The Oriental Charmer (Home Tour)

The Gandhi's have assiduously forged an exquisite home in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) where refined Oriental collections are elegantly edited against a serene backdrop rendered in shades of neutrals. The off white color scheme is prudently punctuated with gleeful splashes of fuchsia keeping things fresh and cheerful. The young and dynamic couple who own this impressive home are Manisha Gandhi, the founder/owner of the online furniture boutique "Oriental Living Company" and Nikhil Gandhi, a banker by profession. They share this gorgeous three storied home with their two lovely daughters...The couple's keen eye for beauty, charm and the unique is evident in every room of the sunlight flooded residence.Talking about what a home means to her, Manisha says, "My home is my haven and it radiates warmth, happiness and tranquility. However, a well put together space in not only aesthetically pleasing but it also has to be functional – which is the essence of every home we have lived in."

By combining subtle Eastern design influences with urban functionality needs, the young couple has created refined interiors for a family-friendly home. A large, ivory tone sectional with clean lines and modern sensibility makes for plentiful seating in the spacious living room. Generously sprinkled with fuchsia colored pillows, the happy shade offers delight to the eyes and helps break up the neutral color palette. A contemporary style coffee table houses the couple's beloved collection of books and prized accessories. Fuchsia colored blooms in a woven bamboo basket brings a touch of the outdoors in and livens things up. With subtropical weather year round, wooden floors are kept bare except for a hand woven, block-print Kalamkari style rug that echoes the happy accent color. The couple's exquisite collection spans a time frame of 8 years, Manisha says,"We started collecting pieces for our house since we were married, almost 8 years ago, to make it what it is now. We love shopping for our house...it’s a bottomless pot. But we ensure to take our time and bring home only those pieces that we absolutely love."

With the presence of innumerable windows in the room, creating wall displays is a decorating dilemma Manisha shares. However, the one wall that they had, they decided to go big and bold by incorporating a statement piece to adorn it. After scouting around for a while, Manisha and Nikhil, both decided on this Vietnamese gold lacquer painting by Vietnam's most well known artist Bui Van Hung. 

(This wooden sculpture depicting a temple procession was procured from Ubud in BALI. It was love at first sight says Manisha.)

Having lived in Hong Kong before their move to Vietnam, the relocation has given their imagination room to roam. With a lot more space at their disposal, the couple loves the airy and open floor plan of this gorgeous house, "The move has been liberating given that Hong Kong had such small living spaces, with Vietnam not having a space issue."

(Cushions from Good Earth and Goods of Desire (GOD) - HK dress up the neutral couch.)

When it comes to  deciding on furnishings for the home,  Manisha shares that it is almost always a joint decision. But there have been situations where issues concerning aesthetic beauty were involved and she has had the last word ! I now know why fuchsia seems to be the dominating accent color;) But I do love the subtle use of such a bold color. It does not say girly or feminine in any way! It just screams sophistication ! 

This decoratively crafted, standing Buddha in Mandalay style was a travel find from Thailand. The statue draws one in to take a closer look at the intricate pleats on the robe, encrusted with multiple colored glass stones that glisten in the sun light streaming in through the huge windows embracing the living room. Manisha shares that the Buddha´s slender right hand displays the Abhaya Mudra, a symbolic gesture of fearlessness and granting protection, one of the many reasons why this Buddha was brought home.

Every time Manisha looks at the Buddha he not only restores a sense of calm in her but also brings a smile to her face. Why a smile you ask? Well here is the story, "It was quite a tedious process to ship the Buddha from Thailand to Vietnam. So we decided to carry it along with us on the flight:) Yes, that was quite an experience. And the Buddha wouldn't fit into a taxi on our rides from and to the airport (with all our luggage and us), so we took a tuk tuk. So it was us with the Buddha in a tuk tuk :)" Now that is what I mean by every piece in your home should have a story to tell!

In the living room a pair of antique Horseshoe Ming Style Chairs in a warm teak tone, look at ease with the modern day sectional and hold the underlying theme together. I personally, love the simple curves and perfect proportions of the Ming Style chairs!

Manisha and her family love to travel and make it a point to pick up something from everywhere they visit. And it is not just a  pocket size souvenir that they are referring to. Most of the solid furniture pieces in the home is from  their travels to Hong Kong, China and the great Mekong !

A trio of hand made Iznik pottery from Turkey in shades of blue, turquoise, red and green, graces a wall in the formal dining room. On a closer look the pottery depicts stories of  nature's bounty and the iconic Whirling Dervishers.  Situated at the foot of the display is a mini Chinese trunk exhibiting a pair of the terracotta replicas of the famous "Terracotta Warriors". An intricately carved metal vase holds carnations in shades of red and pink to echo the accent color used in the decor.  

The couple love entertaining and wanted to keep the overall style in the formal dining space in sync with the living room. Furniture in dark tones with an accent color in a deeper shade keeps things looking cohesive.   

A beautifully decked dining table, awaits its dinner guests !

I was curious to know if Manisha  had been tempted to keep certain pieces for her home, from the ones that she sources for her store - The Oriental Living ? To which she answers, "Yes, I've been tempted a number of times. The Ming style chairs, a red lacquer TV cabinet, a Ming style sideboard and a red lacquer chest are here gracing my home on account of those temptations!"  

Comfort and functionality were the key considerations while furnishing the lounging room/entertainment room. The result is a no fuss, snug and kid friendly space where the family gets together at the end of the day to relax, unwind and watch their favorite TV show before retiring for the day.

The TV cabinet is one of the many pieces that Manisha was tempted to keep for herself from the Oriental Living Furniture line!

This is the couple's private retreat. The space is an ideal mix of sophistication, serenity and sensible design. The grand bed frame steals the show in the master bedroom. It took them a while to find the right furniture for their master suite. But when they came across this four poster bed, they had no doubt, it was what they were looking for! Textiles from Good Earth and framed posters from India Circus complete the simple yet elegant room for a restful night's sleep. 

(Manisha's  ingenuity is seen here as she uses sheer curtains from the Good Earth line to create an illusion of a canopy bed adding to the dreamy and romantic feel of the space.)  

If you adore Manisha's decorating style and would like to replicate similar vibes for your home, here is her design mantra,"Simplicity is the key element. When spaces are clutter free, there is a lot that can be done. Also given our Indian-ness, we love color. We add color in smaller items, like cushions, bed spreads, table mats and runners. Most important of all, make sure you invest in good furniture like you would invest in jewelry. Before buying, do consider your future needs as well . As this an investment that would last a lifetime!" 

With that we come to end of  yet another wonderful home tour. I hope you enjoyed taking in all the Oriental beauty and charm that exudes from this intimate space that Manisha and  Nikhil have lovingly put together. I'd like to thank the couple for being so gracious and letting us into their beautiful home! Wishing them health, happiness and peace.


As for you'll my favorite peeps, drop me line and let me know if you enjoyed our oversea's home tour this month. Watch this space for more on Oriental design inspiration coming up this month!
Have a wonderful day!

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

Images are the property of Manisha Gandhi and subject to copyright.

Decorating Creatively

The star of my post today is the modest mortar and pestle or the "Sil Batta" (in Hindi). Wait ! I promise you it is going to be a decor related post. But first, let us revisit how the (now disappearing) sil batta was an indispensable tool in the traditional Indian kitchen. It was predominantly used to prepare fresh spice mixes for cooking. I remember my nani using a sil batta to make masalas for curries. She preferred the sil batta to the electric mixer and grinder as the natural oils and the flavor essences that are contained in the herbs or spices were kept intact. She explained to me that by choosing the convenience of an electric grinder, one was not only compromising on the aroma but also the taste as the herbs and spices tend to get over heated with the grinder blades being operated at high speeds. So no surprises there why nani's food is so sought after and cannot be replicated.

A couple of days ago, a brand new mortar and pestle, replaced my old stainless steel mortar. I did not have the heart to throw the old one away and came up with this idea of using it as a vase! Anyone who has been a reader of TECD long enough knows of my infatuation with flowers and finding unconventional containers as vases to house them. I have two different versions to share with you'll - the first one, an antique brass mortar in a traditional ethnic setting and the second, a stainless steel mortar in a more eclectic-modern  setting.

A bunch of red roses packed tightly into the antique brass mortar look stunning ! To complete this vignette, I've paired a Green Aventurine Natural Stone Ganesha statue with a Ravi Varma's " Yashoda & Krishna" oleograph. A couple of bead malas ( like the rudraksha, lotus seeds and the sandal wood), I picked up from a street vendor in Malleshwaram (Bangalore) add textural charm to the vignette.

For this vignette, I have a cluster of deep maroon colored mums tucked into my stainless steel mortar. Then I went ahead and paired it with my favorite Buddha. When you actually think of it, teal and maroon seems like a dubious combination. But I like the looks of it. What say ? 

No matter which style you choose, the bottom line is, be creative and make the things you've got, work for you !

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

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

I Feel Good !!!!

It feels good be back after the digital detox and I hope the holidays was just as relaxing for you too. I haven't made any specific resolution except for the fact that I wish to tackle 2015 with the curiosity of a 2 year old, the energy of a 20 year old and the maturity of a 70 year old. Being aware of the fact that this year brings with it 365 + possibilities to make it productive and creative is fascinating to me !!!

And taking the creative aspect seriously, I had to start with the blog. As you can see, there have been a few changes at TECD. We have a new logo and banner on our FB page, a new tag line and banner for the blog and a few updates to my About and Features and Mentions pages. 

And now for a few updates.....January is going to be a busy month at TECD. I have a string of wonderful and inspiring posts I'd like to share with you'll. Highlights being a tête-à-tête with one of my favorite artists and a Home Tour in true TECD style. So giddy up and stay connected......... 

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

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

My Tryst with Burmese decor

While we are on the topic of Asian decor, I thought it would be in context to introduce my fascination with Burmese style of design. A late lunch at my favorite Burmese restaurant - A Taste of Burma (ATOB), gave me the opportunity to chat up leisurely with the lovely lady who runs the show at ATOB - Jona Davis. My family and I have been frequenting this restaurant for over 5 years now and it's an epicurean's delight. Authentic food and consistent taste served with an extra dose of hospitality is what leaves us begging for more..... 

On my recent visit to this place, I spotted some new additions to their decor. Jona had lugged back some distinctive Burmese decor from her recent travel to Burma. She was more than glad when I wanted to photograph it for my blog.

Burmese Lacquer ware tea pot

With my love for tea, it was no surprise that this lacquer ware tea pot appealed to my chai senses and it was the first one to be on the hot seat:) An antique, acquired by Jona's family and now hers is a prized possession. It's proudly displayed in the restaurant where Jona spends long hours and can enjoy it's beauty often.

The process of producing lacquer ware is an interplay of patience and collaboration. With most pieces taking upto a couple of months and the expertise of various artisans put to work at every step of the way, these pieces are more than a labor of love. Lac is the sap of an indigenous tree that is fashioned into these beautiful handicrafts by applying layer after layer to the core structure made of woven bamboo. The final stage is the one that puts the finishing touches on the object with the artisans engraving lines into the surface of the lacquer base and then, colored lacquer is applied to the lines, creating detailed embellishments such as scenery from every day life, figures, patterns, etc. 

Burmese lacquer ceremonial vessel (Hsun-ok)

The lacquer ware may be gilded and inlaid with glass creating an almost brass like effect as seen in this iconic Burmese lacquer pagoda shaped ceremonial vessel (Hsun-ok). It's used for presenting gifts of food as offerings to the Buddhist monasteries. It is a fascinating piece of handiwork and the intricate detailing is a work of art fit for a museum.

With my fascination for the Buddha and Asian decor, I was drooling over this set of wooden Buddhist monks. The aesthetics of Burmese design appeals to me as it's heavily influenced by it's neighboring countries like China and India to name a few and has it's deep rooted spiritual and religious references when it comes to art and architecture.

Love the patina on these Wooden Burmese monks

I wanted you'll to see how these beautiful Burmese decor elements have been incorporated into these Asian inspired living spaces. 

I hope you'll enjoyed the tryst with Burmese decor as much as I did. Have  a wonderful day and circle back with me for inspirational decor and fresh color palettes for the upcoming Ganesha Chathurthi celebration !!!

Images : (1,2,3 - Mine; 4,5 -Via; 6 -Via) 

Why Include ZENsational decor to your home ???

With my deep rooted Indian origin, I find myself drawn to countries that are steeped in history, culture, art, architecture……..When it comes to design aesthetics, it’s no surprise that my home is an eclectic reflection of all that I draw globally. However, a closer look will reveal that I do have my favorite and time and again I’m enticed by the striking simplicity and exotic charm that surrounds the Asian décor. By including elements like the Buddha himself, a hand mudra, thangka painting or an unpretentious orchid, the central objective is to bring ZEN vibes to my home and in the process create a space that helps sustain my spirit and soul. 

The Buddha statue serves as the anchor in this Zen vignette. 

I personally think that the word ZEN has been overused and somewhere along the way it may have even lost its true significance with people interpreting it in more ways than one. I’m not here to take on the impossible task of defining the word Zen. However, I’m here to share my perspective on why I include elements of ZEN to my home. 

An IKEA RISKORN Plant pot brings in the textural detail while the Kalanchoe that it holds, adds a punch of color and contrast. Finally adding the sensory appeal to the vignette is a candle holder from World Market. The glow from the candle helps create focus on the Buddha, while I seek a peaceful refuge from the day's demands.
I embrace ZEN because it helps me stay grounded in an environment that is stressful and helps bring about equilibrium, harmony and relaxation. I'd often find myself either worrying about the future or trapped in the realm of the past. Little did I realize that it is "NOW" that is important. With the inclusion of ZEN vignettes and decor to my home, I'm reminded of the essence of ZEN - "Living fully and authentically in the present moment i.e. being face to face with our true original nature". The past is past and an investment in the present will assure you of a happy now and an even happier tomorrow with memories of today.  

So the next time you decide to inject elements of ZEN to your decor, do take a moment to sit back and imbibe the real vibrations of a quintessence zen vignette. 

Have a ZEN day !!!

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

With a Spring in my Step

Hello Folks !!! 

Last week and the weekend have both been hectic. But it has been an exciting one. Last Wednesday, I woke up to my blog adda featured on IKEA FAMILY LIVE FACEBOOK !!! My head's still reeling with excitement:) If you haven't had a chance  to check it out, click here.

With family visiting us from India, I do have my hands full entertaining them. But what's nice is, I'm being pampered in return and treated to some wonderful home made Indian delicacies......will be sharing some recipes very soon. As for my bit to entertainment them, the Cherry Blossom Festival in DC was on the top of my list. Yesterday we had a chance to drive down to DC to see the blooms. With a soft corner for these flowers..........It was a treat for the eyes. It's their simplicity that draws me in every single time. And I must say, I've hit it big with three cherry blossom trees right outside my sunroom window!!! 

My fixation does not end with just admiring them.........I had to have a touch of the Cherry Blossom to my decor at home. So I paired a small branch of the delicate cherry blossoms with my Buddha from Nepal. Also adding to the zen vignette  is the wooden box another find from Nepal. 

The wooden box symbolizes the pyramid adorning the Boudhanath Stupa in Nepal. Declared as the Heritage sight by UNESCO, the Bodhnath Stupa is a must see. Monopolizing the skyline, the unique architecture is said to have been built in the 14th century. The original pyramid like architecture has 13 steps, representing the ladder to enlightenment and the triangular shape depicts the abstract form of fire. 

Love how the white of the cherry blossoms and the gold of the Buddha pops against the black and brown base color. 

And finally rounding up the post for today with a close up shot of the most awaited flower of the season here in DC.........the cherry blossom!!!

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead and stay tuned for more exciting news and posts coming up 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.

Brilliant Imports (Featured Shop)

I have a soft corner for Asian decor and that's an understatement. You've seen my collection of Asian decor be it the Buddha hand Mudra, the reclining Buddha, knock off of the Pier 1 Souvenir Du Tibet Wall Art or my other travel finds that I include into my decor without a moments hesitation. So when I set eyes on the gallery inspiration at Brilliant Imports, I found myself instantly gravitating towards their thoughtfully put together collection. And the next natural thing for me to do was to share it with you'll.

"Brilliant Imports is exotic luxury made accessible and personal-Zen made easy." And I totally agree. For those of you looking to enlighten that corner of your home with a Buddha Statute or other Zen/ Asian inspired decor, this store offers a wide choice at a great price. Some irresistible pieces don't you agree ???

Amy L. Campbell is the owner and founder of Brilliant Imports. What makes this store stand out from the many mushrooming decor boutiques out there ???? Amy says," Combining my passion for far-flung travel and modern-day treasure hunting, I scour the shops and markets in each country I visit, seeking the most unique items. The essential element that makes this project exciting (and so much fun!) are the connections I make-- the real people who invite me into their homes, studios, and shops, and help me navigate this adventure. I work closely with the artists, we regularly design pieces together, exclusively for Brilliant Imports. This sincere collaboration and mutual respect are fundamental to how Brilliant Imports works."

Personally, when I'm looking to invest in a Buddha Statue,  it's the Buddha's expression that dictates if he's coming home with me or not. And the ones that I see in this store definitely  resonate the sense of serenity and calm that I'm looking to bring to my space. I've been requested by a number of friends to find the perfect Buddha for their homes. And I think, my quest has come to an end. Some of these Buddha's are going to find a new home very soon :) 

Amy has included some of these exotic finds in her own home. Leaning towards the chic organised Boho look, her home has been featured on Apartment Therapy. You can tour her gorgeous home right here. I'm do hope you've found the Zen inspiration you were looking for with today's post. 

As for now, I'm signing off for today and shall back with more:) Have a wonderful day!!!!

Images: Bonnie Berry Photography

Autumn Decor with an Oriental Panache

Good Morning lovely readers!!! How are we doing today ????

Celebrating autumn and decor continues here on The East Coast Desi.

Autumn to me is like an Indian bride, decked up in gold and fiery reds.With vibrant autumn foliage, who needs blooms. And this coming from a person to whom flowers are a necessity. I've been on the eastcoast a long time but this particular season never seizes to amaze me.This year I thought of bringing the wonderful outdoors in, with the gorgeous Japanese Maple. I settled on this particular variety for their aesthetic appeal. (Decor tip: Incorporate seasonal splendor into your home decor.)

A lovely Italian vinaigrette bottle houses my maple for the styling. (Decor Tip: Don't limit yourself to the standard vase....if a particular shape or element appeals to you and it can be transformed into a vase go ahead and use it.)The Buddha painting is a DIY project. I'm not taking credit for the originality of the design as a similar one was available at Pier 1 Imports 4 years back. But I am going to be taking credit for creating a knock-off and for making a husband and his pocket happy.

The painting is Souvenir Du Tibet Wall Art said to bring good luck with it's 25 Buddha heads. I was unwilling to pay the price tag of $300 for the artwork. But my husband knew how much I wanted it. So he got me a canvas (3ftX4ft) and suggested I give it a try . I had my work cutout for me but since painting has a therapeutic effect on me, I was like, "OK let's get started ASAP". I created a stencil of the Buddha (using cardboard and a craft knife), 4 tubes of acrylic paints and 6 hours later...... we have artwork at 1/6th the cost. The imperfections and organic nature of the painting is something I love. I tried searching for the original Pier 1 painting and found this for your reference.

Once I got my Japanese maple from a local friendly nursery, the Buddha painting was the indisputable choice for styling the autumn vignette. The artwork rests directly on the console giving the setting a casual feel. (Decor Tip:If you have reservations about nails and your walls, this is the perfect way to exhibit art.) On a regular day, my Buddha painting adorns the stairway as you enter the house. It sets the tone for the Asian inspired decor. 

A gorgeous handmade woven bowl from one of my trips back home is a perfect accessory to hold the car keys, wallet and phone. I always like adding my jewelry as a decor element too. (The transparency of the beads against the light was beautiful and made for a great click.)

A close up of the Japanese Maple...... I'm sure your in love too. It's not hard to understand why it is a popular landscaping choice among plant aficionados. Another one of my favorite is the Autumn Blaze Maple.

Hope you'll are inspired enough to welcome fall into your home. Do you'll agree that we don't need flowers for the time being ???

Have a wonderful day and stay tuned for more on decor and Diwali inspiration coming soon.......... 

Linking up to: http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/tutorials/tutorials-tips-link-party-130.html

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

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

The Season of Umbers, Coppers and Golds

“SOME PEOPLE LOOK FOR A BEAUTIFUL PLACE, OTHERS MAKE A PLACE BEAUTIFUL” 

                                    - HAZRAT INAYAT KHAN

This quote has stuck with me for a while now. And in an attempt to live by it, I try to style my home making it warm, beautiful and comfortable for my family and at the same time reflect our personalities and style sensibilities. 

Let's take a look at the color combinations and a new addition adorning my Indian style room for the Fall.We know that fall has arrived when the mums begin to dot the neighborhood gardens, the stoles are pulled out from storage and a bed of leaves make a glorious carpet at every crossroad. Fall is the season that marks the start of a string of celebrations and festivities be it Diwali, Dussehra, Thanksgiving or Christmas. I love all of them and the spirit associated with these festivities. As the colors of fall begin to deepen, my place echoes these colors in the form of flowers, cushions, candles, throws or my love for tea cups. The atmosphere at home is intimate and welcoming with the aroma of cinnamon, freshly baked cakes, brownies, cookies and heart warming soups. It's also the season to put on those extra pounds as hot and deep fried foods and cold weather go hand in hand.

I'm a girl who loves color. The more color I have around me the happier I feel. It helps to lift my spirits up and keep them there. I brought out a throw in a rich pumpkin-cinnamon color that mom knitted herself years ago. It's more than 25 years old and when I wrap myself in it on nippy autumn evenings it comforts me in a way I need it most. If you have hand knitted pieces (shawls, stoles, etc.) made by mom or grand-mom, they are precious and I consider them heirloom treasures. It's a wonderful way to add a sentimental piece to your decor. It always brings back memories of mom as she deftly wrapped the wool around her fingers and wove magic creating exquisitely patterned shawls and more. Sometimes, she'd chide me as I'd be like a little kitten trying to entertain myself with her ball of wool making it into a huge knotty mess. Given an option I would rather surround myself with meaningful pieces and ones that tell a story or have traces of time on them rather than settling for a store bought piece. 

The monk wooden figurine, is a unique one and I fell in love with it the moment I set my eyes on it. He was an addition made to the home years back. He's not from a distant exotic travel destination but from Marshalls. The yellow ocher color is just perfect and he blends in beautifully into the Fall inspired decor.

The Superpoms in bright red with the yellow center had my name written over them, so I brought them home from the grocery store to dress up my little Fall vignette. This time a copper kalash (container) serves as my vase. It's a reminder of the wonderful moment that we set foot into this home as we used it for the house warming ceremony puja.

Do drop me a line and let me know how you liked my Fall inspired vignette and the colors in warm hues. What colors are you'll gravitating towards this Fall????? 

More Fall inspired decor coming up in the weeks to come. Check back on Wednesday for more on the "Featured Shop" Segment. Finally, signing off for today, and wishing you a wonderful week ahead.

Linking it to Colors decor weekly story party.

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

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

Buddha Love Continues

Hello Friday !!!!!

The weekend is here and I'm thrilled. I've been sleep deprived this entire week.... been playing the good nurse to my son who was feeling a little under the weather. I know what your wondering, "she could sleep instead of blogging". For me, I'd rather blog than sleep. I love styling, clicking and sharing it with you'll. Sometimes you have to feed the soul. I'll make sure that I get the much needed rest this weekend, before I loose my sanity.

Yesterday I took a couple of pics of these wonderful Virginia wildflowers. Tried to place a name on them, but in vain. I was drawn to the color and their delicate structure. Paired with one of my two favorite Buddha , I think it's aesthetically easy on the eyes. 

Love the tranquil look on his face. I must have spent a good 3 hours finding this Buddha, 15 years back to be precise. 

I scored the Buddha on a college trip to Bhaktapur (Nepal). This city has a venerable charm unlike any other place that I have traveled to. It is surrounded by history, ancient temples, intricately carved structures and more. I wonder if I had my DSLR back then, maybe I would've never made it back to catch my flight. I'd be lost on those streets, capturing all that it has to offer. 

While there was jewelry, clothes and cosmetics to shop, I was busy haggling with the artifact dealers and vendors. I had done my research about what I wanted. So it was the famed Gold painted statues from Nepal that I wanted to bring back with me. The technique used in painting these statues is a traditional method, where real gold is first melted, then combined with water and glue in precise amounts, and finally applied on the Buddhas’ faces. Painting the intricate details  like the facial features is no easy feat. It requires a steady hand, practice with patience and continued perseverance to create an object that is both ornate and sacred to behold.

I have a couple of other prized possessions from the trip that I will share in my later posts. If you love artifacts and are looking for eclectic finds for your place, Bhaktapur is your final destination. My mom and I were like  children in a candy shop.

Yes, you read that right. I had my mom accompany me on the college trip. Now that's a long story. You have the time you said???? Well, it goes like this....... I signed up for the trip thinking last few years of college life, need to spend time with friends, you live only once......... It was a 3 week trip and I had never been away from my family. Panic Attack...... convinced mom to go along as a chaperon as they needed a couple of parent volunteers. I know I'm such a powder puff. With that said, you can imagine my predicament when I had to make my move to the US........

That brings me to the end of my rambling for today. Leaving you'll with this wonderful image. Have a great weekend and stay tuned for "On the Plate", "Through My Lens" and more coming up next week.

All images clicked by me. Do not use without prior written permission.
Images are the property of Sruthi Singh and are subject to copyright.