An Indian Summer

Wednesday, April 20

Look!

What I found today

The work of photographer

Brie Williams

Mmmm. Delicious.

[All images copyright: Brie Williams]

Sunday, April 17

AWOL

Mr. Blog: Why haven't I been updated since a week? Why why?

Me: Umm...because I went on a vacation?

Mr. Blog: Whaat? And why wasn't I informed about it!?

Me: Umm...sorry?

Mr. Blog: mutter mutter splutter splutter..

Last week, we went on a trip to Mashobra, a lovely hamlet in the hill state of Himachal Pradesh. I can gush about the majestic views, our cosy cottage, the salubrious weather, the sparkling conversations...or I can let these pictures speak for themselves...

We stayed at a lovely cottage called Inayat, managed by the warmest of hosts.

Made a few furry friends too..

Views during our walks

Spring blossoms in Inayat's private garden

Mr. Blog: And to think that you didn't take me along!

Me: Umm...I tried, but well, there was the laptop and then there were the mountains.

Mr Blog: Oh well, alright! My dear readers...let's indulge her today and I'll get her back on track in a couple of days. You have a great rest of the day, folks!

[All pics: Me and my Nikon]

Wednesday, April 6

Valérie Barkowski

It was a fine spring afternoon, when Valérie wrote to me. By the time I was done ooh aahing through her brilliantly creative projects, it was evening. In this post, I can showcase but a glimpse of this talented wearer of many hats - just a couple of the many projects that she has conceptualized and run successfully over the last decade or so.

Valérie, when not living out of her suitcase, is based in Marrakesh. Her work consists of art direction, concepts, consulting, design and sourcing in the fields of home textiles, hotels, retail, interiors and fashion. Besides this, Valérie is an art lover, and has worked as an art dealer in Moscow. She also started a lifestyle brand Mia Zia to fund the foundation she used to run for artists retreat in Marrakesh.

Dar Kawa: A 17th century ryad, Valerie renovated recently

In the ryad, Valérie used furnishing from Bandit Queen, a luxury home linen brand, she conceptualized and developed from scratch, working with Sunita Namjoshi (of Yamini fame) in Mumbai.

Her latest venture - SoKistan, the land of socks!

Psst: If you ever wanted to see an embroidered ambassador(!), please, click right here. Yes, one more quirky project!

And, here's what Valérie says about her love affair with India:

"I started to work in Jaïpur 9 years ago since I wanted to explore techniques and Indian traditions - work that was not available in Morocco. That is how I started to work on block printing, rugs, hand made paper, recycling. In India there are so many handcraft traditions, that I fear my life will be too short to explore all of them....

Beside the working aspect, what I really appreciate in India are it's people. I love their spirit, their mind, their lifestyle. I like the feeling of being in this emerging country and even if I know I will not be able to explore all the paths, I want to be there! I love the idea that I still have so much to see and to learn."