World's 3rd most beautiful hospital

The winter is here and with the dropping temperature starts the season of cough and cold. We have been visiting the hospital more than usual these days. I really don't know if I go there just to drool over the beautiful hospital or some other reason:)) But what ever the reason you guys are going to get a free tour of The Matilda International hospital which has been ranked world's 3rd most beautiful by HealthExecNews and Asia's most beautiful hospital as well!!!

The first time I went there was when we had just arrived to Hong Kong and had to take the baby for his vaccination. I really didn't know what to expect. It was such a pleasant surprise. 

This is what I saw when I entered the entrance door...

Welcoming feeling with splendid spread of floral pattern created with mosaic tiles ... I love the old world charm.. The original building which is still in use was built in 1907..

 I looked up .... traditional crown molding with lace like pattern..warm lightning of ceiling pendants..All the original work is so well maintained and very well blend into modern functionality.. 

The hallway with the gorgeous flooring, arches, bright and lively..warm and welcoming..Can you believe there is a operating theater in this hallway..

This is the entrance lounge..Looks more like a hotel , right? The center table has fresh flower arrangement.. The whole area is lit by warm lighting. Earthly tones on the wall and the furniture makes it so welcoming . I love the framed photographs on the side table which gives it a homely feeling..

Another corner around the way to the elevator..It is next to a neat aquarium with cute fish inside.. perfect for babies and kids to keep them occupied..

 The hospital has a amazing collection of paintings..All are so beautiful ..mostly of flowers, fall leaves and dandelions...the hallways are decked with huge paintings, collection of old photographs of Hong kong , old oriental style blue pottery vase..

Then there are stained glass paintings, green plants in blue pottery vase...But that's not all..The hospital's architecture and interiors is outstandingly beautiful but so is its location...It is located at " The peak" which is the pinnacle of Hong Kong Island which gives it stunning views...

The breathtaking views of blue mountains, blue sea and the blue sky..You can see breathtaking views of the South China Sea and the many islands in the sea from here!!

Red rose centerpieces

I bought a lot of flowers for Diwali.. I must say Hong Kong's flower market has some of the most beautful and exotic flowers in the world.  The red roses we bought were so beautiful, fresh and velvety like the ones we see on the greeting cards. I have been enjoying them over the weeks with different arrangements. 

Spiral arrangement with red rose as a centerpiece for corner table or center table. I did this by cutting the stems at different lengths and then arranging them in a narrow neck and tall vase. Arranged tea lights on crocheted doilies. 

In the evening I lit the tea lights and dimmed the lights for a romantic and festive feel. Ahem..Romantic sound like a silly word with a baby crawling behind me all the time:) Lucky for me he is not interested in candles etc..yet!!

In a few days time some of the roses became droopy.. It broke my heart as I had gone to the end of another island to get the roses( I live on Hong Kong island and the flower market is on Kowloon island) In my floral design class I had learned several ways to rescue a droopy flower. To use them in floral arrangement one way is to use a floral wire. I used another technique. I cut the stem close to the flower and then floated them in water in a copper urli in a  s- shape. 

Single rose arrangement with a single flower floating in a short vase with a wide mouth. I placed it over one of my canvas paintings from the Indian pattern series. I use some of them as coasters and they look pretty as a base. 

what do you do with the petals dropped from the roses. Just collect them and float them in water. Float a bigger sized flower - real or artificial in a flat bottom vase or vessel. I used a artificial lotus  and placed the dish on another of my canvas painting to create a festive backdrop.

Happy diwali

Wishing each one of you a very happy and prosperous Diwali. May this year bring you lots and lots of happiness in life and fulfill all your dreams.

Diwali- Do-it-yourselves project: gift tags

                I made some watercolors paintings for my family on card stock for the Diwali festival. 

I thought they will look good as gift tags or mini greeting cards. So today in the morning when the baby was sleeping I sat down and created a format( as seen above) to convert them into printable Diwali gift tags or mini greeting cards. 

All you have to do is to print it , cut , fold, write a message inside and give!!! A little Do-it- yourselves project for this Diwali!!!

Make it extra personal by writing a personal message/ greetings inside!!! You can choose a paper of your choice- handmade paper, card stock or photo paper. You can use this tag by punching a hole in the center and attaching a ribbon to it and tie it to the gift.

Or you can use a sticky tape on the back and attach it to your gift. 

You can also use it as a card and put it in an envelope and give/ send to your friend. Its your DIY and your creativity. Print as many as you want!!! 

You can get these digital file of the gift tags here!!!

Home sweet home..getting reading for diwali

Hello friends.. How are you? Have you started decorating the house for the festive season.. I have slowly started decorating..with a lot of caution as my 9 month old has started climbing and pulling things down..Lucky for me (for the decor sake) he is only interested in gadgets,cars, trucks and books.

So here is a corner in my living room which is the first to get decked up for Diwali..

 I believe that most of the things required to decorate the home for occasions and events are at home.. one just needs to find them and know how to use in the decorating or creating a pretty corner in the house..

Lamps, lanterns, earthen pots, hurricane lamps, tea light holders- bring all of them out!!!

Glass bottles , mason jars, old wine or drinking glasses.. its that time of the year to collect them!! urlis, Indian traditional style brass and earthen diyas , silver ware and brass ware all need to get polished..These all will be needed to light up and decorate the spaces in the house..

Have you guys started making the Diwali sweets yet..I better run as I have a long list of tasks to be done yet.. See you soon!!