Your Weekly Dose Of Sunshine

A brisk walk in the evening

The moist cold breeze on my face

And the warmth from the day,

Like a warm hand on my back

A trip to the jungle

Winding roads in an open jeep

Stories, music & conversations

And bonfires under star studded skies

I take in a deep breath

Feel the sun, the wind and the rain in my lungs

Feels good to be alive

Feels good to be out of the cold

Time to thaw, my lovelies!

Winter will soon be over

A few weeks here and there

And it will be time to welcome the spring

Just some sunshine rooms to get you your dose of Vitamin D

Warmth and love

From me to you

[Images: Tumblr]

Them Blues

I have got the blues

The many shades of blue

The many moods of blue

From the faintest blue

To the deepest darkest hue

This post was blue

I need the sun

We need the sun

And warmth, that is true

This new year began a month too soon.

The End.

Your truly,

The mega furball

{I conveniently pass on the blame credit for the above inane ditty to my boy cat who is stuck to me like a giant fuzzy magnet these days, for where I go, the heater goes. Yes, I am cold. And blue. So my post will be abrupt and such. Send some warmth my way if you would like me to be my regular articulate & chirpy self. Thank you}

[All images: Pinterest. Extreme Poetry: An Indian Summer]

Another New Year

Where do you start?

How do you begin?

Afresh

In the wake of a new year

You begin with what is at the top of your mind. And there are two things at the top of my mind right now. The first one ~ heartfelt warmest wishes and hopes for all of you, my favorite people. May you have a year you cherish and remember fondly for many years to come! And second, Goa is on my mind! I will tell you why in the coming weeks, but for now, look at this little gem I found! Le Roi Arthur, a boutique and cafe in Verla Canca, Goa , has been conceptualized and is run by Chef Romain Auguy and Designers Melyssa Falque & Florence Dor. I was drawn to the lovely pictures of their quaint space and the eclectic collection of handmade bags, jewelry, accessories and home decor items they have curated. Le Roi Arthur has been duly bookmarked to my list of places to visit in Goa when I am in Goa next, which is going to happen very soon. I'll see you there :)

Sigh. Isn't it all so pretty?

Speaking of Goa, I need some help. So my dear readers, those of you who belong to Goa or are currently staying there, please drop me an email to say hello. I would love to hear from you!

[All images: Le Roi Arthur. Creative Storyboarding: An Indian Summer]

 

'Tis Season

My wish for you

For the coming year

And 'tis season

May you always have the warmth

Of fire

On cold nights and days

And the warmth of love and friendship

Each beautiful day

May you have maps on your mind

Wheels on your feet

May you travel the world

And

Have a cozy home to come back to

May you have your daily shot of mojo

Along with your cuppa of tea, coffee or chai

Something that wakes you

Something that invigorates you

To step out 

To face the world

To be happy

Each day

May you have pretty spaces to sit in

And lovely friends to sit with

For hours of soul stirring conversations

And innumerable bouts of laughter

May you not have one dull moment

 May your year be filled with

Adventure and spice

A year that's memorable

For many years to come

After many failed attempts at trying to dress up my boy cat as Santa

Here's the next best equivalent

Happy Holiday Folks!

I will see you next year!

May it be awesome

For You and for Me!

[Images: Tumblr. Happy Holidays Illustration: Yoko Tanji]

Delhi To Bombay

Hello and Hello! How is December treating you? Just a few weeks left for the year to end and I can't wait to get started with the next year! Many exciting things and moves and possibilities are lined up, with travel featuring prominently in all. Speaking of travel, you know that whenever I do not post for a week or so, that means that I am off wandering again. This time, I was in Bombay and I spent the last one week meeting up with old friends, fellow bloggers turned friends, work acquaintances turned friends, strangers turned friends, travel buddies turned friends - you get the gist. Extended chats over tea, lunches, dinners, walks by the sea and rapidly finishing wine bottles; we celebrated nostalgia, little successes, ideas, fun plans, gossip, bucket lists and a birthday. I never thought that I would miss a mad city like Bombay, but I so do right now!    

The other brilliant activity that I did was Heritage Walks in the city. Walking through interesting neighborhoods, listening to and chatting with erudite guides, photographing, soaking in - even if in tiny bits and pieces - the real Bombay. I had chanced upon Breakfree Journeys, an experiential travel outfit run by Rushikesh Kulkarni, and I am so glad that I found them! Rushikesh organized these heritage walks and I have come back very impressed by the quality of the experience and the brilliant people who guide the walks. To start a walk around an old Portuguese neighborhood with a quaint tea service laid out in the balcony of an old villa in the same neighborhood - I knew that I was in for a very interesting experience!  

And the 'design' and 'Oh-Look-So-Pretteh' highlight of the week was where I stayed. You remember my sharing Abode with you? That's exactly where I spent the last week and have come back completely enchanted and in love with this quirky, fabulous little boutique hotel! Located right at the heart of where the action is, I was at walking distance from many popular restaurants, new cafes, boutiques, museums, galleries, city landmarks, and the sea. And once back from the hustle and bustle of the city, Abode provided the perfect comfort to soothe the tired bones and the perfect prettiness to soothe the eye. Manned by an excellent staff, I felt totally at ease in a new city and was very well taken care of. Over a leisurely breakfast one morning, the owner of Abode told me about the design process they went through and how they sourced the interesting quirky decor elements. In Abode, I have happily found my home away home in Bombay and that's where you will find me each time that I travel to this city! 

As expected, I couldn't get enough of the prettiness and merrily clicked away whenever I got the chance to explore the lovely corridors, nooks and rooms of the hotel.

 

This superb vacation has started December on the right note for me. I like to consider the month of December as a holiday month, and I take the month to recoup from the year and plan for the next year. Which doesn't mean that I won't be here on the blog; just that the posts will be a bit sporadic and holiday-ey. Tell me how you plan to spend this month? And any big plans for the next year? I will be sharing mine very soon! :)

[All Images: Bhavna Bhatnagar | An Indian Summer]