Coffee Table Books, Green Tea and Flea Market Finds!

The weekend beckons and brings with it abundant sunshine!! I am heading off on a "bloggy" break! Yes, I need to recharge my batteries so for the next week or so. I may or may not be around for a few days. Miss me :) 

I have travel on my mind these days!! Coffee table books have become my weakness off late. One of my favorite trips was to Italy many years ago. I found this book for 2 bucks at a Library sale. It is filled with incredible pictures and brings back wonderful memories :) The tray is a flea market market from North Carolina and is 12 years old. 



Here's wishing you a Happy Friday and a wonderful weekend!  Keep on smiling and see you in a few days :)

Image: My Dream Canvas, please be polite and do not reuse without prior permission.

Don't Take Your Decor Too Seriously :)

I have a question for you! Do you take your decor too seriously? Do you want everything to be picture perfect and elegant? I have to admit that I like to keep a neat, clean, and pretty home. However, I also want the home to feel lived in. I want to come back home after a long day and plop myself in my favorite chair :) I also want to surround myself with things that are comfortable and make me feel loved. My home should always have a warmth and coziness, because this where I see my family nurture and grow.  My home is where memories are created, everyday!!



I have seen a lot of lovely homes in person and online in my five years of blogging. I love the homes that have a character and tell the story of the people who live there. Then there are those homes that seem to be" trying to hard" I am not sure if I can explain this well, but I shall try :) There are also homes that suffer from an overdose of decor.  It's decor to the point of clutter.  The artwork and prints on the wall, while stunning, are simply too many. It is like walking into a museum and not a home :)  Patterns everywhere seem to collide and simply stress me out! 



I know this is my personal opinion and I am not commenting on any one style in particular! We all have the right to decorate our homes in our unique way without caring about what people think :)



Over the years, I have realized that I don't want to take my decor too seriously!! I want to relax and enjoy the experience :) A house turns into a home because of the people who live in it. It could take days, months, or years to turn a home into a haven. This process should ideally be effortless, but for that to happen, you need to have fun :)



This is a corner of my home, which is my fun space. I add color to it when I feel like it.  A happy thought, a few flowers, lovely memories from my travels, and thoughtful gifts are what make it special! It follows no trend :)



Do you have fun decorating or do you sometimes think its too much work ? Do you have a happy corner? I would love to know?

Images: My Dream Canvas

Sentiments in Decor and A Project

I am a sentimental fool and I am quite happy being one :) I am very zealous and protective when it comes to family and love preserving memories......be it scraps of paper, frayed photographs, heirlooms and so much more. Every trip back to India, I insist on working on some project or the other related to the past! It keeps everyone including my parents on their toes :) 



My aim is someday to self publish a coffee table book about our family and gift it to my children.....maybe on their 18th birthday! It is going to require time, a lot of effort and research. I need to get information from a lot of people to make this happen!The book will be filled with pictures, letters and memoirs and my hope is that they will treasure it! 



I think along the same lines about my decor. I want our home to be a visual collage of our memories, our life and our roots! The anklets/payals  in the image below belonged to my Grandmother. Displaying these anklets at home make for an unconventional decor accessory and yet, I want to find a place for them somewhere in my house. I don't want them tucked away in a drawer! These anklets might never be used again !! The reason is simple.....they are simply too heavy to be worn unless you are a modern day princess:) I don't know how the ladies managed it in those days!! I wore them at my wedding, so I know just how much they weigh :) 



I would love to hear suggestions on how I could incorporate these anklets into my decor at home.  Do please write in your thoughts and ideas! It will be great to hear from you. 



For those of you interested in jewelry and history, you should visit Puja Bhargava's "Indian Jewellery Project". This venture aims to source the visual history of Indian jewelry through the personal archives of families. A fascinating initiative in my opinion. To know more, you can join them on Facebook!

Image: My Dream Canvas

Bedroom Crush

Spring is in the air. Everything looks bright and colorful.  Incorporating a fresh look into the decor at home seems like a good way to welcome the new season. For me, this bedroom featured in El Meuble looks absolutely perfect for Spring. It is pretty, its feminine, it is bright and beautiful...... and yet has that understated elegance that I so love!!





Of course the dash of turquoise just steals my heart :) If you were to give your bedroom a makeover, what are the colors you would use??

Images : via

Travelling My Dream Canvas Style

Hello there!! Today, I am going to talk about my other passion " Travel".  Mr MDC and I are poles apart....and are very different temperamentally, the one common ground we share is our passion for travel. He and I are very alike in that respect. We can hit the road anytime :) Travelling is also an expensive passion. Therefore one has to get creative and he is good at that :) We hate making quick trips and try not to fit in too many things. 



We travelled extensively before we had kids but fortunately we are continuing to do so even now. My kids love it and they are very sporting!! The destinations have changed a bit, its no longer as hectic or adventurous but its still pretty good :) My favorite trip so far has been to Italy. We spent 14 days there and I came back thinking that it was just the tip of the iceberg :)

The build up to our trip involves scouring the library for guidebooks. Hubby is also a part of some travel forums online etc. My favorite author for Europe is Rick Steves. I think he is brilliant. We also read Frommers and Fodors for other destinations.





We am more of the "off the beaten path" kind of people. We usually rent cars or use public transport and explore places on our own. Trying out the local cuisine in a "hole in the wall" kind of place is a must on our trips :) Hubby conveniently learns a few phrases, and puts on the various accents with ease as well. I have a tough time doing that :)



As you can clearly see, I have travel on my mind! I can't wait to be off soon..............



What about you, do you have some special family travel trips and traditions? I would love to hear about it ?

Image: My Dream Canvas

Whiteness of white | Stillness of mind.

I recently got on instagram.
Where I can share moments in the form of visuals instantly.
No fuss. No downloading from the camera.
Just click on your phone and click to upload.
It's a lot of fun.

But...
Strangely when I want to slow down. Reflect. Muse. Take a step back.
I always seem to find comfort in the pace of writing a post on my dear blog which has been sitting silently like the rose bush under all the white snow that has been layering it for the last few months.
Time has come for it to sprout.
…and so has the time for revival.

When one lives in a place where winters take up most of the time in a year.
It takes a slight shift in thinking, working, living.
This spring I complete a whole year of being consumed by a passion called pottery.
It has been my creative anchor during all the snow storms and polar vortexes that we experienced this winter.

Here is a tribute to all the whites we have been seeing in the last few months and an interesting Podcast about Seeking Stillness and Silence in the Rush of Business Life by Pico Iyer.

Spring is finally here after a fierce battle with winter and I hope to share loads of colours in various forms:-)
Stay tuned. Hope to spend more time here.
If you do want to see some instant visuals from me, do check out my Instagram profile here
Have a great weekend!
( Images by Arch)

Giveaway Winner and A Tea Party

Today, you have to walk through the blue door into this garden.....sit down and have a cup of tea with me :) I am hosting a virtual tea party where I sit you down, offer you tea and cookies and thank you for being the most awesome readers!! You guys are simply the best. 



The Jaypore and My Dream Canvas Giveaway received a fantastic response! A big thank you to all those who participated and helped spread the word around! The winner has been selected via Random.org. The lucky lady who gets to take away the pretty products from Jaypore is Reshma of Masala Mango Mantra. Congratulations Reshma, please email me your address. 



Thank you all for participating! 



Have a super weekend!!

Image 1 : via and Image 2 : via

The Simple Joys in Life

Friday is my favorite day of the week :) The weekend looms large with endless possibilities! Yes, I do like to romanticise and dramatize my life sometimes :) My weekend will be fairly ordinary but who cares!! Today, as the sunshine filters through my Casa, I am immensely grateful for all the little joys in my life!!



Life is complicated and stressful but at times its good to pause...take a deep breath and simply smile and say thank you!



On that note, Happy Friday and have a good weekend!!



There are a few more hours left for the Jaypore and My Dream Canvas Giveaway!! Do make sure you enter here!!

Image: My Dream Canvas

Jaypore Giveaway and Weekend Wrap Up

Hi! I am popping in to say a quick Hello and to wish you a Happy Monday. I have some exciting stuff lined up for this week. The most important one is the Jaypore Giveaway which in on till April 5th. My weekend ended on a nice note. After the usual errands, we drove up to the lake to bike!. It was cold. However, the sight of the leaves whispering in the wind after a long winter was all we needed to smile and have fun!! My best part of the weekend is when I get to spend some time outdoors with my family. What makes your weekend perfect??



Here is a snapshot of my weekend.....as you can clearly see, I love Instagram :)

This Monday morning I woke up to some sunshine. I had  moved my houseplants next to the window for some light but now I quite like them there :)

Last, but certainly not the least. A reminder that the Jaypore and My Dream Canvas Giveaway runs till April 5th. Make sure you enter :) Details on how you can win these gorgeous products given HERE!!

Images: My Dream Canvas and subject to Copyright

A Jaypore and My Dream Canvas Giveaway

I am extremely delighted to bring you a very exciting Giveaway by Jaypore and My Dream Canvas. I have been a Jaypore fan for a while now, for their beautifully curated one of a kind products from all over India. Jaypore was launched a year ago and is an online store which offers shipping worldwide. Yay!

Jaypore brings to you beautifully things showcasing the very best from India. They call themselves story tellers and I could not agree more....for they bring together amazing products and the people behind them!

From trendy accessories, to classic beauties and traditional crafts, From textiles to home decor and so much more, Jaypore is a treasure house not to be missed!

Now for the thrilling part :) The team at Jaypore recently reached out to me to host a Giveaway. They are offering three gorgeous products to one lucky reader of My Dream Canvas. 



This is what you will win:



a) A black and maroon Tussar silk Chikankari scarf

b) A beautiful Coffee Table Hardcover book called " Costumes, Textiles and Jewelery of India"

c) A hand painted warrior Queen Tray.

Wow!!! Now here is how you can enter the Giveaway.



1. For the First entry: Browse through the Jaypore site and tell us the name of your favorite product/s. Let us know on Facebook right here by leaving a comment. (u need to be logged into Facebook)

2. For the Second Entry: Follow Jaypore on Instagram. 

3. To triple your chances, leave a comment on this post too.

4. We will announce the winner on April 5th :) Do remember that this Giveaway is open worldwide!!

All the best!!

Images: Jaypore and My Dream Canvas.

Monday Mornings, Instagram and Cushion Love

When my Monday mornings begin with sunlight streaming through my house.......its easy for me to shake off the Monday blues :) For me the week starts on a positive note! I am stopping by briefly to wish you a great week ahead. The next few days are going to be busy as I am working on an exciting project for My Dream Canvas. I am having fun with Instagram these days. Here is a shot of a corner in my living room from this morning.You can follow  MDC on Instagram Here! 



The India map cushion is an Etsy find. It came to me all the way from Australia :) You can find these cushions on My Bearded Pigeon! I am loving it......as it is a constant reminder of home :)

Image: My Dream Canvas

The SultanShop : Vintage Suzanis

My Etsy browsing continues this weekend :) The design world continues to be enamored with Suzani's and I am no exception :) I just spotted this vintage Suzani's at the SultanShop. I actually liked quite a few of them. They are different from the usual patterns and colors that one usually gets to see. A genuine Suzani is an expensive purchase in my opinion. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see that quite a few of the Suzani's at this store are under $100. Now, that is a good price for a Suzani! 



Visit the SultanShop and prepare to get tempted. The store ships worldwide from Uzbekistan. Etsy is a fun place to browse and shop without getting up from the couch :)

Images: Copyright SultanShop

Etsy Finds: Hand Stamped Coasters from Turkey

I stumbled upon these gorgeous hand stamped coasters while browsing on Etsy. The shop is called YASTK and I have blogged about them before.

I love the coasters for the colors......and the exotic and vibrant patterns!! Don't you? 

You can find them on YASTK. The shop also has a stunning collection of Suzani's, Ikat's and Kilims. Time to go shopping :)



 Here's wishing you a super weekend!

ImageS: Copyright YASTK

Vintage Brass Incense Holders

Whenever, I get the chance, I go treasure hunting........ whether I'm halfway around the world or just around the corner from home :) I love a good find and these incense holders are my pride and joy :)

They are unique, one of a kind, solid brass pieces from India. These items are available in very limited quantities at " The Shop At My Dream Canvas".



So grab them while you can! Click HERE to be directed to the store! You can also email me with any questions.  We offer shipping within the United States and the preferred method of payment is via Paypal.



Happy Friday my lovely readers!

Image: Copyright Shop My Dream Canvas

Justina Blakeney's Bohemian Abode

I am sure a lot of you know Justina Blakeney and for those of you who don't......you are surely missing out. She is stylist and designer with a bohemian heart. 

Her home" Jungalow is all about vivid colors, bold patterns and thrift finds. She is getting ready to publish her first solo book in 2015. I can hardly wait :) Her work has been featured on Elle decor, Apartment Therapy, House Beautiful, Anthology Magazine and many more. Her global bohemian style is evident in this lovely corner of her home where she has used gorgeous Moroccan pillows and a pretty green plant to liven up a simple sofa! 



Her blog is filled with inspiration and ideas that you don't want to miss. Visit her website and be prepared to be swept away by Justina's creative world!

Image: Copyright Justina Blakeney.

Eclectic Inspiration: A Home on the Adriatic Coast

Hello there! Pure eye candy is what this home brings to the table. This is a sunny bungalow on the Adriatic coast. The home belongs to London-based fashion designer Liza Bruce and her husband, artist Nicholas Alvis Vega. 



When globe trotters create a home it comes as no surprise that they would have Moroccan wood screens surround a veranda! The ikat pillows from Uzbekistan add to the charm and the laid back vibe......sigh! What's not to love about that! 



To view the entire home click Here.

Image: Photography by Simon Upton for Elle Decor and subject to copyright.

Fabulous Finds PAPAYA Art

I have not been posting my "Fabulous Finds" for a while now. However, today I do have something fabulous to share with you:)  Meet PAPAYA,  a lifestyle, stationery and accessory company based out of my neighboring state Oregon :) 



PAPAYA's motto is creative abandon......sigh! it sounds so lovely! This is a family business fueled and founded by Gina & Anahata Katkin and joined by Elijah Katkin.  What began as 20 greeting cards has evolved into an exciting spectrum of hundreds of fine lifestyle & stationery offerings. PAPAYA has recently expanded to include PAPAYA Living where you can find an eclectic mix of clothing, jewelry, home essentials, accessories, and much more.



Hmmm.....I can see myself on a road trip to Ashland, Oregon soon and guess where I shall be stopping :) For now, lets just admire these beautiful images from PAPAYA's lookbook. You can also shop online HERE and join them on Facebook.



Happy browsing and shopping :)

Images: PAPAYA ART and subject to copyright.

Cute handcrafted Vases At The Shop At My Dream Canvas

The Shop At My Dream Canvas has a new addition. These cute handcrafted wooden test tube vases in different colors and designs. Email me for prices. I am still updating the stock online at the Shop but you can write to me directly to purchase them via Paypal.  These made lovely gifts and can also liven up any little corner of your home.



Visit The Shop At My Dream Canvas to shop for other unique and pretty home decor finds hand picked by me just for you!



Happy Shopping :)

Image: Shop At My Dream Canvas and subject to copyright!

Adding Some Bling and Color

Monday morning has arrived and I am grinning. The reason...... my weekend was dreary, it rained incessantly and it was cold. The unexpected sunshine this morning is making me sing a happy tune. Its still pretty cold here so playing Holi might be hard today. I am disappointed but to cheer me up I decided to add a splash of color and bling to my living room decor :)



The easiest way to do that is fresh flowers and bright and bold cushions. Since it is Holi, I also added some extra bling :)



Here's wishing you a lovely week ahead. I am sharing some pictures from this morning......yes there is a lot of color and bling in my world today:) 

Images: My Dream Canvas and subject to copyright

Holi The Festival of Colors

It is that time of the year again......Holi, the Festival of Colors is here :) When I was younger and living in India, Holi was all about revelry and the onslaught of colors. The day where you get to smear color on your friends and family :) It is a fun and joyous event.



The celebrations last from morning till night. Today it is a lot different and relatively subdued. What I miss the most is my mom's fabulous cooking and the gifts we got from my grandmother. I long for those carefree days! I distinctly remember that I had colored nails for almost a week after Holi! I tend to get rather aggressive with the colors much to my friends dismay :) 



For Holi, I plan to cook for my family, smear them with a wee bit of color and keep the traditions alive :) A very Happy Holi to all those who are celebrating!!

Image: My Dream Canvas and subject to copyright.