New Look and on Facebook Now!

In a burst of creative energy today,

I re-designed Mr. Blog's banner. And then I re-designed the navigation menu.

And changed some fonts. 

And updated the profile.

And created a Facebook page for An Indian Summer!

Oooh, Somebody stop me!

While I perform the above necessary act of stopping myself

Please log onto Facebook and 'Like' An Indian Summer's Facebook page to join. I plan to use the page to connect with You, my fab readers and friends.

In the coming days, I'll share much more of what inspires me on the page. And share pictures from my home's recent re-do. Also my attempts at DIY. And have interesting conversations and discussions over morning cuppa of jasmine tea, and the evening glass of wine.

Oh, and yes, I will moderate the page. All spammers, random links to applications, ads etc shall be brutally deleted.

See you there then! And, I'll be back here on Monday with a slew of delicious posts.

So long, farewell
Auf wiedersehen, goodnight!

P.S: Ha ha ha (evil laughter!) I bet, you are now humming this song and can't get it out of your head!

P.P.S: Folks who are connected to An Indian Summer via Networked blogs on facebook - Please connect to this new page. Thanks! See ya here

P.P.P.S: And as you hum, please to drop me a note to tell me how you like the new banner. Much thanks.

Bonjour!

Comment avez-vous été?

As you can see, I still have Paris on my mind! Many thanks to all those incredible readers who sent in suggestions...I was happily ticking off your recommendations checklist as I went from city to city. I am now back from a brilliant vacation and have dived headlong into home renovations. No better antidote to a vacation's hangover than having a home full of super enthusiastic workers and a wall full of paint samples!  

Now excusez moi, while I go and round up the enthu patakas (literal translation: enthusiastic firecrackers) and stop them from painting over my light fixtures (true story!). Here are some goodies from Espacio Living for your kind perusal in the meantime...

Au revoir!

(Oh and, I am slowly getting to your emails. My work inbox has taken priority over my blog inbox; so if you wrote to me, you shall hear back...just a tad bit late though) 

Namastey London

Just thought I will drop in

And say hello!

I am enjoying a lovely bright morning in London

And reading all the recommendations you have sent me

While the husband kickstarts the vacation by going for his third round of beauty sleep!

Leaving you with some beautiful images by Tobias Harvey

Hmm...am I missing India already? ;-)

You have a lovely weekend

And thanks for your suggestions and the many emails you have sent me

Have I told you lately,

That you are awesome!

Tell me, tell me quick!

I am off to our much awaited vacation this week...

...And I need your help!

I would love to get any tips from you on

What to do and what to visit, 

Little known places,

Your personal favorites,
Quirky shops and flea markets to haunt,

'Don't-dare-miss-this' experiences,

In

Amsterdam, Brussels, Bruges, Paris and London

And, 

What would you say..

If I have a day to spare

Should I (as in we) do

Antwerp or Luxembourg?

Please drop in a comment or send me an email

With your recommendations

And I'll send you all my love

Everyday in a letter

Sealed with a kiss

[Umm, well not exactly everyday, and that kiss just might be a bit too much

... but you get the idea, right?]

Signing off

In eager anticipation

Of the tips you will send me!

Will see ya on and off during the next few weeks

Take care you!

[Image Sources (clockwork): Judith, Rita, Risa, Elgarbo, Ktwigs] 

And we have a winner!

Remember the giveaway from the fab store Pergolina? Bianca and I had asked you to describe your best 'Indian summer' on Pergolina's blog....and what beautiful stories you shared with us! I felt myself being transported to the vivid summers you had described. Thank you for participating and sharing ~ Arline, GC, Elly Vortex, Eve's Lungs, KK, Sudha, Megha, Gagan, Sreelu, Me, Sharon, Ineke, Kriti, Paul, Megaspice, Bhuvana and Chryselle! You girls rock!

And, 

The winner of the contest and soon-to-be-owner of the lovely scarf is Parul! 

Congratulations Parul! 

Waiting to see a pic of you in the new scarf!


Read all about some of the best Indian Summers here...
 

Indian Haveli...

... in Tanzania

Evocative of the rich influence

Of travelers and traders from India, Arabia, Persia, Portugal 

And many more such wanderers

This is

236 Hurumzi

[All Images: 236 Hurumzi]

Post cards from Kenya

A chance encounter with Marie and Paul Pelle's Siani Plantation Estate in a travel magazine led me to these gorgeous properties in Lamu, Kenya. Lamu, an archipelago, has a  distinctive Swahili culture, the result of an intermingling over the centuries of many different influences – African, Arabian, Indian, Persian and European to name but a few – brought to Lamu by merchants, travellers, colonisers and conquerors. These influences show themselves to this day in Lamu’s religious and social traditions, architecture, furniture, cookery and many other aspects of daily life. 

Apart from these distinctive influence,  for me, these beautifully restored homes are yet another testimony to the magic created by simple, hand restored interiors...  

Niches or Aala's...a mughal/persian legacy

Window to the world..

Love the bedsteads and the floor..

Do read more on traditional Swahili architecture and the restoration process

Of kittens and roofs..

[All images Lamu Island Properties. Creative mosaic by moi]