Monday, October 10, 2011

Giving Thanks

In the everyday crazy that is life, it is easy to take things for granted and not pause and say thanks.

Today, I say thank you to the universe which has blessed me in abundance - with an awesome family, health, decent wealth, and much much more.

Obrigado. Thank-you. Danke Schoen. Merci Beaucoup. Shukriya. Nandri.

Feast your eyes on the fall beauty in Ontario and hopefully these will inspire you to thank someone today.










Inspired by the marvelous fall beauty around me, my mind turned to some ways of cozying up the home for fall. Nothing smells like fall for me more than apple crisp fresh out of the oven. Yankee Candle has the most amazing scents and their candles are yummy enough to eat!



Thank you for reading my post and indulging my vanity




Thank you


Deepika
















Sunday, October 9, 2011

Bliss

One of the most blissful things in life is having someone knead and massage your back, neck, upper body, full body, and so on and so forth - for an hour (preferrably more!) with soothing music, candlelight, and yummy smelling massage potions. I had my fill of bliss this weekend with a visit to a very talented RMT - who took out every possible hidden kink and knot from my body.


While I went to my RMT clinic down the street from where I live, I would, if I could spend the days of my life in any of the below :)

In Shimla, India - The Wildflower Hall Spa





My, my, I can almost feel my back being rubbed :-)


In Rishikesh, India - Ananada in the Himalayas Spa

*Image via anandaspa.com

In Kumarakonam, India - Maya Spa


*Image via www.zurihotels.com

Now, closer to a la maison - my personal favourite #1! - The Stillwater Spa at The Park Hyatt

*Image via the hyatt.com

#2 - The HydeAway Spa



*Image via hydeawayspa.com

Friday, October 7, 2011

Remembering Steve Jobs

I was surprised to learn that Steve Jobs was a Buddhist - though in some ways it really shouldn't been as much of a surprise as it was. His minimalistic design principles which were aethestically pleasing but at the same time functional is very much keeping with the main principles of Buddha.

Steve - thank you for marrying so eloquently form and function


*Image courtesy Jonathan Mak

In a slight segue, reading about Steve's religious beliefs caused me to take a look at my images of Buddha. These were custom made for me by this remarkably talented artist kschoenArt. Do check her out on etsy- she is a pleasure to work with! Below is what she created for me - all through a series of etsy conversations and some crude drawings on Word.



*Image via me

Never too early for next Navratri!

So, as I packed away my gollu this morning - wrapping the dolls in tissue paper, putting my steps away, putting the urli away - etc...., my thoughts naturally turned to next Navratri (I am always one for planning ahead!). I found this website which ships authentic Navratri dolls to Canada from the US - not all of us can go back to India to add to our collection every year - I am considering getting the Brahmin wedding doll set to add to my collection - but am having trouble stopping at just one!

Some images of my gollu from this year!

Waiting to be Lit Up






The Ladies of the House



Teen Deviyan (Literally :))



Hard working peeps






All images via me


























Baby Steps




Inspired by Archana Srinivas of Rang Decor, Priya of Once Upon a Tea Time, Sundeep of Designwali, Kamini of Saffron and Silk and countless other design divas - I have taken the plunge into blogging online - about things related to beauty, interior design, and just things that catch my eye. So welcome - and join me in my journey of discovery of all things beautiful!

Update: I realized that as I start to get back into this whole blogging thing :-), some of my readers may not know what the blog's name means. "Chotta sa Ghar" is a Hindi phrase loosely translating into "A Small Little Home" - it is referenced to many times in Bollywood movies and songs - but it does hold very close to my heart in terms of what I wish for this blog to be. A peek into my home - with a window to the world!

I am so very glad you stopped by - and I'd love to hear from you!

Image - from suziktodd.webs.com