Outdoor Chic

In keeping with the theme of classic glamour, summer and the outdoors,here are some simple and stunning pieces from Walter Lambs 9140’s outdoor furniture collection. Reintroduced by Brown Jordan (one of the first companies to create furniture for full-time outdoor use) the collection includes dining tables, chairs and occasional tables.

Originally these pieces were constructed from bronze and copper tubing salvaged from sunken naval ships at Pearl Harbour; today they are meticulously reproduced to his original specifications with rust –resistant brass frames and nautical grade nylon cord. Love the sculptural lines, the elegance and simplicity of the collection.

photos/ info     :     http://www.brownjordan.com

SUMMER

I started today's entry with the intention of talking about Biomimicry but instead I find that I have to talk about summer first. March is here and its scorching. The weather outside has taken dominance over our lives. The summer has made its presence felt and I have no option to but talk about it. As the weather changed miraculously on day of Holi so have our lives.

Summer makes us think of holidays away, fun recipies that wont put us to sleep post lunch, naps in the afternoon ( preferably not at work ), crisp linen, lily ponds, chilled citrus drinks, a pool, ice cream, blue skies, bougainvillea and the sea.


A very long long time ago March used to be the first month of the year and was named Martius after Mars, the Roman god of war. In March we celebrate Holi we celebrate Women's day and this year Earth Hour will take place on Saturday the 27th of March (Earth Hour is when you turn out your lights out for one hour. It was started by the World Wildlife Fund three years ago a billion people participated last year).


No matter how busy we are or what's going on around us at the end of the day our overriding persistent and un ignorable thought for summer is about " getting cool and staying cool".


An option for a Stylish Holiday: Capri......
J.K Place Capri with a rich history dating back to the 1870's seems to be a luxurious Hotel with great design keeping it well in touch with today's day. This sea side place has beautiful colour scheme and the decor is both traditional yet contemporary. Makes me think of a very stylish Audrey Hepburnesque holiday spot.It has old world glamour but is also verry current .
The toweling upholstered wing chairs in particular are a fun and creative detail. The blue walls are a great colour scheme for a beach side place.

http://www.jkcapri.com/

AMRITSAR

AMRITSAR (The Pool of the Nectar of Immortality!) is home to Harmandir Sahib (The Golden Temple) and is considered the holiest shrine by Sikhs; it’s also one of the oldest Gurudwaras in the world.

This was a trip that we had been planning as a family for years but it never fell into place until last week and what a trip it turned out to be!!! On a very personal note for me, Sikhism and what it is to be part Sikh fell into place in a very strong and profound way. For years people described the feeling of peace that overcomes you when you enter the Golden Temple, but you have to be there to experience this feeling.
The golden Temple is open to all, there are no gates, no doors that get locked it welcomes all from the north , south east and west and signifies acceptance and openness irrespective of religion, colour, creed or sex and serves food to all those who wish 24 hours a day 365 days of the year! (More about the Temple next week, I could write pages and pages about it, but I won’t for now)
Harmandir Sahib aside, Amritsar is a city with some of the best food EVER a lot of shining happy people and Great Spirit.         Photo Credits : Maxie Cooper
Ist View ....

Inside the compound: day 1, there is no sense of urgency, pushing, shoving jostling for space. Everyone is relaxed and calm and the entire periphery of the building provides shade and floor covering to sit and reflect and pray or even just take a nap.

Day 2 : We wanted to experience the Temple at dawn.

Leaving the tranquillity of the Golden Temple, we explore Amritsar and head to Khalsa College. The beautiful Indo-Sarcenic style of architecture is stunning and the campus is spread across 300 acres. We were given a private tour and got to walk around the entire main building...

Beautiful People ....

more next week !

INVICTUS by William Ernest Henley

I watched INVICTUS last night , I liked the poem and so here it is.
The last 2 lines in particular stand out for me .

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.


In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.


Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul. 

by William Ernest Henley