Cochin. Sigh.

You know that when I haven't posted in a bit, it means one of two things. Or one of three things actually. But for now, let's just go with two. One, I am neck deep in work and the other shiny things and twinkling peeps that keep me on my toes. Two, that I am traveling. These last two weeks, it has been both. The first bit - the work and the twinkling peeps bit - was good, but the excellent bit was the travel! A friend and I hopped onto a flight (ok boarded a flight to be less hop-py) and went to one of my quickly-becoming-favorite cities - Cochin. We had a brilliant brilliant time and I am back with happy photos and a desire to go back as soon as that first bit, that bit that I mentioned above, allows me to :)

And you do know what I do when I am a chirpy bird back from a lovely trip, right? I share my favorite pictures with my favorite people - You! A bunch of you (my aforementioned favorite people) have sent me emails and messages - just a quick note to tell you that I am gradually getting over my Cochin hangover and getting back to those shiny emails. Within a day or two you will hear back from me :)

 

 

 

Oh, did I mention that I went to Cochin for the Kochi Muziris Biennale? And the day we landed, the entire country went on a strike? And almost all galleries and venues that were holding the festival had to be closed? Well yes, that's what happened. But I was just so happy to be in Kochi, that we made the best use of the time we had there. The Biennale? Am already booking my tickets for the next one :)

 

 

Kochi Tips: We stayed at the lovely Old Harbour Hotel - will go back there happily any day! We lunched and dined at three other fabulous places - Eight Bastion, Malabar House and Brunton Boatyard. All three places have been done up beautifully and I highly recommend them for a stay or a meal. 

I hope you, my favorite people, have been happy and chirpy. I shall be back tomorrow, and day after, and then on days that follow, with many pretteh posts and some luscious giveaways. Keep reading, An Indian Summer! 

[All pics: Taken by me. Kindly credit and link back to this post if you share. Many thanks!] 

Best Friends

Is what you can call these room pairs

They are alike

But not exactly the same

They enjoy similar aesthetics

But have their idiosyncrasies

They complement each other

Yet have a distinct personality

Yes, 

Best friends they would be

If they were people :)

Warm and cozy, is what these rooms are. Comfortable, lived in, soft pillows and cushions; they invite you in with open arms.

Pink and Mauve. A hint of femininity. The idea of animated conversations over endless cups of tea and coffee. Shared laughter and secrets.

Rugged, sturdy and comfortable. These rooms mean business, have no extra frills, and they know that they look good!

Ah! A sense of repose and calm emanates from this pair. A night of deep sleep or a leisurely siesta during the day. Put-your-feet-up kind of rooms.

Quirkiness, the need to do-and-redo-your-own thing and experimentation is what inspired these rooms to be best friends

Elegant style and laid back luxury brings these two spaces together. The calm of indoors and the lightness of being outdoors complements each other

 

Hope you liked these best friend pairs

And, if you did

Just make sure you take the time out to say a big hello! to your best friend today :) 

[Images from Espacio Vital]

 

 

P.S: The Aalamwaar giveaway winner has been announced! Click right here and scroll to the bottom of comments section to know if it's you!

 

 

Aalamwaar and a GiveAway!

I heard from Jenny of Aalamwaar Textiles some time back, one of my favorite go to places for block print and kalamkari furnishings on the world wide web. Aalamwaar textiles has been conceptualized and is run by Viji Reddy, an award winning multi-media artist who is a painter, a ceramist and also a textile designer. Viji works with artisans in India to design and create exquisite products for contemporary living. I love their range of block prints, and their hand painted kalamkari fabrics are really like works of art. Take a look at the range right here...

If you liked what you saw, you would absolutely love what is coming next! Aalamwaar and An Indian Summer would like to welcome all you fabulous readers into 2013 by sponsoring and hosting a lovely giveaway! You get a chance to win this exquisite 20 by 20 silk pillow that has been hand painted using natural dyes. Yaay! 

This gorgeous pillow has been named Rainbow Fish :)

To enter the giveaway, here's what you need to do:

1. Leave a comment on facebook right here! Just make sure that your comment includes these two words: Rainbow and Fish :) Leave a poem, leave a limerick, leave a haiku, a little note - anything that comes to your mind, with Rainbow and Fish in it!

(make sure you are logged into facebook to do so)

2. To double your chances just leave a comment on this post too

3. That's it! Wait for result to be announced on 1st of February.

See ya next week folks! Make sure to leave that comment!

[All images: Aalamwaar]

  

Just in case you forgot

 It's 2013 folks!

Just how have you been, my dearest lovely readers?

I missed you

 And then I missed you some more

 So I ordered my mojo to stop gallivanting and report to me pronto

And the moment it did..

I sprinted, zipped, galloped

Back to you! 

I am back, my fabulous readers

Hope the year has kicked off well for you

I'll be seeing you

Frequently, regularly, often, and every other day! :)

Do drop in to say hello!

 

[Images from: Here and There]

   

Happy Holidays!

Hello my dear dear friends! I am sorry, I have been missing the past few weeks - family, friends and travel had taken over and I happily gave in. Also, in the last couple of weeks, tragic world and local events left me disturbed, and frankly, too angry to blog. I try not to vent on this blog, but such senseless acts of violence, such inhuman behavior - makes it very difficult to remain aloof and not get impacted. I just hope the coming new year sees more sense and humane order, and people understanding and internalizing the very basics of right vs. wrong.. 

Well,

I had to drop in before I sign off for the year. I have been missing you too, you guys! Personally, this year, has been a lovely year, and I look back fondly at all the travel I did, the fabulously creative people I met and the incredible friends I made. The last images on this blog for this year had to be my favorite images from two of my trips this year - the trip to Ladakh and the vacation to Kerala. I am again off to a tiny Himalayan village tomorrow, and shall duly report back with another set of visual travel memoirs :)

As I sign off for this year

Wish you, my fabulous readers, a wonderful wonderful holiday season

Here's hoping that the new year is 

Peaceful, progressive and happy for all of us!

See you in Jan 2013, folks

Be good :)

[Images: Taken by me]

     

For the love of God!

For God is in the details

It's the little things that have caught my eye today

Not the room

Not the ambiance

But the styling

This painting here

That arrangement there

This decor piece

Those flowers 

Hope these tidbits inspire you

As much as they inspired me :)

 

[All images from the fabulous Lonny]