A Dreamy Weekend.......

I love a vacation for the simple reason that "Time" does not get to play, "Dictator". I have an opportunity to simmer down and escape the ho-hum of the daily grind. My weekend getaway to Deep Creek Lake (situated in Garrett County of Maryland and a 31/2 hrs drive from Virginia) was just that:) 

View from our Deck

I loved everything about this trip : we got to spend some quality family time together, made new bonds and connections with the wonderful friends that we planned the vacation with, the sweeping mountain views were breathtaking and the weather, Oh so awesome !!! 

Perched on a hill top, the Mountain lake villa (from Taylor made vacation homes) was the perfect choice for our stay. With stunning views Deep Creek is a popular destination all year round. Fed by the Youghiogheny River, the lake offers an abundant choice of water sports. If your not a water person, then take delight in the long walks on some wonderful  trails along the waterfront or hike the gorgeous mountain trails. 

If your an outdoor person, then Wisp Resort is the place for you. An entire day can be spent here. Wisp is a 4 season resort and is sought after during the winter months too as they offer adventure sports like  cross country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and more. The must do is the Mountain coaster which is a hybrid coaster car going 3,500 feet downhill over 350 vertical feet on the eastern side of Wisp Mountain. Another favorite is the scenic chairlift ride. On reaching the top this magnificent view greets you !!!

Looking to spend a quiet afternoon by the water, the Swimming beach at Deep Creek Lake State Park is a wonderful place to unwind. With a beach blanket and a picnic lunch, the little ones can have their share of the fun in the shallow waters (it's wonderful that a life guard's there to watch over you:)

We had a great kitchen at our disposal and with some talented cooks in the group and every single one of us pitching in to help, we had our feast ready in no time. This was one situation where too many cooks didn't spoil the broth ;) When the sun came down, the red wine and cocktails came out !!! Once dinner was over and little ones were tucked in bed, the grown ups sat down for some heart to heart conversations and danced the night away to some soulful music........

A snapshot of a memorable evening 

I hope you enjoyed the captures through my lens and the post was resourceful in planning your own summer getaway !!!

And finally a picture of the wonderful bouquet of Wild Flowers that my  son picked up for me :)

You have a wonderful day !!!

Images: Clicked by me. Please do not use without prior written permission.
Images are the property of Sruthi Singh and subject to copyright.

Pillow Potential (India Circus Product Review)

There is perhaps no home decor accent like the toss pillows/ cushions, that are so adaptable so as to instantaneously transform a space to accommodate any design palette or personal style. Serving both form and function, they provide the much needed back support and are at the receiving end with reclining, tossing, tumbling (you name it).......When it comes to toss pillows and me, I believe, the more the merrier. I use them as my canvas to exhibit my color preferences or to complete the eclectic look or feel that I desire to create. 

Showcased here (clockwise from right) is the Emperor’s Court Cushion Cover (love the bling detailing on this one), Peacock Splash Poly Taf-Silk Cushion Cover and the Peacock Dawn Poly Velvet Cushion Cover 

I was pleasantly surprised when a fuschia colored package arrived at my door. One look at the package and my little guy goes...."Mom it's from India Circus, isn't it???? Yes, my 7 year old is well-informed when it comes to decor brands out there and always has his opinions ready when it comes to decorating our home. I'm so proud of him, as I can see how his taste / style is developing ........well let's keep that for another day shall we. I tend to digress every now and then, don't I ???

Showcased here is the Peacock Pride Poly Taf-Silk Cushion Cover

On opening the package I found 4 gorgeous cushion covers in creative color combos and dynamic designs waiting to add the perfect finishing touch to my Indian style living room. I'm completely smitten by the modern take on the strong Indian motifs. Illustrating the iconic peacocks, kings and scenes from the royal landscape of India, it's an instant way to add an eclectic zing to one's decor.

The materials used for the cushions are poly silk and poly velvet and hence creasing is minimal even when roughly used. One thing that is very important to me when it comes to cushion covers is that they have sturdy zippers on them. I tend to change them often according to my mood swings and hence flimsy zippers do tend to give way. That said, the India Circus designer cushion covers  get a 4 on 5 for delivering both quality and panache.

This time I've paired the elegant looking cushion covers with the wild mustard flowers, that grow profusely in Virginia at this time of the year. Their delicate stems are contained in an antique brass kettle, a flea market find from Delhi. I love how the sun seems to intensify the color of the mustard flowers. With a plethora of sumptuous cushions to sink into, it was the perfect corner to bask in a little evening sunshine and enjoy watching the sun cast dainty shadows and put on a show. 

With an extensive range of gorgeous cushion covers at India Circus , the possibilities are endless. So snap out of the unexciting look and embrace style and color with India Circus. 

Signing off for today and don't forget to make it a Happy Wednesday !!!!

Disclaimer: India Circus sent me the pillow covers to review, free of charge. The views and opinions in the post are solely mine and unbiased.

Images:Clicked by me. Please do not use without prior written permission. Images are the property of Sruthi Singh and subject to copyright.  

India Circus Wall Art Collection

Hope the start of the week is treating you well so far :) I've featured India Circus on my blog before and I can't seem to get enough of them. 

"India Circus" has got the equation right when it comes to balancing traditional aesthetics and contemporary sensibilities. Drawing from a diverse pool of inspiration be it the grandeur of the Mughal aristocracy/era, Indian mythology, iconic Indian architectural relief or the classic roadside Indian chai, the array of home decor products offered by India circus is perfect for those who have an appetite for the traditional+eclectic+contemporary+chic all married into one. With Krsna Mehta as the driving force behind the creative process at India Circus, the end result is a well curated collection that is quintessentially Indian. 


I've been fascinated with their newest additions to the wall art collection. The intense colors portraying the splendor of Indian royal cavalry, is sure to add the right amount of Indian pizzazz to your decor. These are my personal favorites and if you've been looking for inspiration to perk up your walls with vibrant images of India, look no further. Check out the entire range of India Circus wall art right here.

Have a wonderful day and see you back here for some wonderful additions to my home from India Circus. 

Images: India Circus

Everyday Beauty

A flower's appeal is in its contradictions — so delicate in form yet strong in fragrance, so small in size yet big in beauty, so short in life yet long on effect. ~Terri Guillemets

I personally think that the Peonies embody old world sophistication and charm with a dollop of drama and seductiveness unlike any other flower. Their delicate perfume has an intoxicating effect that is indescribable. Seeing them go from a tight ball to a balletic full rounded bloom, they take my breathe away every single time. Yesterday I picked up these beauties from the grocery store. The lovely lady who works in the flower section of the grocery store, happens to know of my love for flowers. When she saw me there yesterday, she told me she had a surprise for me:) And she was right!!!! I've been waiting for these gorgeous flowers a long time...............

As I unloaded the grocery bags, I kept thinking of the vase that would house these beauties and what I would pair them with. I chose to go with the regal combination of pink and gold. One of my favorite Natya Ganesha makes his debut in this post. Hand carved, this beautiful brass statue was a lucky find on a trip to Thanjavur (India). In the evening, I lit a few candles around the home to elevate my mood. The brass picked up the flickering glow of the candles and the peonies in all their ornate glory were pure visual poetry.  

I thought it wouldn't hurt to know a little more about these revered flowers that have their roots in Greek mythology. Legend has it that Peonies were named after Paeon, who was one of Asclepius' (Greek god of healing and medicine) pupils. In an attempt to safeguard Paeon from Asclepius anger, The Greek God Zeus transformed him into an unassuming peony. What ever may be the story behind the first blossom of a peony, but their artistic beauty have inevitably served as a muse to Chinese and European painters and poets alike. Also said to have medicinal properties these beauties are nothing short of being called nature's jewel.

Signing off for today and I hope you find your share of inspiration in the everyday beauty too. Have a wonderful day !!!!

Images:Clicked by me. Please do not use without prior written permission.

Images are the property of Sruthi Singh and subject to copyright.  

Happy Mother's Day !!!

Happy Mother's Day to each and every one of you who has taken on the herculean task of playing the role of a mom. My definition of a Mother goes something like this, "A woman who makes the brave decision to let her heart walk outside her body". 

I've had the pleasure of having two wonderful women mother me .......my grandmother and my mother. They have been nothing but a constant source of joy, encouragement, support and unconditional love.

One of my favorite pictures of my mom and me from the family album

Now being a mom to a notorious 7 year old, I understand what it takes to do all the things that mom and amma (as I fondly call my nani) did for me. While growing up, as much as I loved and respected them, sometimes their advice would be dismissed with one word "Chill Mom/Amma". And now when I hear it from my own son, my not so resilient nature reminds me of how patient they were in trying to get their point across.........

Today's post is dedicated to my mom and amma as I pen down some of my most cherished memories with them. I truly feel blessed to have experienced these moments in my life :

• Mom and Amma holding my hand as I took those first steps.
• And when boo-boo's made those tears roll down the cheeks they knew all it took were magical kisses to make the pain and tears disappear; 
• Always kept a watchful eye but let me make my mistakes and learn from them; 
• In an attempt to never kill my curiosity and eagerness to learn , answer  the "WHYs and HOWs" with utmost patience that was hurled at them ever so often;
• For waiting every single day at the door as I got back from school and made me feel that I was the most important person in their lives, 
• Spending hours together on planning our food menu so that we got fresh healthy food every time we sat at the table,
• The "motherly seventh sense" as I call it to understand that my day sucked even if I had not uttered a single word,
• Saving their share of  mithai so that they could enjoy seeing me relish it,
• Staying up nights together to play nurse to me when unwell,
• Waking up before me during your exam time and making sure that hot cups of Bournvita was filled in the flask and was ready to warm me up as I studied,
• After chiding us a million times to put our clothes away and clean up the room, they finally did it themselves,
• Making extra food for me even when I assured her that I'd be eating out today and then suddenly showed up for dinner with my whole pack,
• Being a best friend and always being there to counsel and listen,
• Finding the perfect man for me who'd love me like the way they do, 
• And now mothering my son with the same affection and patience...............

LOVE YOU MOM AND AMMA for this and more.............

One other person I have to thank is my little guy for being a part of my life and making me fall in love all over again .............

 Wishing you'll a wonderful and memorable Mother's Day:) 

Images are the property of Sruthi Singh and subject to copyright. Please do not use without prior written permission.

A Zest of Orange to your Decor

If you scrutinize the colors that I've used in my home, you'll be able to tell that I usually have a red or orange undertone to my decor. Apart from the eclectic theme that pulls the rooms together, it is also the color that helps to transition from one room to another without creating an island effect. Orange said to be a secondary color, is the primary accent color for my home. I personally feel it strikes the perfect balance between elegance and passion..........

While we were deciding on the color palette for our master bedroom, (I must confess) we had our fair share of arguments and reservations about what color would go up on the walls. But it became very evident in a conversation (that my husband and I were engaged in), that the room we drift towards when we felt happy or went to when we wanted consolation was our sunroom. It's the bold punches of orange in this room that injects the drama and fun to this space and draws us in every single time.

Orange a more restrained version of red, to me it's swanky, vitalizing and triggers my creativity. Also considered the color of lady luck, I'm encouraged to use it in more ways than one;) Since the tonal quality of this room works for my husband and I, we took it a notch up and used it in our master bedroom too. And if you think blues and greys are "THE" colors for a master bedroom well I have news for you. Research suggests that orange induces positive thoughts and hence is the perfect precursor to a restful night’s sleep!!!

So the next time you are faced with the dilemma of making a color choice for a room, don't get overwhelmed. Instead, think of the room that you tend to gravitate towards when your feeling happy or run to when the blues kick in. There likes in your cue to solve the color mystery in the most uncomplicated way !!!

Have an awesome weekend!!! 

Images:Clicked by me. Please do not use without prior written permission.

Images are the property of Sruthi Singh and subject to copyright.  

A Vignette Inspired by Nature and Art

I have had a fascination with lady bugs for the longest time now. As kids, ladybugs served as interim pets for my sister and I. Their foolproof color combination of red and black always enthralled us and we'd go specifically looking for that perfect ladybug. Seeing them back in action after the winter hibernation, was a pleasant sight. Taking my cue from there, I wanted to create a little corner imitating this color inspiration. Anytime you find yourself running dry of the creative juices,  be patient and look outside your window or step outdoors. Observing nature's bounty can tickle those creative spots. "Nature", according to me is the best stylist and color specialist. 

With spring here, my indoor miniature rose plant seems to be in a good mood and is busy blooming. Paired together with the hand painted Rajasthani style cushions, it's a perfect spot to laze around. If you're an art aficionado like me and love adding art to your decor but are running out of wall space to display art, consider bringing home cushions that serve as art displays. 

These beautiful silk cushion covers were gifted to me by my mom. She picked these up for me on her recent trip to Rajasthan. Since the topic in discussion are these gorgeous cushion covers flaunting the Rajasthani style of miniature painting, I thought it would be but appropriate to graze on the topic of this detail oriented art form. Popularized by the Mughal ruler's from Persia, the Indian artists embraced the aristocratic inspired art form but doused it in their own distinct style and perspectives. But with the passage of time, as all things have been commercialized so is this art form. Originals have been replaced with replicas and natural colors made from minerals and vegetables, precious stones, pure silver and gold have been replaced by poster colors. For now, I'm content with these hand painted beauties that lend an elegant touch to my interiors. But some day (as ambitious as it sounds), I'd like to dedicate a whole wall in my home exhibiting every known indigenous painting style that India is lauded for :)

Have a fabulous Wednesday !!! 

Images: Clicked by me. Please do not use without prior written permission.

Images are the property of Sruthi Singh and subject to copyright. 

Hello Monday !!!

It's Monday morning and I'm as happy as can be !!! I just finished the last of my second semester exams and plan to take the rest of the day off and unwind. It's been a hectic week and weekend with studying, exams and my in-laws leaving back to India. With some me time on my hands, I intend to do a little gardening today. We picked up some wonderful dahlia bulbs from Costco and want to plant them before it's too late. After an hour or two of gardening, a long soak in the tub is a must to relax those tired muscles, .......I also have loads of catching up to do on some of favorite blogs :) That sounds like quiet a plan doesn't it???? What do you do to unwind??? I'd love to hear from you:) 

Signing off for today and wishing you a delightful Monday !!!! But make sure you come back right here as I have some fabulous posts lined up for you this week.......

Images: Clicked by me. Please do not use without prior written permission.

Images are the property of Sruthi Singh and subject to copyright.