purplehomes

Till we meet again.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 07:28:00 +0000

I know I have been missing from here for way too long. Yes, the last post was in March this year and I owe you an explanation and I have some something to share.

It was November 2007 when I started writing here and decided to call it purplehomes for the simple reason that purple happens to be my favourite colour and doing up my home was and still is an obsession. What started as a little scrapbook of sorts soon became a place to meet all of you equally design and décor crazy lovely people, a place to share, learn and inspire and a place I began to “show up for work” everyday. This month I complete seven beautiful years of doing that.

Happy seventh purplehomes! Seven years of sharing the celebrations in my life, the DIYs that I attempted, my other love studio pottery and more. If someone had asked me back then in 2007 if I would be doing this for seven years I would have said no ways. I didn’t even stick to a job this long in my past life :)

Along the way many wonderful opportunities came up… working for a cause, starting artprints by purplehomes, writing for magazines and beingwritten about , being declared the BestBlog by BBC GoodHomes and so much more.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Now for the explanation bit; like with everything in life with time new things take shape and for me it began with my sister conning me into going for MasterChef India three years back which was followed by the birth of my second blog, Orange Kitchens, writing for foodmagazines, conducting food workshops and demonstrations and very recently becoming the Food Revolution Ambassador for Dubai.

Managing two blogs along with all the other wonderful work and opportunities that began to pour in got a little difficult. If I was active on one blog the other would suffer which is exactly what happened here.

So (insert deep breath) for the moment I have decided to go for a long break here at purplehomes and focus entirely on the food love in my life. The next one year is looking promising with a couple of professional and personal goals, all revolving around food and children and I want to give it my hundred percent. I am really really hoping all of you who have given me so much love in the past seven years will be there cheering for me, supporting me and showing up to say hello :)

Till I decide to come back, please savour the old posts on the blog, see what I've been cooking, join me in my quest for food education, say hi to me (I am on facebook, Instagram , twitter and pinterest) and keep being the awesome awesome people you always have been.

Till we meet again, a little recap of all these beautiful years.

You were there through my numerous color crushes

My totally mad fetish times

You enjoyed the Go Green series

With you I met some insanely creative design bloggers

And most importantly you were a part of my happy times and not so happy times. Be it Sara's first birthday, our anniversaries, celebrating festivals, going with me to handicraft fairs, seeing my get potty about pots, appreciating my work, encouraging me when I made my Because it makes me happy list, and so much more.

A BIG Hug to all you lovely readers.

Leaving with you some decor mantras I try to live by.

Images : Original posts have all the credits mentioned

Happy Happy Holi

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 07:10:00 +0000

A very Happy Holi to you and yours.

Image : here

Beds for little girls.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 09 Mar 2014 13:26:00 +0000

We have been thinking of getting a new bed for Sara. She is still using the cot-bed we got her when she was born. It is essentially a cot that is a wider and longer than a normal cot and can be turned into a bed once the child outgrows the cot. The railings come off and the height can be decreased to make it into a low level bed. One can easily use it for five years or even more. And now I think is the time to get her first proper bed (I turned the cot railings into an art gallery. Read all about it here).

These are some that I came across. Which ones do you like?

A cubby bed for your little one to climb into

A bunk bed with a hiding spot underneath to read books or to play "house"

Over the moon...umm....over the top...Moon bed for your little one to dream in.

A white wrought iron bed with all the necessary curls and curves

and a dreamy canopy to finish it

A playful bed complete with a bunting,bamboo and a canopy

Or a simple classic bed for your elegant little star.

Which one do you heart?

Image: 1,2,3,4,5,6,

Sara turns five.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 05:56:00 +0000

Yesterday a close friend messaged me asking, “Is there something wrong with your blog, it isn’t showing any posts after the 18^th of December.” I laughed (sheepishly) and told her well that it is because I haven’t posted any! “Really? For almost two months you haven’t posted a thing!” she seemed shocked.

I too was shocked that I had been away from my favorite place for this long. And so I am here today to correct that. Correct that with a post that I love to write here each year. Sara’s birthday post. Yes, ten days back she turned five. And I still find it hard to believe that four years ago I shared her first birthday right here.

Over the years, I’ve shared with you lovely readers all of her birthdays (sans the last one when we were to vacate the house the next day for our entire home was to be shipped to Dubai and I couldn’t post but I promise to share that pretty soon) for doing that allows me to make all of you a part of our happiness which is what I love about blogging the most.

The girl has been obsessed with garden fairies for over two years now, so much so that she even wears her wings while sleeping and pretends that she lives in a toadstool! So the theme was pretty much pre-decided and like always we had a small get together at home just the way my mom did. Handcrafting everything right from the invitation card to the décor, cooking every little morsel and keeping it sweet and really small; sharing the day with six of her “best friends”.

Pink just had to be there was the little girl’s request and pink there was. What is a garden fairy party without some green and ofcourse the fairy and that was the starting point.

We had very simple pink invitation cards for each of her friends with lots of sparkle and doilies with a short and sweet message inviting the fairies into the enchanted garden (Free printable from here).

I didn't really have to buy anything for the party decor because one there was enough to “shop” from Sara’s room and two, I handcrafted the rest.

At the entrance we had Sara’s blackboard with the line, “Do you believe in fairies?” and fairy lights from her room. She also had a pinwheel that had a cute flowery print which added a whimsical touch to the vignette.

I must mention here that each time Sara passed by the blackboard (before and after the party) she read the question and declared loudly to no one in particular, “Yes, I do!” and then broke into a big smile :)

Each of the little fairies were handed over their wings upon entering the home and I have to say that with seven little girls fluttering away I really didn’t need any décor because all eyes were on them.

For a while they enjoyed playing in Sara’s room, post which I had two fun games planned for them.

One was a garden fairy version of the musical chairs. Musical Toadstools. I cut out several red circles out of thick handmade paper and then pasted smaller white circles on it so that they resembled toadstools. They not only looked cute on the green carpet (once again from Sara’s room) for they looked like toadstools on grass but also I didn’t have to worry about arranging seven chairs!

And the little fairies looked so cute standing around/on it. Each fairy was given a magic wand when she had to leave the toadstool to go to her Fairy Godmother (their respective mums). It worked for we had seven happy faces because everyone won and it was not a competition where only one took back the prize. The wands actually came with the wings that I had given earlier (sorry I don’t have pictures but they were just like the pink wings).

For my little birthday fairy who was in her white wings I handcrafted the wand that would go with her dress and the invitation card. Some twine around a chopstick, a doily, a handcrafted rose and some pink and green strings (left from her third birthday) and it was ready. She loved it and that made me very happy.

Post that we had a treasure hunt of sorts where the girls sat on their toadstool mats and I handed them over pink bags to collect their little treasures that were hidden in the living area. I used small pink gift bags and simply pasted a doily cut in half to maintain the theme.

Each one got a turn to open the little box that contained the clues and their mums helped them to read and solve. Each clue took them to a little goodie box which had seven goodies each and the little fairy had to share her treasure with all the other fairies. It was really cute watching them all wide eyed and surprised and also sharing the goodies with their friends; making sure they didn't miss anyone.

The hidden treasures were:

Fairy dust (Bottle containing glitter)
Shiny rocks (M&Ms wrapped up in some foil and made to look like sparkly rocks)
Pixie kisses (Hershey’s kisses)
Fairy clouds (little bags of popcorn)
Gold coins (Chocolate gold coins)
Sparkly hairbands (the set of wings that the girls got upon entering came with the magic wands (which I distributed during the musical toadstools game) and the fairy hairbands. So basically I used each of the three elements separately through the party. Once again for the birthday fairy I handcrafted her hairband. I used some tulle from an old torn tutu of hers and some beads I had on hand and handmade flowers; all on an old hairband of hers which she instantly recognized and said but this is my old headband! Kids I tell you!)

And finally the last clue that led them to the birthday cake itself that I carried to the table at the end of the treasure hunt

By now the fairies had played enough and were famished and so where their mums. Except for the cake that I never make for her birthday for there are just too many things to prepare and look after that day and also I don’t think I can ever match up to what Aya did for us I made everything at home.

Aya from Aya Cupcakes did a fabulous job on the cake. I had sent her picture of what Sara and I had selected and what a fabulous job she did. It was like my little girl sitting there.

Too pretty to touch?

We couldn't make ourselves eat that pretty fairy and once the party was over we made Sara hold her and clicked away.

Next to the cake is my alarm clock which I took the cells out off and got the needles to represent her time of birth. A tiny easel with the card (a little variation of the invitation card, can you tell or is it just me!) that doubled up both as décor and a wishing card of sorts which we used to capture the lovely wishes from the guests and this AWESOME garden fairy terrarium that a dear friend made herself and gifted to my little girl.

It was a gift that was shouting handmade, creativity and gorgeousness. You guys know me well enough I am sucker for handcrafted goodness and I wanted to give my heart away in return.

Just check out that mini pinwheel, those little mushrooms and ofcourse the fairies. I had half a mind of stealing it away from Sara for my room! Actually to be honest I still have intentions of doing that. Don’t kids get bored of things after a while, please tell me I am right:)

But I digress. Coming back to the food the menu was garden fairyish, had to be.

Pixie punch (apple & orange juice for the kids and homemade mint lemonade for the mums)
Snail sandwiches (cream cheese & grated carrot sandwiches with cucumber for the antenna)
Toadstools (Cherry tomatoes sitting on cheese)
Garden veggies with yogurt dip
Butterfly Pasta (For no party is completed without pasta in the words of Sara. A simple farfalle in homemade tomato, carrot and red bell pepper sauce)
A patch of grass ( Sliced baguette with labneh, dill, mint, coriander, cherry tomatoes and cucumber silvers and chilli flakes for the mums)
Gnome bites with three kinds of dips (Falafel wraps with hummus and pickled cucumbers. Once again more for the mums than the kids. Though to my surprise the kids liked it as well)
Fairy clouds (Store bought candy floss)

And doilies once again for food labels.

We had a fun evening and we thanked our little guests with a pretty pink noteback and a magic wand pen (Just my luck that I saw it at a stationery store and had to pick those for party favors for they went so well with the dreamy fairy theme).

I used simple brown paper (my favorite to wrap all kinds of gifts) and made these little green gift tags with doilies and some sparkly nail paint for some shimmer.

The notes read, "Thank You Fairy Much!"

Also, I used a recent snap of Sara that we took during the holidays when we visited a garden here for the table that carried the wings, wands, return gifts and the treasure hunt bags. It was so appropriate and it made me super happy seeing her as the “I” amongst the colourful and vibrant words happy birthday. All made with flowers.

I used an old frame that we didn't need any longer and painted it white, distressed it a bit with sandpaper and used a thread to hang her happy-happy birthday picture.

And like each year I wanted Sara & us to look back at the heartfelt wishes from each of the guests and we asked the guests to write down a little note for her. It sure will be both nostalgic and enjoyable years later when Sara and we sit down and go through it all.

I, of course needed something on the lines of an annual leave after her party but I had so much fun putting it all together. I told my sister may be that is the reason we decided to have a baby after all; to throw cutesy birthday parties!!

Each year after her birthday party I think to myself that I will now have to wait for one whole year to do this again and that kind of makes me sad. However this year my little girl who is not so little anymore but who enjoys putting parties together just like her mum, came to me the very same evening and asked, "Mamma, How many days for my sixth birthday?! "

And I laughed. My daughter!

"365", I said.

Images : Personal Album. All images belong to purplehomes and are subject to copyright.

Christmas tablescapes.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 18 Dec 2013 04:45:00 +0000

With Christmas just around the corner here are some tablescapes that I am loving.

Or may be I will just forget about settings and name tags and baubles and pinecones and let the table enjoy some jolly impulsiveness. A stack of plates, cutlery thrown around, lots of napkins, some greens and a bottle of wine. Loving this lack of structure and planning that to me is shouting welcome home and happiness.

What is your table wearing this Christmas?

Images: 1.2.3 & 4

A Happy Sixth to purplehomes and some more happy news

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 18 Dec 2013 04:25:00 +0000

Massive thank you to everyone who stopped by to show their support and love for purplehomes. I couldn't have asked for a better present on the 6th anniversary of purplehomes. Six years of sharing my love for design and decor with all of you. Only because I know you the amazing readers are waiting for me to hit the publish button.

Many many congratulations to Priti & Vineeta too.

Much love, P.

Images : here & here

This month at fashion@home

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 05:17:00 +0000

This month at fashion@home I am Welcoming Winters.

Come December there is a slight chill in the air; the cupboard smells of naphthalene balls and the days become shorter. I love winters and I love preparing our home to welcome it. Making it all warm and cozy for come winters many an evening will be spent watching old movies, making Christmas and New Years’ cards, playing Pictionary or simply building a castle with my little one and snuggling under a blanket.

Read how I welcome winters at the Portico Fashion Blog. What are your winter decor tricks? I'd love to hear from you.

p.s. Each month you can find me writing on design, decor, organizing your home at the Portico Fashion Blog. Also I am surrounded by some obscenely talented ladies, do drop by because I am sure you are going to love it.

Images: 1,2 & 3

Gorgeous weather and pretty patios.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 05:11:00 +0000

There are days when you want to jump out of your bed for the weather is just gorgeous. And that is exactly what Dubai has been treating me to. Our first taste of "winters" here. Slight chill in the air and lovely breeze just right for one to wear a cotton shrug or a stole and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate or two.

This is when I miss my little balcony garden at Delhi. Lots of greens, hand-painted chairs, wheel thrown pots, candles and more. Which reminds me I must look up for some snaps and share them with you, soon.

In our current apartment, there is a balcony as well. Much smaller than the one back at Delhi. The Dubai heat really didn't motivate me to get greens for it and put a chair or two. But the weather now is really tempting me to make a minuscule wild jungle of it.

Till then, I am happy enjoying these pretty patios. Which one do you heart?

Love the umbrella and the "charpai" that has been turned into a table

Imagine starting your day here, each morning.

Look at the sun rays streaming right in. Bliss.

All the pictures that I liked have painted walls. A sign to take out those paint brushes and paint something around the house, perhaps.

Images: here and here and here

Find me at fashion@home.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 18 Nov 2013 05:23:00 +0000

Bit of news to share this morning. You can find me writing on design, decor, organizing your home at the Portico Fashion Blog. Also I am surrounded by some obscenely talented ladies, do drop by because I am sure you are going to love it.

This month I share my love for baskets and how they help me organize my home better. Also they make the home so much prettier, don't they?

Hop on to read the complete story here

Happy Diwali to you and yours.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 02 Nov 2013 04:27:00 +0000

Wishing all you awesome people a sparkling and a "green" Diwali.

Image:Personal Album

Diwali wishes coming your way.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 06:53:00 +0000

Diwali is round the corner...twinkling diyas, homemade mithais, marigolds, exchanging thoughtful gifts with family, friends and most importantly with all the people who help us each day and so much more.

Diwali for me also means making handmade cards for loved ones.

Sharing some that I have made over the years. Do you make Diwali cards too?

Also dear readers, have you voted for purplehomes for the GoodHomes Awards 2013, yet?

If you love this blog and would like to vote,please click on this link, here and simply "like" it.

Images: Personal album. Please do not copy the images or the ideas. They are all subject to copyright.

Purplehomes gets nominated for the GoodHomes Awards 2013.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 06:17:00 +0000

When I began blogging five years back (actually just a month away from celebrating six years of blogging...big yay!) it was like my little scrapbook of inspiring ideas, pretty pictures, a diary of all the celebrations in my life, all the DIYs that I attempted at home, sharing my victories and failures on the potters' wheel and more. I had no idea I would be at it for six years. And would be at it happy. I didn't even stick to a job for this long in my past life:) Now that does say something, doesn't it?

And from there it all evolved into working for a cause, starting artprints by purplehomes, writing for magazines and being written about and so much more (food being the other much loved twin ). Pinch me someone!

And it is all because I knew that all this while when I was thinking, writing, editing,shooting posts there was and IS this amazing bunch of readers waiting for me to hit the publish button. That kept me going. Still does. Big thank you to all of you.

And now to be nominated by the ever so lovely team at the GoodHomes Magazine for the GoodHomes Awards 2013 has me singing:) Honored and Delighted.

That I am in such good company makes this all the more special.

So today I am going to ask you lovelies to show your support and love to purplehomes and vote for what is rightly yours. This blog belongs to both you and me. Let's make it happen, shall we?

To cast your vote and make my day,simply click on the link below and "like" it. I'd ofcourse love to hear from you as well...anything really..what you like about purplehomes,why you like it, if we have "met" via this space...any memories...leave me a comment there.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=614354261939771&set=a.614354101939787.1073741841.154896334552235&type=1&relevant_count=1

There are three other absolutely talented women with me in this, share your love with all of you. Vote for them here.

Keep reading, keep smiling.

Love,
P

Images: here

Vignettes at home: Coffee tables

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 13:09:00 +0000

I absolutely adore the idea of creating little vignettes at home. Be it on the coffee table, sideboard, at the bar or even the top of a shoe cabinet. Nothing like "shopping" within your home and refreshing it every now and then. Good for the eye and great for the wallet:)

And that is what I'd like to talk about all of this month. Starting with these gorgeous coffee tables.

Understated and elegant.

Has to be my favourite.

Though that green at home may not survive. Just don't have a green thumb.

Love the idea of displaying a collection. Could be anything really.

Wooden blocks for me please.

Diametrically opposite to the rest but a riot of colours presented like this, I like.

How do you "dress up" your coffee tables? If you'd like to show your coffee tables drop me a message.

Images: 1,2,3 & 4

Indian art for happy rooms.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 23 Jun 2013 04:33:00 +0000

Loving the elephant artwork and the Taj Mahal wall print in the nursery. Are you loving what I am loving? Getting a little bit of India in modern settings is not that tough. Both the prints gel so beautifully in these happy spaces. See another such example of the same here

How cute is that bunting and that pink car!

Love the calmness this corner exudes.

Do you have such corners to share? Drop me a line on the purplehomes facebook page. Hope you are enjoying your Sunday. I am still getting used to Sunday being the first day of the week for us here:)

Image: 1 & 2

Color Crush:Lime

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 27 May 2013 06:33:00 +0000

It is beginning to become really warm outside and lime is all I can think. Ready for some serious dose of lime?

Get some lime into your homes. Read all the past posts on Color Crush here.

Images: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 and 12

Sara's Art Gallery.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 16 May 2013 07:17:00 +0000

When lil S came into our lives four years back we brought home a cot bed. What is a cot bed you ask? Well a cot that is a little bigger than a normal cot and can turn into a bed once your little girl leaves the title of an infant far behind (Basically the cot railings come off and the height can be decreased to make it into a low level bed that is perfect for a kid).

So all this time she had been using it with the cot railings on because I wasn't sure if the time had come to turn it into a bed. But when we moved here we thought of doing away with the cot railings and giving her a "new" bed. She has been loving her bed and since its really close to the ground I am not really scared of her falling down in the middle of her sleep and hurting herself (Having said that one side of the bed is right against the wall and other side has a soft carpet).

But this is not what the post is about.It is about the sleepless nights that the cot railings had been giving me. I couldn't bring myself to throw them away or keep them hiding in the store. It had to be reused. Every little thing in the house has to be reused and upcycled. It is a sickness I tell you:)

And so in exactly five minutes we turned it into her art gallery. Like this.

We made them stand together vertically (at an angle so that they don't fall).

Adorned them with mini lanterns. So that her room sparkled at night.

And sometimes during the day. You can't refuse such a teeny tiny artist can you?

Added some twine and adorable clips to hang her artwork. As you can see the ballet obsession continues. She has been experimenting with dry pastels these days.

And ofcourse every gallery NEEDS to have the artist's name. Right there at the top:)

A lovely gift from her aunt.

We also pulled out some baby toys.They have been living in a basket for a long time now because she tells me "I am not a baby anymore"

And we were done.

What do you think about our little art gallery?

Images : Personal Album

May Fetish.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 15 May 2013 05:38:00 +0000

Driftwood. Yes, that is my fetish of the month. Its been a while that we've had any fetish posts around here. I have in the past enjoyed putting it together and plan to go back to sharing it with all of you.

So here goes. I love the natural look and the interesting rough texture it has. It is like bringing a little bit of the outdoors into your home.

You could just bundle a lot of these in a vase or a pretty basket.

Or show off a single piece.

Thread them together to make a picture holder or a hang your sparkly baubles or a bag or two.

Why only baubles? How about creating a wreath, a Christmas tree and a star or two.

On string them all together and pair them with beads or wall pendants.

My favorite has to be the one here...for scribbling words that will inspire me.

For those who want to challenge their creativity how about making a lamp or using it as base for a table. Drool.

Or use it for your tea lights and your greens. Genius.

Want to make something quick and simple. Introduce some shells.

Mono is boring, is it? How about painting it?

Just look at these driftwood houses. Instant Love.

Or turn into a pretty boat.

Will always remind you of the beach from where you picked it.

So which of these is your favorite?

Do share how you brought driftwood into your homes.

Hope you are having a lovely week.

Get inspired by going through tons of other Fetish posts here.

Images:1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21 and 22

Indian art in modern settings.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 04:42:00 +0000

Its very rare that you across such a perfect harmony of Indian inspired art in a modern setting. I love how the artwork is in shades of one colour and how that pink lamp and the little pink detailing on the stool complements it.

Have fun mixing and matching this week!

Image: here

And when I dance my feet are dreaming.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 05:32:00 +0000

Sara has been obsessed with ballet for over two years now. It all started with these really pretty and cute pink ballet shoes that her aunt got for her. It has been over two years and the girl has not taken them off her feet.They are coming apart but there is no way I can convince her to adorn her feet with anything but them. Day and Night.Inside the home and outside too.

When at home she is doing ballet (or cooking; her other love).When in the garden out to play, she chooses to practice ballet instead. We ONLY watch ballet dvds and she has to show ballet to her grandparents over skype too. Sometimes the ballet performances over skype are good fifteen minutes long:)

And now that we are doing up her new room here at Dubai I have been thinking of adding some ballet artwork to the artwork we have already have on her walls.

And these illustrations are the ones that are inspiring me. At the moment I can't decide which ones do I like more for a little girl's room. Vintage or a modern take. Water colour or a pencil sketch in colour. Detailed or simple graphics. I like them all. But one thing is for sure the last one is totally cracking me up.

Each time I look at this one it makes me smile. Infact Sara has a book which has an illustration very similar to this. How cute is that elephant! And don't miss there pointe shoes:)

A cute pink pig giving a ballet performance will be adorable & fun in a little girl's room. What do you think? Oink Oink!

Sources for art : 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, 9and 10

Springtime tablescapes

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 05:53:00 +0000

Morning. We complete a month here at Dubai and the weather is still beautiful,so my heart is doing a happy dance. Since the house is nearly set and the weather is currently being my best friend, it looks like a good time to have some friends over.

With tablescapes like these.

Fresh flowers, rustic table, sparkling cutlery, white china and pretty bottles...these pictures are shouting spring!

Images: Seem to have lost the links. But if you do know the source please do let me know,I'd be happy to update it here.

Paisley Love.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 05:51:00 +0000

I love the paisley. Paisley is the English term what we call "butehi or ambi" in India. It resembles a rain drop actually more like a mango. I like to have them on my clothes,curtains, bedspreads, table linen, bags...well practically everywhere. One of these days I going to share my paisley love with all of you.

But I don't have them on my wall.

Like this.

Or like this.

I love them both. One so understated and one bright and loud.Swoon.

I am more of let's go safe with white on the walls and let the artwork, cushions, trinkets, et al add color to my room type of person. Also I get bored easily so I like to constantly rotate things around the home. And committing my wall to any colour other than white stresses me out.

What about you? Do you like to splash your walls with bold colours or like me you are the "let's go safe with white" types?

Images : here & here

Hello April.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 05:11:00 +0000

Some day when I have a garden with a wooden staircase thrown in I will paint it blue and paint the bricks just like this.Yes, people these are bricks painted to look like books. Look closer. So awesome. Love the detailing.

And till then I am happy standing in cute little balcony.

Will this count as an April Fool's day prank:)

Wishing you a wonderful and full of inspiration April.

Image : here

GoodHomes bloggers bonding session.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 17:13:00 +0000

My association with GoodHomes started in November 2011 when they talked about purplehomes in their magazine. And ever since the entire team of GoodHomes has been really really kind to me. .

Last month when they got in touch with me and asked if I was up for a Design bloggers bonding session and meeting their editor Ronitaa and her team, my answer was a big YES. How could I not be there? It was such a great opportunity to finally meet the people behind the much loved magazine and my fellow blogger friends.

The meet was organized at Shiros and it was so inspiring to just listen to everyone. Why each one entered the world of blogging and how they balance it with the hundred of other things they did each day:)

I met Bhavna & Rajee almost after two years. My absolute favorite photographer and fellow blogger Lakshmi was there too. And ofcourse I got the chance to meet and make some new friends ( Hi...Priti, Shalini, Misha)

Meeting Ronitaa and her wonderful team was awesome. It was an absolute pleasure getting to know them and connecting the dots between the print and the blogging world. Big thanks to all of you for having us over and spoiling us silly.

Here are some snapshots from that afternoon. A big thanks also goes out to the team at Shiros for making our afternoon both yummy and memorable.

Images : GoodHomes & dodecals

Eight years in 102 cartons.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 05:39:00 +0000

Hello everyone. Where did you vanish you ask? And why?

Well...for that you need to read the long story I am about to tell.

So exactly three months back DH called me from one of those obscure places he keeps visiting for his projects and asked me if we would be okay with relocating.

“Relocating as in packing up our bags and moving to a new city?” I asked.

“Ahem...a new city, yes but in a new country is more like what I had in mind”, he said.

And just like that we decided it was time to take a giant leap of courage and faith to say bye to our home and our life here and start a new life somewhere else...in an unfamiliar country.

It is a big move for us considering we have stayed in the same house since the day we got married. There are lovely memories associated with every little thing and every little corner. We have shared so many of our special moments with our families and friends here. There are so many “firsts” we have celebrated here. I am definitely going to miss all that.

Not being able to walk across the road to say hi to mum and dad, I am going to miss it all.

We also became proud parents here.

And after three months of continuous sorting, disposing, donating and packing we finally said goodbye to our home yesterday.

Eight years packed in 102 cartons.

I could do with resting for a lifetime now, really :) And that is what had kept me away from the blog all this while.

But now with all hardwork of packing behind me I am really really looking forward to this whole new adventure. A new home (a clean slate to decorate...yay!), new people to meet and make lifelong friendships with and new places to explore.

Making a new city our home.

I am curious about how our lives are about to change and what in our lives will remain the same. I am excited about learning and adapting to a new culture. And I am happy that as a family we will get more time to be with each other since DH’s last job entailed continuous travel.

There, so that’s my story. Wish us luck. Your wishes mean the world to me, you know that right? :)

And be ready to join me in this new journey. I am looking forward to talking a lot more here at purplehomes about wrapping up our life here, our new life and experiences there, doing up the new house to make it our new home, new work opportunities, my design and culinary inspirations in a new city and more.

Much love,

Image : here & here

Stay Happy. Stay Safe. Happy New Year.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 18:34:00 +0000

Image : here