The Weekly Story ~ wk 13

We had lovely weather this weekend... So.. Friday I did NOTHING... which is something, I never do!! *smiles*... Yes, I enjoyed the morning with mom at the spa,... then watched the kids jump in and out of the pool... the afternoon ended with an impromptu BBQ... Was totally brilliant... 

Evening was well spent with a few girlfriends too... *smiles*.. 

So now, Im showing off some blank walls of my home... 

What I love about this home... is that the swing is now a part of the living area... Which means... I sit on it all the time.. *smiles*

Nothings new... everything seems to fit perfectly well in some corner ... 

This area of the home already looks crowded enough... so I'm a bit confused as to what I want to do on the walls... Can't seem to decide.. as anything I have in mind... seems like clutter.. *sigh*.. 

The blue window here is a bit of a sore eye for me... Im planning on put plain wooden blinds here... so lets see if that makes any difference... 

... sneak peak into the dining area... above.. 

But I have this one stunning blank wall... that I'm going to leave blank for a while... 

I'm sure hoping you'll join 'The Weekly Story' linky party ~ open from Monday through Wednesday every week.. ... ... ...

1. Do a post on your blog, about ANYTHING! and it can really be anything – example – a fun recipe you tried out, a craft project, a DIY, a table top, a few candles, coffee with friends or a good book or a movie review… The list is endless… just about ANYTHING… and anything about YOU !! *smiles* ... It can also be 'anything pretty' ...
2. Original photographs only... No images from other websites or magazines please!! This is about YOU.
3. Link back to my blog.... only as a courtesy, so we have more people joining the party.
4. Copy the 'permalink' from your post (not the link to the front page of your blog).
5. Add your 'permalink' to the 'inlinkz' at the bottom of this post.
6. Click the link before you. Don’t forget to comment and if you like the blog, please follow!!

Any questions, email me on coloursdekor@gmail.com.

Please note, you DO NOT have to be a follower of my blog to join the party.. I'd love to see you here!!

Please grab the Colours Dekor 'The Weekly Story' button!!

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Store Review ~ Tesserae

I'll tell you honestly... I always thought Mosaics were for garden tabletops and nothing more... And I was sooooooooooo wrong... till I discovered Tesserae... and that's where I'm taking you today.. 

It is fascinating how myriad pieces come together to make a compelling story through mosaic. The store ‘Tesserae’ in Bangalore is one of few stores in India that specializes in mosaic work. 

The store which opened its doors in September 2012 is an initiative by the talented Sarah Kurien, who has nurtured a lifelong passion for the arts. Her endeavors that led to the store's current success include a fascinating course in stained glass making six years back, post which she embarked on the journey to explore other mediums of art and its many facets. During this time, she found her passion in creating beauty using pieces of glass and ceramics, envisioning the bigger picture and became a self taught mosaic artist. Her interest in mosaics eventually led to the opening of the store Tesserae. 

Tesserae ~ The quaint and gaily decorated store offers mosaic based home accessories like intricately designed table tops, lampshades, mirrors, trays and garden accessories done in ceramic tile, stained glass and pebbles. Sarah has even added the mosaic twist to unexpected items like chess boards and nameplates. These products are colorful, cheerful additions to the décor of any home. The designs are one-of-a- kind and any accessory can be custom designed to suit one's taste and budget. 

Tesserae, undertakes individual custom orders and executes exclusive mosaic projects with architects and interior designers, apart from individuals and business establishments. Sarah mentions that custom work often involves conceptualizing, designing and executing the mosaic work based on a theme.  For example: She recently completed a mosaic rendition of Vincent Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’. 

So come and walk into Tesserae for the perfect answer to your gifting and decorating needs when the norm just won't do.

And if you liked what you see... Go visit them... in Bangalore..
Tesserae, 972H, Ground Floor, 1st A Main Road, S.T. Bed, Near Maharaja Hotel, Koramangala -4th Block, (First left turn before Smart Supermarket) Ph: 9740652337
www.facebook.com/tesseraeindia

Blog finds ~ canavāsium

.. So what would you do... if you found a new awesome blog??

Obviously you'd share it with me... *smiles*... 

Now a little about the blogger ... 

Hi there! This is Saranya, an engineer by profession, an artist at heart, my life so far shuttles between the two extremes. 

Tell us a little more about yourself.. and your blogs.. 

I live in California where there is no bound for art, culture and natural beauty. No place can be more inspiring for an artist to be. With the big Indian scene here, I feel all the more tied to India and Indian Arts. I love to create, dream, dance and travel. I guess my inspirations are drawn from my travels and memories from times spent in Madras and Rajasthan years ago. 

I love to illustrate, paint, craft, photograph, photoshop and sew. Recently, I am working towards creating unique pieces of art where each one has a story to tell. Apart from art and work, I have found my way in my kitchen in recent years, trying to create new stuff. 

I am the voice behind these two webpages - http://onceuponatime139.blogspot.com/ and http://cinnamonsncloves.blogspot.com/. I am hoping to sell my art work someday and switch over to a creative profession full time.     

and now for some of her impressive work... 

So hop over.. and visit her awesome blog.. Once upon a time and Cinnamons & Cloves

And don't forget to tell me.... if you liked my new find?? *smiles*

The Weekly Story ~ wk 12

Hello my lovelies... So how was your weekend?

I had a super busy weekend... Friday morning was the Dubai Terry Fox Run for which we arrived at 6am and stayed till about mid day. It was lovely to see the enthusiasm and energy!! Truly... people do believe in miracles.

Friday evening was the first of the Emirates NBD Classics II with Shubha Mudgal. It was an enchanting evening... She sang continuously for two hours and the crowd demanded more... Beyond impressive!!

Anyway, so Saturday was dedicated to cleaning, clearing, sorting.....

Here is my little one... who always helps me clean & clear... She is the second de-clutter queen... *smiles*

We've kind of settled in our new home... There is still a lot to do *smiles*

Which basically means... even our names are on the floor.. LOL... 

Oh... so once cleaning was done.. I quickly jumped to the opportunity of displaying some of my new finds from Indya kaleidoscope... 

Isn't this gorgeous??

What do you think of these?

Anyway.... so our new home is more or less similar to the old one... except its slightly older (in age)... which means.. the fineness and prettiness of my earlier home.. doesn't exist... 

Saying that... it just means that there are more white coloured walls... And you know how I totally love white walls... and can't wait to take out my brush... 

I visited some of you last week.. and I'll pop by to say 'hello' you the rest of you this week too...

So join 'The Weekly Story' linky party ~ open from Monday through Wednesday every week.. ... ... ...

1. Do a post on your blog, about ANYTHING! and it can really be anything – example – a fun recipe you tried out, a craft project, a DIY, a table top, a few candles, coffee with friends or a good book or a movie review… The list is endless… just about ANYTHING… and anything about YOU !! *smiles* ... It can also be 'anything pretty' ...
2. Original photographs only... No images from other websites or magazines please!! This is about YOU.
3. Link back to my blog.... only as a courtesy, so we have more people joining the party.
4. Copy the 'permalink' from your post (not the link to the front page of your blog).
5. Add your 'permalink' to the 'inlinkz' at the bottom of this post.
6. Click the link before you. Don’t forget to comment and if you like the blog, please follow!!

Any questions, email me on coloursdekor@gmail.com.

Please note, you DO NOT have to be a follower of my blog to join the party.. I'd love to see you here!!

Please grab the Colours Dekor 'The Weekly Story' button!!

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Surviving Cancer : a story of a New Mom

You know my blog is dedicated to decor and I never speak of anything else... but today is the Dubai Terry Fox Run at Dubai Festival City. The run starts at 08.30am... I sure hope to see you there.. Every single penny collected goes towards research... I've been a part of the foundation for a few years and hence I beleive that research is the only key to fight such deadly deseases... Hence when I heard this story... I simply had to share it with you... 

Surviving Cancer: What I Learned as a New Mother

I never thought that I would go through cancer. I don't think that anyone does. Just suddenly, your whole life changes, and what you thought was given to you as a right, your life becomes a challenge. I was 36 when my life changed. There were extreme lows and extreme highs during the year that I was diagnosed. When I gave birth to my first and only child Lily, I couldn't imagine feeling anything less than utter bliss, yet my dreams were almost shattered a few months later.

I went back to work full time about 4 weeks after bringing Lily home. I didn't want to waste any time getting into the normal routine. That meant going to work every day, but I began to feel extremely tired to the point of mental and physical exhaustion. On top of that, I was losing weight, about five to seven pounds a week. Something was definitely wrong, and I was back in the doctor's office before I could even get used to being a new mommy. After three months, the test results were finally in.

Cameron came with me to the doctor's office when the results were in. We didn't know what to expect, but as I sat across from the doctor, listening to him say that I had malignant pleural mesothelioma, something so specific and deadly, that I blocked out everything else but Lily. How was I going to be her mother now when I had this horrible other thing growing inside of me? What came next was even more shocking. The doctor said that I only had 15 months to live without treatment. That meant we had to pick a treatment right away, only I couldn't even talk or pay attention to the doctor's advice. I looked to Cameron who realized I was desperate for help, and he stepped in. We were going to see a specialist in Boston.

The specialist in Boston had a high success rate of treating mesothelioma patients. The first part of my treatment was surgery. I had to go through a very risky extrapleural pneumonectomy surgery that would remove one of my lungs, part of my chest and heart, as well as parts of my diaphragm. The surgery was incredibly risky, but I got through it. I spent 18 days in the hospital afterwards just to recover. Then, after another 2 months of recovery I began chemotherapy and radiation. All the while, I kept thinking of Lily. I couldn't see her or be around her too much during this process, and it broke my heart. Still, through it all, I thought of my dreams as a new mother and what I wanted to be for her. I was going to make it through this no matter what.

My family was a big help during the treatment. Going through chemotherapy and radiation for mesothelioma was one of the hardest challenges I ever had to face. It's a cancer that takes about 95 percent of the people diagnosed. Through my surgery and cancer treatment, I never stopped believing that there would be a brighter day for my family. I saw myself spending so many more years with Lily and raising her to be a kind and gentle heart.

My parents are some of the most generous people. Things were difficult for us, and my parents took Lily in while I went through my treatment in Boston. Through their strength, I also gained a great deal of perseverance to get through the darkest of times. My husband and caregiver Cameron was also there when things went to chaos. He was my rock and champion through every single day. Friends, other family members and even strangers wanted to help as we went through this dark period. I missed so many things in Lily's life, but I always think about how much worse it could have been without the help of so many people.

As deadly as cancer can be, there were a variety of lessons that I received from the experienced that bettered my life. For one, I appreciated the warmth of family so much more. I cherished my husband and daughter, forming such a tight bond because we fought for life together. As a family, we truly understand the gift of life and how precious that is. I beat mesothelioma because I had a support group that was bigger than I ever imagined. I don't know if I ever thanked everyone for how they came through for my family. They truly made us stronger just by being there and gave me a second chance to be the mother that I always wanted to be. Seven years later, we're a happy, healthy family and I am so thankful.

My Home, My Haven ~ SamPR

It truly humbles me when you invite me to your homes!! When you are not a photographer, not sure if you are a designer ... and yet you gather the courage to show off your home.... I'm always impressed and I am in awe of your home and your personal style... and how you influence every single wall with your own persona ...

Every wall has character ... every little piece unique... 

So join me, with your cup of coffee, tea or latte ... as I take you to SamPR's home... 

Please introduce yourself :

I am based in Seattle, WA and discovering my keen interest in interior decor. I love to decorate my home just because I feel happy doing it. Its a kind of relaxing for me to do little arrangements whenever I find time. Though not picture-perfect , I try to bring brightness and coziness in my home. My interests are pencil sketching and playing on my Veena.

And now tell us a little about your home... 

The living room is painted in burnt sienna colour, we chose the color because it brings vibrancy and energizes . I invest time ,creativity in little things to personalise my home and give it a cosy look. 

The dining room has dark wood dine set we chose green to bring greenery inside our home.

The musical instrument Veena is given to me by my mom and its in the pooja room. I really love playing my veena , it also has a calming effect.

The pooja room has a quaint mandir which I purchased from a local dealer in Mangalore. I adore  "Ladoo gopal" ,so you will find lots of ladoo gopal in my mandir.

It keeps raining here so rainy days are perfect for inspiration for anything creative .

Here is one quote which I love :

There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” ― Albert Einstein

What do you think of her colourful and vibrant home.... Don't forget to leave a comment *smiles*