India in polaroids and disposable cameras

I scanned these photos yesterday and relived some of my moments in India. Do you have photos like this that make you want to go back in time to a special place or moment?

Cleopatra’s Bling Look Book Spring/Summer 2013

Last weekend I created the special Look Book for the current and upcoming collection for Cleopatra’s Bling. It’s for the dreamers, lovers and seekers.

For more like our page here and follow our adventures.

Photography by Kevin Stramp.
Model Clara Duval.
Styling and arts direction Olivia Cummings.

The must-have Indian cookbook

This.
Is.
It.

I am in heaven.

Thanks to my wonderful kid brother for this gift xxx

Nest of the Bluebird

Genevieve from Nest of the Bluebird started creating when she checked out a stack of books from the library on ethnic adornments from around the world. African tribal beadwork, Oaxacan embroidery, Hmong Hill Tribe needlework, the colors used by the Morrocan Berber, the brightly hued silks of India. They all coalesced in her mind and what emerged was her current collection of designs. She started making these pieces based on her own desire for a bold pop of colour to enhance her often neutral wardrobe. She wanted something lightweight and comfortable even when the pieces are larger in size.

Her process begins with her favorite part, the selection of colours. Much of her day is absorbed with care of her impish 2 year old daughter Vivian, and as they play with blocks or she watches her play at the park, her mind is a flurry of colour combinations. She finds inspiration everywhere she goes. Textile prints, nature, children’s books, art, and photography. When she finally lands on the “right” colour combination, it’s like she has written a little melody that she just wants to keep humming. Each colour arrangement has the ability to evoke a particular mood or emotion.

She loves the process of creating something handmade and then sending it out into the world. She hopes the wearers of her creations feel energized, confident and maybe even a little sassy. Perhaps they will feel the good vibes infused into them by her hands as she happily created them. She has so many ideas for future creations so stayed tuned!

What a great message to pass out to you before the new week starts. Isn’t it lovely to hear that there are people out there that love what they do.

Vintage Ganesh painting

Our home

Nest of the Bluebird necklace

Nest of the Bluebird necklace

Nest of the Bluebird necklace

Nest of the Bluebird necklace

Nest of the Bluebird necklace

Nest of the Bluebird necklace

Vintage Ganesh print from India

Nest of the Bluebird necklace

Nest of the Bluebird necklace

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A bit of nostalgia for India

I feel very at home in India, and I am charmed by the hustle and bustle, bright colours and warm faces.
Here are a few photos of my first trip in India, just because I am feeling a little nostalgic.

Can you keep a secret? I’ve already been looking at flights back to India, and I have only been back two weeks…. shhhhhh

Pondicherry

India

Varkala, India

India

under the water

Blessed by an elephant

bare foot in India

a charming face

at a temple in India

Ganesh

India

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Day 10 in Pondicherry

Day 10 in Pondicherry J bought me a beautiful beautiful antique box. It has so many little compartments inside for my special jewelry. We bought it off the side of a road from a lovely man. You can see below the stall and the man that sold it to us. He was just so happy and it made me think about all the people that earn so much more than him but are less grateful. This man sent out rays of sunshine to all that spoke with him.

The second highlight of this particular day was the dog family we came across in the street. I wanted to take them home with me. Just look at those faces.

The man you can see below is a milkman. They ride around Pondicherry with little tanks of milk attached to their bikes. It’s so charming.

Milk man in Pondicherry

vintage stall in Pondicherry

the happiest man of Pondicherry

puppy in Pondicherry

puppy in Pondicherry

Dad dog

Mum dog

Day 8 in Pondicherry

The sweet life. This café, La Maison Rose is one of our favourite places to chill out and have a good coffee. They serve great meals too.

I’m taking lots of polaroid photos to add to my polaroid photo album.

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

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Day 7 in Pondicherry

Today we had a coffee that is meant to be the best in Pondicherry- they boil the milk for hours and hours but the rest we don’t know because it’s their secret and what gives them their charm. Have you ever tried Indian sweets before? I cannot go a day without them. Since we’ve been here each afternoon J and I go out for our coffee and very sweet slice of whatever Indian delight we decide on.

Tomorrow we are going to talk to some local jewelry makers about some designs I’ve had in mind for Cleopatra’s Bling. I’m sure you’ll love what’s to come so stay tuned 🙂

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

My mother is such a cutie.

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

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Day 5 in Pondicherry

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

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Day 4 in Pondicherry

This little Indian princess lives in our street. Today we went to the flower market where they make strings of flowers to offer to the gods, namely Ganesh.

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

Pondicherry Oh la la livia

I’d like to wish all of my lovely readers a very happy and safe Christmas time and a very happy new year. So much more to come from me to you in 2013. xxx

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