women's day decoration with white flowers

If you want to make your home more lively and cheerful, fresh flowers are the easiest way to do so. 

Although I prefer colorful flowers, this time I tried something different. This all-white flower arrangement has such a peaceful, calming, and serene feeling to it. 

 Happy International women's day!!

Creative Weekend in Dubai

Hello beautiful people!! Hope you all are enjoying your weekend!!! Weekend in Dubai is Friday and Saturday. So ours have ended ( sad !) Never in my life I dreaded Sunday but now it is like Monday. Still getting used to this concept , I end up calling Sunday as Monday almost always. 

I shouldn't be complaining though since this weekend turned out to be quite productive and very amusing !! We went to the beach late afternoon to enjoy the sunset. The temperature is rising again so beach picnics in day time are not possible. While coming back to Business Bay we saw a muster of peacocks along the road. It is not uncommon to see them wandering on this road. From little I know , these peacock belong to the King and they have their home somewhere hidden in the green patch. It was the first time we saw so many all together. There were 8-10 peacocks, peahens and cute little pea chicks walking along the road. They are not shy - not a bit. A peacock waited for us and posed. 

I finished making my Akash kandil - traditional paper lantern. Its not easy to make especially if you have a curious toddler jumping around, sitting on your lap wanting to touch and "help". The structure is difficult/ tricky to make. It is made with dowels tied together in squares and traingles. They need to be in exact same shape and size from all sides to keep it intact. I want to make one more. If I do I will definitely do a tutorial.

Sunny boy and I made tealight holders/ glass lanterns from recycled bottles. He painted and decorated them with glitter and sequins. Look at his hands full of golden glitter . He sat there admiring his hands and sprinkling them around. A tutorial and table decor with these is coming up soon! 

Made 50 or so Terrecotta diyas. I moulded them with hand and then baked them for 30 minutes. I intend to paint them soon. My plan is to make 100 diya for this Diwali to decorate the outdoors. 

Diwali bunting is ready and hanging. I have shared the free pattern and tutorial in the last blog post. If you like it download and print it. 

Do share what you did this weekend!!!

Floral arrangement for summer

It is getting nice and warm day by day. The sun roof in the dining room brings bright sun shine all day long. Makes the room so lively. The desire to decorate and make the dining table increases by all the sun shine. So now the dining table does not have the 'ready to eat' look but ' ready to party'  look. What better way to add colors to any room other than flowers. For the love for floral arrangements I did a certificate course in floral design. Although I admit that most of my designs come up impromptu without much attention to the traditional setups. Here is what I did recently. 

Curled up the leaves on the sides all around. Blues, purples and pink with hints of white giving it a wavy symmetry with few leaves springing out to add a little drama.  

Some more pictures. Wooden jars giving them company. 

A glimpse of my living room in the background. 

Have a lovely weekend!!

Joining party @ BNOP!!

In my son's library: The way back home by Oliver Jeffers

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My son is 26 months old and loves books(touch wood!!) The way back home is the first book of author Oliver Jeffers I have bought for him. This book is perfect for toddlers. Introduces to the world of mystery, aliens and adventure. It is a interesting tale of a little boy who finds a airplane in his cupboard. He gets stuck on the moon and meets a alien. They become friends and help each other to get back home.  It is good for introducing to the elements of universe- dark space, stars, planets, moon. It is perfect for toddlers.

What I like about this book : 

Imagination : I think toddlers world should be like this full of imagination, without the logic of real life, thinking and dreaming about the (im)possible.

Emotions: I like that the book explores many emotions like being alone, afraid, friendship, helping each other,being tired and distracted,parting with a friend and worrying if they  would see each other.

Beautiful illustrations and text: Story is told in simple watercolor illustrations and short sentences. I think toddlers lose interest if the text is too much. Also this way I can tell him more from the pictures and ask what and why questions well. It also is a good book to start reading on own for kids.Since the text is short it gives me a chance to tell / explain the story/ pictures. 

Board book: As  I said this book is perfect for 2 year olds especially in their early 2s like my son. 

What my son learns from this: 

- about planets and moon

- aliens and humans 

- airplane and UFO

- helps develop  imagination

- emotions

Questions I ask my child while/ after reading the book:

- which planet do we/ aliens live on?

- what color is planet earth and mars?

- what is the boy/ alien doing( in the picture) and why?

Which planet you like? ( its always Mars:))

- Imagine finding a airplane/ going to the moon/meeting a alien

Last but not the least, all children are different and that's the beauty of life. The views and opinions in this book review are based on my experience with my son. 

Spring Hibiscus centerpiece

Styling a centerpiece for a table gets so much easier and lovable when you have fresh cut flowers from your garden, isn't it? Having blooms to my plants makes me happy because that means they are happy.. I am taking good care of them.. Doing something right !! I am sure you would agree with me more if you are as emotional as me:)

Hibiscus is found in variety of colors - I have 3 plants- orange, red and pink. When we have sunshine and fresh blooms from our garden I believe there is no need to over decorate them. With hibiscus you have to enjoy them when are in full bloom since they stay open only for a day in a vase and 2 days on the plant. 
 Just putting them in a pretty vase or jar will add loads of  beauty. Just let the flowers talk. 

I used a small silver jar. It's main purpose of for sugar cubes, mouth fresheners like peppermint or other Indian ones , candies or dry foods. A Ikea candle holder plate and 

some of my wooden blocks. The bird is ceramic and looks very much real. I choose a ivory table runner. All of these things are from different countries where we lived before and have lovely memories attached to it. I don't know if it is the attached memories or just the flowers  that makes it special to me. 

Lets have a tea party- Vivel Patissarie,Dubai

I am a kind of a person who loves good food and is passionate about design. So when these two come together I just want to scream and shout about it! 

Vivel Patisserie in Dubai Mall is one of them. It is known for its exquisite Iranian sweets, dates chocolate and gourmet teas. Their window display is a visual treat.

Macaroons, Iranian sweets,  chocolates , dry fruits, candied dry fruits and many other delicious looking sweets arranged in towers, glass tier arrangements, in pretty jars and glass pedestal bowls. They have themed displays as per the season. This is for the spring season.

The artistic display continues inside inside as well. There are lots to see before you even think of eating the sweets:)  The gorgeous details include beautiful chandelier, the intricate gold patterns on black wall paper, wooden shelves with amazing selection of gourmet teas, various types of tea pots and colorful packaging boxes.

What I loved most is this big beautiful Arabic painting on the wall near the cozy little seating area. It immediately creates a mood - relaxing, regal, happiness and style. A tea party with dance and music, tea and sweets in Arabic setting. 

            The pastries collection includes over 200 pastries with exotic and unique flavors and shaped by hand. They have around 40 varieties of tea. Most of them are perfumed with fruits, flowers or spices. 

Facebook: Vivel Patissarie

This restaurant review is not sponsored and all the views/ opinions are mine.  

Images: 1,2,3 Vivel Facebok, 4 taken by me.(

Table vignette at home

Currently I am drawn ( read: obsessed) by lanterns. I have collected some 4 lanterns by now. It seems that I cannot get enough of Arabic and Moroccan lanterns now a days:)   This one is currently been displayed as a part of my table vignette in the living room. It looked kind of lonely, bare alone so I added some other things I am fetish about. 

Wooden block-printing blocks, antic wooden moon cake mould, a round  hand painted & enameled trinkets box. Most of them bought from Hong Kong when we lived there. The wooden placemat is from Malaysia.  

The moon cake mould is antic- some 80 years old. It has engraving of a wedding couple. It is said to be uncommon if not rare now a days. All things in my house have wonderful memories attached to it. I think that's the way it should be. So do collect unique items instead of the common souvenirs when you visit places. You might have to go a little out of the way for these but nothing impossible. Do research or ask a  local friend. 

Joining the party at BNOP

All images taken by me@home. 

Floral arrangement with Bohemian touch

Like always some flowers last longer than others even if they belonged to the same bouquet. The flowers in the fire engine themed centerpieces  I had created ( see here) didn't last longer. I created a smaller arrangement with the ones which had survived. 

The jars around it are from Jordan. Made from wood and hand painted. Nicely complement the arrangement making it look electric vibrant colored  Bohomian. 

Images taken by me@ my home. Subject to copyright. 

Spring in my room!!

Spring is here..in my house near by bedside!! 

The tulip and hyacinth bulbs I had planted have bloomed.. Seeing them grow out slowly and bloom was the real fun part. I could see every day how much they have grown .. Now I am enjoying them .. 

Hope they will last long..both spring and my flowers!!! 

Enjoy the beautiful spring!!

And happy Holi to all those who are celebrating!

Images taken by me @ my home. Subject to copyright.

A day at the park

We are trying to make most of the last days of winter. In this part of the world the winter is the best season and the summer is horrible like living in a hot oven. So everyday I take my little one to play on lush green grass in parks and playgrounds. Some times I take him to Safa park in Dubai.

It is a beautiful big park with ponds,lakes, green hills, water features like waterfall and fountains. 

Play area for kids with ferry wheel, slides etc. There is boating allowed as well in the lakes.  It is incredible how well maintained the park is in middle of the dessert. While Daddy( DH) goes to Office, mommy( me) and my toddler take the mat, toys and lay there under a tree near the water for hours. I watch the birds and listen to the calming sound of falling water while my son plays around chasing the birds and pushing his pram/ cycle down/ up the hill.

The real fun for my 2 year old is watch the ducks march and feed them. we also see lots of different species of birds.. colorful, big and small, solitary or in groups. 

The park also provides some stunning views of the Dubai Skyline. ( burj Kalifa - the tallest building in world on left most and the tallest hotel in world on right) 

On week days the park is bit quiet. On weekends this park has a market for organic and home grown for fruits and vegetables . This place is full packed on weekends with picnickers. 

If you are in Dubai you should definitely visit this beautiful park. 

Images taken by me @ Safa Park, Dubai. Subject to copyright. Please donot use them especially of my son without permission. 

Sunny winter days

Hi friends!! Hope you all are enjoying the chilly winter. In winter we seem to appreciate and enjoy the sunny days more than ever. Everything seems to so beautiful when the sun shows up after couple of gloomy cloudy days. The plants and flowers outside in my garden and inside seem to be enjoying it as well. Their colors seem to be brighter and more cheerful as well.

My star lilies are in full bloom now. Although I find the smell of lilies annoying but they make me happy. 

Images taken@ home by me.

Weekend greens

Looking forward to a lazy weekend - A much needed break from the everyday whirlwind like activities and multitasking- a break to relax and enjoy the simple things in life!! 

  What are your plans for the weekend? Wish you all a very relaxing and happy weekend!! 

All photos taken by me @my home and subject to copyright!

Pen stand makeover

I have collected a lot of pens over the years..oddly enough is the fact that they have lasted for years and several of our moves!! Ironically shows how little we use the pens for writing since computer and phones do most of their work for us..  

So in our house pens were mostly for display !! So I thought why not add a little charm to them!!!

I believe adding a little charm / beauty to neglected items in the house makes them more desirable for use .. And indeed it's being successful. So here's what I did the trick ..

I included them as a part of the decor placing them in the front line instead of hiding them as some ugly messy item. 

I had painted a ceramic milk pot some years ago with paisleys. Kept all the eye sour, ordinary pens in it . Then I placed two pencils with heads/ covers made of two beautifully detailed traditionally dressed festive Indian couple .. Instant makeover!! 

Downstairs in the living room I kept the pens in a flower pot holder along with a Satay fan and another pair pencils with covers made of the Indian dancing couple!!

Since this makeover of the pen stand I must admit we both have been using the pens more than often..

Do you have any neglected items in your house .. Bring them out .. Decorate/ rearrange / prettify them and see how you will be naturally drawn to them!!

Joining party @Metamorphosis Monday!!

Images taken by me@home and subject to copyright ! 

If table vignettes could talk..

Sharing with you some table vignettes I saw at a hotel in Dubai..I loved them and thought you would them as well.. So here I am sharing these with you all!!!

Here's what I love about the arrangement ...I love the mix of cultures..Arabic lantern, Christmas ornaments, Chinese orchids and Indian roses all popping out of a treasure box!!! Well honestly I feel that's what Dubai is ..a melting pot of different cultures!!! 

A centerpiece or a vignette or a table arrangement can express so much, isn't it? Tell you so much about the person who created it (or like in this case for whom it was created)..So much about the person's likes/dislikes, mindset, personality and priorities... I believe most people are honest when it comes to decorating their house even the ones who have barely decorated their pads..Tells if the person is lazy, artistic, style queen, over enthusiast decorator or a hypocrite; 

I have been to so many people's home and without even discussing about anything personal just by looking at the photos, book collection, vignettes I knew so much about that person.. Have you felt like that before when you visited someone? What do your table vignettes speak of ?!!

Images taken by me @Atlantis ,The Palm,Dubai and subject to copyright!!

Oriental table decoration

I found some beautiful purple orchids in the market... Orchids are commonly used in  oriental decor...So I thought of doing a centerpiece with it.. A simple table arrangement with a oriental touch.. 

I used a over sized turquoise lantern which resembles a bird cage to be the main object of attraction..arranged a orchid branch over it and a candle and a lotus around ..The table runner I used is golden with red border on both ends ...

A couple of things that go well with Chinese themed centerpieces or decorations are orchids, cherry blossoms, bird cages, oriental styled lanterns, lotus , Chinese fans.. 

There should be a touch of gold and red in the arrangement as golden color is signifies happiness and red signifies good luck and these both colors are considered important and auspicious in Chinese culture..

Now if you are wondering how to keep the flowers alive for a long time in such a arrangement .. Here is a trick of the trade.. You need a small tube like a test tube which can hold water in it.. You can find such test tube in a florist shop in either glass and plastic.. The one I used is a plastic ones with a cover .. Just fill water in it and your flowers are safe..

If you don't find a tube like it you can always do a DIY by using a tiny plastic bag..fill it with water and tie it securely to the end of the branch. 

All images : @ my home and subject to copyright!

Joining the party @Colorsdekor , @Tablescape!!

The art of Moroccan hand hammered trays

 Dear readers anyone who has read my current posts and seen my pins on my pinerest , can tell that my current fetish is everything Moroccan. So you can imagine how elated I was when I found this beautiful hand hammered tray in the local market.. This vintage Moroccan metal tray is hand-tooled and hand-hammered with ornate design!!!! Not just that it is beautiful and made in Morocco but what excites me is the process of the art of hand hammering metal..

The art of hand hammered metal is an ancient one which transforms metal sheets into unique pieces with fabulous texture.The leather covered metal hammer is used to hit the metal sheet mainly copper or aluminium making a rhythmic sound..It is said that thickness of  the metal shows the artistic skill of the craftsmen..

The process of making a hand hammered piece involves first getting the shape..then welding the parts together and then heating them in a furnace.. giving it a acid wash to remove the marks of welding and then in the end the items are hand hammered with small indentations..unique patterns are created as per designs or skill of the craftsman..Traditionally the entire process of shaping and beating of the metal was done by hand which took several days to weeks to finish one utensil.  Now a days  some initial processes are standardized and mechanized..

This art of fine hammering of copper is also seen in India.. The copper work by Indian copper smith is an amazing art which is dying slowly due to modernization.. 

Images: @ my home and subject to copyright!