Love, Life, Work.....

are the things that sometimes need a pause button...Not to stop forever.

But to begin something new...afresh all over again.

Here is to a Shubhaarambh!!

Antiques-All the way from Chettinad

After a much enthusiastic discussion in the Bangalore Craft Lovers group on FB, I had to post this...

For all the craft/art/antique/decor enthusiasts out there. These vessels and many more such authentic antiques(furnitures, mirrors,tables etc) are sold by a lady called Saradha. She hails from Chettinad and goes around collecting these things from various places in Tamilnadu. She doesn't have a store anywhere and the sale is only through such melas and fairs.

My clicks are from the Kalamadhyam Mela, held at ChitraKala Parishat-Bangalore.

Antique Ceramic ware

Flower Basket..love the miniature

Idli cooker

Worth their weight in...well Brass!!

Spice Dibbis

Look at those name inscriptions

If you look at the utensils and dabbas from our mom's and grandmom's collection, you will find names inscribed on them...very discreet, yet obvious. There were mainly 2 reasons for it-one is that this would help in dividing their stuff equally among their children. Yes...the inscription was done exactly when it was bought from the store or from the vendor who came home every month.

Secondly, when they sent the vessel/dibbi to their neighbour/friend with goodies in it, the inscription helps in discriminating their vessels from the others..thereby gently reminding the friend/neighbour to return it. Intelligent eh?

There were a lot more stuff at the stall..but I just managed to click the utensils and vessels. More captures next time.

Hotel De L'Orient - An Indo French boutique hotel

Whenever we are in Pondicherry, we love to stay at one of those cute, homely hotels or homestays that line the French streets.

During one of the recent trips, we discovered this little gem in the quaint white town area of Pondicherry town.

Hotel De L'Orient by Neemrana

Simple entrance

Wooden caretaker @the reception gave us a warm welcome!

Love love love this...Wooden box used for the mini kettle and other stuff.

Viewing the moon from the cute li'l balcony.

Room Decor. So cozy and warm.

The Neemrana Store

Lovely paper coasters

The romantic bath...I so loved the gradient effect on the walls.

Umbrellas!!!!

Neemrana refers to their properties as Non Hotel Hotels...which is true to the core.

This beautiful hotel was an 18th century colonial mansion in the French Town area of Pondicherry. 

Each room is named after former French colonies in British India - Calicut, Karaikal, Surate,Balassore, Kasim Bazaar, Mahe,Cannanore(The one featured here) etc.

Check out their other properties here - Neemrana

Each and every one looks so beautiful and tempting. I am eyeing these to name a few - The Bungalow on The Beach @ Tranquebar, The Pataudi Palace, Glass House on the Ganges and The Gate House.

Disclaimer  - The views expressed in the post are purely personal and is not sponsored or requested by the company/brand.

Handmade Collective -Stories of A Hundred Hands...

Winter is the time for colours, celebrations and shopping in India. With the Christmas and New Year holiday season approaching, Bangalore sees an array of small and big melas and bazaars where we Bangaloreans satisfy our shopping cravings.

A not so short stint away from this beautiful city, which had embraced me into its folds years back, had made me long and pine over the things I missed in the last 2 years. Wanna see how Bangalore welcomed me back?

This weekend saw me at one of the first events happening in the city and thereby marking the beginning of a shopping filled festive season.

Spread over 5 days(and also including a weekend), the organizers made it convenient for all those who wanted to visit.

Dastkar Nature Bazar Bangalore 2011

I wait for this, every year and was bang on time this time too :-))

Lets head towards Dastkar Nature Bazaar, 2011 shall we?

Organic Kala Cotton

Bells.....I just love their gong gong sound...

Colourful Ikat weave duppattas from Orissa

Recycled Tropicana Wallets by Green The Gap Collective

Haathi Chaap - Elephant Dung Products

The lovely Poopy goods :-))

Awesome Dokra jewelry

Dokra Elephants

Clay Elephants and ants,,,

and monkeys

Colourful Terracota musicians

Now, for some healthy goodness from Vaathsalya- Bangalore

And then the rain Gods visited

As I bid good bye to the Dastkar Nature Bazaar 2011 at Bangalore.

Chandni Chowk-The Charm of Old Dilli

I know I have been missing for quite a while now..A new project in hand and bouts of ill health in between has been playing games. 

Well...in between all that, I had managed a trip or two to the famous Old Dilli in search of the glitz and drama that has always been a part of "DILLI".

So, here is a small description of the Chandni Chowk expedition through pictures.

It was a foggy day..with drizzles in between

One of the many many traditional buildings in the main market

The famous Paranthe wali Galli

The menu, the billboard, the terms n conditions etc

The thali minus the paranthas :-)

We roamed around the Kinari Bazar and Dariba Kalan for more than 2 hours...but it was so crowded that I never took out my camera to click :-( But next time I promise....

And last, but not the least, the garam garam gajar ka halwa from Giani's. Yeah...that layer of dry fruits and nuts..Do you know what lies beneath? halwa...pure heaven!!