Fools By Dramanon

Saturday is almost over and though i did say i wouldn't be around till Monday, i seem to find the time to pop by and say hello.

So what are your plans for the weekend? I have none at all, just busy with the family and pujas... But if you are free, here's something you could do.

On All Fools Day, Dramanon brings to you Neil Simon's comedy Fools. I think the timing of the play is just perfect, unfortunately, just not for me. If you are in the mood for fun evening, i'd totally recommend that you go watch this play. It promises to be a laugh riot.

If you still need convincing, catch the promo here.

Fools
Directed by RK Shenoy
Venue: NIFT Auditorium, Madhapur
Tickets: Rs. 250 (You can buy online on indianstage.in or bookmyshow.com)

Have a fun weekend and if you manage to catch show, tell me how it went!

Virtual shopping in South Korea

Am i insane to think this is a wonderful idea?

In South Korea, Tesco and Samsung got together and created a brand called Home Plus. They put up these huge billboards in subway stations and other places. You peruse the aisles, find what you like, scan the QR code with your smartphone and place your order. Your shopping is delivered home. And the best part, you do all this while waiting for your chariot to arrive.

So what do you think - genius or not?

{via}

PS: They have 113 stores already... so obviously the Koreans do like it!

Songs i can't stop singing along to

All my friends will vouch for the fact that i don't have a single musical note in me. I am tone deaf and also blessed with two left foot (beside also being a lottakai [left-handed person])

Nevertheless, i love singing. So what if it does not match the sur and has no taal. And when i am happy / high i care even less. My playlist / songlist for the evening included these:

1. Maine dil se kaha (Rog) *On loop*
2. 3 courtesan songs - Mann kyun behka re (Utsav), Pyar kiya toh darna kya (Mughal-e-azam), and tChalte chalte mujhe koi mil gaya tha (Pakeezah)
3. Dil to hai dil, dil ka aitbaar (Muqaddar ka Sikander)
4. Kisi nazar ko tera (Aitbaar)

Not sleeping enough, travelling long distance and moonlighting, and tripping

Insomnia: The last couple of days nights have been wretched.  I sleep late, wake up all woozy and then don't feel like doing much except going back to sleep (which doesn't happen).

Travelling long distance and moonlighting: I have been travelling to Hitec City everyday. That's about 15 kilometres one-way. I am, of course, having a tough time finding autos. Since i am so zoned out, i dont even consider driving. And why am i going there? I am working freelance for an e-learning company putting to use my rudimentary Spanish skills and getting better at it.

Tripping: I was so tired today, i could barely stand. So i decided to meet a friend, catch up and unwind. A bottle of beer and lots of old hindi film music worked its magic and here i am, typing away. And it's way past midnight. And i am not zoned out. Yay to friends, music and beer.

And now the explanation for the pic: Even though i don't think it needs one! I was listening to some of my fav songs and he featured in two of them. And i couldn't stop staring... he was such a looker, wasn't he? Smokin hot, totally. While listening to this, i was also hoping it would rain soon!

With all this busy-ness, i couldn't blog yesterday and most likely this will be my only post for the 29th. I also may not be able to post much until Monday (work tomorrow and family stuff for the next 4 days is going to keep my busy).

I hope you are having fun and missing me. :D

Take time to leave me a note and say hello.

Much love,
Me

Photography: Alexa Meade

Alexa Meade uses a combination of painting and photography to create her art and it's totally blown me away.

{See more of her stunning work here.}

Discovering a restaurant: Naivedyam

After the fun and games on Sunday, and a lot of vetoing we headed to Ameerpet to Naivedyam for dinner. Naivedyam is a North Indian restaurant that specializes in Vegetarian Punjabi food. 

It's small but clean. There is not much in the way of decor, but the food is delicious, the service prompt and the prices, easy on the pocket. They even serve steaming hot phulkas and the stuffed parathas are actually 'stuffed'. The marwari dal with hing tadka and bhindi fry were my favorites from our order.

I enjoyed my dinner so much i even ordered a lot of food for the boys at Sunny Side Up who had been working very hard all day long. And even though the food was not piping hot by the time i reached, they thanked me at least four times each for the 'superb' dinner. 

Naivedyam is tucked away out of sight, in Meridian Plaza, right next to Lal Bungalow, in Ameerpet. Go try!

{photo courtesy: just dial}

Playing games

Monika is an Italian / German who lives in Hyderabad and enjoys spicy food and hates beer. She is also a terrific model and i had met her at the Wundershop shoot a few months ago.

When she invited me on Sunday to her boyfriend's home for an evening of games, i hesistatingly asked her if she meant playstation / xbox / wii. She said no (thankfully), and said she meant board games. Ooh! This sounded fun. So even though i was at Banjara Hills at that time, and i knew i had to go back home to change clothes from wedding finery to casual, i said yes with a smile.

I reached, met the gang, got talking, and got comfortable real quick. We finally settled down to play Clue, a logic based detective game, that i remember playing decades ago... It was so much fun that i kept asking myself why we don't play board games more often? I can only associate board games with happy times with friends and family and hope for more such evenings.

Do you and your gang play board games? What is your favorite? The other A and i play a lot of Scrabble. When there are more friends around we sometimes play Uno. I have played a lot of Monopoly and Boggle and Stock Market with my cousins. And of course, Ludo and Snakes and Ladders.

The evening was so much fun that is made the 20 km not-fun-in-the-sun drive-back-and-forth totally worth it. And it was also the only bright spot in an otherwise blah weekend. 

Weekended and all wound up

The last week has kind of been crazy. Not that i did much or accomplished anything but somehow i felt sleep deprived all through the week, as i ended up sleeping late everyday, in the wee hours of the morning and now i just cant seem to fall asleep early, even though i am trying really hard.

Right now, i feel like someone's turned me upside down, exactly like this weird house. I feel out of sorts and wrung out and tired and sleepy and will do just about anything to get my sleeping pattern back to normal.

Hope you had a better week than mine and any suggestions that will help me go to sleep at a normal time, like even midnight, will be very helpful.

{upside down house from}

Reveal: What did your favorite celeb look like, when they were younger?

Fergie and Robert Downey Jr.

And if you are wondering what i am talking about, i am talking about this post here.

{find how much you favorite celebs have changed on retronaut's yearbook pictures compilation}

PS:If you are wondering what i looked liked when i was younger... there's me in this pic here --->

Seriesly: Mad men's back!

Are you also waiting for Mad Men (Season 5) to begin?

You know i irritated Arundati by talking about it for hours on end, till she finally gave up and watched it. If you haven't watched Season 1-4 of Mad Men already, then you have to (or i will keep talking about it here on my blog and irritate you all!).

Mad Men is based on a set of crazy people who work in advertising in the 60s. In fact, it is not very different from what advertising is now. (the other A runs an ad agency, so i know!)

So we have Jon Ham, who is smokin' hot. And the women are not skinny, au contraire they are very curvy (so your body image will not take a thrashing). The set design and styling is fabulous and totally authentic looking. And then there is Christina Hendricks who plays Joan; she is THE babe, the one who can do anything nonchalantly and confidently... totally love her!

{Mad Men stuff posted previously on my blog - here, here and here. And the recipe for old-fashioned, Don Draper's regular cocktail, here}


{Jon Hamm's photo from Playboy, via A Cup of Jo}

Simon Beck's Snow Art

One man creates these impermanent works of art by painstakingly stomping on snow for 5-9 hours a day, for days on end.

Simon Beck cannot run any longer and walking on snow is apparently the least-difficult form of exercise for him now. The exercise soon became a means to create art and now creating these works of art is his inspiration to walk.

Sometimes fresh snow fall obliterates his work in progress and he modifies existing patterns but sometimes even that is not possible and he has start from scratch. Amazing perseverance and patience, something i know i can never have in so much abundance.

{See more snow art by Simon Beck here}

Seriesly: The Big Bang Theory

Speaking of science, i am hooked on to Big Bang Theory. So much so that i managed to watch 3 seasons of 23 episodes each, of 20 minutes duration is less than ten days!

If i was Leonard, then i would calculate the average viewing time per day,
If i was Sheldon, i'd be rude and insult myself while use extremely big words and long sentences and say it all in one breath and annoy everyone reading this in the process and not care a damn.
If i was Rajesh, i'd just never talk unless i was drunk (since i can't talk in front of women).
If i was Howard, i'd be living with my mother and hit on every girl i saw and also behave creepily.
If i was Penny, then i'd just find a way to get myself a role in the series while working part time in the Cheesecake Factory.

Have you watched Big Bang Theory? Isn't it a laugh riot like no other?

{Image source}

PS: I have rarely laughed aloud in my life and never so much as when i am watching Big Bang Theory. BBT is just too funny!

The weekend gone by

The last weekend was a beautiful surprise. Remember i posted a poster that i found on Pinterest to 'Devour old films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows.'

Can you believe i actually managed to do most of the stuff on this list without even trying?

On Saturday night, I ended up watching The Sound of Music for the nth time and singing tunelessly with the songs. On Sunday, I watched a movie (This Means War), drove across the city, snacked on Hyderabadi delicacies, visited the Chowmahalla Palace and realized there was more to it than the one beautiful hall we always see during concerts. Old photographs, paintings, gorgeous chandeliers, architecture, vehicles, fountains with geese, architecture, light and shadows - it had it all.

So all in all, i had a brilliant weekend and am super-happy about it. I hope you had a lovely one too :D

Cheerfully yours,
Bix

How big is the universe?

Or how small are we, in the larger picture. Try this very interesting and fun app and get the really BIG picture.

{scale of the universe}

Thanks Yamini, for sharing :D

Words are things, by Maya Angelou

Someday we’ll be able to measure the power of words

I think they are things

I think they get on the walls, they get in your wallpaper, they get in your rugs

In your upholstery, in your clothes and finally…

Into you

Maya Angelou has many accomplishments; she is a poet, novelist, actress, producer, educator and a lot more. It's truly amazing what she has achieved and managed to do in one lifetime and is still continuing to do. Read more about her on her webpage and be inspired.

And yes, have an inspired week!

XOXO
Ambica

The Black Eyed Peas and the Jolie-Pitts

I still find it funny / strange / crazy, 2 weeks after i first saw this. People do have a lot of time to spare (and that does not mean me!).

{from}

What did your favorite celeb look like, when they were younger?

The first pic is of a person who the other A loves and the second pic is of a man i find smokin' hot. They look very different in their yearbook pictures... can you guess who they are? Leave a comment if you think you know!

{I will share the source of these images on Monday evening}


Bye for now! Have a lovely weekend.

What are you doing this weekend?

What are your plans for the weekend? Me, i am planning nothing but hoping that events conspire to help me devour some of the things from this list here.

Have a beautiful weekend.

{from pinterest}

Partying: 10 lounge

One of  my dearest friend's niece is in Hyderabad to attend some interviews and my friend wanted me to take Neha out. Neha is just about 22 years old, and because i felt really old, and it's no fun when there's just 2 people, i asked Ritika, another 20-something girl, to join us.

So we went clubbing to 10 Lounge last night. It's ladies night every Thursday and the drinks were on the house till whenever we wanted to drink, yes, all night long!

The service was prompt, the dance floor is big, the one snack we ordered was delicious and the music was fabulous and since the place is new, it was not bursting at the seams, just enough people around so that it looked 'happening' and yes, the crowd was good.

We talked, laughed and gossiped and it was a fun evening all around till we decided to leave the party early at around midnight, because R had to get to work the next day.

Verdict: Go with your gang of girls for a fun night out. And don't drive out, just book a taxi for the return or have your boy-friend / husband pick you up when you can't party anymore. 

La Maison on Bamarang

Check out these fun cushion covers from La Maison that is currently on sale at Bamarang. Very cool stuff this. Am loving this one, featured here and this one too.

And this one, the ace of spades is perfect for my gambling-crazy family. (Every Sunday, the entire family, parents, uncles, aunts, cousins, young and old, daughters-in-law, gets together in one of the houses for a long session of teen patti, drinks and food.) I'd go off my no-shopping stance and buy it for my father if it were not sold out already.


{So what if i am not shopping, i can always look at some eye-candy. Find more hepness on Bamarang. Also check out this cheapster wallet, right now it totally befits me!}

A love affair with words

Ignore my banal comments and scroll down to read this delicious letter that Robert Pirosh wrote when he went job-hunting.

Are you still reading what i have to say? Then pray that i can do something half-as-good when i start looking for a job. Oh yes, i have decided to start working full-time again. Soon.

Are you still with me? Then tell me if there are any words in particular you like... me, i like cantankerous, pernicious, chocolate, graffiti, mendacious, serendipity. 

Dear Sir:

I like words. I like fat buttery words, such as ooze, turpitude, glutinous, toady. I like solemn, angular, creaky words, such as straitlaced, cantankerous, pecunious, valedictory. I like spurious, black-is-white words, such as mortician, liquidate, tonsorial, demi-monde. I like suave "V" words, such as Svengali, svelte, bravura, verve. I like crunchy, brittle, crackly words, such as splinter, grapple, jostle, crusty. I like sullen, crabbed, scowling words, such as skulk, glower, scabby, churl. I like Oh-Heavens, my-gracious, land's-sake words, such as tricksy, tucker, genteel, horrid. I like elegant, flowery words, such as estivate, peregrinate, elysium, halcyon. I like wormy, squirmy, mealy words, such as crawl, blubber, squeal, drip. I like sniggly, chuckling words, such as cowlick, gurgle, bubble and burp.

I like the word screenwriter better than copywriter, so I decided to quit my job in a New York advertising agency and try my luck in Hollywood, but before taking the plunge I went to Europe for a year of study, contemplation and horsing around. 

I have just returned and I still like words. 

May I have a few with you?

Robert Pirosh

385 Madison Avenue

Room 610

New York

Eldorado 5-6024

{found, image}

Inks underwater by Alberto Seveso

It's just ink in water. But these photographs clicked by Alberto Seveso are surreal and beautiful and telling me stories. Go see the others and tell me what you think.

{via & alberto's portfolio}

Up and away: The story of the flying house

In Pixar's animated film Up, 78-year old Carl ties balloons to his house to fly away and fulfill his long-cherished dream of travelling to South America, after his wife's death. Last March, National Geographic, tried to do this for real... make a flyaway house. And they surprisingly, succeeded! Hurrah!

{See more pictures here and the video here. It's magic. After all, normally movies and books are inspired by real life and not the other way around.}

PS: Wouldn't it be just so wonderful to just fly away - house and all?

Kanvas katha

i recently signed up at Bamarang.in and i am trying hard to not buy anything. Everything looks lovely and worth buying. But i have to stop being a pack rat / good-things-junkie so i am not going to give in to the temptation unless i really need it.

How cute are these laptop bags from Kanvas Katha? Bright colors, cool graphics and a price tag that does not scream extravagance... i am trying hard to not give in.

{Laptop bags are for Rs 499 and sling bags for Rs 249. Give in and buy them here. while you are there also check out the peacock and deer notebook set by Karuna. They'd make adorable gifts.}

Over 50 ways to tie a scarf

For the longest time, i had the toughest time wearing a scarf. I loved to wear them but i always thought i could never carry them off. Then i dont know what happened, but almost magically i got comfortable with wearing a scarf. And there's been no looking back!

Of course, i wear my scarf in one of these three basic styles usually:
one. thrown across the shoulder
two. wound around the neck and the ends in the front
three. in a slip knot

Do you like wearing a scarf? How do you wear it then?

{A scarf adds so much interest to an outfit And it would be useful to know more ways to tie a scarf. Find it here. Also find tutorials for tying a scarf by choosing the type of scarf you have - long, skinny, square, thick etc.}

Methiyadistop

On Sunday morning, I had gone to Habib's for a shampoo and saw a mention of Methiyadi Stop on an issue of Femina. I tried remembering the name, which was impossible, so i made a note on my phone. The same evening, I went to meet a dear friend who is unwell and guess what, she was the proud owner of not one but 2 pairs she had purchased from them.

Instantly, i knew you'd enjoy it too and had to share it with y'all!.

I have been wearing Methiyadi look-alikes since 6-7 years now. They are great for everyday wear, can take any amount of torture, be paired with everything, and are extremely comfortable.

The first time i picked up a pair for Rs. 99 or 199 at Big Bazaar, a really long time ago. They were red and black. My second pair, with a yellow sole and black everything else, i picked up from Goa for about 200 bucks. And my third pair, i will buy from methiyadistop.com. That is, when i finally decide which colors i want to make them in. Right now, i am having fun playing with the Mix My Methiyadi app!

{The name is impossible to remember. I typed it in three different versions on one post. That difficult, yes. So here's the link. Just follow it and make your life easy} 

PS: I try to keep my posts short, keeping in mind how time starved we all are, but sometimes i just can't seem to help myself. 

How was your weekend?

And what did you do? Me, i had a pretty busy one. Yamini and i gorged on the elaborate buffet at Viva, the coffee shop at Vivanta. Then we went to meet another friend of mine and visited 5 Army canteens because a friend of another friend wanted to buy fans from the canteen and we just couldn't find them till we reached the fifth one.

We I managed to pick up a crate of beer, for cheap, for our her efforts. Then the other A and i met our family to celebrate my grandma's birthday and had a fun time with the family playing antakshri and tombola. Sunday started late. After a shopping spree at Dockers, Westside and Shilparamam, i spent some time with Bagsi who is down with typhoid.

Phew! My weekends are never easy; i need the week to recover now. Hope yours was chilled out, and fun.

{sprawled out squirrel}

Review of: Kahaani

A rare occurrence!
On Friday night we went to watch Kahaani and we actually reached the theatre on time; before time actually! Before even the previous show on that screen had even finished.

Synopsis
Vidya Bachi (Vidya Balan) travels from London to Kolkata in search of her husband who had earlier travelled to Kolkata and had disappeared 2 weeks earlier. Add to that the fact that Vidya is visibly pregnant.

Acting
Vidya is a consummate actress, we already know. From her debut, Parineeta to The Dirty Picture, she has always wowed with her acting prowess. She skillfully manages to get into the skin of the character and once again, she doesn't disappoint. The rest of the cast is fabulous too and kudos to the casting director who did such a fantastic job of finding the right actors. (There is one sinister hitman in the movie in particular who i can't seem to shake off from my head. He looks like the man next door but his appearance on screen, every single time, made me shiver.)

My take.
Kahaani is a thriller from the word go. The script is tight and you are waiting for the next scene with bated breath wondering what's going to happen next. Kolkata, a glorious city, is portrayed in all its whimsical loveliness. Definitely, a must watch.

PS: A few of my friends felt that the climax was a little shoddy compared to the rest of the film, almost like someone else had directed it. It wasn't apparent to me, but a second viewing of it seems imminent so maybe then i will be able to comment on that.

Traveling solo

I read this post about travelling alone, post marriage + motherhood and i wanted to talk about it here, with you all as well.

You probably know by now, that I travel alone a lot of times. After all, i don't have a full time job and the other A cannot take off as often as i would like to plus i also enjoy these little holidays with my friends. I hook up with friends and we do small girls-only trips pretty often. The first time I travelled alone, I went to Bangkok, but i stayed with a friend so i don't think that really counts... but i did manage to step out on my own and explored the city, rather the malls, on my own self, so i guess that kind of counts. I have also travelled to Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Jaisalmer and Bikaner alone, switching planes, buses and trains with ease.

But a completely solo trip i have just done once. I did this one trip to Vizag where i went alone, stayed in a hotel and was completely alone all the time. It was exciting and scary both. I got stared at a lot by the locals and it was discomfiting. This was many years ago and things are a lot different now and hopefully i will be less discomfited and enjoy it more.

Do you travel alone or with friends, leaving your husband / children behind? Would you like to try it? Do share your stories, i'd love to hear.

{image}

Popsicle treat III

I found another recipe for ice pops for you. Have you tried making anything yet?

{Laura M for They draw and cook}
{More popsicles here and here}

Manou's Wearabout

Presenting the Indian Sartorialist... Wearabout (most people find comparisons odious but i hope Manou, the author of Wearabout, doesn't)

Manou is, in his own words, "a photographer documenting streets and fashion in India" and a mighty fine job he is doing of it.

I have been looking at a lot of fashion blogs lately and his stands out. He notices what most people don't and i am loving his blog right now. Like these polka dots, for instance. He sees it everywhere - in design shows, on the street, in shacks. Love it.

{Go see more polka dots and get inspired}

Happy Anniversary

My mother was 16 years old when she got married. My father was exactly a decade older. They have been married for 36 years now. And i forgot to wish them on their anniversary till ma reminded me today. Sorry ma. Happy Anniversary to both of you. Here's wishing you many many years of togetherness and love.

PS: Who do you think i look like - my mother or my father?

Maine dil se kaha

I have listened to this song three times already today. Have you heard it?

Paan Singh Tomar

We caught a late-night show of Paan Singh Tomar last night at a pretty lousy cinema close to home where they didn't switch on the AC, just the blower (made for a stale-stinky environment), the screen was too far and the audio crappy. Yet i enjoyed the movie which speaks volumes about Paan Singh Tomar.

Irrfan Khan plays the title role of a man employed in the army and an award-winning athlete whose circumstances force him to become a baaghi (rebel).

Irrfan's portrayal of PST is superb and he carries the film on his shoulders effortlessly. He is equally convincing as the sportsman as well as the dreaded baaghi. His deadpan humour and comic timing make for the much-needed light moments in the film.

Mahie Gill plays his wife brimming fire and brimstone, and manages to leave an impression even in a bit role.

The movie is directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia who has done a great job with the narrative, keeping your interested and entertained from the word go, yet keeping it real, in the way the movie looks and the characters look, dress and talk.

Go watch it. In a good cinema hall please. 

PS: I think Irrfan is smokin hot. I remember watching him in Rog in a cinema years ago and being completely mesmerized with his eyes. His eyes, they have a conversation with me. 

The popsicle story II

Read, make, enjoy. You might have to wait for the mangoes to make an appearance, or try a different fruit meanwhile. Happy popsicling.

{Karen A on They draw and cook.}


PS: Click on the image to see better.

Rang barse

The holi we played at home, always with family, was a rather messy affair. Holi for the family is about going insane with ghastly chemically charged 'pakka' colors, gorging on special holi food, drinking an unknown cocktail of alcohol and letting loose.

Even an hour spent scrubbing hardly made any difference to the ghastly pink hue that marred our bodies and it would take at least 3-4 days for the color to wear off from the skin. My hair would run pink color for at least a dozen washes. Fingernails and toenails would bear testimony, of the rambunctious holi we played, for several months. The last holi was even worse with watermelon, tomatoes and tomato ketchup adding to the slimy, crazy mess at my father's brothers home.

Despite all this nuttiness, i find Holi a beautiful and colorful festival where everyone is happy, and has a lot of fun and strangely i love it more than any of the other festivals we celebrate. This year, there are no holi celebrations and i am going to miss the madness.

How are you celebrating the festival of colors this year? Like me do you have fond memories of holi or do you lock yourself in and refuse to step out to play holi? (It can be a rather horrifying experience, i know!)

{photo via}

Do you want a boom case?

Suitcase + boombox = Boom Case

Boomcases are portable, have about 10 hours of battery life and can be recharged. All you need is digital music and an aux connector and you are all set.

Handy and rather cute! Now wouldn't you like to get your hands on one? Featured here is the Cookie Bumpster that looks pretty awesome.

{Available for $565 and upwards at the Boom Case Store it's not really cheap but it's something that's on my wishlist of things i'd like but would never buy or want anyone to gift me one.}

A white tomato, you say?

I have used red tomatoes and green (makes for excellant chutney). But apparently they are also available in purple, black and white.

Am i missing a colour that you have seen and i haven't heard of?

{pic from}

Flyte Digital Store from Flipkart

You can now buy that one specific track you like. I know you can do that on iTunes too but this is way cheaper plus you will find a larger collection of desi music.

For as low as 9 bucks for a song or a bit more if the song is very popular (like rupees 15 for Munni!).

{Head to Flyte on Flipkart to select  and buy the tracks you love. Finally, digital music is available for sale in Rupees... Yay!}

{photo from}

Ellen

This lady is so funny and witty and cool. Enjoy!

Power packed breakfast smoothie

Breakfast at home is different each day. I could of course eat bread everyday but the other A, he hates it. So we usually have either idli, dosa, upma, vada, pongal, pesarattu, poha or paratha, most of which require that we plan in advance and soak the lentils beforehand. And since it is summer, we have buttermilk every morning and it's the best part of the morning meal for me. Cold, light and refreshing.

I came across this banana and strawberry smoothie that i think would make for quick, nutritious breakfast for all you time-starved office-going people. I am going to get some strawberries and try this soon. We will of course have one of the usual suspects as well for breakfast but you can skip the entire rigmarole and just make yourself a smoothie.

{Here's where you can learn to add fruit goodness to kick-start your morning}

PS: I made some strawberry jam recently. It's quick and easy and yummy. 

Window seat love

A small space is converted into a cozy nook that can house books and maybe some odds and ends, a little greenery and of course, you. How perfect is a window seat that transforms a little space that no one uses, into a space everyone will fight for.

{found on Pinterest}

Style it short

Good morning! I have a pretty boring weekend with nothing lined up but i am hoping we will end up doing interesting stuff. What are you doing this weekend?

I love the layered short hair that Keira Knightley sported. Perfect for the sweltering summers and stylish too. You like?

{source}

More Uggie love

You know i fell in love with Uggie, the adorable dog from The Artist? Here i am, falling in love with him all over again. You will too, when you see this clip from The Ellen Degeneres Show. The best part is when he gets kissed and acts all coy, it made me laugh out loud. WATCH IT NOW :D

Sudhir who blogs about books and movies on mypai'sworth sent this early today. Ty S, for sharing this with me and totally making my day!! :D

Coral wedges

Coral is making it's presence felt everywhere and while i am not sure that i could carry off a coral top, these peep toe wedges with a little bit of coral would be perfect. Now i need to find something classy like this in Indian stores or jabong / junglee / fashion and you / zovi...

{Isn't this sweet?}

All i need to learn, i need to learn from my dog

The joy of being Happy Singh

Be curious. Be stupid. Be Happy. Have fun.

(The lines below i found on the internet but it's how Happy is and i'd like to be.)

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy ride. 

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Take naps and stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
Thrive on affection and let people touch you - enjoy back rubs and pats on your neck.
When you leave your yard, make it an adventure.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout - run right back and make friends.
Bond with your pack.
When you're excited, speak up.
When you're happy, dance around.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

The Other A's words of wisdom:
If there is a tree out there go make it your own. 

When you see a teddy bear don't leave it alone.
(Yes, TOA is funny. Cutely so.)

Learn to fly

Good morning! Remember the flying baby? There's more people flying for the camera these days...

I find this trend of floating / jumping / flying pictures quite intriguing. God alone knows what happened to the good old days when all you had to do was stand and say cheese :D

When i came across these photos i had to post them. Apparently, there was no trick (read: photoshop) involved in the clicking of these pictures and i am still trying to figure out how this girl manages to look like she is naturally effortlessly levitating.

{photos from yowayowa camera. if you want to learn more on how she does it, it's all here}

They draw and travel

Remember i shared an awesomely cool site called They Draw and Cook?   They have another site called They Draw and Travel. It's a beauty, go see.

{Featured here: Gokarna by Gayatri S for They Draw and Travel}



PS: Do you want to go to Gokarna too?

Would you wear coral?

Would you? Coral's hot this season and i am seeing it everywhere. I am not sure i could carry it of though.

{Pretty top from}

A little blue

I first rode a geared mobike when i was in fashion school. But that was for like 100 metres and guess that really doesn't count. I have tried to ride one once in a while when i could get my hands on one and the owner dint mind letting me try out (like 4-5 times in the interim decade or so).

Yesterday, i was hit by a bad case of the blues (the last week's kinda been like that). So i wanted to cheer me up some and a bike ride seemed like the perfect way to feel better. So i called my friend and asked if i could come over and borrow his bike for a spin.

The response was an aye so i drove over to his workplace and borrowed the bike. And took it for a spin. And everything was a little bit better. I wanted so much to go on the main roads but i was wary and think i need a few more practice sessions to be all set.

What do you do when you are down in the dumps to get out of it?

{I was too busy riding to take a picture but the bike looks like this.}
{Blue bottles and flowers}

PS: I am also seriously thinking of applying for a license for geared motor bikes now :D 

Popsicle treats

You don't have popsicle moulds? You can still make icy treats. But you will need disposable plastic / paper cups and popsicle sticks (that i need to go buy).

Make the popsicle mixture of your choice, pour into cups, pop in the stick and freeze. At least that's how i think it could be made. You could use juice, fruits, fruit + juice, lemonade + mint, cola, cola + jaljira.

{Find more popsicle inspiration on Pinterest. No i am not being lazy, there are so many inspiring pictures here that i thought i'd share it all with you. You will after all, need lots of cool stuff this summer to make it through.}


{Soothe your eyes with this wallpaper}

PS: The heat is killing me and i don't step out until about 5 in the evening. How are you handling it?