New blogs & websites on the block!

The world of social media is buzzing and some of our friends too have their own new Blogs and Companies! I am here to introduce you to some of them today.

Image : peacocksintherain.com

Peacocks In The Rain is a new blog by my dear dear friend Ila who is a self confessed textile hoarder and is in love with the Indian Crafts. She is now curating for various online retailers and shops such as FabFurnish etc. Head to Ila's blog for Indian Craft Inspiration and a selection of carefully selected products, brands and events!

 Images: peacocksintherain.com (image credits are given on the blog)

Ila invites select bloggers to write guest posts on her blog and I recently wrote one on the Ikat Craft of India. I thoroughly enjoyed reading up and researching for this post and must thank Ila for giving me this opportunity to pause and reflect on a craft and read up on its origin.

Image: peacockintherain.com

As the poster above suggests and as predicted as one of the future trends, Len Den or barter is going to play a huge role in the future economies. So if you would like to be featured on Ila's blog or would like to write a guest post, contact her here: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Peacocksinttherain-886461431428441/timeline

Email: editors@peacocksintherain.com

While on the topic of Len Den or Barter, we recently bartered our beautiful products for a small ad feature on this fantastic new Bangalore based event listing platform called Events High!

If you don't know about Events High yet then head straight to their website now for your dose of local events in Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai.

Check it out and you won't be disappointed, I promise! They list everything from concerts to food, origami & craft workshops, activities for kids and much much more. 

So if you still haven' planned your Christmas and New Years' eve then this is where you can start:  https://www.eventshigh.com/city/bangalore , they have a cool new app to download too!

My Online Store is here!!

It is here and I look forward to your orders! www.anekdesigns.com is where you will find lots of Cushion Covers, Table Linen and Accessories, go now, check it out and do let me know what you think of it!
The international customers will still be directed to the Etsy Shop till we are ready to integrate and have a common platform for both. However if it is an Indian Address you wish to ship to, then go ahead and make your purchase now!

I wonder what took me so long to launch an online store for my lovely Indian Customers! Well now we are here and I can't wait to start wrapping your orders, hurry first 5 orders may receive a surprise gift!

Woohoo! I am so excited, join our Newsletter (at the bottom of the website) and stay on top of our latest events, launches and news! See ya!

Kopḗ London: Luxurious Hand Crafted Scarves!

Today I want to introduce you to hand crafted luxurious scarves by Kopḗ London

Kopḗ is a brand born out of love for fine craft traditions of the world and is the brain child of Divya Lahoria, fashion and textile designer, based out of London. Kopḗ comes from the Greek word, ‘Perikopḗ’, meaning a snippet from a sacred writing. 

Finest of materials have been used and careful details have been added to each  product. I love the luxurious cashmere ombre scarves, they are delightfully soft and warm to touch, available in bright colour combinations.

Kopḗ  welcomes artist collaborations and this painting above is a result of one such fine collaboration called The Paint Brush. Find out more about this here.

Beautiful and rich shibori scarves in silk mesmerize the senses and are available in many colour combinations.  Buy Kopḗ  products online here- http://www.kopelondon.com

Here is what Divya has to say about her brand- "Kopḗ collections encapsulate our values, aesthetics and conversations with a global community of makers. Each piece by Kopḗ is from a larger material that passes through the lives and hands of many craftspeople and makers who have given their time and skills to make these magnificent pieces that we can love and care for.

Kopḗ is not defined by an age group but by joy, confidence, style, elegance and our love for colour."

Instagram: https://instagram.com/kopelondon  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kopelondon

Day trip from London to Brighton, UK

We went on a day trip to Brighton recently and what a day it was, cold, grey and windy! Brighton beach however was still as pretty, husband and I had a great time.

 The Brighton beach is a pebble beach, a first of its kind for me and the colours were fantastic. More seagulls on the beach than people, it was beautiful!

There are some crazy rides at the Brighton pier which we didn't try, perhaps next time when family visits. Lunch was at the Regency Restaurant, not the best fish and chips in town I am told but it is quite an institution in itself so we had to eat there. The portions we huge and prices reasonable :)
I also spotted a cute little shop called People Tree which supports sustainable and fair trade fashion.
We took the train to Brighton and came back around 5 in the evening, it was a day well spent!

Little Venice

Vivek and I have finally settled down in our new home in London. It is a small house, but it is warm.

Ever since my first visit to London, I knew that I would love to live here one day, I am grateful for this chance to experience another culture in another country. Yet there is a sense of inertia within me, of wanting to stay in one place, grow roots and to hold on. In my head I should now be saving up to buy that wooden cupboard, that Smeg refrigerator and slowly build that house that I have pinned on Pinterest, but is it possible if one is on the move, living in one city and then another every 2 to 3 years? 

So having said that I did manage to bring some of my home with me :)

Some of my fav wall art, and I wish to buy some more...any leads?

My Kashmiri Namdah and Kullu Socks + Shoes

Some Sky Goodies!

And my fridge magnets!

My neighbourhood is beautiful and Little Venice is only a short walk away, so when the sun was out, I took my iPad and sat by the canal to read. lots of people and birds were out, soaking in the sun with me and it was a delightful day.

 Little Venice! 

So stay with me while I fill this space with more interesting days, slowly.

Beautiful Hand Crafted Furniture by Gulmohar Lane

I was introduced to Shweta (co-founder and creative head, Gulmohar Lane) by my husband Vivek, both their families have known each other for many many years.

Shweta wrote to me about her plans for their furniture brand while it was still in its planning stages and I took an instant liking to the name...Gulmohar Lane. I can see myself going on long walks in Gulmohar Lane, with the sunny skies and cool breeze, perhaps with a comforting book to read.

http://www.gulmoharlane.com/pages/about-us

I love the way the brand has shaped up and their collection of furniture is stunning! Best part though? Gulmohar Lane is online and you can ask for the product to be delivered across India.

I so agree when they say that they found a gap in the furniture market and strive to fill it with quality products that are fairly priced.

Their hand tufted Chesterfield Collection of sofas, ottomans and chairs is a personal favourite, made by 4th generation master sofa makers, the quality shows in every thoughtful detail.

My all time favourite coffee table, I hope they start world shipping soon.

Look out for lighting solutions and a range of scatter pillows launching soon on their website.

This newly launched online furniture studio is sure to win your hearts with its combination of traditional techniques, natural fabrics, smart finishes and super fine aesthetics.

The brand is based out of Jaipur and ships across India.
Please check out the website here : http://www.gulmoharlane.com

Photographs used are from the brand website.

So so beautiful, sigh.

London Dreams!

My partner Vivek and I moved to london on the 31st of January 2015. 

This is my 17th day in London and I finally have some time to put down my thoughts here. This is a big move for both of us, I have to say that since I have to remind myself every day, that yes it is a big move...even though it doesn't feel like it yet.

How did we end up here? Well Vivek was offered an internal transfer to the London office with the company he currently works with and we said yes.

We have found the tiny tiny flat that we will be renting here, but we move into it only by 1st of March, so there is time before we call it our home.

So I am here, sitting in a company provided service apartment, in London over looking the cold grey and wet London skyline, writing my first blog for the year 2015.

Anek Designs of course continues, thanks to my Father who has stepped in to help run the workshop and handle production. The workshop therefore is now located in Sikanderpur, Gurgaon, close to my Parent's home. I have no idea if my Dad really wanted to get involved or not, did he volunteer or did I just assume that he would be the one to manage the workshop, since he is retired from his job with the bank? I am still wondering about this...but it doesn't seem like he has a choice now :)

I cannot think of anyone, other than My Dad, managing Anek Designs as I would have run it. I say that since I know we are alike in a lot of ways, easily flustered, panicky, impatient and emotionally, thoroughly involved. So the workshop is small, the tailors are new, and the business a little unorganized (thanks to me), but we continue with the production and hopefully will find our feet very soon. 

Can I just slip in that we are looking for a reliable driver, so if you know one in Gurgaon...please get in touch :D I might as well add that we are also looking to outsource hand work and fabric suppliers and for anyone who wants to help!! 

Back to being in London. Vivek and I are here for a few years hopefully and we intend to learn the difference between Zucchini, Courgette and Tori among other things like travelling and getting a hang of the famous English Humour.

We will be living in Maida Vale, this is where we are renting a flat and the area looks lovely. I can't wait to explore the neighbourhood. You can check out some images for Maida Vale here: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=maida+vale+london&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=624&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=SBDiVOGQJNLPaLKigZgE&ved=0CDIQsAQ

The flat is old and it will take some effort and time to make it pretty and photo ready. 

I will be uploading images of the progress I make with the house, here on my blog, which I promise to be more regular with, now that I have all the time. Thank you Papa!!