Yikes!

Some readers sent me a note to tell me that they are having trouble viewing/loading An Indian Summer when using Mac and some specific browsers. While I hyperventilate and google for help (read desperate help!) to figure out why this might be happening and what I can do to resolve the issue, please be so kind to take the online survey (look left. since the survey is on the left sidebar. first thing on top. can't miss it) and let me know if you have been having similar issues reading this blog.

What will really help me:

1. Do take the survey even if you can read An Indian Summer alright (will help me see the glass half full and stuff...)

2. Send me an email if you have any comments or additional info (like- since when this has been happening etc) or ANY suggestion to help figure out this freaking issue

Many thanks to folks who wrote to me. And profuse thanks to folks who will now respond to the survey. And eternally in debt to the person who tells me how to resolve this bugging bug!

More Relevant Info:

Survey Question : Does An Indian Summer behave well in your browser?
Behave well means: Loads within reasonable time, all images show up, all links work, your Mac/PC does not freeze or hang when viewing this blog

Evil Pharaoh Tattoo

[Source]

Koko

While researching for the next On Demand! post [yup, another one coming up soon! something to do with babies and kids...], I came across this crazy eclectic collection from Koko. Lots of inspiration from India - in design, colors, textures and fabric techniques.

Another section of Koko's collection will be part of my next On Demand! post. Keep Reading!

Gambit and Wolverine Tattoo

[Source]

Undertaker Tattoo

[Source]

Rooms that caught my eye

While browsing through Architectural Digest, some rooms caught my eye. And well...I had to share them with you to really enjoy them :)

Living in Istanbul. Love the Ottoman, and the muted colors and the furniture. Can imagine sitting here with jasmine tea and a book, with gentle river breeze coming in through the open windows

A bedroom in Singapore. The bolster in the middle of the bed, clearly demarcating my side and your side ;-)

Blue room with delicate printed fabric

Isn't the chair gorgeous?

Antique day bed with pillows from Good Earth

Interesting idea to use old carved pillars as bed posts. Nice lanterns too

Garuda Tattoo

[Source]

Holy Butterfly Tattoo

A colorful butterfly tattoo with halo. Looks like eagle eyes to me. [Source]

Three-Headed Elephant Tattoo

Three-headed elephant tattoo. This symbol is a symbol of Thai tradition. [Source]

Out you go!

Why sit inside when I can as well sit outside?

I know I know

Not the most logical statement

But you will also say this

if you had outdoor sitting options like

These!

Lookie! A ready chess game! Imagine the two chess players sitting on the chairs and then running back to the table to make their move on the chess board, then going back and sitting again on the chairs, and then running back to make their next move...and so on and so forth. How entertaining! ;)

Moodha and chiks. The quintessential Indian chair and blinds.

I have been on lookout for lime colored cushions. And a personal sea while I am at it

This reminds me of childhood summer vacations and Enid Blyton!

Aren't the simplest of things sometimes the most elegant?

I ask you to guard the fort, and here you are having a cuppa chai (tea)!

Green Blue Orange. Incase you couldn't identify the colors above. I am the ever helpful blogger!

Gujrati Jhoola (swing). Imagine sitting here during rains!

And finally a quiet corner to repose at dusk..

[Image courtesy: Pro Corbis, All Posters]

Aloha Tattoo

Aloha Tattoo, a very colorful way to say "Hello". [Source]

Tribal Extension Tattoo

This one a perfect symmetrical tribal tattoo. The tattoo looks like it is embossed in the skin. [Source]

Yes I Said Yes I Will Yes Tattoo (Ulysses By James Joyce)

Yes I Said Yes I Will Yes Tattoo. This phrase is taken from the novel Ulysses which was written by James Joyce. It is the very last phrase in that novel, so don't waste your time looking for it. :) [Source]

Voting Time!

It's that time of the year again! Time to pick your favorites amongst design blogs and vote for the most influential design bloggers. Stan and Kus, my favorite blogger duo from Home Rejuvenation, have taken up the impressive task of putting together a list of design blogs (from last year's voting results) and inviting readers, bloggers & net surfers to vote for their favorite design blogs. The voting is open till Oct 15th, after which the results of 10 most influential design bloggers will be out on their blog.

So, don't wait! Have your say here!

[psst....An Indian Summer is also part of the compiled list. The fact that I have been grinning ear to ear since is purely co-incidental ;-)....my thanks to all those fabulous people who voted for An Indian Summer last year!]

All I want...

...is a room somewhere

...though I wouldn't really mind a fort or two

or, a room or two in a fort!

The retreat of Biki Oberoi, the head of the Oberoi Hospitality Group, is a fort. Yes, an actual real life fort! Real 150 years old fort. Restored with the help of architect Pratap Patki and interior designer Sunita Kohli. Since the fort [called the Naila fort] was declared a heritage site, the fort was renovated to suit the modern day living requirements without disturbing the original majestic structure.

Splendour of Rajasthani sandstone

Suraj Pol [Sun Gate] made in Shekhawati region

Marble floor with inlaid design (also known as Pietra Dure art form)...reminiscent of Mughal art

The walls glow with aarish, a glaze of white lime, ground marble and eggshells

Chest from Gujrat and collection of antique arms. The Rajasthani version of planter chair on the left

One of other gates - the Ganesh Pol. The elephants (in the courtyard niche) have been stencilled in gold leaf

One of the private living rooms. Love the bougainvillea plant in the brass planter

Ram headed chairs clad in brass

Cushions in dhurrie (rug) fabric, on chairs, under a chattri (canopy)

Ah!

As I said, if not a fort, a room or two in this fort would also do!

[Info and images from Architectural Digest]

Skull and Flower Tattoo

This skull and flower tattoo is perfect for a tough girl who wants to show the world that men and women are equal. This flower gives it a girly touch while the skull gives it tough blend. [Source]

Looking for something pretty? Flower tattoos have you covered. Looking for something tough? Skull tattoos will do the trick! If you're looking for the combo, a popular one is skull and cherries.

Indian Woman Tattoo

A very beautiful tattoo of Indian woman. This piece is very intricately done, specially the hair. [Source]

HTML bit me!

The bug has bitten me again! I got bored with my blog's template and have been fiddling with HTML (and CSS, i think..) to change the look and feel. The new blog header is the result of one such moderately successful experiment. Expect to see some more changes in the coming days/weeks (depends on how long the change itch persists). In the blog's layout, and look & feel, if you like something the way it is, or hate something the way it is...now is the time to tell me! Depending on whether I can google and find a decent tutorial on how to, your wish shall be my command! In the meantime, as a much loved reader of this blog, please add yourself to this nifty Follow this blog widget on the left sidebar. I would looove to have your presence on my sidebar! My blog's sidebar, i.e.

~ Stuff launching and happening ~

News about good stuff happening and launching, courtesy my inbox!

Indian designers @ Maison & Objet Fair, Paris

Six designers have made the Indian design community proud by being invited to the iconic Maison & Objet home fair in Paris. All these designers have the distinction of creating beauty and art by marrying traditional techniques and contemporary design. I was also very happy to see Aline Design being one of the budding talents to be part of the show. An Indian Summer Bazaar had introduced Aline products to the international market in its Feb bazaar, and I am quite chuffed to see Kapil and Shilpa continue to make an impact in the national and international design scene! The other designers part of the show were: Ayush Kasliwal, Gunjan Gupta, Jigisha Patel, Puneet Brar and Varsha Sharma.

WeFew - Online design community

WeFew is a new online design community and marketplace. Its primary purpose is to bring together talented independent designers and design lovers, and provide emerging designers the support they need to establish and grow their creative businesses. Based out of Singapore, WeFew is a good resource specially for those on the lookout for emerging Asian talent

Fun on the floor

Its time to make floors fun again! In their own words: "Fun on the Floor has recently launched a new website bursting with ideas on how to use carpets when decorating the home. With the help of interior designer, Danielle Proud, we hope to inspire you and your readers: Danielle has turned a stunning Georgian townhouse in London into a live and interactive showcase of the way that carpet can transform any room and it’s sometimes overlooked versatility, all of which can be seen on the site. Our website is also packed with great facts, helpful advice and a great feature called the Lookbook which can help people decide what look to go for"

Year of Creativity 2008

I got intrigued by the tag line of YOC 2008: 'Be the change you want to see in the world'. As I explored their site further, I found out that its a project meant to encourage people to reinvent themselves every day and stimulate their creativity. The very first initiative in this project is encouraging people to express their (multiple) identities through a set of personalized 'business' cards. Nice! :)...I decided to make some for myself and Mr. Shaking Head....

New blog: Kim's Kitchen Remodel!

Kim, of the Desire to Inspire duo extraordinaire' fame has launched a new blog that will keep us updated with the progress of her kitchen renovation. The renovation is being sponsored by GreenTea Design (one of the sponsors of An Indian Summer), and I can't wait to see how Kim's new kitchen shapes up!

New blog: Ofifteen

A new design blog, written by five women passionate about interior design, art, architecture, gardening and cooking, among many other things! Visit them to get your dose of inspiration :)

Classic Batman Tattoo

If you are a Batman fan like me, you might wanna try this classic Batman logo for your next tattoo. [Source]

Dragon in Belly Tattoo

This beautiful dragon tattoo complements her flat belly. It will surely draw more attention to her sexy abs. [Source]

Che Guevara Face Tattoo, Upper Arm

Che Guevara's face is one of the more favorite tattoo specially for the politically adventurous people. This one is very professionally done. The tattoo artist really capture Che's face here. [Source]