Snapshots from CA

A few shots from my trip to Santana row....

Santana row is an upscale shopping and eating complex in San Jose. I love the European feel of this place with its bistro kind of eating joints and some of my favorite stores to browse. While I was there, I went in to the Anthropologie store....the window display was very impressive...unfortunately, I missed taking a picture to share with you all. 

With the pleasant California weather, lunch at one of its outdoor seating restaurants is such a pleasing experience. 

Seating nooks on the side walk

Lovely architecture

Summer blooms everywhere....

 Outside Cocola Bakery....where we had our lunch....

...and then bubble tea at Fantasia!

Huge mosaic planters on the side walk

kids enjoyed playing at this fountain

Hope you are having a wonderful week!

Linking to show & tell Friday

Happy times in the bay area

It's my last day here in the SF bay area. ...the last few days were so much fun and I almost don' t feel like going back home. But then again....I'm starting to miss my home.

With my sister and so many of my cousins living here,  I visit bay area for a few days almost every summer. It's one of my favorite places in the US.  As I've been visiting every year, sight seeing is not really a priority. I like to spend most my time with family and doing activities together. We did some of my favorite things during my stay here .....like going for a trip to San Francisco city, a stroll and lunch at Santana row, shopping at Stanford mall, having bubble tea at Castro street....( more detailed posts to follow) and then..... unending chit chat sessions....absolutely enjoyable!

Here are a few snapshots from my sister, Shruti's home....

PS: I wrote this post yesterday, but could not post it. I'm back home now. Stay tuned as I have lots to share....see you soon!


Linking to Good life Wednesday, Weekend wrap up

Come on in....

.....welcome to my home! 

Hello! Today, I'm sharing with you, the entrance to my home....I hope you like it!

The oak tree outside has a few wind chimes hung around it...these I have collected over the years. I love the sound of these...the copper bells, the wooden chimes and the metal ones. Along with these, hang the lanterns that I made using jars last Diwali....I never felt like getting them down after that and so they hung. 

On one side of the door is my priced rose bush....I love it when its blooming!

And here's the main door......the two logs on each side were given by a friend. Until I figure what to do with them, I'm using them as plant holders..... what do you think?

This jharokha is one of my oldest home decor accesories.....bought from Rajasthali, India

And this is what you see, once you open the door....

Linking to Patty's Enchanting Entrances at colours dekor.. 

Summer time is.....

.....vacation time. Ever since my childhood days, summer is synonymous with vacation. In northern India, where I spent most of my childhood, summers are scorching hot. I remember...., our summers mostly included a visit to a hill station, going away to visit our grand parents or my cousins coming and staying with us. Those were the days....of no worries....of fun and play.

Even now in the US ....it's a time to be outdoors, a time to be with family and friends.

I'm going away to visit my sister and cousins to SF bay area for two weeks. I am looking forward to having a good time, filled with fun and laughter.....

Via Tumblr

I will check in whenever I can. In the mean time, be good and enjoy your summer in which ever part of the world you are.....See you soon !

I covet

cov·et/ˈkəvit/

Verb: Yearn to possess or have (something)

Every now and then, I see 'something'......, in a store, on the internet, in a magazine, in someone's house, or on someone...; and in my head, I'll say, I WANT IT.....! At times, its easy for me to own that 'something' ....but such instances are few. More often than not, its not possible to possess what I want, because of one or more  of these reasons-

a) I may not know where to get it from

b) Its beyond my budget 

c) Its not logistically possible to get it 

d) I may not have an appropriate place to keep it
e) It does not go with the color scheme in my home

f) I may own something similar and I don't want to waste it

......or any other reason. I mean, c'mon, I can never get everything that I want....but there is no harm in coveting. Hence, I decided to use my blog to bookmark and catalog all those things that I covet.

So listen all you people, who love me, and want to give me a gift anytime in the future, you can refer to this series of mine and always take some ideas.

Let me start by sharing a few such things today....

Lamps made of woven twine....these would look lovely on top of my bookshelves.

The cutest clothes hamper I have ever seen....don't you agree?

This rug would be like heaven under my feet....

The perfect lamp for my family room side table....I wonder if this can be a DIY?

This embroidered gudri bedspread from Fabindia....perfect for my guest room

A set of these on my kitchen wall....gorgeous!

Are you coveting something lately? Share them here in the comments below or send me an email.....maybe we can covet together:)

Image source: 1-unknown, 2, 3, 4- unknown, 5, 6

Linking to Good life Wednesday

Rain, rain....

...don't go away....I want you to stay....

How are you, peeps? I know I've been away...no reason really...I was just..... uninspired. But, I missed being here. 

First of all, I 'd like to thank you all for taking the time to comment on my blog and for all the wonderful compliments on all the random things that I post....reading your comments always brings a smile to my face. Thank you!

It's raining like crazy here......the perfect time to do nothing but just gaze outside the window. The green looks much brighter and the world looks all washed out...

I stepped out in the backyard to take a few shots...

And here's my Buddha bathing in the rain....

Have a lovely weekend! 

Joining show and tell Friday, Cottage Flora

Fourth of July fireworks

So how did your weekend go? Did you have a good time? and did you get some time to relax and unwind? I sure did.

It was a good weekend. There was rain as well as sunshine. There was laughter with friends and some quiet time at home. There was retail therapy too....what more can one ask?

I couldn't help reminiscing about some of our past 4th of July weekends. Fireworks are almost always a part of it. In my first year in the US, hubby and I went to New York city for the 4th of July weekend and we went to watch the famous Macy's  July 4th fireworks. The show was spectacular..... and quite impressive. I still feel that was the best July 4th fireworks that I have witnessed till date....maybe because it was my first time watching such an enormous display of fireworks, that too against the NYC skyline. It sure was breathtaking!

Today we went to Busch gardens to see the fireworks. My son enjoyed it thoroughly. Here are some pictures.....definitely my best shots of fireworks so far. 

My friends in the US, which one is your most memorable July 4th fireworks? Do share.....

Have a good week, everyone! 

Linking to Weekend wrap up,  Debbie's Newbie party, MM at BNOTP, Sarah at Good life Wednesday

Happy Friday & the rewards of blogging!

It's the first day of the second half of 2011...can you believe it, half of this year is already gone? But I do like the second half of the year more than the first, for a couple of reasons- first, there are so many long weekends and holidays here in the US in this half, and then all the wonderful festivals that I look forward to, fall in the second half of the year.

What plans do you have for this weekend? Its the peak of summer in my part of the world, hot & humid outside. I have a few things planned to keep us busy....a visit to a water park, some shopping and a pool party. I'm hoping for it to be fun.

I also wanted to share with you, about my day today. Many of you may agree, one of the most best part of blogging is finding new friends and like minded people in blog land. What can be better than to find a friend in your own city......

I got to know Kala a few months back through our blogs and we soon realized that we live in the same city...a few emails were exchanged and we planned to meet very soon....however, things kept coming up with both of us, the meeting kept getting pushed, finally we set a date and time to meet....I was so looking forward to it. It almost seemed like from the movies.....meeting someone who you know through the internet. 

Today, I finally met Kala of Kala Poul Studio. She is such an amazing person, so talented and full of enthusiasm. We talked for almost 2 hours about everything under the sun, about our families, interests, India, friends, food likes....everything.  It was like meeting a long lost friend. 

She was wearing this beautiful set of pendant and a bracelet....and when I asked her, she told me that it was made by her. Can you believe it? 

She also showed me some more pieces of her handmade jewelery. Isn't it gorgeous...???

To see more of her brilliant creations, visit her blog here. I had a wonderful time meeting a new friend...and I hope to find many more.

Have a great weekend!