Chasing design living in South Africa!

So, the latest is that we are moving to Johannesburg for three months! V has a project there and it gives us a great opportunity to know and live in another country. I would have never thought I would live in South Africa!!! I'm excited and a little nervous and mostly sad because I know I will really miss home - Dubai, my friends here, my gorgeous new bedroom (with Hemnes bed), my pillow, my tv, all my stuff. And I will get home-sick, but right now we are thinking we might visit Dubai at least twice in between (ya right!)
It's not a very long period, but long enough to be kind of like a mini relocation. At least that's what it is turning out to be with all the logistical issues.
Our relocation manager sent pictures of the house we are going to be living in, or so she suggests. It's a huge place in Sandton area, with huge lawns and swimming pool. It's also the exact kind of place I don't think I can live in because it's too big and I will be very scared to be alone in such a big house. So I've been looking at apartments and bed and breakfast inns and cute cottages.. it's amazing how lovely the homes are in Joburg!! Till we (hopefully) fix another place, here are the pics of the house we are supposed to be in.

While I love all the open green space (would be awesome for a party) and the pool and the idea of living in a house like this, I do hate how big it is as I said earlier, and also hating the living and dining room, just so not my taste! :) What do you guys think?
Meanwhile I've found some lovely apartments, that I will post pics of soon!
Anyone in Johannesburg???? Would love to catch up!!

 

 I've friends who feel it's rather sad that we missed the world cup. I couldn't be happier!! :)

Play Clan {Design Feature}

I came across Play Clan rather randomly and it left an impression. You can identify Play Clan stuff anywhere, once you get their flavor, I think I even spotted few cushions in.. was it Rajneeti (?)... I think! Quirky, fun and full of life (quite literally) .. and very affordable - I really really like them!! :) And while in Chennai I got to see some of their stuff first hand at The Park and Evoluzione. Cushions, coasters, t-shirts, posters - you name it, they have it!

colaba coasters - love these!! :)

Himanshu whose brain child Play Clan is, has been really sweet to have taken out time to tell me more about Play clan, how it came about and a little about himself. Thanks Himanshu!! :)

What is Play Clan? Himanshu: Play Clan is a concept that combines 'Fashion, Art and Design' to create lines in Home, Apparel, Gifts and Stationery,  inspired by the colorful life, culture and people of the Modern India. purani dilli How old is it? Himanshu: I founded play can in 2008 with our first store at the Select Citywalk. What made you come up with the Play Clan concept? Himanshu: Play Clan celebrates the life in India and our products reflect the energy and inspiration that we see everyday around us. We are storytellers that weave these tales in our product.  Your favorite piece in Play Clan?  Himanshu: I love the loaded shirt... it combines screen printing and embroidery with interesting placement. The copy in hindi says, follow traffic rules! Three words that describe you? Himanshu: I would like to answer that from a Brands point of view : Three words that describe Play Clan are - TAKE INDIA HOME  What inspires you? Himanshu: Everything that I see has some inspiration in it... I guess India has that charm! Favorite city? Himanshu: I guess Dillwaale Dilliwaale :) Get upto 25% off on Play Clan products here for next two days! or visit and buy them here - theplayclan

Sew on baby!!

Clare Owen's beautiful illustration on her blog here

We returned from our trip to Chennai a few days back. V was working almost all the time and most of our plans to go to Pondichery, or go to our fav stores and places to eat never really happened, also because we both fell sick with fever and cold and was no fun after that.

We did though, happen to be in Chennai just in time for the Chennai International Fahion Week. (more on this coming soon) Courtesy my sis-in-law we had front row passes for the shows. Thanks S! :)

I loved being in the middle of action in India after so long.. reminded me of IE days. Everyone was very friendly and nice and we met some lovely and talented people that I totally intend to get to know better! :) It was V's first time at a fashion show, and he thoroughly enjoyed it. 

I dedicate this post to all my new and old friends who design and love clothes and to all of you who create magic with their sewing machines! 

I would love to buy one some day, any recommendations for a basic but awesome sewing machine, anyone? 

Nan's 8X10 print - 16$ 

This would make such an awesome desktop wallpaper I think! 

Pottery Barn spools! I got myself one set just day before! :)

sewing machine on a cup! via Circa Ceramics

Print art by Ajawin

Oil painting by FunkyPalette - 250 $

Lovely vintage-look sewing machine pendant chain - 45$ by Japonica

loving..

via

Please note that there is a problem with blogger at the moment, and that's why you are probably not able to see the comments you post here. Rest assured, I am getting your comments in email and they will show soon on the blog too, once they resolve the problem. 

So, keep visiting and commenting.. you know I LOVE your comments!! :)

PS: Next post will come to you from India, yes, heading home tonight for a week.. very excited, I will be in Chennai, so if any of you are there, give me a shout! 

Bed time stories {IKEA HEMNES BED}

I have been waiting to re-do my bedroom for a while now. We have a two rooms, one of them is right now just a big pile of stuff.. so I want to move our current bed into the other room and make it organised, and get a new bed for us in the bedroom. So exciting!! I do love our current bed which is an IKEA MALM and while I like it and it's very comfortable,  (only) I'm bored about how low it is and then everything is kinda low to match it.. besides i'm in love with the new IKEA HEMNES bed. I also totally love the hemnes day bed from ikea.

I'm a little nervous about the bed and hope the bedroom turns out the way I really want it to.. :) because to begin with V does not see any problem with our current bed, in fact, quite loves it and he said he is ok about it, but I know he is not thrilled about the whole white bed thing happening!! Well, since I spend more time on the bed, I think it's fair I get to decide.. :) 

Here's the bed we are getting.. it's gonna get delivered soon! We are getting the white one.

Here are the IKEA HEMNES bed series..
shall i get the black instead??

we are getting this one! :)

 

Everyone wants to be found {Lost in translation}

Paul Johnson

This is my most favorite movie EVER!! And I have a list of movies that I love you know.. quite a few actually (and you will see them here sooner than later) But this movie.. oh.. see.. I don't even know what to say about it... it just kind of `knew' me.. Sophia Cappola's best work till date! I have also understood that people who `get' this movie get it, and others just won't! :) I can watch this film over and over again... 

And how amazing are the three posters??!! They take turns as my desktop wallpaper currently! :)

Do you like this movie?

what do you think he said to her in the end??

i'm loving...

These! I'm able to totally convince myself that I could even have some of my camera gear in here (a dedicated post soon coming on that though!)  :) 

Find them here