Kalaniketan: Ethnic Fine Art Boutique

Kalaniketan is an exclusive boutique in Cochin for Lucknowi Chikan work on fabric. I had the pleasure of meeting the wonderful designer and owner of this boutique, Honey Vijayan, who has been in this venture for the past 16 years. This boutique offers a variety of sarees, salwar materials, readymade short kurtas and even shirts and kurtas for men. It was so hard for me to stop shopping there! The varieties of embroideries on sarees are worth checking out. This store definitely offers the best chikan art work on clothes in Cochin.

Click here if you would like to know more about Chikan embroidery

Designer Honey Vijayan in news

I fell in love with the small garden in front of this boutique which was ethnically done up and I couldn’t resist myself from clicking pictures.

If you wish to get in touch with designer Honey Vijayan, you can call her at 0091-9388604367.


Images are clicked by me

Afkaari Boutique: stylish stationery and craft destination

Afkaari Boutique, a destination here in Oman that offers stylish and personalized stationery and fun and creative workshops. Issra Ahmed, left her career in Banking and Finance, started this venture after her baby was born. All her products like scrapbooks, craft kits, photo albums, photo frames and other assorted accessories and stationery are imported and then personalized here. There are so many pictures of Isabelle(my two year old daughter) that I’d like to put together in a personalized album and I know just where to go for it. So hop into this creative boutique to personalize and cherish your memories or attend their workshop of scrapbooking and other paper craft techniques!

Workshop Studio

Click here to view their facebook page and be updated with their latest products and workshop.


Images via Afkaari Boutique

Pick of the Week - Glass Jar Pendants

This unique and glass inspired lamp at your home will definitely have your guests giving a second glance when hung in pairs or in different colours. One aspect that had me worrying is the overheating of the lamp and my guess is you need to use low voltage bulb. When buying such lamps please make sure there is a small hole drilled at the bottom of the jar for air circulation else the light can get hot or even burst. Or even buy the ones that are open on the bottom of the jar for your safety.


I’d love to have these in my kitchen to give that Vintage look.

Modern Pendant Lighting design by New York Furniture And Accessories West Elm

Eclectic Pendant Lighting design by Pottery Barn

Click here to buy the product online.


Images via Houzz

Ganesh Art

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!

Wallhanging available at Crafts Villa.com
Image via Crafts Villa

Terracotta Ganesh available at Indya Kaledeiscope
Image via Indya Kaledeiscope

Inspiration from Bahamas

I had no words when I saw this gorgeous house in Bahamas on HouseBeautiful. The décor is a perfect blend of whites, blues, paintings and vintage furniture.


Keep your feet up, have a look at these pictures, relax and enjoy the hues and tones of this home.

Click here to view more pictures.


Images via HouseBeautiful

Deep Dark Chocolate Cake – for all dark chocolate lovers!

Past few days I have been frantically looking out for a recipe for an easy dark chocolate cake as I wanted to bake for my husband, Neil, on his birthday. He loves dark chocolate. Considering the time constrain and Isabelle, my little one, who is determined to keep me busy and on my toes, i was glad to find this easy and quick recipe at Hershey’s website and it did turn out just as i expected - rich and moist!


Happy Birthday Neil!!!

Click here for the recipe and enjoy baking!

For icing instead of butterfrost I used chocolate ganache.

Recipe is as follows
Melt Chocolate 200gm and fold in cream (200gm) and mix well. Spread this on the cake.

Images are clicked by me

With love from my Oven: indulge in some magical delights

A passion for baking that was discovered just three years back has led Supraja Jayachandran start a new venture called "With love from my Oven" based here in Oman. When I saw her cake for the first time, it was just too beautiful to be eaten and after my first bite I realized it was as tasty as one would imagine. I loved the quality of the cake, the colours and the themes. She baked her first cake three years back for her daughter’s first birthday and then there was no looking back. It was her family’s motivation and her friends support that made Supraja start making customized caked and muffins.


Enjoy her magical touch that goes into creating these customized cakes!

Click here to view her delights on facebook page and if you have any enquiries you can write to her at withlovefrommyoven@gmail.com


Images via With love from my oven