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

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

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

Back into the Groove

I blinked and my one month break just whizzed passed by… My holiday was fun, jam packed with small travels, ate a lot of traditional food and spent a lot of time with family and friends… Each of my travel gives me a new focus and appreciate little things a bit more...

Getting back into the routine was so difficult. I am generally in a rush to unpack once I get back from my holiday… put everything back in its place and get everything in order… buy grocery and get the kitchen back in shape… decide on my next painting piece and plan my timelines for my next blog post and photoshoot as the urge to return to my blog space was strong… and here I am with you shouting out “I am back”. Many of you have sent me emails and anxiously waiting for my replies… and you will get them soon (and thanks so much for reaching out to me!)...

I know I have neglected this blog lately… and I feel bad about it … But if you were following me on Instagram (click here ) you will know I didn’t disappear completely and gave you glimpses on what’s going on. I have so much to journal and doodle… Meanwhile I have tons of inspiration to share with you all so stay tuned!

Images Copyrighted Tickled by Inspirations

Happy tea time and thoughts

As the summer in Oman is revealing itself with warmer temperatures, bright scorching sun and bright blue skies… I’m increasingly lured inside my home! And I have started completing a lot of unfinished tasks like clearing up store and finishing up an art piece that I have been working on… clearing my inbox (apologies to my readers for my late reply)  and reading other people’s creative journey. And what intrigues me in their stories is what drove them to their journey… it might be just a simple curiosity that has led them to what they are today… that changed their life around… I am on a quest to search for more stories and people who just turned around their lives based on their curiosity and ideas…. There is nothing more nourishing to learn more from each one's journey don’t you think? Wish I could have a cup of tea with you and just converse away and hear your story....

If you are one of them do write to me and I would love hear more about your journey…  you can email me at tbinspirations@gmail.com

Happy Tea time!

All Images are clicked by me

Photography Love

Photography is therapeutic to me… I shut myself off and just dive into the details trying to capture the beauty and love in one frame, experimenting with colours and textures. I have always loved going through old and new pictures ever since I was a child… because every picture has a story to tell…. And being able to capture memories and details is sheer joy. Through photography I try to capture beauty around me through mundane things… I just have to look closely… I see beauty in textiles, in intricate designs, in nature and in vibrant colours. I love photographing interiors, travels and still life…. Having said this let me confirm I am no professional photographer… To me photography is all about chasing beauty in our daily lives and the camera goes wherever I go. Each one of us has a medium to chase beauty and love… it can be art, dance, theatre,  … what is your medium? I would love to hear your journey.

 

All Images are copyright Tickled by Inspirations





 

Indigo Blue Inspiration from my home

Good morning everyone! Happy Tuesday! Trust you all are holding up fine and happy! As the summer is slowly creeping in, I am trying to ignore the fact that we are all going to be baked soon as the heat goes up. So to cool off my place with freshness, I would like to welcome you all to my comfort zone as I style away my coffee table with Indigo blue. The idea was to bring freshness to my living room and the best way to start is from my coffee table...  I could feel my table screaming for some love! So I put some of my favorite elements together and voila! I must admit I am so pleased with how all the elements have come together.

         

                                                                                                                   

                                

In this vignette you will find books, books are always a part of my decor…. There are tealight holders… my favorite treasure, a Wedgwood box that I acquired 5 years back…. a matching table runner from Athens… and bougainvillea flowers!

Let me know what you think of my indigo blue styling! Suggestions are welcome!! Have a fabulous week ahead!

All Images are copyright Tickled by Inspirations





 

Penne Pasta with spicy, creamy tomato sauce

I love Middle East winter and I totally love this change of weather… its sunny at the same time chilly and windy, where you need to wear some winter clothes. And this cool weather has a tendency of bringing friends together for barbecue… camping… impromptu café hoping… sheesha time….

And in my kitchen I find myself making masala chai, soup or warm bread pudding … and other comfort food… so here I am soaking up this gorgeous weather and sharing the joy through the beauty of food…

Today’s recipe is a simple, no fuss pasta recipe which is spicy… perfect for this weather… and easy to whip up for your family, friends or for yourself!

 

 

Ingredients

1 onion finely chopped

3 garlic cloves finely chopped

¾ cup any bottled pasta sauce

2 cups of dried penne pasta - this needs to be cooked as per the instructions and while cooking please reserve a cup of cooking water.

Grated mozzarella

Grated parmesan

Salt and Black pepper

Chillie flakes – to your taste

4 tblsp finely chopped capsicum

Cooking cream

3 tsp Olive oil

 

Method

Heat Olive oil and sauté chopped onion until softened. Then add garlic and continue to fry for 2 minutes.

Pour in the pasta sauce, chopped parsley, reserved pasta cooking water and season with chillie flakes, salt and pepper.

Bring the sauce to a simmer till its thickened and a little cream to it.

Add cooked pasta to the simmering sauce and sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top and garnish with parsley leaves.

Serve it hot!

 

 

 

Tips

• You can add mushrooms or chicken to this recipe.
• Instead of parsley, try using basil.
• You can replace the penne pasta with any other pasta.

 

 

Images are copyright Ticked by Inspirations

 

 

 

 

 

How I keep my creative flame alive?

 

I am blessed to have set aside some time to keep my creative flame alive and people often ask me how do you do it? It’s not easy especially when you have to allocate time for yourself in your busy schedule…  I am a firm believer that there is inspiration everywhere…. It comes and goes and it exists everywhere you seek… And creativity happens only when there is some form of inspiration.

 

Here are some of my ways of keeping myself inspired…

 

1.       Nature espresso shot: Nature provides me instant inspiration like an espresso shot!  … Plants, flowers, birds make me appreciate the beauty around. We, me and my family, are blessed to have a small beautiful garden and every day, especially when the weather is good, it is mandatory that we sit out for some time and embrace nature’s beauty. It also helps us to achieve some family time.

2.        Journal: I keep a small journal where I write mundane things and draw and doodle…it’s my way of documenting my life… And it’s fun to look back at these pictures and notes…. It also helps me be grounded and grateful for everything.

3.       Books: Reading is another way of keeping my inspiration and creativity alive… I have books everywhere in my home, from my living room, kitchen and my night stand…. Even though I don’t get time always to read, just flipping through it makes me feel rejuvenated!

4.       Photography: Capturing memories through my camera lens is another way of journaling everything I do and I tend to lose myself in this art. And thank God for Instagram where you can share your daily journal and connect with people all over the world who share your love for creative art and other passions and thereby inspiring each other.

5.       Painting: To me blending and splashing colors on a blank canvas is therapeutic… it gives me a wave of stimulation and emotional energy.

6.       My blog: Through my blog I am so fortunate to have met virtually many artists who have inspired me and allowed me to soak up their creativity. Their journey has given me strength especially when I felt disconnected from everything around me. I guess the key is to allow yourself to open to inspiration and influences around you and have the courage to be creative.

7.       Digital Detox: To make myself a better me, I try to digitally detox from everything once in a while (which is rare!) even though I find it so hard especially when you are  digitally dependent!! The key is to set boundaries so that you strike a balance somewhere between your family, art and work.

 

 
I would love to hear from my readers on how you stay inspired to keep your creative flame alive…. It is a beautiful day here and I wish I could share this beautiful weather with you all… Nevertheless I wish each one of you a Happy and Blessed day!!!


 

All Images are copyright Tickled by Inspirations






 

New Year thoughts and Christmas warmth from my home

2017 has begun… and as always I am hoping for a happy and healthy new year… Life is all about ups and downs … my trials my pains has made me what I am today and none of these shattered my inner personality…. And more importantly I am still grateful for my family and good friends around me that is my support system. I still want to continue to make everything around me more beautiful …. continue to be comfortable in my own skin … do the different… be me… laugh loud… dance away, continue to count my blessings, be more fit, eat right, stay healthy and learn something new whenever there is an opportunity. So cheers to 2017 and I hope to continue a beautiful journey with all my readers out there!!! Shine on…. Glitter away and sparkle in whatever you do….

Here is a glimpse of the Christmas warmth from my home before I bring down the décor….

 

 

 

brownies recipe coming up... stay tuned!

 

mulled wine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cheers to more inspirations and blogging

 

 

 

All images are clicked by me