Positivity in your space

Hey everyone… how is your week going? Since we are all spending a lot of time indoors, at home… do you feel positive enough in your space?

If not, here are some tips for you to create that positive energy in your space and I hope it will work for you…

Natural lighting:

Place your seating close to your window where you can work and read easily. Keep rotating your seating arrangements from one room to another.


Surround yourself with things that make you happy:

If you are sitting at your desk, have pictures of your loved ones close by or a favorite book or something that has sentimental value and brings a smile to your face every time you look at it.


Indoor plants:

Have at least one indoor plant in your space. That pop of green always brings life in your home.


De-clutter:

De-clutter your space as it directly affects your mind and productivity. Throw away papers, bills and things that you don’t need. Donate toys, old books and clothes.


Music:

I always play music in the background when I paint, meditate or read and even when I create recipes… it just sets the tempo for my task.


Aromatic Oils:

To set the mood in your home, burn your favorite aromatic oil or incense. It will uplift your mood as you do your task.


Move things around:

Since we are all home bound, it’s natural for all of us to crave for a change of scenery,  so the best way to tackle this is, move around your wall hangings, pictures and paintings…. Move your furniture around a bit or your décor accents. you can also add a few accents here and there that have a pop of colour.


Favorite Couch:

Always have your favorite couch ready for taking a snooze in between or read or to watch your favorite television show. And keep a throw ready to snuggle in.


Take breaks:

Please don’t forget to stretch and workout in between. If you have a small balcony, you can stretch there and get a bit of sunlight as well. And if you have space outside, try workout or do a spot jogging or skip.

Let me know if these tips are helpful and is working for you… I only wish you all lots of peace and calmness as the lockdown continues. Please stay safe, stay healthy, eat healthy and stay home!

Above pictures are copyrighted by Tickled by Inspirations

Tips to Revamp your Deskspace

After a long and hectic week, it is always good to revamp your desk to make an environment that is functional and motivating. My desk was cluttering up with papers, documents that needed filing and books. And the whole cluttering process affected my work progress, productivity and balance. So I finally sat down to clear up my desk and revamped it by de-cluttering, filing and throwing away papers that I don’t need and I set the vibe with some fresh flowers and Indian basil arranged in a vase. And my desk got an instant makeover! What do you think of my desk space?

This was how it looked!... Can you see the stack of papers and books piling up?

And this bunch of flowers and basil, just changed the vibe

Here are some tips to revamp your desk and set it in the right tone:


Create a Mood-board:

Treat your desk space as your mood board. Use calm colours or black and gold or even browns by using books, desk accessories, your brand posters or art and motivational quotes.  And the best part is you can keep changing your desk look. There are no rules here.


Always de-clutter:
My desk always keeps piling up with books, papers, documents that needs to be filed and bills! Towards the end of the week it’s always good to de-clutter so that you can start the new week with a clean desk. File away papers and throw away things that you don’t serve any purpose.


Good Lighting: 
To boost your productivity, you need good lighting, be it natural light or artificial. Use warmer hue desktop light and adjustable light levels to avoid eye strain. Invite as much light as you can to make your space look bigger.


Green or flowers: Fresh indoor plants or flowers instantly set the vibe for your work space. It instantly sets a zen vibe to your space.

I hope you get to revamp your desk space and if you do, please keep me posted on how it goes!




Above pictures are copyright Tickled by Inspirations

A Christmas DIY centre piece

I say it’s about time we start gearing up for Christmas… and it’s never too early…


One of the most important element of Christmas other than food, baking and family, is the décor… the tree needs to go up, along with all the lights… you need to decide on what crockery to use and on the colour theme…  It can get busier as Christmas is approaching so you would rather stick to some simple DIY which you can handle. Christmas table centre pieces are an integral part of décor in your home … for your coffee table and for your dining.

I have a simple centre piece for Christmas that is simple, elegant and that too it just takes ten minutes!


Here is a list of things that you need :

• a single tier or double tier cake stand 
• your favorite Christmas sparkly ornaments
• a few pine cones 
• a few Christmas tree branches (if you want but I didn’t use any) 

Arrange all the above elements on the cake stand.. you can even use a string of lights and voila! your centrepiece is ready!

Let me know what you think of this DIY décor...and if you have any DIY decor to share, please get in touch with me at tbinspirations@gmail.com .

Above pictures are copyright Tickled by Inspirations

Eggplant Cheese Spread Bruschetta / Paneer-bhaingan bhurji

Today’s food inspiration is for the vegetarian lovers out there. This is the first time I tried paneer(cottage cheese) and eggplant combo and it turned out beautiful together. It’s spicy (bearable) and absolutely fabulous on baguette slices and it is a great appetizer to any party or event. This recipe is adapted from Food Fashion Party, a great food blog that I have been following over the years. Thank you Asha for this amazing recipe. It’s a perfect comforting dish for your weekend night. Try it out and you will know exactly what I am talking about!

Click here for the original recipe. It is adapted from Food Fashion Party.

Serves 4 to 6

Method:

·      Frozen paneer(cottage cheese) – 250gms (Click on the original link if you want to make fresh paneer)

·      Basil Pesto – I used to readymade bottled one ( didn’t have time to make the fresh one, but do click on the original recipe link to make Basil Pesto)

·      Eggplant - 1

·      Oil – 2 tbsps.

·      Cumin – 1tsp

·      Red Onion finely diced – 2 tblsp

·      Finely sliced green chilie - 2

·      1 tbsp. ginger garlic paste – 1tblsp

·      Tomato large chopped - 1

·      Salt – 1 tsp.

·      Turmeric powder – ¼ tsp.

·      Chili powder (hot) – 1 tsp.

·      Garam masala – ½ tbsp.

·      Finely chopped parsley – 3 to 4 tbsps.

·       Shredded mozzarella - 2tbsps.

·      French bread, sliced diagonally

Method:

1. Brush the eggplant with oil and bake it for 30 minutes in 200 degrees Celsius. Let it cool for 15 minutes once it’s baked and then finely chop it and set aside.
2. In a pan add oil, brown cumin. Then sauté chopped onion till it softens. Then add green chilies, ginger and garlic paste and sauté for 15 seconds. Then add tomatoes, turmeric, chilie powder and salt and sauté for one minute. Add 1 or 2 tbsps. of water to cook the spices. Keep sautéing for another few minutes. 
3. Then add chopped eggplant, garam masala and cook on low flame for 5 minutes. Then add the crumbled paneer and fold it well under high flame.
4. Turn off the flame and add chopped parsley.
5. Scoop the dish on to an oven proof serving bowl and sprinkle mozzarella cheese and bake till the cheese melts and turn brown.
6. Arrange the sliced bread and pesto on a platter and serve the dish along with this.

All above pictures are copyrighted Tickled by Inspirations

Espresso Chocolate Lava Cake

Dark chocolate is my husband’s first love when it comes to the type of chocolate. So I got this easy recipe from “The White Ramekins” that just popped up on my Instagram feed on Valentine’s Day. It has all the perfect elements to make this lava cake decadent. It is rich, chocolaty and gooey inside!! There is espresso and dark chocolate infused perfectly in this dessert. You can add peanut butter as per the original recipe if you wish to give that perfect salty texture as well. So if you are a peanut butter fan you should click here for the original recipe from “The White Ramekins”. It’s easy and quick to make… it has few ingredients and requires a few ramekins or custard cups.  This is that perfect dessert for that romantic night or just to treat yourself after a long day or a hectic week! My only regret is that I couldn’t photograph the chocolate lava running out of the cake to give you the complete picture. Nevertheless do try out this no fail recipe and let me know how it turns out!

Recipe Adapted from The White Ramekins

Ingredients

1.       Dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids), chopped – 200gm

2.       Butter, chopped – 100gm

3.       Eggs 2

4.       2 egg yolks, extra

5.       Caster sugar – 100gm

6.       Plain flour – 35gm

7.       Vanilla extract – 1tsp

8.       Instant Espresso powder – 2 tsp

9.       Cocoa Powder for dusting – 2 tblsp

 Method

1.       Preheat oven to 200 degrees C. Grease 4 ramekins with butter and dust with cocoa powder.

2.       Melt the chocolate and butter in a saucepan over low heat and stir until the chocolate and butter are smooth.

3.       In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, egg yolks, sugar, vanilla extract and espresso powder. Then fold in the chocolate mixture. Once the chocolate mixture is blended well, then fold in plain flour to combine gently.

4.       Pour the mixture into prepared pudding moulds until it is just covered.

5.       Place moulds on a baking tray and bake for about 10-15 minutes. The cakes should be firm on the outside and dry on top, but still a bit wobbly in the center.

6.       Gently run a knife around the cakes to loosen from the mould and flip onto a plate and dust with cocoa powder.

Tips:

·         Garnish with strawberries or raspberries.

·         Serve it with whipped cream, ice cream or ganache instead of cocoa powder

All the above pictures are copyrighted Tickled by Inspirations

Decorating with Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea is a gorgeous plant that thrives in any weather. It is low maintenance and adds so much of colour to your garden.  My garden has this gorgeous pink bougainvillea and I had to find a way to bring that pink indoors. So I rearranged and restyled one of my living room side tables and paired the flowers with a plain white Japanese ceramic teapot and it looked gorgeous. The only disadvantage with these flowers is it withers away very quickly. So even if you put it in water, it will stay for just one or 2 days. Nevertheless I think it’s a great way to bringing in beauty, drama for that instant happiness and enhance your décor even if it’s just for one or two days.

Have a look at the following pictures on how I styled with my favorite curios.

What do you think of my side table décor ? I would love to hear your thoughts.





All above images are copyright Tickled by Inspirations

Reading Culture

Books have always been an integral part of my life. I love books … to read… to touch and it’s one of my stress busters. Do you remember the moment you fell in love with reading? Mine started with a series of Enid Blyton books… Famous Five series and Nancy Drew. I remember reading past my bed time with my bedside lamp on and taking my book to the restroom with so much of anticipation. Do you remember yours?

I am not happy that my reading has come down drastically. I do read on the net but that’s not how it used to be. We all got so busy with our own routine and we are all evolving and moving in a very different direction. In this technology driven world I pray that our kids will have the same passion for reading a book.  Because this is what will help them to think out of the box! And I know this will happen only when we set an example and read. I am quite active on social media promoting my blog, artists and other inspirations. And while I continue to do that I took a conscious decision last month to read more … or at least one book every month and also read with my little one. What are your thoughts? Please email me a picture of a book that you are reading or you recently finished with reviews. (email: tbinspirations@gmail.com ) I will gladly share it on Tickled by Inspirations wall. It is also a way to inspire others to read. Happy Sunday and Happy reading!!

Above pictures are copyrighted Tickled by Inspirations.

Dessert Recipe: Banoffee Pie

I tend to lose myself in the routine by playing different roles and meeting everyone’s expectations like every woman.  So once a while it is good to step back every now and then from being a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a nurturer and just have some time to be crazy and laugh loud with your friends. Having a night out with your girlfriends is food for your soul and a major stress relief.

So last Friday was one such night, where we ladies decided to take some time out with each other, let loose and be ourselves. With each drink our conversations grew louder, sang out songs and danced like there was no tomorrow. I am blessed to have some of the most uplifting, encouraging and wonderful friends that help me through life’s little challenges. (Touch wood) “It’s smart to invest in the friendships that make you happiest " - Scholar William Schopik (absolutely true)!

I made this easy peasy Banoffee Pie for our ladies night where my gals did justice by wiping it off clean. All you need is the buttery biscuit base, caramel, banana, whipped cream and dust on top with cocoa powder!!!  I hope you get to try making this. It is a no fail recipe, a show stopper and one of my favorite!!

Buttery biscuit base and Caramel

once the caramel is set, top it with a layer of sliced bananas

And then layer on top of the bananas with some whipped cream

And lastly dust cocoa powder before serving!

Recipe is adapted from here

Ingredients

For the base   

• 75g unsalted butter
• 200g digestive biscuits
• For the caramel filling
• 150g brown sugar
• 150g unsalted butter
• 1 x 397g can condensed milk
• pinch sea salt flakes

For the topping

• 2 ripe bananas
• 150ml whipping cream
• 2 tablespoon Cocoa powder

Method

• Firstly make the biscuit base. Melt the butter in a medium-sized pan. Put the biscuits into a food bag and crush with a rolling pin, or pulse them until fine in a food processor.
• Mix biscuit crumbs into the melted butter until evenly coated. Pour the mixture into the center of a 23cm/9inch loose-bottomed tart tin. Then press the mixture firmly over the base of the tin and up the sides. Transfer the base to the fridge to chill for about 30 minutes, until firm.
• While the base cooling, make the caramel. Heat the brown sugar and butter together in a pan over a medium heat until the butter melts and the sugar has dissolved and keep stirring till it blends together.
• Then add the condensed milk, the sea salt flakes and bring up to a boil, then take off the heat and let it cool slightly.
• Take the set biscuit base out of the fridge and pour the caramel onto the biscuit base. And transfer it back to the fridge and leave to cool completely.
• Slice the bananas and layer them over the set caramel.
• Whip the cream in a large bowl with electric hand beaters till thickened and stiff. Spoon the cream over the bananas or pipe it to decorate.
• Dust the cocoa powder over the pie.
• Remove the pie from the tart tin, by placing the tin on top of an upturned bowl, then sliding the edge of the tin down. Move the bowl out of the way, and then slide the banoffee pie off the tin base and onto a plate before serving.

Tips:

• Instead of cocoa powder you grate chocolate, or melted chocolate over the cream.
• For coffee flavour add 1 tblps on expresso into the cream before whipping.

All above Images are copyrighted Tickled by Inspirations

A Happy 2018.... Reset, Refresh!

So here we are smoothly sailing into 2018… wondering what this brand new year has in store for us. Aren’t we all looking forward to fresh starts, possibilities and more importantly refresh?? Many have managed to keep their resolutions in 2017 and turned their lives around unlike me. But I have to say that I managed to stick to two of my resolution and that is “to learn something new” and travel. I am grateful and blessed that I learned two new skills in 2017- Calligraphy and different textures in painting.  

This year, like the previous I hope to learn something new again. This is important to me because it opens up doors to endless possibilities and helps me to look at the world in a different angle. We are never too old to learn something new… a new language, an instrument, dance or any other skill. And secondly I hope to focus on being healthy… eat healthy, less sugar and carbs (the most difficult part) and stay fit. And when it comes to blogging, I sincerely hope I can be more consistent … and focus more on my paintings. So here I am hitting the reset and refresh button by taking the following small steps:

·         Learn a new skill

·         Read one book every month

·         Create an art work every month

·         Eat more fiber and less carbs and sugar (me crying here L but got to do it)

·         Travel

·         Dance, sing, listen to more music and party because life is short. Need to create good memories.

·         Chase my dreams and make it work

·         Organize my pictures and click more

·         Do all the fun things with my family, especially my 7 year old

·         Constantly remind myself that change is a good thing

Thank you all for showering me with lot of blog love!! You all have kept me going with your comments and emails. I am back with more inspirations, home tours, décor love, food, art, DIY and interiors, so stay tuned!! Wishing each one of you a Fabulous, Blessed and Healthy 2017!!

Above Images are copyright Tickled by Inspirations

Chocolate Roast Almond Bark

Christmas is calling and you definitely need chocolate during this season! Any recipe for a chocolate bark is one the easiest non-baking treats to make and a great homemade gift. Absolutely simple to make and it is a recipe where you can keep improvising with the ingredients. This is a highly addictive and easy to make treat and I am sure you will enjoy making it. So let’s move on to the recipe.

Makes about 30 pieces

Ingredients

10 oz. semi-sweet Chocolate chips

1 cup sliced almonds

1 tbsp. Butter

½ cup or more crushed toffee bits (you get it readymade)

A pinch of salt

Method                                                                           

1.       Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2.       Toast almonds in butter with salt.

3.       Melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and cook on high in the microwave in 30 second bursts, stirring after each one, until melted and smooth.

4.       Once the chocolate is melted and silky in texture, add the almonds, crushed toffee bits and stir well.

5.       Pour the chocolate onto the parchment paper and use a rubber spatula to spread it in a thin layer. It will cover the better part of the baking sheet. Sprinkle the balance toffee bits and sprinkle stars on it as I did to add color.

6.       Put the baking sheet into the fridge for 10 minutes. Remove from fridge and leave on the counter to cool and harden for several hours or overnight.

7.       Once completely cool, break the chocolate into pieces that are a couple of bites each.

8.       Store in an air-tight container or package up for gifts.

Tips:

·         Add raisins or any dry fruits to give a different flavor

·         You can substitute almonds with walnuts and pistachios.

·         You can use dark chocolate or milk chocolate or even white chocolate.

Above pictures are copyright Tickled by Inspirations

DIY Christmas Center Piece

It is that time of the year… The weather is chilly and perfect… cups of coffee and hot chocolate being served around… the Christmas tree and décor is up… the baking aroma from the kitchen constantly giving us nostalgic memories… and the carols playing in the background. Perfect countdown to Christmas...            

Every year for Christmas, I try to come up with something new for my coffee table and this year I am trying out with something old, new and gold… All you need is a small or mini cake stand, any Christmas ornament to flaunt on your cake stand and some pine cones to sprinkle around and voila your center piece is ready to make a statement. I placed a mini Christmas tree on my cake stand instead of ornaments. Use your imagination to place something nice on the cake stand like scented candles or pine cones.  It is simple, less time consuming and looks fabulous! Tell me what do you think of my coffee table center piece?

All the above images are copyrighted Tickled by Inspirations