A unique heritage hotel- Sterling Swamimalai.

Sterling Swamimalai was our first choice when we decided to make a trip to Tanjore last December and we cherish our stay and memories till date. A villa built in 1896 in a traditional south indian style is the nucleus of this resort. The other cottages are inspired by this main structure. The resort is the brain child of Steve Borgia of Indeco Hotels.

The minute you step into a very discreet entrance, you are transported to the 19th century.
You are welcomed with temple bells ringing and a beautiful 'Kolam'- Rangoli design at the entrance. The setting is very rustic with the ambience like that of an old south indian village.
Amazing terracotta figures of Gods & Goddesses are scattered all around the resort. All courtesy the in-house potter.

Coconut, Banana, Jackfruit, Papaya trees form the perfect setting for the village scene.
Beautiful folk goddess figure!
A traditional village house forms the dining area.Even the trees are treated well, the potter has created lovely terracotta eyes for the trees.
The rooms are basic with traditional furniture. The roll-up blinds are made of natural fibres for good air circulation.


The swimming pool is designed like an old temple tank. On special occasions the side slots are lit with earthern lamps in the evening. What a gorgeous sight would that be!

The main villa has a lovely courtyard with a natural well and a museum of antiques.
Truly traditional, truly spiritual, truly Indian.

Experience it- http://www.sterlingswamimalai.net

Thanks Happy Living Blog!

the happy living blog became an instant favourite, ever since I stumbled upon it while blog- hopping few weeks back.

Erinn describes - 'This blog is about everything having to do with the place, experience and spirit of home and making our homes a place that we love'.

Erinn of 'the happy living blog' has been very kind in giving a great introduction to my blogs.

Thanks Erinn!

Thanks Happy Living Blog!

the happy living blog became an instant favourite, ever since I stumbled upon it while blog- hopping few weeks back.

Erinn describes - 'This blog is about everything having to do with the place, experience and spirit of home and making our homes a place that we love'.

Erinn of 'the happy living blog' has been very kind in giving a great introduction to my blogs.

Thanks Erinn!

Glistening leaves...

* Monsoons are officially here.
* Lovely downpour today afternoon.
* My balcony was a great place to be.
* Water droplets were having a race down each fern leaf.
* The potted plants were happy to have a great shower.
* Trees danced to the tune of the wind.
* Earth quenched it's thirst.
* The fragrance of wet mud was intoxicating to the senses.
* So is the ginger tea boiling on my stove.

Enjoy the pictures while I enjoy my Ginger Tea :-)

Brownies anyone?

I love cooking. I am a complete foodie, but I was never the kind of person who would bake.
Like I mentioned in my previous post, it's a new found hobby.

With cloudy skies and rain being our constant companions...we ( Mallika & I) decided to bake.

But what to bake?
Cookies? Cupcakes? Cake again?
It had to be chocolate-ee, nutty, non-diet type, so it had to be Brownies!
I searched the 'world wide web' for the perfect recipe. If there exists such a thing!
My search was very interesting..I came across some very nice food blogs & sites.
* milk and cookies
* 101 cookbooks
* once upon a tart
* Dessert First
The brownies did come out well and quite chewy, not cake-y! The way I like it!

Illuminate your interiors.

To add the sparkle to your interiors, just light few candles, diyas (earthern lamps), kerosene or hurricane lamps.

I love lighting diyas or floating candles at the entrance to the house, in balconies, on tables or just about anywhere.

Here are some interesting ideas.

(Images from Inside Outside, Oct 2006 & Good Earth)

Listening to the rhythm of the falling rain...

I am a summer person, I like clear blue skies & bright sunlight.
but,
There is something about~

* The cloudy skies.
* Raindrops on green leaves.
* Eating hot charcoal-roasted corn smeared with lemon & salt.
* School children in colourful raincoats waiting for their school buses.
* Jumping into muddy puddles.
* Making paper boats & sailing them off in small streams of rainwater.
* Having hot onion pakoras with ginger chai.
* Sleeping in warm bed while listening to the thunder outside.
* Drinking endless cups of tea.
I just finished my hot cup of coffee and I plan to bake away while it steadily rains outside.
Have a great rainy day!

Adorn yourself...

* I adore silver jewellery...period.
* I also like oxidized, hand-crafted jewellery, glass beads...
* I like stuff from Maya Bazaar, Sukra, Amrapali, (though I can't afford them!) Dariba Kalan- The wholesale silver jewellery market in Delhi & few shops in the by-lanes of commercial street.
* I have picked up some amazing stuff from craft exhibitions, roadside shops, gypsies on the move & also from the lambani's from Hampi ;-)
* My husband once mistook my bead necklace to be a bullocks neck piece.

(earrings from Dariba Kalan)
(image from Maya Bazaar Site)
(image from sukra.com) ( crafts fairs) ( pendant from Dariba Kalan)
( image from Amrapali.com) ( image from Amrapali.com)

I also make my own jewellery by stringing together stuff that I like~

Too big for her boots..er..heels?

What is it about daughters in their mother's sandals?

I did it,

Mallika does it and

am sure if she has a daughter, she too will !!!