Christmas Fever has begun...

Are you in the Christmas spirit or is it just me?? Last night we took out our Christmas tree and went shopping for some new Christmas ornaments for the tree and I could see that it wasn’t just me. All the shops were already in festive mood. And my spirits were lifted by just looking at these pictures from Houzz. Spread the Christmas fever!

Traditional Dining Room design by Kansas City Media And Blogs Michelle Edwards

Traditional Staircase design by Seattle Interior Designer Timothy De Clue Design L.L.C

Contemporary Living Room design by Other Metro Media And Blogs Restyled Home

Contemporary Living Room design by Seattle Interior Designer It's The Little Things...

Images via Houzz

Prawn Cocktail: A Retro Easy Recipe

This is a retro easy and classic recipe and that can be served as a starter. There are so many variations to the sauce but I like my sauce basic and simple. This is one starter that never fails to impress. It’s easy to make, looks great and tastes good. Try it out and I am sure you will love it!

Ingredients:

Cooked Prawns: 250gm

Mayonnaise: 4 tbsp heaped

Tomato Ketchup: 2 tbsp heaped

Worcestershire Sauce: 2 tsp

Tiny Splash of tobassco

Paprika or Pepper: a pinch


Squeeze of Lemon juice



Serves 4 to 6



Method:

Shred the lettuce heart and pile it into a couple of chilled glasses.

Peel and dice a cucumber and add it to the lettuce

Mix the mayonnaise, tomato ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco together.

Toss in the prawns, a squirt of lemon juice and pinch of paprika or pepper.

Serve it with a lemon wedge and serve with brown bread.


Tip:

Serve it chilled

You can also serve it on cut out lettuce leaves.

You can make the sauce way ahead.

Images are clicked by me

Lacy Doily Envelopes

I am not so much into DIY projects but I do like to try once in a while. Homelife featured a craft on how to make doily envelopes... A perfect way to gift a voucher to your loved ones in those lacy envelopes... I tried it out yesterday and it’s so simple to make... why don’t you try it out?

Click here for step by step instruction.


Images are clicked by me

Masmara

Masmara, based out of Bangalore, brings an exquisite range of eco-friendly handcrafted products that appeal to a global audience and promote craftsmanship. Most of their products are made of natural fibers like jute, cotton, banana fiber, sheep wool and hibiscus fiber. I personally love their traditional hand painted items, jewelry, bags and their laundry baskets.


Enjoy their beautiful range of products

Click here to visit their website and here to view their facebook page. If you have any enquiries, you can write to info@masmara.com


Images via Masmara

Beautiful Sunday

It’s a beautiful Sunday morning! My heart is filled with gratitude for the beautiful weather here in Oman... And for the beautiful people around me and far away from me… I sat on my favourite bench, sipped my coffee, read a little, spend time with nature and I wished I knew each one of you who read my blog. So here is to us sharing a virtual cup of coffee and continue to walk with me in my journey.

Sharing a few pictures i clicked in my garden

Images clicked by me

Aparna Balasubramanian Photography

Aparna Balasubramanian, a freelance photographer, discovered her passion for photography when she started writing her food blog 5 years back. She started with food photography for her blog and wasn’t too happy with her initial pictures. So she took a basic course on how to use a professional camera, the rest was self taught, she read a lot, watched tutorials, practiced and led her photography beyond food. Her passion in food photography and styling, street photography and black & white photography increased and started giving workshops for aspiring photographers.


Here are some beautiful pictures clicked through her lens

To discover more of Aparna’s work please click here and be updated through her facebook page called Aparna Balasubramanian Photography.


Images via Aparna Balasubramanian Photography

Living Room Makeover

I am always enlightened with fresh new ideas when I see a room make over. CountryLiving featured this makeover and offered a great tip: Treat your white space like a blank canvas. You can see how fabric and colour can turn a room from basic to being bright.


Enjoy the Living Room makeover!

Images via CountryLiving

Turquoise (Handmade Accessories)

Nagham Auda, a jewelry designer based in Oman, whose love and passion for beautiful materials made her start her own venture called Turquoise (Handmade Accessories). Most of her designs are displayed in various boutiques in Oman, Jordan and UAE. Nagham is a self taught designer and gets her inspiration from fashion, classy vintage things, paintings, music and nature. Most of her handmade accessories are European and oriental in designs made out of precious stones and plated metals.

Click here to view her facebook page. If you would like to personalize an accessory or jewelry for yourself or gift for someone please write to Nagham Auda at turquoise.accessories@gmail.com


Images via Turquoise (Handmade Accessories)

Table Styling for Thanksgiving and Christmas

Houzz featured this lovely table setting for Thanksgiving and Christmas which looked so gorgeous. Stylist and Photographer Rikki Snyder, used natural décor by using fresh herbs, seasonal fruits, branches, mason jars for candles, neutral table cloth, warm and bright coloured runners, fall bouquets and chestnuts to bring out two different looks on the table.



Table Setting for Thanksgiving

Dining Room design by New York Photographer Rikki Snyder

Table Setting for Thanksgiving

Dining Room design by New York Photographer Rikki Snyder

Table Setting for Christmas

Eclectic Dining Room design by New York Photographer Rikki Snyder

Table Setting for Christmas

Eclectic Dining Room design by New York Photographer Rikki Snyder

Click here to read more on how to style your table and there are some good tips as well on how to make your table setting more creative.


Images via Houzz, Photograher Rikki Snyder

Craft Time: Pyramid Gift Box

Its craft time!! I came across this lovely page on facebook called Trust Me, I'm a Designer, which shows great concepts from different designers. And i saw this easy and quick way to make a pyramid gift box.


Try it out! I am going to try this out for Christmas!

Image via Trust Me, I'm a Designer

Home Bar Designs

If you love entertaining or love to have an occasional cocktail or drink, I am sure you would love to have your own home bar. Your home bar maybe tucked away in the corner of your living room or study or even kitchen. HouseBeautiful featured some artistic and cute home bars for some inspiration.


Have a look at these pictures and spice it up with your touch and build yourself a unique bar.

Click here for more inspirations from HouseBeautiful.


Images via HouseBeautiful

Tickled by Diwali Inspirations Part 2

My Diwali inspiration continues with lots of tea lights...

Wishing my readers a Happy and Prosperous Diwali!!

Images are clicked by me. If you are using any of these pictures, please link back to this post.