughter when she was a baby (some 32 years ago). I developed and printed the picture myself. Now I need to find the scan to send it to you. I have been unsuccessful so far. (A: He still can't find it)

7. There is a sense of solitude in almost all your pics, as it there was no one but the subject and you when you clicked. It's obviously not true and i am sure there were a million people around, but i love this quality in your pictures.

C: Sense of solitude in the photos. Yes you are right. Why: because I like portrait photography. Just the subject; anything else is a distraction unless I want to distract the viewer to that something else. Now the Venice carnival is completely different (on the streets) to, for example, the wild Rio de Janeiro carnival (never been to it but famous worldwide).  The people that disguise in Venice have that formal but intriguing look.

8. If you could be something else - not a lawyer - what would you want to be?

C: An image and music producer or integrator. Anything that combines images with music. Otherwise: orchestra director.

9. A quote / saying you live by?

C: Absolutely always be fair.

10. What inspires you?

C: Being useful to people.

Click here to see his gorgeous and inspiring photographs. And don't miss the pictures he took of the Carnival at Venice and the Angels.

I got mail

The other side of this bag looks like an envelope and it's also available in white. But yellow looks way more sweet, don't you think?

{Find the messenger bag here}

PS: TOA sends me emails with cool stuff sometimes. 

Oh baby! Part Two

I got to watch Dirty Dancing only recently. A movie about a girl and her first love and a bad boy from across the tracks who teaches her to dance and falls in love with her in the process. Watch it if you haven't already... it's beautiful.

{I started the day off cribbing to you all and i am feeling guilty so to make up for it here's something that i love and hope you will enjoy.}

Oh baby!

It starts with one innocuous question... Are you studying?

Which certainly leads on to several more...

Oh you are not studying? What do you do? Where do you work? Are you married? Do you have children? How long have you been married? And then the final shot - Why don't you have children? Is there a problem?

Really? I mean we have just met on the train (or the bus or at a party or at a gathering) and we are strangers. Why do you have to know everything about my life and my life choices?

I hate to be subjected to this kind of aggressive questioning that i encounter every so often. Especially when it comes from random strangers. Even my mother doesn't subject me to this torture nor do my parents in law. My father has never ever asked me once to have children even though i know he loves kids and would love to have a grandchild to dote on / pamper / spoil.

I know of some of my friends who face this as well but i really don't know how to get out of this barrage of questions without seeming rude or ill-mannered. Do you?

{Is that baby sleeping?}

The Oscar 2012 Awards Nite

The Oscars had a very global flavor this year - a lot of French (a French director and actor won, and the Cirque Du Soleil performed), a little Spanish (Penelope Cruz presented), a little mandarin and German too (Sandra Bullock spoke in Mandarin with a German Accent), some Iranian (a nomination for Best Picture), and a little Indian too (i watched those silly advertisements while Mr. Rahman performed).

The Awards
Meryl Streep won Best Actress for her portrayal of the Iron Lady, a film based on the life of Margaret Thatcher.
Jean Dujardin won Best Actor for his portrayal of George Valentin in The Artist. The Artist also won the Best Costume, Best Picture, Original Score and Best Director awards.
Octavia Spencer went all teary-eyed and dazed on winning the award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for The Help.
Christopher Plummer won the award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role and also gave imo, the best thank you speech.
Hugo picked up 4 awards - Best Cinematography, Art Direction, Visual Effects, Sound Effects and Sound Mixing. (A movie i need to quickly get my hands on, it looked very magical)
The Descendants won the award for Best Adapted Screenplay and Woody Allen's A Midnight in Paris won the award for the Best  Original Screenplay.

To view the other winners, you can go here.

The films that i now want to watch after catching the very intriguing trailers during the awards ceremony:

• A Midnight in Paris
• Hugo
• Tree of Life
• Bridesmaids
• The Help
• Beginners
• Albert Nobbs

Have a lovely day you all! And a lovely week too :D

Fashion at The Oscars

There are very few times when i wake up early of my own accord. Today was one of those crazy times when i woke up at 5 AM to watch the Oscars... to watch the pre-Oscar red carpet actually! But unfortunately no one was screening that until 6 AM.

So the Red Carpet. It was disappointing to have to wait and then catch a glimpse of only few of the stars on the red carpet. For those of you who dint catch it, here are some of the highlights...

The Clothes 
Angelina Jolie rocked it in a black gown with a long long slit. I also loved what Cameroz Diaz wore - a pale pink gown with shimmer and ruffles hip downwards. Gwyneth Paltrow was her usual stylish self but a bit too pale for my taste. Michelle Williams looked like a pixie in a coral gown with quite a lot of details. I like. As for Sandra Bulllock - she could have shown a bit more derring-do... the black and white gown was pretty but a tad too conservative maybe. Penelope Cruz, again wore a pretty grey gown like she normally does but bold color suits her more.

Did i mention Meryl Streep? This was her 17th nomination and 3rd Oscar win and she looked elegant and strong and very much the lady in her long sleeved molten gold gown. What a personality she is, probably one of the few people in that room who was not over-botoxed-or-filled! Now that's how i would like to grow old - gracefully :D

As for the boys... Brad Pitt looked like a golden retriever who just came back from the dog parlor, all long shiny hair and all. George Clooney looked smokin hot, crow's feet and all. And Jean Dujardin, he looked terribly cute and lost even though he won the Best Actor Trophy.

Not to forget Uggie who looked way more cuter than a certain Mr. Pitt. (I don't hate the man. I honestly don't.)

The Artist

Synopsis: The Artist is a love story set in 20's Hollywood. George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is the hero, the heartthrob of millions, who falls from grace when silent films give way to the talkies. On the other hand, Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo) rises from obscurity to become the shining star of the industry. 

Fellow dog lovers: you have to watch The Artist. Uggie, the four legged actor, for me, was the star of the film. He is really that adorable.

For the others: The Artist is much like the hero - strong and silent. You probably already know that it is a black and white silent movie, set in Hollywood of the 20s and 30s. Enough to put you off from going to see it, right? It's just the reason i will recommend that you watch it.

With no dialogs to distract (just a few placards here and there), The Artist, with it's brilliant acting, is a treat for the eyes. And if like me, you like to look at the sets, the costumes, the things that make an era what it is, then you have that as well. And then there is Uggie. I know you are not a dog lover and all, but Uggie will steal your heart. Really.

{photos from}
{Get the bones on Uggie here, here, here and here}

PS: Jean Dujardin is smokin HOT. More on that soon :D

PPS: The other A and i can never get anywhere on time, sadly. We are always chasing trains, planes and deadlines. We missed the first fifteen minutes of the movie and we know we are going to go see this film again. Can't wait for that :D (And hope to God that there is no one near who finds it necessary to describe each and every scene and plot development!)

Raspberri cupcakes

Warning: Stephanie's food pictures will make you drool and then make you want to bake something decadent or rush to the nearest patisserie. Raspberri cupcakes has interesting recipes + beautifully styled food. Do not pay her a visit if you are trying to count your calories and looking to lose weight!

Excuse me, while i head to the kitchen...

{Learn to make cherry pie shortbread bites on Raspberri cupcakes} 

Ek main aur ek tu

There isn't much to watch in the cinemas right now so Aru and her friend (not me) decided to go watch Ek main aur ekk tu and i kind of invited myself. I went in with no expectations and was pleasantly surprised with the film.

It's a cute movie. Typical run of the mill rom-com but not typical. Kareena Kapoor plays Rihanna Briganza, a happy-go-lucky stylist who is out of money and a job. Imran Khan is a dud boy who is forever bullied by his parents. Their paths cross and a one-sided love story ensues. What happens next? Watch it to find out :D

Laced with sugar

I would never ever use something that looked so pretty. But i'd still want it.

It's an edible sugar doily. Apparently it's flexible too... do you want one too?

{Find it on Etsy}

Su Blackwell and her book sculptures

Give me a book and i will forget the world while i lie down and read it. Give Su Blackwell a book,and she will read it and then turn it in to a work of art complete with characters, trees, birds, butterflies and what not.

Su Blackwell is an artist who creates 3D art from vintage books using the story / characters / object of the book itself to create her masterpieces.

{See more of her work here. Picture you see here is of a commissioned piece called the Orient Express.}

Flying baby

Rachel Hulin was tired and bored on an assignment and this is what she ended up creating... pictures of her baby flying. Strange or not, you decide but her pictures will definitely make you stop and stare and possibly make your heart skip a beat or two

{Find it here on Time Lightbox}

PS: What do you do when you are bored? 

Peacock jhumkas from Jabong

Aren't these traditional peacock jhumkas cute? After a long search for something pretty i found these on Jabong. Just when i was thinking i should maybe get them, i find that they have sold out. Not surprising since this is one of the best things they had on the site.

{from Jabong for Rs. 799}

Tagline wisdom and my first giveaway!

Anil Singhal, is one of the first few people i met through my blog. I generally don't interact much with the blogging community (it just didn't happen, but i would love to meet / interact with all the fabulous bloggers out there who inspire me and make my day with their posts). So when i asked Anil if he would like to contribute he was gung-ho and promptly sent me a post. Unfortunately i took quite sometime to post it. (Please don't ask how long, i am not going to answer that!) 

Anil Singhal is a free-lancer, self-taught photographer raised in Siliguri, West Bengal. He has a Masters in Science (Physics)  from IIT, Kanpur & a Masters in Microelectronics from IIT Bombay. He is an entrepreneur but is extremely passionate about photography. You can read his blog and see his photographs here. He also conducts photography workshops in his spare time. 

Presenting Anil's wisdom compiled from taglines. Enjoy!

Where do you want to go today? Wake up and drive to the happiest place on the earth? Celebrate the moments of life. Share moments and Share life. You will have The Perfect Experience. 

We live in a material world of branded stuff. And everyone's story is consummation of some brands in some order. Isn't it? 

We love to exercise our senses, don't we! In a days itinerary we would have used our five senses: Smell, Touch, Sight, Hear, Taste !  However, the prime sense that gets called in all of it is the "feel" factor. Some say its intuition or the sixth sense, but often it is the one that is most ignored. And yet, I believe is the only one that you should learn to care about. And you will be surprised how your choices through the other five are more rewarding, fulfilling and entertaining.

Just do it when it feels right. And then the road will never be the same. 

PS: How many brands did you find in there? Leave a comment with your findings and someone may just win something sweet (not like food, but something handcrafted and pretty) :D

PPS: Would you like to be a guest blogger here? Write to me then!

{Photo of the Raintree Park aka Malaysian Township that is featured above has been shot by Anil.}

Kya khayaal hai - Dewarists

I watched, maybe the last 20 minutes, of one episode of The Dewarists just before i left to Bikaner. I fell in love with what i saw and wanted to watch every episode. Thankfully, it's all there on YouTube and it's as awesome as that 20 minute viewing showed me. I watched two episodes of The Dewarists today.

The first episode is set in a palace in Rajasthan and brings together Imogen Heap and Vishal Dadlani. The second episode is set in Mumbai and brings together Zeb and Haniya and Swanand Kirkire and Shantanu Moitra. The music that these four have created together - it's brilliant. Beautiful lyrics, lovely song, simple music. Listen to it, you are going to love it, i promise.

PS: The Dewarists is a TV show that aired on Star World. I am not sure if new episodes are being aired currently, but you can find all the old episodes on YouTube. To know more about this interesting / beautiful music collaboration, you can find it on The Dewarists site. You can also download any of the songs you like from the Dewarists homepage. 

A funky lunch that packs a punch!

Don't you think we eat with our eyes and nose before we actually eat our food? Remember the bento boxes that are BIG in Japan? I found another site that will help push your packed lunch from blah to waah! With imagination and some effort, boring sandwiches can be transformed in to magical creatures and favorite characters.

{Learn to make Funky Lunches with Mark Northeast.}

PS: Where was the Internet when we were growing up? (Not that my mother was a bad cook, in fact, she was and is a fabulous cook. I can only imagine if she had the resources like i do now, what more she could do.)

Clutch from Zovi

Found this cute clutch for Rs. 799 on Zovi.com. Though they dont have too many designs, what they have is pretty lovely. Check out the accessories page too, pretty good!

{Clutches on Zovi}

The Dirty Picture

Ooh la la! I finally got to watch The Dirty Picture on DVD recently and it's entertaining. Vidya Balan, the consummate actress that she is, shines in every frame, whether she is laughing, crying or even dancing (something she was considered terrible at).

Vidya Balan plays Silk as steamy, sultry and sensual with gay abandon and gusto, something i can't think any of today's or yesterday's actors having the guts to do. In fact, it is only because of her that the movie is even worth watching. It's a must watch simply because of her performance which is as lewd and raunchy as can be, yet you respect her for what she has managed to do and become for this movie.

PS: I don't have a problem with the acting of any of the other characters either; they are all good. But something in the movie is amiss. I can't really point it out, but that something could have definitely made this a much better movie. 

Shade Parade by Chanel

This is adorable! 

Thinking aloud

Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with love and reverence.

~ Henry David Thoreau

Have a pretty, awesome week you all. 

XOXO

Ambica

PS: I want to share a little story with you. We have a dog, much-loved and much-pampered. His name is Happy Singh. You must have met him here earlier. Because he is much loved he is also much spoiled, pretty rambunctious and quite a brat. He barks at strangers and tugs at his leash real hard on walks and is generally difficult to manage when there are people around. So i rarely took him out on walks, only when there was no one else, and because i was told time and time again that i couldn't. But the last week, i just decided to take him for his walks and also started to train him. Now, he does not tug at his leash when i walk him and is very well-behaved. He also listens to me these days, does not jump at strangers and is docile most of the times. My training is working! With just soft words and a lot of love i have managed to bring about a change in him and right now, i couldn't be more pleased. At having tried. 

PPS: I took this picture on our way back from Bidar from a moving vehicle and even though most of my shots from moving vehicles are lousy, this one is just not bad at all. 

Things Organized Neatly

Doll and its trousseau organized neatly and photographed at the Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs exhibition from Things Organized Neatly.


Things Organized Neatly is a tumblr curated by Austin Radcliffe and somewhere it appeals to the organizing freak that hides inside of me. You will be surprised how many different things have been organized by how many different people and photographed, from cactii to clothes, from books to an Arctic survival kit, from chairs to cans, from guns to fruits.

{Go see TON, for a visual treat and some very interesting pictures.}

Roald Dahl Stamps for you

The Royal Mail released a stamping tribute to Roald Dahl this year. Stamps to commemorate the genius' 20th anniversary. With illustrations rendered by Quentin Blake, his long time friend and collaborator, the stamps represent 6 of RD's stories. Sweet :D

RD was an author of children's books but i know more adults than children who love to read his books and i know at least 2 people who would love to get their hands on this set.

Do you have friends who love to read Roald Dahl? Wouldn't this make a super gift for them...

{Image from the Royal Mail website. You can get a set of 11 stamp cards featuring enlarged versions of the stamps and a miniature sheet for 4.95 pounds. An absolutely fab gift for a Roald Dahl fan.}

PS: Have a fun weekend! 

Hippopotabar

This week went by in a blur just like the previous one and i can't believe it's the weekend already. TOA and I will spend some time together at the dental clinic (sounds terrible, right? it is! *baah*) and i have my Spanish class to attend. Other than that we haven't planned anything; we might just hang around at home and play scrabble and maybe have a couple of drinks. What are your plans for the weekend?

{hippo-bar via}

PS: Cute or weird? I'd go with cute, thank you.

Vintage wallpaper

This one's on my desktop now. Since i can't create them wallpapers like Bila taught us (can't do that on a Mac) and i really liked it.

{Find a wallpaper you like, on Fossil. It doesn't cost anything, unlike the rest of the goodies there *sigh*}

Look who's coming back soon?

The producers and the channel have finally resolved their problems. Yay! I can't wait for Season 5 to begin. (Doesn't the poster look a little bit grim?)

{Read more}

Touch me, not.

So you noticed how phones were big, then they got smaller and now they seem to be getting bigger again. Like too big for your pockets big... you'd agree with me if you have seen the Samsung Galaxy Tote Note.

{Read Farhad Manjoo's article on Slate on garangutan phones}
{Wood-cut iPhone case found on moredesignplease}

PS: What's your mobile number then - as simple as it can get / Android / iPhone / BB / anything goes? Me, I am a Blackberry girl. The truth is, i just can't type right on a touch screen phone. But if i had to get a touch screen phone, i'd definitely go with the iPhone (in white, please).

Aiva on Yebhi

Though there are so many shops you can buy online from, i find shopping in the smaller webstores easier than in the bigger ones. I find that smaller ones have prettier pictures, a lesser range but a better one, and an easier navigation style. What do you think?

{Cute for Rs. 419. Find this and more on the Yebhi sale. But since it has lots of stuff, be prepared to look through a lot of stuff before you find something you like!}

Dear Prudence

I spent a little time a lot of time yesterday indulging my voyeuristic side - reading people's life dilemma's and Prudence aka Emily Yoffe's advice. She reminded me of Pearl  Padamsee's advice that she dished out in Femina many years ago that i couldn't wait to read.

Dishing out advice, with wit, without being disparaging, to unknown strangers must be pretty tough, or pretty easy, which?

{image from}
{if you'd like to read the problems / solutions that i liked reading}

PS: How cute is that red typewriter :)

PPS: I read on Dear Prudence that it's normal for women to not wash their underthings for weeks. Yikes! Do tell me if Am i over-reacting or is it how it is? And if you'd like to read it, it's here. 

Shopping at Promod

I was to spend half the day to meet the other A for lunch yesterday. I had reached GVK One but he hadn't still reached (pretty normal) so i headed over to do some window shopping.

The Aldo store had nothing i liked. The Charles and Keith sale was disappointing but the new stock there was lovely (but i gave it a miss, i have too many flats / heels / sandals / peep toes / flip flops / shoes already).

I entered the Promod store when i spotted what looked like smart tops there. Every time i look at my wardrobe i find that i need a few casual tees / knit tops to pair with jeans. So i picked up these two for Rs. 750 apiece. Nice, don't you think?

{Pics from the online Promod store.}

PS: I already wore the new the mole colored tee yesterday for lunch. And it looked much nicer on my darker complexion than it does here on this fairer model. :D

Funky Dori

Loving this beaded choker that i found on Funky Dori's Shopo store. Do you think it will work well with a western outfit? Like a long black dress with a flared swirly hem?

{Funky dori beaded choker for Rs. 590}

Going dental

I hadn't visited the dentist in more than a decade almost. Either i dint have the time or i dint have a doctor. I finally found one at KIMS last weekend when i accompanied a friend who had a cancer scare (which thankfully was just that, a scare.)

Thankfully, there was nothing more than a few cavities that i have to get filled. The other A meanwhile has lots to do. The next two-three weekends like the last, will be spent with the dentist (*sigh*). I just cant wait for this to get over and done with so our weekend life can continue like before - doing nothing.

How was your weekend?

PS: If you are in Hyderabad and looking for a good dentist or a oncology department, go to KIMS on Minister Road. It is one of the best hospitals around - the staff is courteous, the doctors helpful and the prices not crazily steep.

PPS: With all the madness around, i lost the list to the illustration. Sorry, Mr / Ms Illustrator.

The Irish Faerie

I am in this kinda of a mood today. Loving sweet haunting numbers and dreaming of peaceful and dreamy places like this. Must be the lack of sleep or something...

{Ireland is one of those places i dream of going to. After reading a Nora Roberts novel set in Ireland, the desire go there just got stronger. Doesn't it look so magical here, filled with dreams and faeries and all things beautiful?}

Raise me up by the Celtic Women

I had gone to Bangalore to bring back my MIL who had been visiting her sisters and brother. I also ended up spending two consecutive sleepless nights in the train and need to catch up. I will be back later in the day with more posts... Meanwhile listen to the Celtic Women and have a lovely day :D

XOXO
Ambica

PS: About 15 mins after the train left the station on Sunday night, the other A called to tell me i needn't have travelled as a friend is returning from Bangalore on Monday and MIL could have come back with him. Baahh!! So to make up for his gaffe he is taking half the day off today and hopefully we should spend some much-needed time together. If that happens, then the blogging will resume tomorrow...

PPS: Have you ever heard Enya? 

Conundrums from Pentagram

Did i share my love of puzzles with you already? No, methinks! When i was younger (read: unmarried) i'd spend a few minutes every morning with the jumble and other such simple puzzles. I'd also spend some a lot of my pocket money on buying puzzle / crossword / jumble books. In fact, i still do the jumble and try my hand at The Hindu's cryptic crossword (i jumped in joy recently when i could solve 5 clues, that's how rusty i have become!) And the Sudoku when i have nothing better to do.

I digress a lot these days. Anyways, coming to Conundrums, the reason for this post...

Designed by Harry Pearce, Conundrums is a new collection of elegant typographic puzzles constrained by three simple rules: one box, two colours, a single typeface. (i couldn't put it better, so it's verbatim from the site)

I'd love to get this book. Simple and pretty and challenging - perfect for a gift that the receiver will remember for years to come!

{image from}

PS: Can you solve any of these conundrums? I dint get all, but if you do find an answer to any of them puzzles, do leave a comment. 

OMG! Chocolate cups :D

This one is going to make for sticky hands and a very messy eat. Can't wait to try making this!

{so much on Pinterest}

Illustration love: Nicola Meiring

Nicola Meiring designed this packaging for a juice company.

I would love to pick a bottle of juice that looked like this even though i am totally against packaged juice, Give me freshly made, had squeezed juice any day; which my only my mother used to do when i was younger and not married (It's another thing that i cribbed about it all the time and had to be forced to gulp it down!).

{See more of Nicola's art here.}

PS: I am considering a blog redesign to make it prettier and simpler... i know her illustrations would totally make my blog rock... of course, i dont think it would work out and all... but just imagining it is making my day :D

Are you ready for the weekend?

Hola! I am looking forward to a lazy weekend and the only thing lined up is my Spanish class and the Remember Shakti concert at Chowmohalla Palace. And what about you? Do you intend to sleep away the weariness caused by a week of hard work? Or you have major home-cleaning and partying plans?

Whatever be the case, have a beautiful weekend sharing love and laughter :)

XOXO

PS: How dreamy is this setting... i'd totally give an arm and an leg to spend a lazy day with the other A.

The sun is shining

Good morning y'all! Mr. Sun is working hard these day to keep us toasty and warm.

In fact, it's already getting really hot here in our part of the world and i am dreading the summer months ahead. How's the weather in your part of the world?

{The grooming sun found on Pinterest}

Frolic orange printed bag

Simple clothes in basic or even bright colors + colorful bag = Sweet

A friend of mine is going to Goa and i think this would be perfect to hold everything she'd want to fit in it - sunglasses, sunscreen, money, room keys, a towel, a mobile phone and all the other little somethings we girls always carry.

What kind of bags do you like?

{Pretty sling bag from Snapdeal for Rs. 499 only}

PS: I don't buy leather bags anymore. But leather boots... i couldn't resist! 

Tambrahm Rage Cooks

Now what makes this blog worth a visit considering  that there are a gazillion food blogs out there?  Consider this excerpt from Tambrahm Rage Cooks:

Dry roast the above and finely powder it in mixer. If you feel a bit frisky you can sniff it and go into a sneezing fit. After that, you can confirm with your grandmom if snot is ecchu or patthu or some unholy combination of both.

When you read something like this then you know you have to subscribe.

{Find food and laughter at Tambrahm Rage Cooks. The blogs' authors are Nandita who lives life by the  SaffronTrail and Ashok who is busy Doing Jalsa and showing Jilpa.}

PS: Are two heads better than one? I enjoyed visiting Tambrahm Rage Cooks that they started together a lot more than their personal / individual blogs.

What type are you?

There are quizzes galore that will tell you things about yourself that you dint know / dint want to know or couldn't care less about. But this, this one is a must-visit.

{If you want to know why you must take the test, take a detour. To take the test directly, go here.}

PS: The test is administered by a man with a foreign accent. I took my time to respond and found his impatience amusing :D

PPS: Thank you Bila, i started my day with something super! :D

Jell well

Meet Mary, the Food Librarian who is a librarian by day and a baker by early day. A morning person (do such people even exist? i mean, she is the first i have come across) she wakes up really early and bakes and then takes pretty pictures of the thing she bakes.

This dessert that you see here, is not baked, but made by Mary and very simple to make. A lovely party food, it can be made well in advance and will look lovely on the table as well. Of course, you could try using a heart mould and make it specially for V-day, if you'd like.

{Learn how to make Valentine's Broken Glass Jello from the Food Librarian. Other sweet treats here.}

Say it with balloons

A super sweet birthday gift idea. But you could also do it for ahem, Valentine's day. (I am not sure whether like most of the world i go ga-ga over it, or just ignore it like the other one-thirds. What are you plans for V-day?)

{Learn how you can make someone feel loved, cared for and special on subtle revelry}

How often do you wear a sari?

Me, i don't wear a sari as often as i'd like to. I'd wear one to a wedding or when it's festival time, but other than that, just like that, almost never. In fact, last Diwali, i got lazy and did not wear a sari and attempted an indo-western kinda thing, but that i don't regret.

More often than not though i'd love to wear six yards of loveliness and look lovely (everyone says i do, everyone!) but i get lazy and wish i hadn't gotten so.

Anyway, i am rambling! So what i wanted to share with you were these pictures that Sunitha Nadig shot for Calantha. I just love the styling, the colors, the make up and everything else that makes these pictures what they are. Go see. This one in black is another favorite from the Calantha collection.

How often do you drape a sari?

PS: I love wearing a contrast blouse with my sari. Try it and let the compliments pour in.

Child's own studio

This one is genius / brilliant / awesome / cute.

Wendy Tsao is an artisan living in Vancouver, Canada. You send her a drawing that your child / or your friend's child / or your neighbor's child / or any child / or anyone has made and she will recreate that for you. Brilliant, right?

It will set you back anywhere between 70-130 CAD plus shipping but don't you agree it's not to big price to pay for such a sweet personal gift.

{Child's Own Studio and if you want to see more of her wonderful work here}

PS: I did sound like i was gushing right? If i dint, then i'd like to confirm i was. And totally smiling at the cuteness of it all.

Don't egg me

Now, i love life Sunny Side Up but i don't eat eggs and definitely do not like to use it when i am baking.

When i come across a recipe that requires the use of eggs, i don't use it. Unless a friend (Read Arundati, the baking fiend) has tried and tested an eggless version and recommends the recipe to me.

So, if like me, you skip those recipes that call for an egg, you might find this egg substitute link pretty handy.

{image of the cute egg from visuali.ze}

Slow down

There is more to life than increasing its speed ~ Gandhi.

I am not sure if Mr. Gandhi really said this, but i think it's true and i love the image here on the right so i thought.

Have a happy, peaceful week :D

XOXO
Ambica

{found in Karishma's quote-book}

I heart milk

Actually, i kinda hate milk. But i heart these hearty milk cubes made that can be made with flavoring / food color. You'd need a heart shaped mold for it though but it would be perfect for valentine's day and rather cute.

{from an extremely beautiful blog with great party ideas and diys- a subtle revelry} 

Travel bug

You know i love to travel. So i thought i should make a wishlist for the year and plan those trips and not just wait for trips to materialize out of the blue (that has not really gone badly either but i am a little bit of an organizing freak so i had to make that list).

I know i'd like to go to Goa again. But  i am game to go to Gokarna as well. (I can never say no to a beach vacation. I could live on the beach all my life, i think.)

I have been wanting to visit a lot of places in the northern part of India as well as the North-East. Sikkim. And then there is Manali, Auli and Dalhousie. And yes, Ladakh. Definitely Ladakh.

And Chennai to meet family that i haven't visited in a long while. And head to Kanyakumari from there to gape at their beuatiful carved temples.

And Pondicherry, so i can stay in a beautiful house that has antique wooden pillars with magenta supporters, a courtyard and a muraled wall.

And Europe. (But that's a long shot. A very pretty dream that just refuses to materialize.)

And a few towns in mana Andhra Pradesh (before it gets crazily divided).

So that's my wishlist for places i'd like to visit this year but if anything else comes my way i may not say no. (It's a bit on the longish side i know.)

Do you have a wishlist for the year too? Or you just wait and take it as it comes?

{The bag is cute and perfect for a 2-day vacation. Mementos of a traveller on inkfruit for Rs. 899}

What heights would you go to to take a picture?

Not this, i'd say. But if living on the edge fascinates you, go check David Maitland's photography portfolio. His fearlessness towards heights is quite insane and his pictures very interesting.