tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45667837298634635582024-03-14T14:05:23.314+08:00Maya & Ruhithe jewelry, the kids, and the things that come to mind...Pearl Bhasinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948060175283837900noreply@blogger.comBlogger702125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566783729863463558.post-33577565347937083782013-10-21T23:16:00.000+08:002013-10-21T23:19:27.226+08:00Crying TimesOK, so the packing is kinda turning out to be the least of my problems. It's the good-byes that're proving absolutely heartbreaking.<br />
<br />
Maya's friends threw her a big surprise farewell party, with lots of sweets, presents, and a handmade Minion cake(coz she dressed up as one in one of the school's charity events). They also crafted up a video montage of all the best pics with her at various school trips, class-clownings and sleepovers, set to a couple of Taylor Swift songs. A right riveting tearjerker, I tell you.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1I5EhjL_K1bokgNWMtoMiJtfnE3wX1149WoiwWY7fTwUW67hyphenhyphen9CRsB-5CEG_MfLBhyphenhyphenzbmBzR0gKdAeF49afPfzkK6FjzCVFMEB5xaEjzt0UblL9brnnib5ApEAdTeqrZUX6DaBPeJKdrB/s1600/photo+(296).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1I5EhjL_K1bokgNWMtoMiJtfnE3wX1149WoiwWY7fTwUW67hyphenhyphen9CRsB-5CEG_MfLBhyphenhyphenzbmBzR0gKdAeF49afPfzkK6FjzCVFMEB5xaEjzt0UblL9brnnib5ApEAdTeqrZUX6DaBPeJKdrB/s400/photo+(296).JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maya's Farewell presents</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And this afternoon, Ruhi said her last good-byes to her BFF, Hettie. After a tearful hug-and -"bye-bye" at the door, Hettie stood by her window sobbing and waving to us at the bus-stop, for a whole 5 minutes until the bus came along. Needless to say, Ruhi, too, was sobbing her little heart out.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMgXO0F7YYjiAGFO-7_Mktl-7DeOEBvFENqQZeSO6QnXHdEmRic03Q9qM4xScdBlkJMHe5BESEYOcDJF9L2YR-HDL43-ZXzIWoR52LqekwxEpM7X5ZEOVF9FiRNuOiwlM7ppXgjVfxDHm/s1600/photo+(283).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMgXO0F7YYjiAGFO-7_Mktl-7DeOEBvFENqQZeSO6QnXHdEmRic03Q9qM4xScdBlkJMHe5BESEYOcDJF9L2YR-HDL43-ZXzIWoR52LqekwxEpM7X5ZEOVF9FiRNuOiwlM7ppXgjVfxDHm/s400/photo+(283).JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruhi and Hettie, pre-sobs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's so heartbreaking to see the kids' hearts breaking... :(</div>
Pearl Bhasinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948060175283837900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566783729863463558.post-48968504744597051402013-10-14T18:39:00.000+08:002013-10-14T19:07:17.731+08:00End of a ChapterOur time in the UK is coming to a close far too quickly. We <a href="http://mayaruhi.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/big-move-in-pics.html" target="_blank">moved over from Singapore in November 2011</a>, and now it's time to head back...<br />
<br />
And so the complete and utter nightmare of packing begins. The movers have come and done their survey, so the reality of what needs to be done has set in. Painfully, it involves a lot of sorting, throwing out and giving away, stuff.<br />
<br />
But those are just Things. Even more difficult to deal with are the attachments and friendships and connections we have made during our 2 years here. It's especially hard for Those Two, who are lucky enough to have some of the sweetest girls I have ever known, whom they can cite as BFFs.<br />
<br />
As for me, I will sorely miss the family friends and relatives who live here, the fact that world-class museums are just a short train ride away, the slower pace of life that allows me to literally stop and smell the roses, my lovely yoga teacher <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.639752702709982.1073741868.178385912179999&type=3" target="_blank">Emi</a> who has helped me grow and progress in ways I never knew I could...<br />
<br />
Gah! It's just too depressing for me to go on. So I shall leave you with a pic...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPYmKHZBN_xgMiUghEvOvv98EN8CVyax9TjgtHjxwGMooE0yDahDCX_25kOqCUmwLft8ejbDcLUmZ8LpzCBVWmPGmEinCzqYGWxnfG0t5875ZYD298Ls_jIKB-7M_PUGtii-Sq_QRdhTg/s1600/060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPYmKHZBN_xgMiUghEvOvv98EN8CVyax9TjgtHjxwGMooE0yDahDCX_25kOqCUmwLft8ejbDcLUmZ8LpzCBVWmPGmEinCzqYGWxnfG0t5875ZYD298Ls_jIKB-7M_PUGtii-Sq_QRdhTg/s400/060.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singapore Zoo, WE'RE BA-ACK...!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />Pearl Bhasinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948060175283837900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566783729863463558.post-63389003911453336622013-09-11T17:47:00.000+08:002013-09-13T21:29:21.020+08:00M.I.Y.A. (Missing In Yoga Action)I cannot believe I have been so neglectful of my beloved blog. I blame it entirely on yoga.<br />
<br />
I have been pretty much obsessed, to be truthful. I have been devouring yoga magazines religiously, and have acquired a considerable amount of hardcore yoga reading material, including <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Power-Ashtanga-Yoga-Peace--Includes/dp/1611800056/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1378890119&sr=8-3&keywords=kino+macgregor+ashtanga" target="_blank">Kino MacGregor's lastest</a>, various <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=BKS+Iyengar" target="_blank">Iyengar classics</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=yoga+philosophy&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Ayoga+philosophy" target="_blank">yoga philosophy favourites</a>, as well as <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ray+long&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aray+long" target="_blank">yoga anatomy references</a>.<br />
<br />
I have also gathered up courage to rejoin society. Yoga society, that is. You see, up till last month, I have been practising all on my lonesome, with my best friends: YouTube and <a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/" target="_blank">Yoga Journal</a>. I have to say, they have served me very well. In fact, so well, that one of the teachers I have been going to lately commented that I have "a very lovely traditional practice". Cue Dance of Joy...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/GfPg5LjGYz8?rel=0" width="420"></iframe><br /></div>
<br />
Balki Bartokomous and Cousin Larry - weren't they just the funniest! I digress.<br />
<br />
So, I've signed up at a new yoga studio that's opened round the corner from where I live, called<a href="http://www.samsaramindandbody.com/" target="_blank"> Samsara Mind and Body</a>, a fabulous little place that's given me the opportunity to lesson with some really amazing teachers...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://theheartcentreyoga.co.uk/about/" target="_blank">Naz Khakoo</a> is an amazing teacher with a truly heartfelt practice. Her style of yoga is known as <a href="http://hridaya-yoga.com/what-is-hridaya.htm" target="_blank">Hridaya Yoga</a>, where the focus is on engaging and exploring the Heart chakra. She is encouraging, nurturing, and ever so in tune with her students. It is an absolute pleasure just to be in her presence.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.barnesmums.com/2012/baoli-yoga" target="_blank">Michaela Olexova</a> is another amazing teacher I have had the honour and pleasure to practise with. Her style of yoga is called Baoli Yoga, and it involves a slow, contemplative flow (which by all means breaks you into a sweat even if it doesn't look like your'e doing much), rounded off with a meditation topped with Reiki. How fabulous is that!!<br />
<br />
I also had a taste of a rigorous Vinyasa flow class courtesy of <a href="http://www.slicestudios.co.uk/#!instructors/c6g4" target="_blank">Austin Ince</a>, whose animated, chatty style proved effective, 'coz you don't realise how much work you are actually doing, until sweat starts dripping off you and onto your mat. <br />
<br />
And yesterday, I had my first ever session with the great <a href="http://www.lululemon.com/london/islington/ambassadors/MarkKan" target="_blank">Mark Kan</a>, whose sessions are known as <a href="http://www.dharmayogacenter.com/welcome.php" target="_blank">Dharma Mittra</a> yoga, a style that is pensive and very challenging, based on the wisdom of the yogi Sri Dharma Mittra. What can I say - you know how you take a piece of meat and tenderise it with a studded hammer...? Yep, that's how my body is feeling. But I've got to hand it to the guy. 'Coz he got me into Full Pigeon, and Pincha Mayurasana! And this is without any pulling or pushing. He is ever so gentle with his cues and instructions, it is just mind-blowing. I was absolutely gobsmacked - with myself, his unassuming, quiet, yet super-effective ways... Happy is I!!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/posesimages/32a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full Pigeon (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSxi52LKyYZ7VjgQcPxAIKojXwboeij57XHOsdtnJGa_k7HNY2a" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feathered Peacock (Pincha Mayurasana)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So, for good measure, here is Mark Kan in action. So inspiring! *happy sigh*<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/uIbRVT8QaFs?rel=0" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>*Update/13 Sep* I have not been able to Pincha Mayurasana on my own since... :S. But I shall persevere... :)</i></div>
</div>
Pearl Bhasinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948060175283837900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566783729863463558.post-86954849670116527872013-05-03T17:26:00.000+08:002013-05-04T01:54:39.926+08:00New Acquisition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My new tattoos. Finally got them, a couple of months back. I had been <a href="http://mayaruhi.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/that-inking-itch.html" target="_blank">wanting them for the longest time</a>, and I finally got round to it. I am SO happy!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
I knew I wanted old skool swallows with Them Two's names on, but I was waiting for the right time, the right artist, and the right "Go on! You know you want to!". So I scouted around a bit online for London artists' portfolios, saw <a href="http://jaclynrehe.com/">Jaclyn Rehe's work</a> and was immediately smitten. And then I decided this was the perfect way and time to collect some super lovely art as a souvenir (of sort) of my stay in London.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2snM-DGamzRrIGF6zfqkPTGnhmu2ot2rnizfEy47p2r5fsIV5TErmRKmzc2qHkCJPPvQCqkR38NaIq3WkfezhDP18za0O34nSeV7_HpJ8hx7YY4k67AjOgWNzdW3_sZav3rj93UcHVK3B/s1600/2013-03-15+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2snM-DGamzRrIGF6zfqkPTGnhmu2ot2rnizfEy47p2r5fsIV5TErmRKmzc2qHkCJPPvQCqkR38NaIq3WkfezhDP18za0O34nSeV7_HpJ8hx7YY4k67AjOgWNzdW3_sZav3rj93UcHVK3B/s400/2013-03-15+002.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The great Jaclyn Rehe working on me. 2 hours of whirring, buzzing, bleeding and idle chit-chat...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is<a href="http://www.jaclynrehe.com/" target="_blank"> Jaclyn Rehe</a>. She hails from Australia and currently works out of <a href="http://ilovegoodtimes.co.uk/" target="_blank">Good Times Tattoo</a> up in Shoreditch, fronted by <a href="http://ilovegoodtimes.co.uk/artists/Nikole/" target="_blank">Nikole Lowe</a> of Discovery Channel's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Ink" target="_blank">London Ink</a> fame.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Jaclyn is the cutest little button in the entire button shop, but is one mean old skool tattoo artist. <a href="http://jaclynrehe.com/tattoo/" target="_blank"> Her work</a> is curiously timeless, because the theme, subjects and form are so traditional, yet her slight cubist lean gives her art that little handsome quirk and a modern edge. I mean, how cool is it that my traditional swallows match-but-don't-match?! Check. It. Out!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGBK0qo-oR2Fw3w8DAL-w5GZe55XHx4amiTYdRboZpAkxvORwTvxlCjr58Usi2kG4M9yG3w00Bs1d2Mw7bBObPmwr5fF9exp31TfXfrwT7hUsxbLzT77FDk9qOZ0msJcyP2kVQSkKRqsN/s1600/2013-03-15+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGBK0qo-oR2Fw3w8DAL-w5GZe55XHx4amiTYdRboZpAkxvORwTvxlCjr58Usi2kG4M9yG3w00Bs1d2Mw7bBObPmwr5fF9exp31TfXfrwT7hUsxbLzT77FDk9qOZ0msJcyP2kVQSkKRqsN/s640/2013-03-15+003.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh from the shop...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
... and, some days later, in full scabby glory.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighJ5AVZDn9y74CYzKeX8xX58db1Npd5NN-pNS4Wb5kL6G9aHSrfx970HONyPlipzdbEURlnmafezSjR6hjd_6u9NZjQkacDWNeWadbzR36JCN0AFsxe6OIZTREN1STUnb2c0OpoTaxMAL/s1600/photo+(278).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighJ5AVZDn9y74CYzKeX8xX58db1Npd5NN-pNS4Wb5kL6G9aHSrfx970HONyPlipzdbEURlnmafezSjR6hjd_6u9NZjQkacDWNeWadbzR36JCN0AFsxe6OIZTREN1STUnb2c0OpoTaxMAL/s320/photo+(278).JPG" width="236" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMcwDv2db8bkx3XHk7oxVIAq8jDD9UHurnIAqg_hc8Rr6VT6zGM_F47jRCT02IqFk8ELGl_iOPcPhSZdtN7HHYPpIZTilelN3pxycNSAK4po8AeyAstovceoqdwrSfnybgtSX3o8xbh0S/s1600/photo+(279).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMcwDv2db8bkx3XHk7oxVIAq8jDD9UHurnIAqg_hc8Rr6VT6zGM_F47jRCT02IqFk8ELGl_iOPcPhSZdtN7HHYPpIZTilelN3pxycNSAK4po8AeyAstovceoqdwrSfnybgtSX3o8xbh0S/s320/photo+(279).JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was a tad tricky, and bit of a pain (to say the least), that these had to heal under full sleeves (this was February/March), and through days of school runs, cooking and cleaning. But look at them now, and you know it was all worth it. *happy sigh* :)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZC2yAuQ7Pchyphenhyphen0VTqvNvZPGtkbjt6aUhjr4Nbm7QABUa2p1gD1YaV-1lb6ALTIc7i0oBJp5Yu7siPZaI0E7pI9ALl47lys_o0MGvC0OtQnEvryQDoVz11_b6aYHuNS3cKKVPW8RwyPbRC1/s1600/2013-03-18+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZC2yAuQ7Pchyphenhyphen0VTqvNvZPGtkbjt6aUhjr4Nbm7QABUa2p1gD1YaV-1lb6ALTIc7i0oBJp5Yu7siPZaI0E7pI9ALl47lys_o0MGvC0OtQnEvryQDoVz11_b6aYHuNS3cKKVPW8RwyPbRC1/s640/2013-03-18+004.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
<br />Pearl Bhasinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948060175283837900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566783729863463558.post-84738970619117473912013-04-24T20:30:00.000+08:002013-04-25T00:35:13.344+08:00Getting My Yoga Needs On YouTubeEvery day, I scour YouTube to watch yogis and yoginis do their thing. There is so much yoga YouTube material out there, you'll never run out of inspiration.<br />
<br />
My favourite is <a href="http://www.kinoyoga.com/about/kino-macgregor/" target="_blank">Kino MacGregor</a>. She is Da Bomb. I love how she can chatter on while she throws her leg behind her neck, or floats up into a handstand. She makes it look super easy, but lets you know it is not, and that it's OK not to get it right for a long time to come, because it's the journey that matters (Yes, Kino). She has done so much stuff for sharing, it is absolutely amazing. Just look at her go about her stuff. Remember to breathe. And prop up your jaw...<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8e-SjJMq1ss?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Kr00Obfuhes?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
Isn't she a goddess... *happy sigh* :)<br />
<br />
Another yogini I like to gather inspiration and instruction from is <a href="http://www.yogathletica.com/meet.html" target="_blank">Shana Meyerson</a>. She is funny, bubbly, and super-precise with her instruction. Such an amazing teacher!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Cd3_c2QdzZ0?rel=0" width="480"></iframe>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8fI1o8U6qMA?rel=0" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
She's SO cool! :)<br />
<br />
And then there's<a href="http://www.meghancurrieyoga.com/" target="_blank"> Meghan Currie</a>. Her flow is just so awe-inspiring. Don't be fooled by what looks like a smooth, fluid and chilled-out workout. It is actually an absolute killer. Just try this one. I dare you to.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fi7WYVUU4us?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XZoxA-FUW4c?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
Other than a proper yoga teacher on the well-stocked <a href="http://www.myyogaonline.com/" target="_blank">My Yoga Online</a>, she proves herself to be a raving goofball on her<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/KeaghanlizaMurrie?feature=watch" target="_blank"> own YouTube channel</a>, where she posts videos of <a href="http://youtu.be/r5SQxkOU7P8" target="_blank">her home practice in fast mo</a>, how <a href="http://youtu.be/pRfmTSox9-U" target="_blank">she and best friend make honey face masks</a>, and <a href="http://youtu.be/mxp42SZtyEg" target="_blank">how she cuts her own hair</a>. What a kookie! (And I mean that in the fondest way)<br />
<br />
So, this is how I get my yoga fix. I watch, I take notes, I keep in memory, and then I roll out my mat, and give my Self some attention. :)Pearl Bhasinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948060175283837900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566783729863463558.post-34767531769665632212013-04-20T04:55:00.000+08:002013-04-22T16:06:07.129+08:00Scenes from Rome<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Rome absolutely stole my heart...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Romans are a special lot. They are warm and friendly, super-smart dressers, crazy about coffee, hardworking yet chilled-out, and generous to a fault. Basically, they treat everyone pretty much like family. Absolutely amazing.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The sights had to be seen. Walk into any random little church (and there are loads everywhere), and be gobsmacked by the art and architecture. The exteriors are deceptively non-descript. And inside, although the awesome beauty renders you speechless, it still is really hard to be quiet. Every one had heart-stopping ceiling murals, where it's a real challenge to decipher where the actual ceiling ends and where the illustrated heaven starts. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colosseum" target="_blank">Colosseum</a>, The<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Forum" target="_blank"> Roman Forum </a>(and the ruins in between), the<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheon,_Rome" target="_blank"> Pantheon</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trevi_Fountain" target="_blank">Trevi Fountain</a>, and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Peter's_Square" target="_blank">Obelisk at St. Peter's Basilica</a>... I found it hard to wrap my mind around all that history. Cardiac-arrest inducing, I tell you. On top of all that, we got to see the new Pope, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Francis" target="_blank">His Holiness Pope Francis</a>, at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vatican_City" target="_blank">Vatican City</a>! It wasn't a formal thing. He just popped out of his apartment window at midday, said a few words in Italian (probably something sweet like "Now go and have a good lunch!"), and waved. It was exhilarating to see the sea of people just wave back. What a rock star!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The food was soul-satisfying. Who knew that the simplest of foccacias, drizzled with a little olive oil and sprinkled with a pinch of salt, could be so... "bellissimo"! And I discovered that Roman Carbonara (<i>real</i> carbonara, if I might add) was all pancetta and no bacon, all egg and no cream. With that, I shall for ever judge an Italian restaurant by its Carbonara.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1G5sesYOj9XwuyOJ1Tc6KbVWua1W4sGf_16TNo_QpODSyWbtmR1Q3osa_amRy8OoafXypBMjN2GtI9YZH1JhHEyUctP3_IhtpQ4FHTdx3EJLfWtsD2XI8DA1iSRlcz4wwdDfafkQUQZi/s1600/2013-03-31+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1G5sesYOj9XwuyOJ1Tc6KbVWua1W4sGf_16TNo_QpODSyWbtmR1Q3osa_amRy8OoafXypBMjN2GtI9YZH1JhHEyUctP3_IhtpQ4FHTdx3EJLfWtsD2XI8DA1iSRlcz4wwdDfafkQUQZi/s400/2013-03-31+003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3lot_iVlMFvAq24rrhiGf3jbKybiT9dIfTjsf0vYG_MIHAZOnYMwaR6NT7yZjf_HFypILT6zKNbu7-ppUDut-n_oFZU_JwzjhKMSxl6dgUx81nSQB19NkxmONdWalW7t26JM6CiU-cJZ/s1600/2013-04-01+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3lot_iVlMFvAq24rrhiGf3jbKybiT9dIfTjsf0vYG_MIHAZOnYMwaR6NT7yZjf_HFypILT6zKNbu7-ppUDut-n_oFZU_JwzjhKMSxl6dgUx81nSQB19NkxmONdWalW7t26JM6CiU-cJZ/s320/2013-04-01+027.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDoq78nHrpRqwiioCpUZNdbENwUucJppLw-GlT_7qiKVsevZPVC-sgPCxNM9tv6_HCn-AE7v8NBWeE-ngvQe2oeMWZ2vsxwcu8Cwx4xZeXaJ3nFenPI17ehOum1qv_JczvK7-AzDYMF9mU/s1600/2013-03-31+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDoq78nHrpRqwiioCpUZNdbENwUucJppLw-GlT_7qiKVsevZPVC-sgPCxNM9tv6_HCn-AE7v8NBWeE-ngvQe2oeMWZ2vsxwcu8Cwx4xZeXaJ3nFenPI17ehOum1qv_JczvK7-AzDYMF9mU/s320/2013-03-31+018.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMR03-cqxe6WxVj6PMgD3L2gU3cdZPs-vi0ijVboOLlScAcM-Z_YFEAmNSzr-6UVvre-VbwHqvoLTPvA4isngMmF00K6Y1uAb-m3MpH2sqoy02THvGOw7EGMk7j6KX3ZCsP7eUzoU6GKxE/s1600/2013-03-31+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMR03-cqxe6WxVj6PMgD3L2gU3cdZPs-vi0ijVboOLlScAcM-Z_YFEAmNSzr-6UVvre-VbwHqvoLTPvA4isngMmF00K6Y1uAb-m3MpH2sqoy02THvGOw7EGMk7j6KX3ZCsP7eUzoU6GKxE/s400/2013-03-31+021.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuG3b6xWUDl5oQiAT6yB_v1CpJa8wESKb0qbqAFU_qtG45T3qfKds3qnBPRBP0odZYPfrQlMUFTXob0mII1yHK5cBiRhnxH8fbKDbp1BIkgz41qx_9nWmSN5ZL_rnV-NjTjTsjnI9BXR8/s1600/2013-03-31+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuG3b6xWUDl5oQiAT6yB_v1CpJa8wESKb0qbqAFU_qtG45T3qfKds3qnBPRBP0odZYPfrQlMUFTXob0mII1yHK5cBiRhnxH8fbKDbp1BIkgz41qx_9nWmSN5ZL_rnV-NjTjTsjnI9BXR8/s640/2013-03-31+032.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolmgB6xGp0ghYdj2kFvMgXxWaux_6zETULFZAccQ-ycju7FJq5cNqrtq4P9COHbKJSpdTDkLS-Mc_x1lOiLAnL-ijo34q44rEZPCvSVX__12cbA8mLi2hxUQSAfCZjCxbkyrHnEQs96xG/s1600/2013-03-31+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolmgB6xGp0ghYdj2kFvMgXxWaux_6zETULFZAccQ-ycju7FJq5cNqrtq4P9COHbKJSpdTDkLS-Mc_x1lOiLAnL-ijo34q44rEZPCvSVX__12cbA8mLi2hxUQSAfCZjCxbkyrHnEQs96xG/s400/2013-03-31+038.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKPGH1tZ9fur6IIMEcRVmxYo5r7o-lOnyEmERbx6LhNWMQHr06ph05ZLRBC4HBROspS6AJB82AYJ67DkFPOs-FvMzvJOTtX3k4TQ34N-73WAH3SBczdGGzWtn215PJwMpGl9fe79JJuuM/s1600/2013-03-31+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKPGH1tZ9fur6IIMEcRVmxYo5r7o-lOnyEmERbx6LhNWMQHr06ph05ZLRBC4HBROspS6AJB82AYJ67DkFPOs-FvMzvJOTtX3k4TQ34N-73WAH3SBczdGGzWtn215PJwMpGl9fe79JJuuM/s400/2013-03-31+049.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjgL4pHAYBb57G7QH4mRybtkjIfZeNhpYHYuS08HEohuGUYivy4SBOd0fWUUcepWN6niHEEa5u2aXNAijHCPy8TgXIxsyc68NwUO1p94GrWvbbTxl4uhCSGM7u6vS0tT-UdMsaH_8_tnyP/s1600/2013-03-31+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjgL4pHAYBb57G7QH4mRybtkjIfZeNhpYHYuS08HEohuGUYivy4SBOd0fWUUcepWN6niHEEa5u2aXNAijHCPy8TgXIxsyc68NwUO1p94GrWvbbTxl4uhCSGM7u6vS0tT-UdMsaH_8_tnyP/s640/2013-03-31+064.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzb7WYhorvGL3NT9_F_qS8wRht5Bm-2tMqKFmTNUbhuk6MnnMN2jFYr8nWYf-s_0an7m7GOtIygXl-BmQ8XFh28MQ10wwCWe7NljluENf9hLyJknHXOMXxrgCmWVPtBOiwwSPbNcKzyD0/s1600/2013-03-31+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzb7WYhorvGL3NT9_F_qS8wRht5Bm-2tMqKFmTNUbhuk6MnnMN2jFYr8nWYf-s_0an7m7GOtIygXl-BmQ8XFh28MQ10wwCWe7NljluENf9hLyJknHXOMXxrgCmWVPtBOiwwSPbNcKzyD0/s640/2013-03-31+066.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpjO1kLo_5-2_M3Ga_wAp7IS6UqfWN-3ttjqwPMu1ZUM-dWH6QaRnOEOVXULFQOzAT8xYCpNCiKjDYY5ewDoxiwT60Mola33dmuHLxKa3hEdKgNC2K0AVwvZnsjPRnAhIyQS0YdGcj_fs/s1600/2013-03-31+112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpjO1kLo_5-2_M3Ga_wAp7IS6UqfWN-3ttjqwPMu1ZUM-dWH6QaRnOEOVXULFQOzAT8xYCpNCiKjDYY5ewDoxiwT60Mola33dmuHLxKa3hEdKgNC2K0AVwvZnsjPRnAhIyQS0YdGcj_fs/s320/2013-03-31+112.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBNO27BHl3w4qhl3aY1zkcUeVu9AG50eSM5c8hB6ZjbCnPi1Z-nZ-mErvCfPwig4G99VCp48Kf-DsYtQNidJfUjNopv9pYkWhWDr6pHDzmtowdrSxheO153XKba1QNXxiFukKYQz2TgYE/s1600/2013-03-31+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBNO27BHl3w4qhl3aY1zkcUeVu9AG50eSM5c8hB6ZjbCnPi1Z-nZ-mErvCfPwig4G99VCp48Kf-DsYtQNidJfUjNopv9pYkWhWDr6pHDzmtowdrSxheO153XKba1QNXxiFukKYQz2TgYE/s320/2013-03-31+006.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYfYRgTj6WaeWRi0AWMiJJ7NMl4Yp-hCVWP9KHP9oEv2mT2hLKBwwaq3G1bcUFuVSQE-YXuxn2BAdNd2oSF6LJfm3FL6q_9eHkmRTrJvPwGJ3SUHGUYX0pCW-zPvKXKfI7zopS-m_CCkQ/s1600/2013-03-31+118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYfYRgTj6WaeWRi0AWMiJJ7NMl4Yp-hCVWP9KHP9oEv2mT2hLKBwwaq3G1bcUFuVSQE-YXuxn2BAdNd2oSF6LJfm3FL6q_9eHkmRTrJvPwGJ3SUHGUYX0pCW-zPvKXKfI7zopS-m_CCkQ/s400/2013-03-31+118.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nZS9Th9GPIG26v8wh7z6IzfUNu_ODNvABUQq8G0BCLsRXKBtr8u9RMIFeJunNZEA2iq1PggMVamUVSo5bLX2iv-bIMBZzDGuR6jrrgQxgHMK3VLKUUx780ltKlTmTGTi9xj6qCdlRkb4/s1600/2013-04-01+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nZS9Th9GPIG26v8wh7z6IzfUNu_ODNvABUQq8G0BCLsRXKBtr8u9RMIFeJunNZEA2iq1PggMVamUVSo5bLX2iv-bIMBZzDGuR6jrrgQxgHMK3VLKUUx780ltKlTmTGTi9xj6qCdlRkb4/s320/2013-04-01+008.JPG" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTCarvDc1TDADg9hxin8aMSR9UgRQM2OlcIe5eU7PlzRt5G8EZNhfVt3zesnOtBrSEGGMLagxuz4pV_gajjFLi1F-Jj_yMpT3qubSicH6w1R1YPd3Gdoy2L9z4LoE3a-THjwqfcVfnX4F/s1600/2013-04-01+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTCarvDc1TDADg9hxin8aMSR9UgRQM2OlcIe5eU7PlzRt5G8EZNhfVt3zesnOtBrSEGGMLagxuz4pV_gajjFLi1F-Jj_yMpT3qubSicH6w1R1YPd3Gdoy2L9z4LoE3a-THjwqfcVfnX4F/s320/2013-04-01+061.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytyaNj1XPkRNPCRHaAGyPD6-2bJmHZrdl-1aC6ow1hHGoETSF3C6GTrVdyi0y5OYw6KUyPW9Bd4x3n7OQnyPem7tXN9VqGzQoeXUja_SeilxgG5J_P7_aMfhMZxBScIfmsgZ1uiSSWhnF/s1600/2013-04-01+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytyaNj1XPkRNPCRHaAGyPD6-2bJmHZrdl-1aC6ow1hHGoETSF3C6GTrVdyi0y5OYw6KUyPW9Bd4x3n7OQnyPem7tXN9VqGzQoeXUja_SeilxgG5J_P7_aMfhMZxBScIfmsgZ1uiSSWhnF/s640/2013-04-01+019.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAHBPvLRTi9fnBDac2MBFYQNRKUfQzelU08-IT5vqIOOHQyaBu1tbclaqt6VGwntOrlKiGqv2TeK4u1BdAw-RKhvs_HwNPRYtPv3pSIjO6gvaHh_H5MUrXl9riFORi1qJSFx_fST9WQg2/s1600/2013-04-01+076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAHBPvLRTi9fnBDac2MBFYQNRKUfQzelU08-IT5vqIOOHQyaBu1tbclaqt6VGwntOrlKiGqv2TeK4u1BdAw-RKhvs_HwNPRYtPv3pSIjO6gvaHh_H5MUrXl9riFORi1qJSFx_fST9WQg2/s640/2013-04-01+076.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XzkbD8ZvQWbuWeS45wan-aSkxBO1NCoP6szKLkmDRgQcs2c3r3dGDbNlTtW4OVVSopq-WBIfYrWCla7ven2w5y2nQURtvNq4uFKtebiCM_W67yG0Ej4Sp8Yd6tfJbnOBVJZxCCEMgKW_/s1600/2013-04-01+104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XzkbD8ZvQWbuWeS45wan-aSkxBO1NCoP6szKLkmDRgQcs2c3r3dGDbNlTtW4OVVSopq-WBIfYrWCla7ven2w5y2nQURtvNq4uFKtebiCM_W67yG0Ej4Sp8Yd6tfJbnOBVJZxCCEMgKW_/s640/2013-04-01+104.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGVugWwpLZ4Z2Y-cCvpngIGC5bs2ofTksM6S5sYFUEkJlFsm7Z1anPGPkMWEdsJB1VoOFe3sKkhdrBGA92gpgdgLnByNWOtrDvjUuIQcHxpWZWvcPpZrgXXe_SDO8Yju9uXeIrL9txYyv/s1600/2013-04-01+137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGVugWwpLZ4Z2Y-cCvpngIGC5bs2ofTksM6S5sYFUEkJlFsm7Z1anPGPkMWEdsJB1VoOFe3sKkhdrBGA92gpgdgLnByNWOtrDvjUuIQcHxpWZWvcPpZrgXXe_SDO8Yju9uXeIrL9txYyv/s400/2013-04-01+137.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7WxmX6lUmkcYy3zUeuGPQOyME8zbj6hCoXBhDTN340tyMVjiYPnfNMa0i50B_fssSfDnDpHTjDaemGH556TiVjMg1FCzX9nh1IocmYn5B6FhUg1SlHNXH2E9Dmq9Dkafg1wdfRtB7EFZ/s1600/2013-04-01+141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7WxmX6lUmkcYy3zUeuGPQOyME8zbj6hCoXBhDTN340tyMVjiYPnfNMa0i50B_fssSfDnDpHTjDaemGH556TiVjMg1FCzX9nh1IocmYn5B6FhUg1SlHNXH2E9Dmq9Dkafg1wdfRtB7EFZ/s640/2013-04-01+141.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vqz_-wjmEm3mOsqx19w-lESAjJBG5IDm2eVPM5xP5P_6D85ADsho2hHzPRE6VLtx-Esp1Kd0wqc398AG5grI1FSnzIujO6IcMq1P40JwPwf8xmeQSmsx-PAjW7yDqRxjZuvwoerVmVCn/s1600/2013-04-01+142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vqz_-wjmEm3mOsqx19w-lESAjJBG5IDm2eVPM5xP5P_6D85ADsho2hHzPRE6VLtx-Esp1Kd0wqc398AG5grI1FSnzIujO6IcMq1P40JwPwf8xmeQSmsx-PAjW7yDqRxjZuvwoerVmVCn/s640/2013-04-01+142.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIaNcVtincPv8X246zX10lxKdvnObQW7ZuVic8p1Gv5RrYijZMr2SPNyCczhFnxmTeShUgTe3FCbY8EFG-cQZcRO0Sg7E9_PKv95JxiFQb6TqpGjMnHSGqwcISkG_AIgFZdyTjZ3zKiPU/s1600/2013-04-01+145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIaNcVtincPv8X246zX10lxKdvnObQW7ZuVic8p1Gv5RrYijZMr2SPNyCczhFnxmTeShUgTe3FCbY8EFG-cQZcRO0Sg7E9_PKv95JxiFQb6TqpGjMnHSGqwcISkG_AIgFZdyTjZ3zKiPU/s320/2013-04-01+145.JPG" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3RM3sgEhYfodJx4dt9Awq3NUsBcORqf-yn9qTbFuw7XvXMQp29c6WaEzxcm9_HIN74j9UA0d1zSmrf9vKn9cjbmepuJFdXxd1cPjG3_Fbq_lr2HG9pn8x5xo3MF786ykR2X6SHOeAcrBg/s1600/2013-04-02+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3RM3sgEhYfodJx4dt9Awq3NUsBcORqf-yn9qTbFuw7XvXMQp29c6WaEzxcm9_HIN74j9UA0d1zSmrf9vKn9cjbmepuJFdXxd1cPjG3_Fbq_lr2HG9pn8x5xo3MF786ykR2X6SHOeAcrBg/s320/2013-04-02+004.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvICSjGzoKUmTDrR6Xg15fCMZ0sauKfX9cSVyiBNJTZatE7qS8yKO_qjEMvJM-CT22QBiQ1lefONnnbsCwelgeiP-Y9uYhWP4qrxW6Xt-neCcdcJEK0R8iBr7foW9A9cf0tpbl-WwUWnsb/s1600/2013-04-01+147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvICSjGzoKUmTDrR6Xg15fCMZ0sauKfX9cSVyiBNJTZatE7qS8yKO_qjEMvJM-CT22QBiQ1lefONnnbsCwelgeiP-Y9uYhWP4qrxW6Xt-neCcdcJEK0R8iBr7foW9A9cf0tpbl-WwUWnsb/s400/2013-04-01+147.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9oDLF2VWPwXZAfKAQYdFcw_oG3ejF_UrDOFPDfOwPvjGABkqg2TJKaIzJrznuOvXPxZHkYEPejn5w7BDyAG8-dvDTVp6vxV6JyGYP64Xj1iG7xKg4P2sgA6a4giZsM4OBcIi5Y6fBHm4M/s1600/2013-04-01+160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9oDLF2VWPwXZAfKAQYdFcw_oG3ejF_UrDOFPDfOwPvjGABkqg2TJKaIzJrznuOvXPxZHkYEPejn5w7BDyAG8-dvDTVp6vxV6JyGYP64Xj1iG7xKg4P2sgA6a4giZsM4OBcIi5Y6fBHm4M/s400/2013-04-01+160.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgod_zYM2VKnu6_ZUzaEehnxv3cEqu0QGzcqJxOZWOH8cE0nfhUH0kVx7iBeOVFZpUdgw02spwdVJR0t1rULEl6gdo5DS8RqMQA0EybYCuvIuky-m8DO3-U-Mhw0QDkoRw_IT3Rj1QDgF4N/s1600/2013-04-01+171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgod_zYM2VKnu6_ZUzaEehnxv3cEqu0QGzcqJxOZWOH8cE0nfhUH0kVx7iBeOVFZpUdgw02spwdVJR0t1rULEl6gdo5DS8RqMQA0EybYCuvIuky-m8DO3-U-Mhw0QDkoRw_IT3Rj1QDgF4N/s640/2013-04-01+171.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2t870HLIV6XJQC5konJh2O88JC6geS2kLxkeFZJ1v92IaGx46xfnpDzQF550g0qeZ8rwECx7SopOTaLz3CkFiia_dhOuB0ECg1_zXvgK5sFP6t10pVmvcJDcy5ULI9ZixSqFkg0NT1EE/s1600/2013-04-01+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2t870HLIV6XJQC5konJh2O88JC6geS2kLxkeFZJ1v92IaGx46xfnpDzQF550g0qeZ8rwECx7SopOTaLz3CkFiia_dhOuB0ECg1_zXvgK5sFP6t10pVmvcJDcy5ULI9ZixSqFkg0NT1EE/s320/2013-04-01+033.JPG" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUW_7b7MgviRhh7yiE0Hu4-a6Y64aRCBqp3WjITXvC8jhUZBeE1dACZ0NQ1R4iuVo7OdRi8Ipiq4HrTGK0PPM5TedPMm_mOQTkKe60Vf-_7K0Gl8KBAtO1CNO3geNYe7b56iR1lJkzcw5/s1600/2013-04-01+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUW_7b7MgviRhh7yiE0Hu4-a6Y64aRCBqp3WjITXvC8jhUZBeE1dACZ0NQ1R4iuVo7OdRi8Ipiq4HrTGK0PPM5TedPMm_mOQTkKe60Vf-_7K0Gl8KBAtO1CNO3geNYe7b56iR1lJkzcw5/s320/2013-04-01+034.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmuEzhk7QPrwuskMRdEmGIX_Jc2enbjZzZDMcwqN5cErNr2-Cla5IEDPF_m1q1Ew_CwRsGPVTyO3cm3J5cQMD_8OHJQFHKK-Fa8ljMJ4UJ0tfIgeeJ2SKSAGP9Z3i9VKf-95mgtWAMbHe/s1600/2013-04-01+211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmuEzhk7QPrwuskMRdEmGIX_Jc2enbjZzZDMcwqN5cErNr2-Cla5IEDPF_m1q1Ew_CwRsGPVTyO3cm3J5cQMD_8OHJQFHKK-Fa8ljMJ4UJ0tfIgeeJ2SKSAGP9Z3i9VKf-95mgtWAMbHe/s640/2013-04-01+211.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WkPL9Kyv1xvLxRAqaOpnfsxWEnM_eb_oyH_sMHxNMHHQuISORLfwe_5AL9o8w8oP7-JB-FNP5fJmKm3qdzWkOnl63MmWT7xjbIZVvPvHuHbwJU9ZgcZYToxhC_9uvSLRvECOlJ9iM4X7/s1600/2013-04-01+201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WkPL9Kyv1xvLxRAqaOpnfsxWEnM_eb_oyH_sMHxNMHHQuISORLfwe_5AL9o8w8oP7-JB-FNP5fJmKm3qdzWkOnl63MmWT7xjbIZVvPvHuHbwJU9ZgcZYToxhC_9uvSLRvECOlJ9iM4X7/s640/2013-04-01+201.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKexQRevyoa8sTxUFrhy5dI9SySjOX7BsEL6dNhwbGsWz8B7uxk00n3V71w2pKPr2C-1f-iXUGnp1sN6sbk5fIDWYuwcxe8sCjZhZRNZJSVlwEuvglBjdJ_CgSkQV8FwD660tHFlb6FKph/s1600/2013-04-02+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKexQRevyoa8sTxUFrhy5dI9SySjOX7BsEL6dNhwbGsWz8B7uxk00n3V71w2pKPr2C-1f-iXUGnp1sN6sbk5fIDWYuwcxe8sCjZhZRNZJSVlwEuvglBjdJ_CgSkQV8FwD660tHFlb6FKph/s400/2013-04-02+016.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>(Our slice of heaven in Rome, at <a href="http://www.maisongiulia.it/" target="_blank">Maison Giulia</a>)</i></div>
<br />Pearl Bhasinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948060175283837900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566783729863463558.post-13161790183674849472013-04-18T20:38:00.000+08:002013-04-18T20:53:59.909+08:00New Stuff<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIasKlRmtXwZQC84rwDAP9sFzhodFZJCnQyyFjF8rpBw-UElm0bK3BKM0R6nIuC8Qj0aN9vsVI-e1HH6QDEUvzTXWWBJRZKYcabAoJDDI_7UZy0POV9RzNUjRstgqwiQA0cpev_vBVkOG/s1600/2013-04-18+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIasKlRmtXwZQC84rwDAP9sFzhodFZJCnQyyFjF8rpBw-UElm0bK3BKM0R6nIuC8Qj0aN9vsVI-e1HH6QDEUvzTXWWBJRZKYcabAoJDDI_7UZy0POV9RzNUjRstgqwiQA0cpev_vBVkOG/s320/2013-04-18+013.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvazgFMq4E7NV-0GG4G6BA_vS5fkCIuB56_Z88jW2bg0mszIW50nJOn8-Adqz9omlgWtn_pbyHECoMAHAhwGP9uPXfojTAF_OXmomE5-lQt-uD-8agPb8SWzklXN-jNCq_lXAyXiNf0tfw/s1600/2013-04-18+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvazgFMq4E7NV-0GG4G6BA_vS5fkCIuB56_Z88jW2bg0mszIW50nJOn8-Adqz9omlgWtn_pbyHECoMAHAhwGP9uPXfojTAF_OXmomE5-lQt-uD-8agPb8SWzklXN-jNCq_lXAyXiNf0tfw/s320/2013-04-18+025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtHT02kC5eUwAYIfBrwWf9eq4PKJwvq3PBJ6qCng-yF7lLgtdKlUB51IASzvdzBtkwf6Lczv9XjKthjSeQIUlfhBtcM9MgK2FYztkf-hBECmih1FQXgmlDQKiUTVMKK9KajQEwLyJEVhd/s1600/2013-04-18+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtHT02kC5eUwAYIfBrwWf9eq4PKJwvq3PBJ6qCng-yF7lLgtdKlUB51IASzvdzBtkwf6Lczv9XjKthjSeQIUlfhBtcM9MgK2FYztkf-hBECmih1FQXgmlDQKiUTVMKK9KajQEwLyJEVhd/s320/2013-04-18+034.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAh_zCnXXQ5IzTr7NY7zRc8FjTHPa9SSvqBewIkAsx8BIdd12h_yXTjH9Yy_FKJP7kfeSOcoll8x9nHRRFpEoiNq6V_hqDLknfjtmy5ZQC9I7SdUkhPgXRCCDFfjZtYBQj4nJjtwh2w6mg/s1600/2013-04-18+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAh_zCnXXQ5IzTr7NY7zRc8FjTHPa9SSvqBewIkAsx8BIdd12h_yXTjH9Yy_FKJP7kfeSOcoll8x9nHRRFpEoiNq6V_hqDLknfjtmy5ZQC9I7SdUkhPgXRCCDFfjZtYBQj4nJjtwh2w6mg/s320/2013-04-18+008.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Clockwise from top left:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/126296707/purple-grey-and-black-agate-slice-with?ref=shop_home_active" target="_blank">Purple and Black Agate slice with 14K goldplated chain dotted with Swarovski cream pearls</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/129735576/chunky-powder-pink-agate-pendant-with?ref=shop_home_active" target="_blank">Chunky Powder-pink Agate slab pendant with wireworked chain of banded Black Agate beads</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/105542368/citrus-pink-banded-agate-pendant-with?ref=shop_home_active" target="_blank">Fuchsia and Orange Agate slice with chain of Lemon Jade</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/126395911/purple-and-white-banded-agate-pendant?ref=v1_other_1" target="_blank">Purple and White Agate slice with chain of Aqua Jade</a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Click on the links to see more pics and prices.</div>
</div>
Pearl Bhasinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948060175283837900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566783729863463558.post-5672469037484962332013-04-09T18:28:00.003+08:002013-04-10T01:10:20.129+08:00New Acquisition<img alt="Dr Martens Pascal Boot" height="377" src="https://store.drmartens.co.uk/images/product/medium/13512602.png" width="640" /><br />
<br />
The <a href="https://store.drmartens.co.uk/p-5437-dr-martens-pascal-boot.aspx" target="_blank">Dr Martens Pascal Boots in Shiraz</a>. I got me a pair of these lovelies coz my current boots are so worn on the outer side of the heels that they're making me tip. I realised I was walking with a slightly contorted ankle to make up for the tip and prevent my ankle buckling. Which kinda explains how I managed to sprain my ankle twice. Tragic.<br />
<br />
I was a bit torn between the uber-cool Navy and this super Shiraz. I then figured the Shiraz looks a tad more feminine, and therefore, flattering - considering I am constantly in buttoned-up Oxford shirts and high-cuffed jeans.<br />
<br />
Anyhoo, I am wearing my gorgeous new DMs in. Though I must say, they don't need all that much wearing in, coz the Buttero leather is oh-so-soft. I am surprised how snugly they fit, because, you see, I have extra skinny feet, and usually my foot is swimming around in any normal shoe. These fit like a glove. And in this deep oxblood red, my cool factor just hit the roof, I swear. ;)Pearl Bhasinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948060175283837900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566783729863463558.post-22210626733598559052013-03-26T01:19:00.002+08:002013-03-26T15:43:55.558+08:00Scenes from Amsterdam<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ah, Amsterdam... :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
With a kickin' arts and culture scene, gorgeous architecture that's archaic yet chic, people so chilled out they are economical with words and emotion (in a nice way), casual cannabis coffeeshops and soulful, hearty <a href="http://www.moeders.com/" target="_blank">traditional grub houses</a> everywhere, I love how Amsterdam has a curiously comfortable way to serve up Heaven and Hell, on the very same plate. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
From the stark practicality of the Red Light district that grates on the Conservative, to the unabashed graffiti that inspires the Artist; the grandeur of the <a href="https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en" target="_blank">museums</a> filled with Vermeers and van Goghs, to the quiet grace of a <a href="http://www.coffeeshop.freeuk.com/Tertulia.html" target="_blank">mother-and-daughter run coffeeshop</a> complete with a Zen crystal garden, Amsterdam has no secrets. She tells you everything, and then leaves you to decide who you want to be. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And that is why Amsterdam is so the place to just Be. :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOU4ELh9pbSwZJw-2IHk1spMCsN87cEvLloZPHpqBmxbcfSCLWzpkOVT3xYoNev55VHdNk2iR0yfH49M6ityBQTHBEqCYSY2_QFbSeVhkYOnAEqD30zrgUFdUeADXHs4bW6zP-BZZMiDe/s1600/2013-03-08+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOU4ELh9pbSwZJw-2IHk1spMCsN87cEvLloZPHpqBmxbcfSCLWzpkOVT3xYoNev55VHdNk2iR0yfH49M6ityBQTHBEqCYSY2_QFbSeVhkYOnAEqD30zrgUFdUeADXHs4bW6zP-BZZMiDe/s640/2013-03-08+009.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDuh4HEtBMd9ObvGadQiK0rty7rXCno8vo3aKvWu0-kiRqng7AAw1I9QiBynUqMZcfVLKUA8baRcgYloJkFHQj9CocaYPaAojn1qsOVWkf3DSDHORzCAUy2IqHMS3Pc09UlRRcD6RoAE6/s1600/2013-03-08+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDuh4HEtBMd9ObvGadQiK0rty7rXCno8vo3aKvWu0-kiRqng7AAw1I9QiBynUqMZcfVLKUA8baRcgYloJkFHQj9CocaYPaAojn1qsOVWkf3DSDHORzCAUy2IqHMS3Pc09UlRRcD6RoAE6/s400/2013-03-08+007.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8BTtIyIQDTTO-tMA9xum9ZmMP1GiWO6j_S8I7POJK0fcBpeuske_2F-0kgNayfZLHXKuu5UYUXztUyyf3HewAlPpjjHMl6MUDJee8zpqg5ewew35SCBWcO84yMVeabpfACQm5BrlIXa0/s1600/2013-03-08+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8BTtIyIQDTTO-tMA9xum9ZmMP1GiWO6j_S8I7POJK0fcBpeuske_2F-0kgNayfZLHXKuu5UYUXztUyyf3HewAlPpjjHMl6MUDJee8zpqg5ewew35SCBWcO84yMVeabpfACQm5BrlIXa0/s400/2013-03-08+016.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9o-o0IGC8_pB3Ax6S1qbc_JMWhiBmY2gK1kXLFpmrGqfjKHhrKNZ3j2213ztx-Sy-Y9tM-A6sBCzy0zToDy7kQDA92a-Jae-2-bhIX-L1G21rT_TBRIxZw3oUBr7ORNGIMOtXCCJ5ic3Q/s1600/2013-03-08+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9o-o0IGC8_pB3Ax6S1qbc_JMWhiBmY2gK1kXLFpmrGqfjKHhrKNZ3j2213ztx-Sy-Y9tM-A6sBCzy0zToDy7kQDA92a-Jae-2-bhIX-L1G21rT_TBRIxZw3oUBr7ORNGIMOtXCCJ5ic3Q/s640/2013-03-08+018.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkJBEIP71IHZ61OQzx3iydgm8hPvgiBbwpqFfHezyUqJuRujVPTR9zGGaI9FGM0MWStR4TjTzRgYI-Sk6nAy2MipLycB2RJcwbVAAWjspY8Eck0DWevjjnoRE83RE96AoubuCvl_BVumZ/s1600/2013-03-08+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkJBEIP71IHZ61OQzx3iydgm8hPvgiBbwpqFfHezyUqJuRujVPTR9zGGaI9FGM0MWStR4TjTzRgYI-Sk6nAy2MipLycB2RJcwbVAAWjspY8Eck0DWevjjnoRE83RE96AoubuCvl_BVumZ/s400/2013-03-08+019.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjno_UJ4LF7W0U5jdxzRyzdTJrmx8OkLr2qdUGl3tlleuoQzrwGMC5c_mx2O4MDpxqBlhUTynNWjKkTTyBgW_EeTgfo4zGKu7HTyXK3TljLgdZsUKGZ1vdH4ezk1JQievMP1RzvDPPOzwG3/s1600/2013-03-08+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjno_UJ4LF7W0U5jdxzRyzdTJrmx8OkLr2qdUGl3tlleuoQzrwGMC5c_mx2O4MDpxqBlhUTynNWjKkTTyBgW_EeTgfo4zGKu7HTyXK3TljLgdZsUKGZ1vdH4ezk1JQievMP1RzvDPPOzwG3/s400/2013-03-08+030.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7XCJxASugnHcujv3AskDeKSoa3HF7E5Ge3od9kt2kgndPSb127X0AeSA9ZVkK-yWop0dcfRW5VYZzKB5dkkOsZ1RYpTsLk_1_FQPLntdlosOx7wlcaK_8zTIB0xVcEAH4hMlUOlj2Xlw/s1600/2013-03-08+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7XCJxASugnHcujv3AskDeKSoa3HF7E5Ge3od9kt2kgndPSb127X0AeSA9ZVkK-yWop0dcfRW5VYZzKB5dkkOsZ1RYpTsLk_1_FQPLntdlosOx7wlcaK_8zTIB0xVcEAH4hMlUOlj2Xlw/s320/2013-03-08+020.JPG" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGOq6oBnGDHTwa5gdtbwJYN4VX7KXXtXrmijuoXHm21Vldz9UUOYIga2uOB10n5O9LfBZhQtSZMLOKppmk11Qy1udSoqV_R6VwljSg2ivPRhX1RPd-CSt5zBI5CApozr_sM0LwhZwk55tH/s1600/2013-03-08+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGOq6oBnGDHTwa5gdtbwJYN4VX7KXXtXrmijuoXHm21Vldz9UUOYIga2uOB10n5O9LfBZhQtSZMLOKppmk11Qy1udSoqV_R6VwljSg2ivPRhX1RPd-CSt5zBI5CApozr_sM0LwhZwk55tH/s320/2013-03-08+022.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6lcVwNzERCwweXdqvyLWnNWk8QX-cZ8B-vEzgf7llXVi3aKFx-eNmBZufE1zie3gtQFGSQjcEHLZYfO6BeRPAdRWR2LBhejS933Bbjkuy_w05SNVg9E9zO7so10JWUdJybwUaWDCYnbz/s1600/2013-03-08+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6lcVwNzERCwweXdqvyLWnNWk8QX-cZ8B-vEzgf7llXVi3aKFx-eNmBZufE1zie3gtQFGSQjcEHLZYfO6BeRPAdRWR2LBhejS933Bbjkuy_w05SNVg9E9zO7so10JWUdJybwUaWDCYnbz/s640/2013-03-08+026.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTBP1Ax323awas2udpxgiABSLfUfQtvlOOzyqKrBWruX-xsuiG94gn6V1vUOqb1Yl1bCJrF6GppniTGqdaYWLQ0BIrR_f5jUI5FHJJPVHkN7SXpEAZ1EQLRl5BTn_auS0IRveA1mJluQv/s1600/2013-03-08+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTBP1Ax323awas2udpxgiABSLfUfQtvlOOzyqKrBWruX-xsuiG94gn6V1vUOqb1Yl1bCJrF6GppniTGqdaYWLQ0BIrR_f5jUI5FHJJPVHkN7SXpEAZ1EQLRl5BTn_auS0IRveA1mJluQv/s400/2013-03-08+024.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ydusXt5q3B_bcdhDc_oGd2yJVaFsUueos6bq8P2SwDvdYFMM5tUJLF1WwJKGzrRCkU6aADiyWRNYLeUG_U2Ws-Hc_DlWAowNqBS329YzWJXO8CuJbOtEFDStFzb8On2SLs7HpppMWT8a/s1600/2013-03-08+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ydusXt5q3B_bcdhDc_oGd2yJVaFsUueos6bq8P2SwDvdYFMM5tUJLF1WwJKGzrRCkU6aADiyWRNYLeUG_U2Ws-Hc_DlWAowNqBS329YzWJXO8CuJbOtEFDStFzb8On2SLs7HpppMWT8a/s640/2013-03-08+034.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTutyke5uu_F5vvopO6zfS040fbxg0JKy9DX5iuV789M-67bNH1frLdlkBQ3vxBhi5nGrKiVj15DsluaTMK7tFag9DO0P82hdRHw5JxMCAg_qF6_29B-roUn5kHJT262GBWCJLLQAaRpdT/s1600/2013-03-10+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTutyke5uu_F5vvopO6zfS040fbxg0JKy9DX5iuV789M-67bNH1frLdlkBQ3vxBhi5nGrKiVj15DsluaTMK7tFag9DO0P82hdRHw5JxMCAg_qF6_29B-roUn5kHJT262GBWCJLLQAaRpdT/s640/2013-03-10+019.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCI1M0J9i5bMOoMJJmhGqpkNtEePmBnC-kizHzCssocPuWU-IDowtzYW3fYXWf3TJP1ntHHLTlUcWL_b7BVCutUxA9Og355iHvPLYTG91w4uTrmfk2AgfSz2S0ht4kTJDIKhJeurnbh0e4/s1600/2013-03-09+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCI1M0J9i5bMOoMJJmhGqpkNtEePmBnC-kizHzCssocPuWU-IDowtzYW3fYXWf3TJP1ntHHLTlUcWL_b7BVCutUxA9Og355iHvPLYTG91w4uTrmfk2AgfSz2S0ht4kTJDIKhJeurnbh0e4/s400/2013-03-09+006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Aq_bUZmHiRudQcN_VXNk89R3lomILdyy4RXVfzpf2lkDmrMq6zwhJcVmA-1GFutU2pJxZtcEKJyoRACQDaFS1gtRiiazIdgR5kLqwNlUmrXX__HBzEZmKecA6wSiuQbljMRsTR23vDnh/s1600/2013-03-09+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Aq_bUZmHiRudQcN_VXNk89R3lomILdyy4RXVfzpf2lkDmrMq6zwhJcVmA-1GFutU2pJxZtcEKJyoRACQDaFS1gtRiiazIdgR5kLqwNlUmrXX__HBzEZmKecA6wSiuQbljMRsTR23vDnh/s400/2013-03-09+009.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSv8AltCjn2nDlcbjQBx9NjLsMCSA07t-KeQxBVwOcsvnyK7YKYV4Q_sp5PUTFKjLYidaWzp0H5M3Gjxg2QwGkfnav3s4uApRZcLr3GwuSvubKwFBoSags8U7CYnO1CP26heGFwKGbve_U/s1600/2013-03-10+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSv8AltCjn2nDlcbjQBx9NjLsMCSA07t-KeQxBVwOcsvnyK7YKYV4Q_sp5PUTFKjLYidaWzp0H5M3Gjxg2QwGkfnav3s4uApRZcLr3GwuSvubKwFBoSags8U7CYnO1CP26heGFwKGbve_U/s640/2013-03-10+012.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVuv4pUf4gC-CqXhsou1cgm8hbZ2FiCbDeEmEUoiLEJ5rWsfv5yxDVazi8IbOXvCSMn77CJlQKgGTdh5dKV_swzvIlD7R_NHaC0jj084XoqvkGBom9E0HNFd8YKT5kzx0EQCUZ1FDXJEX/s1600/2013-03-10+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVuv4pUf4gC-CqXhsou1cgm8hbZ2FiCbDeEmEUoiLEJ5rWsfv5yxDVazi8IbOXvCSMn77CJlQKgGTdh5dKV_swzvIlD7R_NHaC0jj084XoqvkGBom9E0HNFd8YKT5kzx0EQCUZ1FDXJEX/s640/2013-03-10+014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Pearl Bhasinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948060175283837900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566783729863463558.post-25301603329581313212013-03-20T19:05:00.000+08:002013-03-20T20:22:28.947+08:00Common Winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Apparently, we've had a particularly harsh winter. Come to think of it, it has been colder this winter than last. In fact, it's still cold now!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But the Common is a glorious sight on <i>brrrr!</i> winter mornings. We trudge thoughtfully on the snowed-over gravel path, stopping for a while to skid some stones on the frozen pond.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYskm5hnEraiSOrfyAh5PdKhIP6HnMe4_yjY_0-dsyzJNQR9DgswjkyHaOC3eiQdIh2cDl1LUMDcsJjcjiBnqODpWMJ0oGG71EiMUivMyNLPI-CR9gGsqwToZaPRV7IttqMx8_As4KH4NR/s1600/2013-01-21+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHUbu3vytR566Xki-FlpdvgQUAIOxKhNFi84umdPzWeP1xf2VpOCX2pExHd4KF73A06cxiVOyvWfX6bIN0KlqfGFAbN8GU2V0YxGFBCgvGZ4jsSkcai_t3eyu6tbbKED3z1VDJGrVgvUh/s1600/2013-01-21+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHUbu3vytR566Xki-FlpdvgQUAIOxKhNFi84umdPzWeP1xf2VpOCX2pExHd4KF73A06cxiVOyvWfX6bIN0KlqfGFAbN8GU2V0YxGFBCgvGZ4jsSkcai_t3eyu6tbbKED3z1VDJGrVgvUh/s640/2013-01-21+007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDwZzQdDsO-OpBEjzv7wV8ih6QYOKV_fCnM7J86_NRleG8rBkscngceIU2BB1wRdHJWQdJqt9jigFzMuyLYlb5PwPWr8RLQn1oe-eme07j-VO3NurUBadbtI7_WQu0j2IthsD5E5ohxVO/s1600/2012-12-11+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDwZzQdDsO-OpBEjzv7wV8ih6QYOKV_fCnM7J86_NRleG8rBkscngceIU2BB1wRdHJWQdJqt9jigFzMuyLYlb5PwPWr8RLQn1oe-eme07j-VO3NurUBadbtI7_WQu0j2IthsD5E5ohxVO/s400/2012-12-11+021.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYskm5hnEraiSOrfyAh5PdKhIP6HnMe4_yjY_0-dsyzJNQR9DgswjkyHaOC3eiQdIh2cDl1LUMDcsJjcjiBnqODpWMJ0oGG71EiMUivMyNLPI-CR9gGsqwToZaPRV7IttqMx8_As4KH4NR/s1600/2013-01-21+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYskm5hnEraiSOrfyAh5PdKhIP6HnMe4_yjY_0-dsyzJNQR9DgswjkyHaOC3eiQdIh2cDl1LUMDcsJjcjiBnqODpWMJ0oGG71EiMUivMyNLPI-CR9gGsqwToZaPRV7IttqMx8_As4KH4NR/s400/2013-01-21+009.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6QJKgTc9TBo4Mc26uFmWRlfGCGrkbSK8HVzUxNl0q0DybM0W7e34JZiOf4gH8g0ejsBtQbXlo9L9CQ67fne7DWapbAN2mzpV5kwJqotg4tcHYaE_rGCs0q29inhwHwy782oXKiU3h_hz/s1600/2012-12-13+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6QJKgTc9TBo4Mc26uFmWRlfGCGrkbSK8HVzUxNl0q0DybM0W7e34JZiOf4gH8g0ejsBtQbXlo9L9CQ67fne7DWapbAN2mzpV5kwJqotg4tcHYaE_rGCs0q29inhwHwy782oXKiU3h_hz/s640/2012-12-13+001.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaeyh2JdMDugNhFUdsRAzuBMfhmUFqgwmk5VqEjViWo1U_j6ZL1o4M8G-SdmloXVPmDr2Do5kvd62CFqiSv5LaYkKIQQIrTRJQ7Xq4LmcOHaqWNF-IRGUqRUBpkCEtr3qhbgc-KNxXD7tt/s1600/2012-12-13+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaeyh2JdMDugNhFUdsRAzuBMfhmUFqgwmk5VqEjViWo1U_j6ZL1o4M8G-SdmloXVPmDr2Do5kvd62CFqiSv5LaYkKIQQIrTRJQ7Xq4LmcOHaqWNF-IRGUqRUBpkCEtr3qhbgc-KNxXD7tt/s640/2012-12-13+016.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Everything looks peaceful, and there is a still in the air. Until Ruhi meets up with friends also on their walk to school, and start a snowball fight. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2ADowd135bslskKIAvz_5U3FhmdoqJDdLnbkYAuzk8TYUMAFNel3G0OpMn5JxSVXEExi_XQo3H1CJ_mIUr7GBcy3RMVRU6LBFRwTrhRZ7-ZArRe5nqEUPt962KRhcm5AcPfXve8CWw1c/s1600/2013-01-21+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2ADowd135bslskKIAvz_5U3FhmdoqJDdLnbkYAuzk8TYUMAFNel3G0OpMn5JxSVXEExi_XQo3H1CJ_mIUr7GBcy3RMVRU6LBFRwTrhRZ7-ZArRe5nqEUPt962KRhcm5AcPfXve8CWw1c/s400/2013-01-21+002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXhwoS9J_IRnTgUQ8N2yHitelbRFpuh4AU3vAPDKaMtKV_vP6TlJR24qlsgIS47ib-pFReL-35feTrBKx14ZR_YJcZKX8qM6jgTEvdkS2rHuq0bUt0G-EnBST4VY9I2Bm2QWI7JSk5Xoi/s1600/2013-01-21+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXhwoS9J_IRnTgUQ8N2yHitelbRFpuh4AU3vAPDKaMtKV_vP6TlJR24qlsgIS47ib-pFReL-35feTrBKx14ZR_YJcZKX8qM6jgTEvdkS2rHuq0bUt0G-EnBST4VY9I2Bm2QWI7JSk5Xoi/s400/2013-01-21+003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfFvUgKYjjBx0EehgpuEFcOc0icvSyVHXVZfq_DmX2YdbCAuP2qrh9iak9WBvpmmGP8e79xYkY5ezHsraEnTosCZtgbNUK6KgYwmHF38xpG-RM988HvWLjWF6vgvDlpZwjUuG25A35EpZ/s1600/2013-01-21+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfFvUgKYjjBx0EehgpuEFcOc0icvSyVHXVZfq_DmX2YdbCAuP2qrh9iak9WBvpmmGP8e79xYkY5ezHsraEnTosCZtgbNUK6KgYwmHF38xpG-RM988HvWLjWF6vgvDlpZwjUuG25A35EpZ/s640/2013-01-21+014.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Which, I have to say, is the perfect start to a cold winter's day. :)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Pearl Bhasinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948060175283837900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566783729863463558.post-54660601865322595862013-03-19T19:37:00.000+08:002013-03-19T19:39:56.525+08:00Scenes from Prague<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We did Prague last month, and discovered a winter wonderland. Filled with a gripping political and cultural history, breathtaking gothic, neoclassical and art nouveau architecture, and a museum dedicated to one of my all-time faves, <a href="http://mayaruhi.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/alphonse-mucha.html" target="_blank">Alphonse Mucha</a>, Prague is truly one of the most beautiful places I have visited.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Everywhere we went, the food was honest, rustic and soulful, and the beer, Pilsner Urquell (naturally). The people were patient and polite, without the artificial warmth of being too keen to please tourists.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It snowed stupidly, we were freezing our asses off, but, really, we wouldn't have had it any other way...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8jhWrEWJeTrRQLiGkCOwPjA5shxx4i78FtTOeEpr9Q3BXlAhWgIvwWNgIla7e2hM7DIo3sz0pszFSlhP2mpWD48CszurMzS3O-NCAjMTLXJbroyDUGx5NhTNX2vuCZxTtDRrR7I2dP4/s1600/2013-02-21+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8jhWrEWJeTrRQLiGkCOwPjA5shxx4i78FtTOeEpr9Q3BXlAhWgIvwWNgIla7e2hM7DIo3sz0pszFSlhP2mpWD48CszurMzS3O-NCAjMTLXJbroyDUGx5NhTNX2vuCZxTtDRrR7I2dP4/s320/2013-02-21+022.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JDX05joMuXBvloewPcjJnMu9BvwvVOIa6eh4os_2KQSrAqUeqbCeUDrZMbeG4dhIQtT5j2q1TOgY1qPgcEANaFgWRv9FJ9zq_ke6gSfne3RYVw2e6ew-7GFN6z-HhFkSpTaPBV1-wqI/s1600/2013-02-21+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JDX05joMuXBvloewPcjJnMu9BvwvVOIa6eh4os_2KQSrAqUeqbCeUDrZMbeG4dhIQtT5j2q1TOgY1qPgcEANaFgWRv9FJ9zq_ke6gSfne3RYVw2e6ew-7GFN6z-HhFkSpTaPBV1-wqI/s320/2013-02-21+026.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8Ypb3ohMqjewuFhl6fN06trJduuXi1Xxs7qs0N4W_6FBy0b5tXeiwe0UjRk8jH19tE_PtlmMMwwPdn6EySY5-VORdz4jDqassDBYxDonD3n4CLSSWeCRFr-kb_nk5E0fWSk-M3FxabU/s1600/2013-02-23+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8Ypb3ohMqjewuFhl6fN06trJduuXi1Xxs7qs0N4W_6FBy0b5tXeiwe0UjRk8jH19tE_PtlmMMwwPdn6EySY5-VORdz4jDqassDBYxDonD3n4CLSSWeCRFr-kb_nk5E0fWSk-M3FxabU/s640/2013-02-23+004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRWSFHODnJP-Vgo5AuMLvTsRBliHJxrlrKVyX0OrLZ04nFa7M9mUlsM6_DF6X1uZeOwkUDhWgO9df3V61hwGGQzMQUMWUd15anmg80dJ_dUiL0kDH3ZCtIF-dh6c8zq14VM2RiKSn-gw/s1600/2013-02-22+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRWSFHODnJP-Vgo5AuMLvTsRBliHJxrlrKVyX0OrLZ04nFa7M9mUlsM6_DF6X1uZeOwkUDhWgO9df3V61hwGGQzMQUMWUd15anmg80dJ_dUiL0kDH3ZCtIF-dh6c8zq14VM2RiKSn-gw/s320/2013-02-22+011.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWajMVoCkzlljU1DD-GyL-f4tvBMmVJPDiXxtC4Gbm_oa-vJF__ZA0m_Drs_pdCqT7jDA41YZJCxhZ08iSRx_EBIkqWtt-c3I-dXcdYv6wKHA8EXsN0AVDVmH3W0qLLg6siM-9l4h-zQ/s1600/2013-02-22+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWajMVoCkzlljU1DD-GyL-f4tvBMmVJPDiXxtC4Gbm_oa-vJF__ZA0m_Drs_pdCqT7jDA41YZJCxhZ08iSRx_EBIkqWtt-c3I-dXcdYv6wKHA8EXsN0AVDVmH3W0qLLg6siM-9l4h-zQ/s320/2013-02-22+009.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbP-Q2jBpFvJzBnqWNDg2Y9YxVgavjdtgW2B0kd8ek4XFxYOGPI3B9hyphenhyphenb-rOfua-7LtCt55YHIxzgDeLqBGFT8d8PicNPpX5hkB8t0QcU5CdG7MIX_2Y7nCFAFSbK_UkPac21iWAu7zgk/s1600/2013-02-22+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbP-Q2jBpFvJzBnqWNDg2Y9YxVgavjdtgW2B0kd8ek4XFxYOGPI3B9hyphenhyphenb-rOfua-7LtCt55YHIxzgDeLqBGFT8d8PicNPpX5hkB8t0QcU5CdG7MIX_2Y7nCFAFSbK_UkPac21iWAu7zgk/s640/2013-02-22+013.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4jS-MxXJt3bDde3FfxJC0ja_ZbXfdIyz4y7ynviN8nyz81TmSmP1u2CNzyNHiYcOAVoOIsNN2_4m4Fi-AJfCsI_1cnI50_JatTIyNqaTPft6emTA9wLpHNJRaXG2NHIEkJ3wsjDtTXQ/s1600/2013-02-23+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4jS-MxXJt3bDde3FfxJC0ja_ZbXfdIyz4y7ynviN8nyz81TmSmP1u2CNzyNHiYcOAVoOIsNN2_4m4Fi-AJfCsI_1cnI50_JatTIyNqaTPft6emTA9wLpHNJRaXG2NHIEkJ3wsjDtTXQ/s320/2013-02-23+007.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYdp6gaLmMSkr3DlbBfP8Zi_hh2Pdy3-ZkV7_sKZ6rYghQOe5aiblQxOXv1SGr1jbH-gX4hAqkGX1d7U-8NyUVvDLSG476jexga0MLpOFJt8C0mFTQ8zxP3Mp301ZNHSfA-mf3TyHppw/s1600/2013-02-23+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYdp6gaLmMSkr3DlbBfP8Zi_hh2Pdy3-ZkV7_sKZ6rYghQOe5aiblQxOXv1SGr1jbH-gX4hAqkGX1d7U-8NyUVvDLSG476jexga0MLpOFJt8C0mFTQ8zxP3Mp301ZNHSfA-mf3TyHppw/s320/2013-02-23+012.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSjQBJAgzy3tAMF9FV2KA2oyDjt4dTQ6LHdPrg8p5LmLsEC9T4__nu3P44BGYH2zIC5d7OMckx9bkQMzQMlh88dG2ir8FO4vhoXqYRjnU27IyII-XoDUA5hj9mbAo8w50OmSHaUElFp8/s1600/2013-02-23+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSjQBJAgzy3tAMF9FV2KA2oyDjt4dTQ6LHdPrg8p5LmLsEC9T4__nu3P44BGYH2zIC5d7OMckx9bkQMzQMlh88dG2ir8FO4vhoXqYRjnU27IyII-XoDUA5hj9mbAo8w50OmSHaUElFp8/s640/2013-02-23+036.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuqP7-XduLW72XOe6L2GTzgQCjSXyHp_b7QegdoJdf12RB6ACeUqMk7iEjEelft74VNJdPHFwukD773lU-QGfUCsEtAhNvR2nrTwUGlWWBNLPuMmfRNNGW_ZvYzqxcFjx9OlLVQul0lW4/s1600/2013-02-23+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuqP7-XduLW72XOe6L2GTzgQCjSXyHp_b7QegdoJdf12RB6ACeUqMk7iEjEelft74VNJdPHFwukD773lU-QGfUCsEtAhNvR2nrTwUGlWWBNLPuMmfRNNGW_ZvYzqxcFjx9OlLVQul0lW4/s320/2013-02-23+049.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3dg2fX0IGFTjO6hMjUcay0XXk5ssaSoGlIetfT0esqc0ayEw-aGmfFzrLBy25eAzKNekaz7wKKkWG0x9FFUCyO6iO01E3yNeLByHYYPbt6Nl62CwWBRnN06jPwkXikZYmH22VbSm5XU/s1600/2013-02-23+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3dg2fX0IGFTjO6hMjUcay0XXk5ssaSoGlIetfT0esqc0ayEw-aGmfFzrLBy25eAzKNekaz7wKKkWG0x9FFUCyO6iO01E3yNeLByHYYPbt6Nl62CwWBRnN06jPwkXikZYmH22VbSm5XU/s320/2013-02-23+051.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmC9ZQQRIuO5Yzqvt7Kqe-05D3rTaAwEaTc66ONJNuK98xWDDojWdD9JWvY_IcZAp-WjFZE-ei1DGlIDBWZHRpjXBkiHnD_mVZ55yPvYq948SzDT8KcDpcNu6P47dmNEE8Ehy3S3RK3k/s1600/2013-02-23+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmC9ZQQRIuO5Yzqvt7Kqe-05D3rTaAwEaTc66ONJNuK98xWDDojWdD9JWvY_IcZAp-WjFZE-ei1DGlIDBWZHRpjXBkiHnD_mVZ55yPvYq948SzDT8KcDpcNu6P47dmNEE8Ehy3S3RK3k/s640/2013-02-23+027.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHd_r33RUIkTKjrc2oKECY5srCOPlcyHxkSmSRLUzZto_yG_dU_fdWyVyHj_JqJvl6wu0Y0VclE4BzUrKtpnI9bP1BQw_ZuNnfaF-aOfL4wDTsdNeDHx8-lZ1Acam-6uQjdqSsZTSU4PE/s1600/2013-02-23+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHd_r33RUIkTKjrc2oKECY5srCOPlcyHxkSmSRLUzZto_yG_dU_fdWyVyHj_JqJvl6wu0Y0VclE4BzUrKtpnI9bP1BQw_ZuNnfaF-aOfL4wDTsdNeDHx8-lZ1Acam-6uQjdqSsZTSU4PE/s640/2013-02-23+059.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72E01z7tGrOcSdKK7Cvz3ad0dUoMy0W7qSbEIo0C5QPr-bGcaB1umn75CF_aAdhyphenhyphenhLrdhX_H-nQCGytuJTDe_wGqTMGaIxdCFwyxuHWCx7X0bhD6fCW1CbMXaDM7Y-19QV_NJTKvZjcA/s1600/2013-02-23+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72E01z7tGrOcSdKK7Cvz3ad0dUoMy0W7qSbEIo0C5QPr-bGcaB1umn75CF_aAdhyphenhyphenhLrdhX_H-nQCGytuJTDe_wGqTMGaIxdCFwyxuHWCx7X0bhD6fCW1CbMXaDM7Y-19QV_NJTKvZjcA/s400/2013-02-23+057.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7IemmZhQwptlvhX9_G-zWazqJ-1Wxio4DtYHZans9ZF_qx2wwBDc5OPv_UpVliRYA5DAHzl9c5nlQy-fFeBNjpuWRHXS6_TeT4k4sW-5-BmK5zAzlpT3iVSSFEgs8KC489al72SwPNg/s1600/2013-02-23+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7IemmZhQwptlvhX9_G-zWazqJ-1Wxio4DtYHZans9ZF_qx2wwBDc5OPv_UpVliRYA5DAHzl9c5nlQy-fFeBNjpuWRHXS6_TeT4k4sW-5-BmK5zAzlpT3iVSSFEgs8KC489al72SwPNg/s640/2013-02-23+052.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgs_Lvh1ofpTyVzK0tf6LsOkWaa-jnf8Uc0_jeMQRbmydZiDtidtiIHnYmDKtcJ0lkXorRsBZAYY15v0DInzX7MaJZAzCWw1N3Xgh9ioYTAMF2WKMUWMxpFkWCMHyYjWWI303_RYYYUN4/s1600/2013-02-23+083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgs_Lvh1ofpTyVzK0tf6LsOkWaa-jnf8Uc0_jeMQRbmydZiDtidtiIHnYmDKtcJ0lkXorRsBZAYY15v0DInzX7MaJZAzCWw1N3Xgh9ioYTAMF2WKMUWMxpFkWCMHyYjWWI303_RYYYUN4/s400/2013-02-23+083.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXruXzfDVXRzOCdLcbjXsCpqXNPECiMi8DkAtEjmkRWzMzdZzeByq4qYbsTBp47ZxqsZhq8d4Epcb1Royx93UhqtDyCfB7OXTWs8s6HCqQEIqgBfEmLw50bMZcd1FwNsx7B1VFVPYc0E0/s1600/2013-02-23+100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXruXzfDVXRzOCdLcbjXsCpqXNPECiMi8DkAtEjmkRWzMzdZzeByq4qYbsTBp47ZxqsZhq8d4Epcb1Royx93UhqtDyCfB7OXTWs8s6HCqQEIqgBfEmLw50bMZcd1FwNsx7B1VFVPYc0E0/s640/2013-02-23+100.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHet2VDNzFFfJLux0lwUo-UR5zjxOMSok0UndUMGVDVetS9fw8h_wSS-KNDsVVnbvUVU2ASJ-EKsh6gA5PMMW-nJV6gZT5FB5rAjRTXpDFt7raspbDugC1O68ZJk1ueDAgwtn-1iYw97E/s1600/2013-02-23+095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHet2VDNzFFfJLux0lwUo-UR5zjxOMSok0UndUMGVDVetS9fw8h_wSS-KNDsVVnbvUVU2ASJ-EKsh6gA5PMMW-nJV6gZT5FB5rAjRTXpDFt7raspbDugC1O68ZJk1ueDAgwtn-1iYw97E/s640/2013-02-23+095.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMS3mAEImYjvOwvlF5PIB07PLPEkHRrbna80J4Ag5fI77PXauPaYuhDiHDIbXGtGmV-99IFUeoxqCLlT3pQmwW7yhhxtw4UE6mB4wizkHHKBcrad-yZsbjHdLqeLQHnlvqyEEaOgaRWMc/s1600/2013-02-23+102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMS3mAEImYjvOwvlF5PIB07PLPEkHRrbna80J4Ag5fI77PXauPaYuhDiHDIbXGtGmV-99IFUeoxqCLlT3pQmwW7yhhxtw4UE6mB4wizkHHKBcrad-yZsbjHdLqeLQHnlvqyEEaOgaRWMc/s640/2013-02-23+102.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBlbs6rk2cmBfjFQGVeod0c1dYhGgdWelGIQfVFhRsYcm5AHHeekAgp0aSANr4zUCXXgjuZ6dORSKtF6e4gujOxH3xBp4QU9sqxMvVSIIjaLsv6YCgh4LzQQUHp6lQ0S6qRCUJAzo_9Y/s1600/2013-02-23+110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBlbs6rk2cmBfjFQGVeod0c1dYhGgdWelGIQfVFhRsYcm5AHHeekAgp0aSANr4zUCXXgjuZ6dORSKtF6e4gujOxH3xBp4QU9sqxMvVSIIjaLsv6YCgh4LzQQUHp6lQ0S6qRCUJAzo_9Y/s640/2013-02-23+110.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Pearl Bhasinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948060175283837900noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566783729863463558.post-12582890235203725842013-02-13T17:58:00.003+08:002013-02-13T17:59:15.441+08:00New Stuff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm going to be filling up the Etsy shop these next few weeks. No point these little lovelies just sitting around in the craft room.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
That's a problem I have, you see. I just sit there and craft and craft and craft, and then completely forget to list them up at the shop. Not a very smart seller I am. A good crafter (if I may say so myself), but not a very good seller. :S</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So here they are, a slew of chunky bangles. I love how they are so simple yet so stunning. The natural beauty of the stones shine right through with a no-nonsense ultra-chic form. These are handforged with non-tarnish brass wire. Such statement pieces, don't you think? :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1w2mMyGv4OiJXxFKclsToQYBG29q0by2-got0zkXqOeYshtYlIImA-Tuq2ip41y90tUg4Phzagj4p1ZUI1m-AhR6JL5gV6xajCdsEupO5P3E7iTMfY9fDxY2BpVSumKyMdBxunk_FJKQ/s1600/photo+(21)+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1w2mMyGv4OiJXxFKclsToQYBG29q0by2-got0zkXqOeYshtYlIImA-Tuq2ip41y90tUg4Phzagj4p1ZUI1m-AhR6JL5gV6xajCdsEupO5P3E7iTMfY9fDxY2BpVSumKyMdBxunk_FJKQ/s320/photo+(21)+-+Copy.JPG" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yvm00nwFaHEsAApSTk5kRopLnxYfFjtpj75qpSUoVzvhNJ0Ft1ltzCQWieGhRYFH4T1rd9QKvXLDmhqP14alRHkUbXffdtjFBpEFuZAK-Xv2GkOmcJBGBAq80iTqKDoPFVln5WtMyzc/s1600/photo+(352).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yvm00nwFaHEsAApSTk5kRopLnxYfFjtpj75qpSUoVzvhNJ0Ft1ltzCQWieGhRYFH4T1rd9QKvXLDmhqP14alRHkUbXffdtjFBpEFuZAK-Xv2GkOmcJBGBAq80iTqKDoPFVln5WtMyzc/s320/photo+(352).JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkG5qgOOhmasJGwTHwy5eFautpjKUdI7rTJIhrh8tyjM_ZH-gNTnVDex3d4_5WtTCmQoK-4YaLVTd5wM3uj5NFdLahPMtmuKG2kLjTctYvYNZxmFT7vHtFTFfbaQL99TDHm_majmTfB4w/s1600/photo+(356).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkG5qgOOhmasJGwTHwy5eFautpjKUdI7rTJIhrh8tyjM_ZH-gNTnVDex3d4_5WtTCmQoK-4YaLVTd5wM3uj5NFdLahPMtmuKG2kLjTctYvYNZxmFT7vHtFTFfbaQL99TDHm_majmTfB4w/s400/photo+(356).JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDP-3eNnvWZOx0jl8OjgRgOslj2Cv2ytLsnwF0GaFk3ltBeuxJqZ-5H9uyjZldgLQE9FvaZz2arQvtICqiCCVRyzvzCdHAjgDO3rbSdOVmmq0PkTmyohyphenhyphenmAf2VlPkIkE2NkgcHWmLi8c/s1600/photo+(366).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDP-3eNnvWZOx0jl8OjgRgOslj2Cv2ytLsnwF0GaFk3ltBeuxJqZ-5H9uyjZldgLQE9FvaZz2arQvtICqiCCVRyzvzCdHAjgDO3rbSdOVmmq0PkTmyohyphenhyphenmAf2VlPkIkE2NkgcHWmLi8c/s320/photo+(366).JPG" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6B1MRsTfM5m17UDH418IuYNZUqT9ZDsZFl7YsGkRJ2rGDbX7-Ytb8auEjjONcOspgo_otYYAwYa9e-0tivgGHYex_yvrnRo8Set9EQmgk4Ay3Guql3wTg57nXgV84lDFI_pVir5xTspY/s1600/photo+(362).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6B1MRsTfM5m17UDH418IuYNZUqT9ZDsZFl7YsGkRJ2rGDbX7-Ytb8auEjjONcOspgo_otYYAwYa9e-0tivgGHYex_yvrnRo8Set9EQmgk4Ay3Guql3wTg57nXgV84lDFI_pVir5xTspY/s320/photo+(362).JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/mayaruhi?section_id=5983261" target="_blank">Click here to see them in the shop</a>.Pearl Bhasinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948060175283837900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566783729863463558.post-40478304551353048022013-01-31T19:45:00.000+08:002013-01-31T19:46:12.065+08:00That Inking ItchTruth be told, I am SO dying to get more tattoos. I have been longing for a pair of swallows with MAYA and RUHI on the inside of each forearm. Seriously, my heart literally aches...<br />
<br />
And it doesn't help, seeing all the massive talent and mastery out here in London.<br />
<br />
There's <a href="http://www.gypsydevi.co.uk/" target="_blank">Saira Hunjan</a>. Gob-smacking work with echoes of traditional Indian henna designs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/549715_10152018070540475_179412770_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<img alt="Saira Hunjan" height="200" src="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/192/e3/ac/a3/e3aca32723a4a157d0d093dc0e061409.jpg" width="152" /> <img height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/284214_10152131411345475_82744958_n.jpg" width="240" /><br />
<img alt="My idol tattoo artist Saira Hunjans work" src="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/192/9e/d7/59/9ed75956f2323dd520f8ad3a5ef8eea9.jpg" /> <img height="228" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/418445_10152018071895475_1225122418_n.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://ilovegoodtimes.co.uk/artists/nikole/" target="_blank">Nikole Lowe</a>. Slap-in-your-face work - outstandingly daring and so goddamned cool.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://media-cache-ec1.pinterest.com/192/48/ef/45/48ef453ae5b3c456f6cb735b52f28e13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nikole Lowe tattoos <3" border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec1.pinterest.com/192/48/ef/45/48ef453ae5b3c456f6cb735b52f28e13.jpg" /></a> <img alt="Nikole Lowe at I Love Good Times Tattoo, London" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec1.pinterest.com/192/0e/a9/99/0ea9992fc28b4bbf5ea3928718031554.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="Alice's Skull backpiece by Nikole Lowe #tattoo" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/192/6e/91/2f/6e912f5d376159f0a5a5b6b7842a314b.jpg" width="226" /> <a href="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/192/d8/d0/cc/d8d0cce99479a3698f86199f7aaf9413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Nikole Lowe - London Ink #japanese #tattoo" border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/192/d8/d0/cc/d8d0cce99479a3698f86199f7aaf9413.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
And <a href="http://jaclynrehe.com/" target="_blank">Jaclyn Rehe</a>. Whose nouveau old skool style is supa-cute and so gotta-have!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media-cache-ec7.pinterest.com/192/29/1e/86/291e86fd8746b08b238a06f781261d3a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Jaclyn Rehe" border="0" height="200" src="http://media-cache-ec7.pinterest.com/192/29/1e/86/291e86fd8746b08b238a06f781261d3a.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://jaclynrehe.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jaclyn_rehe_pie_tattoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://jaclynrehe.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jaclyn_rehe_pie_tattoo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ilovegoodtimes.co.uk/2011/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Jaclyn-profile-pic400px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ilovegoodtimes.co.uk/2011/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Jaclyn-profile-pic400px.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<img height="239" src="http://jaclynrehe.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jaclyn_rehe_tattoo_swallows.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<br />
<br />Pearl Bhasinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948060175283837900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566783729863463558.post-23290128049081158532013-01-28T20:48:00.001+08:002013-01-28T21:32:15.831+08:00Life HappensAs blog post records show, it takes me about or month or so to recover from Christmas and the New Year. So here I am.<br />
<br />
Since my last post, I have travelled to Dubai to spend Christmas with family, maintained my yoga habit of practising every other day, discovered that Brixton has gone boho, resolved to smile more, sprained my ankle (twice), acquired me a Cambridge Satchel, played in the snow over The Big Freeze, and did some Scottish dancing (in between spraining my ankle twice). It's a lot of stuff to go into, so I'll just let the pics speak for themselves. :)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcCQdgIxMxalBL2k3qqThZ6A62gv1QTp8cs264wgGk8Cuuism5z2d-_jpOERwqI4gBsAopfgtnrUZNpj8tLyQYElWS46wy_4yf2Sk08R5oMgcAdfLFTUfzB7fq7-K2uMfFxHpVZKoiCE/s1600/2012-12-15+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcCQdgIxMxalBL2k3qqThZ6A62gv1QTp8cs264wgGk8Cuuism5z2d-_jpOERwqI4gBsAopfgtnrUZNpj8tLyQYElWS46wy_4yf2Sk08R5oMgcAdfLFTUfzB7fq7-K2uMfFxHpVZKoiCE/s320/2012-12-15+003.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOlR-Tif8xmacm3ommPM4xOeJBYme2RfijIld-RYoRCtK1byMhxweLvI8bRXMl_R4SCoRFH7o3-stROTEPpUWR1DlIVxnzuLYd83GdtESFIvr-FPRDl5vCH06FI2JbaUKNLFhSRBo9z8/s1600/2012-12-15+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOlR-Tif8xmacm3ommPM4xOeJBYme2RfijIld-RYoRCtK1byMhxweLvI8bRXMl_R4SCoRFH7o3-stROTEPpUWR1DlIVxnzuLYd83GdtESFIvr-FPRDl5vCH06FI2JbaUKNLFhSRBo9z8/s320/2012-12-15+006.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3B3OZQdZAKzda2mNeyZvoKPYRgKIv9VCMbyeUGyBk8hJHJD6cKGNoZNEDFo3N_Julx6Da6BC8dauveW3MRCNa2SO2cpxsH9UfcQJMcxcfudq-PtPlEHNrtyYVCiEQocKqkcr5-dAKLE/s1600/2012-12-15+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3B3OZQdZAKzda2mNeyZvoKPYRgKIv9VCMbyeUGyBk8hJHJD6cKGNoZNEDFo3N_Julx6Da6BC8dauveW3MRCNa2SO2cpxsH9UfcQJMcxcfudq-PtPlEHNrtyYVCiEQocKqkcr5-dAKLE/s400/2012-12-15+002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Zf-8HJLqtCPhlV8eobnkOh_j6x02E4G7U0WjhAWfI_em1r88qHwgNJjxPwh0VyMeH4QfaHGJ1zF3F_O2f3rk6rn3DJWlz2ftAkumd1EOv7HPN3JdGwa9pyQJKB9ItLdeyossslydDsM/s1600/2012-12-15+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Zf-8HJLqtCPhlV8eobnkOh_j6x02E4G7U0WjhAWfI_em1r88qHwgNJjxPwh0VyMeH4QfaHGJ1zF3F_O2f3rk6rn3DJWlz2ftAkumd1EOv7HPN3JdGwa9pyQJKB9ItLdeyossslydDsM/s320/2012-12-15+038.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhburFrRhLBPAEbvSnbvWJpAiVcqj26U7ZEMRWgTZkA_sCMOozHfiZt8qvbbfhVUyfoxb1yXpsBpdZhidLrGXEnDxPR1kKZgZXfvlwXgbDu6jQnVsvyNxGIFV17_Bt5LirsBRr8mVgP8u8/s1600/2012-12-15+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhburFrRhLBPAEbvSnbvWJpAiVcqj26U7ZEMRWgTZkA_sCMOozHfiZt8qvbbfhVUyfoxb1yXpsBpdZhidLrGXEnDxPR1kKZgZXfvlwXgbDu6jQnVsvyNxGIFV17_Bt5LirsBRr8mVgP8u8/s320/2012-12-15+013.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhloJ4LMzbcnlwoKI5AA7ubmFYraYwP2FuIk8Ezx8BAzNqZ0tRbETQh2wxXVMPCIo_5KZel06MhvNSJT17wj1zRCJx9P4YGbMQcv8t1yZakt2gK6iEZ8UV4iKxzbAWsxCbm4100W1smf48/s1600/2012-12-15+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhloJ4LMzbcnlwoKI5AA7ubmFYraYwP2FuIk8Ezx8BAzNqZ0tRbETQh2wxXVMPCIo_5KZel06MhvNSJT17wj1zRCJx9P4YGbMQcv8t1yZakt2gK6iEZ8UV4iKxzbAWsxCbm4100W1smf48/s320/2012-12-15+023.JPG" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgysoT6F2ORDOhnfT_jrM4tPs0HaXWZjutiN9kDRBw3CVgr_UI343uiUKhG-naa4NrliIFAMBa6LFrICR9YICtpp2Yblbfk0NgQyNdlmGymLzISz22CDstGH397fTQ5n8aQ-dtictCpE/s1600/2012-12-15+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgysoT6F2ORDOhnfT_jrM4tPs0HaXWZjutiN9kDRBw3CVgr_UI343uiUKhG-naa4NrliIFAMBa6LFrICR9YICtpp2Yblbfk0NgQyNdlmGymLzISz22CDstGH397fTQ5n8aQ-dtictCpE/s320/2012-12-15+044.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSr4tbPtqXzyEA9Ypq2dF7s8k96lzd-86RRphWctgHLLI904K_Ak8Gjx1T2j7m6zvAkq51NOwLQoIR0psIY8wvCtjjL-32e0iREDeQIJmnyyZnoX0DygBkTitEBTc8TQmy7Y0NQ1DuB64/s1600/2012-12-15+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSr4tbPtqXzyEA9Ypq2dF7s8k96lzd-86RRphWctgHLLI904K_Ak8Gjx1T2j7m6zvAkq51NOwLQoIR0psIY8wvCtjjL-32e0iREDeQIJmnyyZnoX0DygBkTitEBTc8TQmy7Y0NQ1DuB64/s1600/2012-12-15+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSr4tbPtqXzyEA9Ypq2dF7s8k96lzd-86RRphWctgHLLI904K_Ak8Gjx1T2j7m6zvAkq51NOwLQoIR0psIY8wvCtjjL-32e0iREDeQIJmnyyZnoX0DygBkTitEBTc8TQmy7Y0NQ1DuB64/s1600/2012-12-15+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSr4tbPtqXzyEA9Ypq2dF7s8k96lzd-86RRphWctgHLLI904K_Ak8Gjx1T2j7m6zvAkq51NOwLQoIR0psIY8wvCtjjL-32e0iREDeQIJmnyyZnoX0DygBkTitEBTc8TQmy7Y0NQ1DuB64/s640/2012-12-15+007.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhW074g84LdkxRi9PFO5UKygVTEqWi9260wd5RorloylfjN4EdXVB9xPPmTuyeXnSWDbKRE9CqgNLLUMcxuukyUVwPeKwRAf58kqgagaveWNAy-3GnflQMYT2a7A7Dd0DsU0YrEqtly4/s1600/2012-12-15+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhW074g84LdkxRi9PFO5UKygVTEqWi9260wd5RorloylfjN4EdXVB9xPPmTuyeXnSWDbKRE9CqgNLLUMcxuukyUVwPeKwRAf58kqgagaveWNAy-3GnflQMYT2a7A7Dd0DsU0YrEqtly4/s320/2012-12-15+045.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHpNLP1rUYGn4oEjTJNslmKd24nRduNYw_pmszbcfI-ShCNaT_FgWdnCxMV4LsZafJJMUE8HY0DC0QtjxZj_cLNkq3dANY9YC5TU2uRjNyyydiNvXWdFoJ4X6qFEh9wIzfrWldytiQ2Eo/s1600/2012-12-15+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHpNLP1rUYGn4oEjTJNslmKd24nRduNYw_pmszbcfI-ShCNaT_FgWdnCxMV4LsZafJJMUE8HY0DC0QtjxZj_cLNkq3dANY9YC5TU2uRjNyyydiNvXWdFoJ4X6qFEh9wIzfrWldytiQ2Eo/s320/2012-12-15+035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQaWNzKRkpIbHHLL21yLxApGBeiZd_IgDdG50oS8raDB2MlFTL3q74zUdfAtH8qcqLc_g_TW79GpG8kzBt10VVTueGfL7P8bGpBuzv6tZlzUcXQuTe_knjp8uumdsQZh41_Q8RY6vbVJc/s1600/photo+(265).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQaWNzKRkpIbHHLL21yLxApGBeiZd_IgDdG50oS8raDB2MlFTL3q74zUdfAtH8qcqLc_g_TW79GpG8kzBt10VVTueGfL7P8bGpBuzv6tZlzUcXQuTe_knjp8uumdsQZh41_Q8RY6vbVJc/s320/photo+(265).JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_ZhynXxRz4t9Riz1MhATM0CLHhL9kr2W9Hy5KFaweksIJ0JX5tdywz584e12o9T2gI3ltk8a5kvFanU_IlBE-9Tr6kzH67xIUVC0uNDdJgecLD-YoI0AV8Esi-4MgVfk1wvTCB9-9Yk/s1600/photo+(273).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_ZhynXxRz4t9Riz1MhATM0CLHhL9kr2W9Hy5KFaweksIJ0JX5tdywz584e12o9T2gI3ltk8a5kvFanU_IlBE-9Tr6kzH67xIUVC0uNDdJgecLD-YoI0AV8Esi-4MgVfk1wvTCB9-9Yk/s320/photo+(273).JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIoJBr_VsZ6wNMcWLEPxMRpjTGzV-eQjtKUzAv7IsBhUuTvB6c31cNt0aOE_plYCr0oHxuklpohrls4Pix2HPvhyphenhyphen31ksju8VYxmGvSGNMj34GTQjQRMWYBHRt7GY62de7E3Gs_ubR1ZE/s1600/2012-12-28+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIoJBr_VsZ6wNMcWLEPxMRpjTGzV-eQjtKUzAv7IsBhUuTvB6c31cNt0aOE_plYCr0oHxuklpohrls4Pix2HPvhyphenhyphen31ksju8VYxmGvSGNMj34GTQjQRMWYBHRt7GY62de7E3Gs_ubR1ZE/s400/2012-12-28+004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpPQCPQnrUZUoje0FXc-7SIHhghex6SQmXHQH2KuTj6BuaqY6VQl5Sn1xQJRYaLhCeZW1ipU5vSPKM2KmYdi6vTylNM9FyRUf7JJQYAZkaja1_Y0mnyXr38fpMTkdbc8EoXpVUUnQfUw/s1600/2012-12-28+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpPQCPQnrUZUoje0FXc-7SIHhghex6SQmXHQH2KuTj6BuaqY6VQl5Sn1xQJRYaLhCeZW1ipU5vSPKM2KmYdi6vTylNM9FyRUf7JJQYAZkaja1_Y0mnyXr38fpMTkdbc8EoXpVUUnQfUw/s640/2012-12-28+003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkONlKRucO3RfDXW3CFMTJH2HTinnQxq5d_mMRgJA7mT3X_0asBHHQEVdw3vLEdoOMAbbtpBBwnfOoCJenznunUqGtPWIjskVojnZIrPCGbRt0uGDnvS4PFwhvqkPYmvwK-hDchyphenhyphenyY5dg/s1600/photo+(266).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkONlKRucO3RfDXW3CFMTJH2HTinnQxq5d_mMRgJA7mT3X_0asBHHQEVdw3vLEdoOMAbbtpBBwnfOoCJenznunUqGtPWIjskVojnZIrPCGbRt0uGDnvS4PFwhvqkPYmvwK-hDchyphenhyphenyY5dg/s400/photo+(266).JPG" width="297" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmofuYe0Afdwa2UBG5zhmXfvFAQELHCfQf6wpNiT4b6I3zWeZq-o5lJVDoJCWpWqQrLfpdXiNrPl97BQpZ7MnakrpWPUHmZquaoZlQEw4K6v5HVBlfMl-Y73wIh2vJvxHH34EH94lGCyU/s1600/2012-12-29+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmofuYe0Afdwa2UBG5zhmXfvFAQELHCfQf6wpNiT4b6I3zWeZq-o5lJVDoJCWpWqQrLfpdXiNrPl97BQpZ7MnakrpWPUHmZquaoZlQEw4K6v5HVBlfMl-Y73wIh2vJvxHH34EH94lGCyU/s400/2012-12-29+004.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTdRpFiSoecgQM0DGxDFtDitFjtDjtZEYCuM1_Gn0bKDWTiVovFFvds5NuSuaj3h4yfyNfK4uVe5Fw_aU_JXq-ANl223p7iYh9MNYIo4I4bWYsAPS4umI-ncxn0p2plv8i04i0psGNwI/s1600/2012-12-25+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTdRpFiSoecgQM0DGxDFtDitFjtDjtZEYCuM1_Gn0bKDWTiVovFFvds5NuSuaj3h4yfyNfK4uVe5Fw_aU_JXq-ANl223p7iYh9MNYIo4I4bWYsAPS4umI-ncxn0p2plv8i04i0psGNwI/s640/2012-12-25+016.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQHBu_Da_kyIv4PuiAMbY5BNCNAB-5I-62mX_jGX4fYpLZZZSGED7cRZR52wgURKr8AESIg2IdZdJJnvgVfqBLKJqemTaMTvVQbSDKTxjkwsXl_z9ekmpfJG3zLcDdyjfRVteXw00TKc/s1600/photo+(271).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBpE7l0MDaqP-qaqLjPq5U9-7EaNqAowIcompqXWXhoLUpLASRHm-b386mDVENIx9ttw-xecPQPLEX_IOPDKeHXSasy7ALGoFE0peI17wXifITZ-Mlcbqr0AljJlYDEJ1eDkITgFCUnE/s1600/photo+(267).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBpE7l0MDaqP-qaqLjPq5U9-7EaNqAowIcompqXWXhoLUpLASRHm-b386mDVENIx9ttw-xecPQPLEX_IOPDKeHXSasy7ALGoFE0peI17wXifITZ-Mlcbqr0AljJlYDEJ1eDkITgFCUnE/s320/photo+(267).JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBqEN6MVNT1D5-FmM0bm8cExWIeutZppO9m-FDFdjO_GYnrpl6lugVA9UyDZ4TbuCQ5s0FU3l32rbTb9s0REsLfYFSGOgWseEDYyczj1KhayT_pEDKpMowGypNiJaAfi9PUDUpivaWLM/s1600/photo+(268).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBqEN6MVNT1D5-FmM0bm8cExWIeutZppO9m-FDFdjO_GYnrpl6lugVA9UyDZ4TbuCQ5s0FU3l32rbTb9s0REsLfYFSGOgWseEDYyczj1KhayT_pEDKpMowGypNiJaAfi9PUDUpivaWLM/s400/photo+(268).JPG" width="298" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5r7UfFtnWtDxyeVM7nYOnI1tszD_50EwjMI8i3GGNVWguZ8K8jqzO5PoESFIJyxPcmxp7KRWRcvtyC5X0M7FrBmYeQzmw7bCBGXzDz8ohJFekMYJnuJCb0WpmAdbFXJnlwQWGktlCIw/s1600/2012-12-25+085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5r7UfFtnWtDxyeVM7nYOnI1tszD_50EwjMI8i3GGNVWguZ8K8jqzO5PoESFIJyxPcmxp7KRWRcvtyC5X0M7FrBmYeQzmw7bCBGXzDz8ohJFekMYJnuJCb0WpmAdbFXJnlwQWGktlCIw/s640/2012-12-25+085.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgez0y9OHbgHHe448HrE3cDZ4AHqOKTxhgebqPqP_Zp4WC_kkTG16UIdO2CuhyphenhyphenCHAXbRQeTfCFh6IY_EfpWHPhFkJ6OxvjEd0QrvAPL62F90qR2kUsyZ05bCWo_lEo1GGD_pOrDlBXsdwE/s1600/photo+(270).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgez0y9OHbgHHe448HrE3cDZ4AHqOKTxhgebqPqP_Zp4WC_kkTG16UIdO2CuhyphenhyphenCHAXbRQeTfCFh6IY_EfpWHPhFkJ6OxvjEd0QrvAPL62F90qR2kUsyZ05bCWo_lEo1GGD_pOrDlBXsdwE/s400/photo+(270).JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRrMrv36NloX4FkqKUzaTKm2-f6sD9Z55uGQ0Aiz67wLT63T8_M0EbMo7Tq7FnPrbr5qMrs9VF3LEO3KIwHKXBYW6ZKwCs6HdgSpfPCs_liGwUJvO8ZtqE_-Mpq2h3O1tlJQoHSsgpbQ8/s1600/photo+(269).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRrMrv36NloX4FkqKUzaTKm2-f6sD9Z55uGQ0Aiz67wLT63T8_M0EbMo7Tq7FnPrbr5qMrs9VF3LEO3KIwHKXBYW6ZKwCs6HdgSpfPCs_liGwUJvO8ZtqE_-Mpq2h3O1tlJQoHSsgpbQ8/s200/photo+(269).JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji9ULAieGoOH5eblVOwX4OI9PpXwul1xMVBb7XrwWfzVibSYsMsZGC4xrPIUA6p7-9dG408aG02PK3rPb7GMA-Scia-qLUxsAVkIUpYACUYWHwsIVXuYVMsdB1FRcrMONEg8k8X0UDqlw/s1600/2012-12-29+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji9ULAieGoOH5eblVOwX4OI9PpXwul1xMVBb7XrwWfzVibSYsMsZGC4xrPIUA6p7-9dG408aG02PK3rPb7GMA-Scia-qLUxsAVkIUpYACUYWHwsIVXuYVMsdB1FRcrMONEg8k8X0UDqlw/s640/2012-12-29+048.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieL4btxVBw-k6FxwEEzxweHjPwqFfa6_4T5YaxLVeVhAsgRVrSZZurhspOwisVb5R5TmNVRSUqv-ew8nTRmfM2AYF82pYkaXyIv31vWKnem8ENFg9rLBeqcz_i9QnXrpYXS_gFkmuXdA/s1600/photo+(272).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieL4btxVBw-k6FxwEEzxweHjPwqFfa6_4T5YaxLVeVhAsgRVrSZZurhspOwisVb5R5TmNVRSUqv-ew8nTRmfM2AYF82pYkaXyIv31vWKnem8ENFg9rLBeqcz_i9QnXrpYXS_gFkmuXdA/s320/photo+(272).JPG" width="238" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQHBu_Da_kyIv4PuiAMbY5BNCNAB-5I-62mX_jGX4fYpLZZZSGED7cRZR52wgURKr8AESIg2IdZdJJnvgVfqBLKJqemTaMTvVQbSDKTxjkwsXl_z9ekmpfJG3zLcDdyjfRVteXw00TKc/s1600/photo+(271).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQHBu_Da_kyIv4PuiAMbY5BNCNAB-5I-62mX_jGX4fYpLZZZSGED7cRZR52wgURKr8AESIg2IdZdJJnvgVfqBLKJqemTaMTvVQbSDKTxjkwsXl_z9ekmpfJG3zLcDdyjfRVteXw00TKc/s320/photo+(271).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvG9rH8DcdBIqtJKQy_TIcI0NLYUbmvzf1VeLQ4wgbStxfMSTk5t2becel56OsU_whWVaxETrtlrVUfaFZqABRNXMKMG1SFF58sxpBtba2N4es5Q0gghsWOWo2g-CmYL4yD7QWo9pwQ9U/s1600/2012-12-31+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvG9rH8DcdBIqtJKQy_TIcI0NLYUbmvzf1VeLQ4wgbStxfMSTk5t2becel56OsU_whWVaxETrtlrVUfaFZqABRNXMKMG1SFF58sxpBtba2N4es5Q0gghsWOWo2g-CmYL4yD7QWo9pwQ9U/s400/2012-12-31+011.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVDxQibw7vHQ2CUoITUb3AyNCpnjDax2RoWL7dFYT-gDLxVENEXt9f6pMridMREMljzcz699l8FTGJ-sroGqzDg1YyOyTSjv1zG0Dr-ksMUv5_PwX2PEhxcRBO6JWsyzV56HAZU_tUzk/s1600/2013-01-01+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVDxQibw7vHQ2CUoITUb3AyNCpnjDax2RoWL7dFYT-gDLxVENEXt9f6pMridMREMljzcz699l8FTGJ-sroGqzDg1YyOyTSjv1zG0Dr-ksMUv5_PwX2PEhxcRBO6JWsyzV56HAZU_tUzk/s640/2013-01-01+068.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnn4CoRazg-Qti8Bz4sP0Ml0iL3xNGXEQgLnyZJF-h0tH1KzcjL9HAAAsJ0zoQ5jeSdcGh6UoZNwH1w78Ce-DhjgVk8ue5hkCFESmkiQfv9uVHMkIPh0aZZmLtSKA79Te_EQXgGyZNb40/s1600/photo+(264).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnn4CoRazg-Qti8Bz4sP0Ml0iL3xNGXEQgLnyZJF-h0tH1KzcjL9HAAAsJ0zoQ5jeSdcGh6UoZNwH1w78Ce-DhjgVk8ue5hkCFESmkiQfv9uVHMkIPh0aZZmLtSKA79Te_EQXgGyZNb40/s320/photo+(264).JPG" width="239" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHSbt0Ii0FHblmPzDpxlRGeRmmRGUtsQQbR-Jqcwa9eY1t7oaCpLqHmniWwi-KFfBXenvMS8lCT9QtzZQgmA-XcktFm2xkNK_CW4oVTGRCZwQMwmrLd_v-dmdCRaaNugbLD6K_jS0lIM/s1600/photo+(274).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHSbt0Ii0FHblmPzDpxlRGeRmmRGUtsQQbR-Jqcwa9eY1t7oaCpLqHmniWwi-KFfBXenvMS8lCT9QtzZQgmA-XcktFm2xkNK_CW4oVTGRCZwQMwmrLd_v-dmdCRaaNugbLD6K_jS0lIM/s320/photo+(274).JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb60XWvXC7Uo3Z6zbLd-LPGqhSX7Lpkufw1Fy1bV_ORROibP7WQld6OtjzXVw1pxHeNPEzydCzKDDi8ET-un-NB7RtQoOX30oE8vEMiJXJ8PemcVFSdcMAz1y-CxuSUHUMfLEhjH8PMIA/s1600/photo+(276).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb60XWvXC7Uo3Z6zbLd-LPGqhSX7Lpkufw1Fy1bV_ORROibP7WQld6OtjzXVw1pxHeNPEzydCzKDDi8ET-un-NB7RtQoOX30oE8vEMiJXJ8PemcVFSdcMAz1y-CxuSUHUMfLEhjH8PMIA/s320/photo+(276).JPG" width="237" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26GlgUj9r66Z_zQ57BH1Haw9QiqZy6adqriXX5OAmm2yb8wlOCKZmVu2ibOuFOUvzHTQt0W54XrDQsr83cC9VVYyCdh5BXVNoHP6MikJVAp5cixLe2wmtCDhLABPqhdYC9wig2HPoYVE/s1600/photo+(275).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26GlgUj9r66Z_zQ57BH1Haw9QiqZy6adqriXX5OAmm2yb8wlOCKZmVu2ibOuFOUvzHTQt0W54XrDQsr83cC9VVYyCdh5BXVNoHP6MikJVAp5cixLe2wmtCDhLABPqhdYC9wig2HPoYVE/s320/photo+(275).JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
Pearl Bhasinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948060175283837900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566783729863463558.post-32140191271165228752012-12-19T18:38:00.001+08:002012-12-19T18:41:02.214+08:00She's Not Kidding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbFiKiSvHdiDOSQB9fyoJX8QbNZZa94eoL706ghQVK_uib8mhhNXurv-cNGFtjN5BprUAxGtAg5y9xo242jBGbk_yvFzS5AJLphe-BCsvkPF4bE9YHADOee31xMxv9t8mstYmhy2Nhb0/s1600/photo+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbFiKiSvHdiDOSQB9fyoJX8QbNZZa94eoL706ghQVK_uib8mhhNXurv-cNGFtjN5BprUAxGtAg5y9xo242jBGbk_yvFzS5AJLphe-BCsvkPF4bE9YHADOee31xMxv9t8mstYmhy2Nhb0/s320/photo+(3).JPG" width="239" /></a><br />Ruhi's schoolmate, Hettie, came by to play the other day. While we were having dinner...</div>
<br />
Hettie: Pearl, why do you wear a ring in your nose?<br />
<br />
Me: Because I think it looks nice. :)<br />
<br />
(Pause.)<br />
<br />
Hettie: No, I mean, SERIOUSLY, why do you wear a ring in your nose?<br />
<br />
Me: O_O *sob*<br />
<br />Pearl Bhasinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948060175283837900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566783729863463558.post-45212339938994223212012-12-11T19:04:00.000+08:002012-12-11T21:12:52.323+08:00Scenes from Borough Market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Over the weekend, we made our way to <a href="http://www.boroughmarket.org.uk/" target="_blank">Borough Market</a> for London Christmas vibes of the foodie kind. It was really cold, but cheerily bright, and the market was teeming with people. It was perfect weather for a satisfying gastronomic stroll, with the festive bonus of a winter chill and various pop-up hot chocolate and mulled wine stands. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Gorgeous hams, cheeses galore, farm-fresh veg and homemade pastries aside, there is also hot chorizo sandwich in fresh rolls with rocket leaves, roast pork belly with perfect crackling all over, exotic flavourful paellas, simple-but-oh-so-good rump steak sandwiches with just a dash of mustard, rustic bread and bacon butties... Add to that homemade hot chocolate, and mulled wine made medicinal with a shot of whisky, we have <i>gots</i> to be in Foodie Heaven! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAouvF2tXWWh29dBOBCG4Bbo2uufvgl02TweSYc68x9FzkIf96LYhF0o_t1LNWkP7qGNJ3XAh5yD40o5XbCTXxm66r-MbUuUq-8It8OEp9g9PooeYr9ptCv_3EuBVc1E4gLWFVFkGLaNo/s1600/photo+(254).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAouvF2tXWWh29dBOBCG4Bbo2uufvgl02TweSYc68x9FzkIf96LYhF0o_t1LNWkP7qGNJ3XAh5yD40o5XbCTXxm66r-MbUuUq-8It8OEp9g9PooeYr9ptCv_3EuBVc1E4gLWFVFkGLaNo/s640/photo+(254).JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidu11M51mEHmLvM9bH6oj399fWsrJMuzAWZGt9_xmIE7RxhB-H7F9aedbLF3p-yINUScVQzshKiPsN7wvCE9Awdxe29t0fwpuVO6fyubcmmgueJYApKy7wqwHj0sABO4KxWY7o7avKQI/s1600/photo+(242).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidu11M51mEHmLvM9bH6oj399fWsrJMuzAWZGt9_xmIE7RxhB-H7F9aedbLF3p-yINUScVQzshKiPsN7wvCE9Awdxe29t0fwpuVO6fyubcmmgueJYApKy7wqwHj0sABO4KxWY7o7avKQI/s320/photo+(242).JPG" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCNufTIJiUbbIBPf7ZSrhThDLciXk5UTRrKRMxh0pFrouYna4h33AuHjpcFZ35pdYQK2n40_hCMrlKAmuMQzk2Icd4sDxUMKY2UqJGp8AUdLsaJa0R-JXJLRZrY8PtDwU2AI6mXxSsrw/s1600/photo+(243).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCNufTIJiUbbIBPf7ZSrhThDLciXk5UTRrKRMxh0pFrouYna4h33AuHjpcFZ35pdYQK2n40_hCMrlKAmuMQzk2Icd4sDxUMKY2UqJGp8AUdLsaJa0R-JXJLRZrY8PtDwU2AI6mXxSsrw/s320/photo+(243).JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg225CvI4kjTgn10Xorxw3JHVzkg_VVEa5lGYFvNQdjCjsnAY6WXlp22I-uACViPewCqjoDECAUf4-2L3mZZZNKoMbeR8wpBi8e4Zee-Pjho8vGC_CKJiBT-o4F96AkuEQQ9-WH5FNY8d4/s1600/photo+(245).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg225CvI4kjTgn10Xorxw3JHVzkg_VVEa5lGYFvNQdjCjsnAY6WXlp22I-uACViPewCqjoDECAUf4-2L3mZZZNKoMbeR8wpBi8e4Zee-Pjho8vGC_CKJiBT-o4F96AkuEQQ9-WH5FNY8d4/s400/photo+(245).JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4HVflsODpSKXoDbHNjtm-oVu1idRW7FtyunGXphXojILFDiAulfPnTjbItCXKXsdJxFLnJ_hyENjNryMCBf8NYGN1a_R7HrLa20_0ZXhuDX5pkdI7GRhACYmwAVbtJlPCCGsclhf5bw/s1600/photo+(244).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4HVflsODpSKXoDbHNjtm-oVu1idRW7FtyunGXphXojILFDiAulfPnTjbItCXKXsdJxFLnJ_hyENjNryMCBf8NYGN1a_R7HrLa20_0ZXhuDX5pkdI7GRhACYmwAVbtJlPCCGsclhf5bw/s400/photo+(244).JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgemQpb8bSAf9XFvynVkRJhVumC1eWkVjGUd-0GeWE9lRqxLD2i5q6067xmEktRMo0S44hh3SNkduRCQypwPEdDgymUW6Lp4xZbAebMuf7_7Dfal0C1LNN_jAO1VFs88uu2yh5nO2nFr8/s1600/photo+(246).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgemQpb8bSAf9XFvynVkRJhVumC1eWkVjGUd-0GeWE9lRqxLD2i5q6067xmEktRMo0S44hh3SNkduRCQypwPEdDgymUW6Lp4xZbAebMuf7_7Dfal0C1LNN_jAO1VFs88uu2yh5nO2nFr8/s640/photo+(246).JPG" width="476" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9NV6L1fms0OW8PdtxI0iFFNz4L53kXCMzTKuVbP9924rQjgP__eQkwS2qz-_kIQfAWfF_j13y1TJrR1O0IdhLRB0QVudXbCXZYY6oDWAZxj8rLM7TK47On9Nx31TiepyzbR1D8d6srE/s1600/photo+(247).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9NV6L1fms0OW8PdtxI0iFFNz4L53kXCMzTKuVbP9924rQjgP__eQkwS2qz-_kIQfAWfF_j13y1TJrR1O0IdhLRB0QVudXbCXZYY6oDWAZxj8rLM7TK47On9Nx31TiepyzbR1D8d6srE/s320/photo+(247).JPG" width="239" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDr1RrfvcYxrv_YzKeDKLaQ-9nEqB0peAn3AV2sH9NhwwjGlXfxGLaSqeOtniOvp3oFJLXGAZa40oM2ejikpF80eJfUhJpBIP8UAUoYEvV5zmDBY1kFPcRZRiHAbSraeyG8YTmXM6q07s/s1600/photo+(263).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDr1RrfvcYxrv_YzKeDKLaQ-9nEqB0peAn3AV2sH9NhwwjGlXfxGLaSqeOtniOvp3oFJLXGAZa40oM2ejikpF80eJfUhJpBIP8UAUoYEvV5zmDBY1kFPcRZRiHAbSraeyG8YTmXM6q07s/s320/photo+(263).JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMin5GIkjsrloSY1oTsxZZ-Mm-gWr-PqO6m0BHYkYsiMtj-9xwJr9HeVBiDZfbisFVlCqFPDbgetgxgM435e6nw_fOEFqXfoM01u_6joNYp3ct_rs6Fa4Nq7lhFHDlbLlOsU78Ds8wls/s1600/photo+(249).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMin5GIkjsrloSY1oTsxZZ-Mm-gWr-PqO6m0BHYkYsiMtj-9xwJr9HeVBiDZfbisFVlCqFPDbgetgxgM435e6nw_fOEFqXfoM01u_6joNYp3ct_rs6Fa4Nq7lhFHDlbLlOsU78Ds8wls/s640/photo+(249).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-t7h6YegM6f5fpC8fjVHO0kV_VsOnCl8CRfmXv79lBYp4iYl7GH5bnofo6vyjKH0bAi5D1_nkO8HoJPHLfER2hTAHjAJ7g4oaKuQ0bEiUFMzc4eu3fUBhyphenhyphenisAw4l5KYWT1mRTRh9HExk/s1600/photo+(251).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-t7h6YegM6f5fpC8fjVHO0kV_VsOnCl8CRfmXv79lBYp4iYl7GH5bnofo6vyjKH0bAi5D1_nkO8HoJPHLfER2hTAHjAJ7g4oaKuQ0bEiUFMzc4eu3fUBhyphenhyphenisAw4l5KYWT1mRTRh9HExk/s320/photo+(251).JPG" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHa0LJY_MYD3vg6RZSlEF_xA-5ahm0MZJmMByexOURCEYgZzJml8HOuVBI7G9xrg9b01NseaP4k_4AdScAcQ8ftIKzXpaWDjZiDGo3_ZSs5GKzo0nXUVNbogYoF7Qs38sL4t8pFPHtk7s/s1600/photo+(252).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHa0LJY_MYD3vg6RZSlEF_xA-5ahm0MZJmMByexOURCEYgZzJml8HOuVBI7G9xrg9b01NseaP4k_4AdScAcQ8ftIKzXpaWDjZiDGo3_ZSs5GKzo0nXUVNbogYoF7Qs38sL4t8pFPHtk7s/s320/photo+(252).JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdwt1jMTLjPbnCP1u_qgPtNnwbg5oO0M67WHyysveJblbGNn8GD1p3hoBS-axffbvZbTkV0BcKtikCV1yHNYF_mKxGKauzF9Y1jTVSgkmCAm9b7IK_1uaMAwc3GwdTgB51kNFGknqqSk/s1600/photo+(255).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdwt1jMTLjPbnCP1u_qgPtNnwbg5oO0M67WHyysveJblbGNn8GD1p3hoBS-axffbvZbTkV0BcKtikCV1yHNYF_mKxGKauzF9Y1jTVSgkmCAm9b7IK_1uaMAwc3GwdTgB51kNFGknqqSk/s640/photo+(255).JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96S_8BQd1VaVbzh8fh_LOjx58Xu_Zskid4dxAMH16-f9LxA8tCh776XPWU3baWmf-u-xPUC1sy-jzqGz3nqT18iEzgZiPkTwKrKrKib57dupNrdOYqgZoMzIZamtndqrf4J5q_fm2C5o/s1600/photo+(256).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96S_8BQd1VaVbzh8fh_LOjx58Xu_Zskid4dxAMH16-f9LxA8tCh776XPWU3baWmf-u-xPUC1sy-jzqGz3nqT18iEzgZiPkTwKrKrKib57dupNrdOYqgZoMzIZamtndqrf4J5q_fm2C5o/s640/photo+(256).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_1HPRRTotIj8Hv13xpYAc8sKcZcqhXgjnO4ePcodyB_sHxrzY9D0T5LuA_6H1Wb7aBu-q-0hnizWDr5trhsZZn4PxZlDlvf9I_ot5MAR_0maqpfNzK-TEr7-TeMzhYKMAZzD1t8ajec/s1600/photo+(253).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_1HPRRTotIj8Hv13xpYAc8sKcZcqhXgjnO4ePcodyB_sHxrzY9D0T5LuA_6H1Wb7aBu-q-0hnizWDr5trhsZZn4PxZlDlvf9I_ot5MAR_0maqpfNzK-TEr7-TeMzhYKMAZzD1t8ajec/s320/photo+(253).JPG" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yvU8bLC8SQ0V9MsEpOYqHBgZW9Ad4oltj8URuGXXm5ZLsXYqTgl4FHZnZU0u_LJx48TufjXqSZTD5BZcn0cn4Bv1DFcNjxLJIU07SoBysChqlv4U3K5cZpbPt3IBJT4KGarEja0fsYk/s1600/photo+(260).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yvU8bLC8SQ0V9MsEpOYqHBgZW9Ad4oltj8URuGXXm5ZLsXYqTgl4FHZnZU0u_LJx48TufjXqSZTD5BZcn0cn4Bv1DFcNjxLJIU07SoBysChqlv4U3K5cZpbPt3IBJT4KGarEja0fsYk/s320/photo+(260).JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkkqfoDgPH7kMkBr0c3pg_tETx8triIYQr5fglNIFgTnh9Ketfr8VUTcsASwuAnzk9vC41LrMVPMnlp-hgpfLw8JKzmQxSst14oP9tA3f0oU_1zMhsr7lABBsBDaNkmUcYHXUHNHoOqM/s1600/photo+(261).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkkqfoDgPH7kMkBr0c3pg_tETx8triIYQr5fglNIFgTnh9Ketfr8VUTcsASwuAnzk9vC41LrMVPMnlp-hgpfLw8JKzmQxSst14oP9tA3f0oU_1zMhsr7lABBsBDaNkmUcYHXUHNHoOqM/s320/photo+(261).JPG" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgDBFd5hBQmKuIGUpczZG2JORNwgkhVwA8730ydk-OIZ_PbFiGO1cCyuJfBpOGFqkbgGCG9h-UtXwmxvmb4qoXRSypSBYnx2cLl8HZsO0MD-DLVWOPD3qRscSGSdwGzpxC8CAyjdPfFo/s1600/photo+(262).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgDBFd5hBQmKuIGUpczZG2JORNwgkhVwA8730ydk-OIZ_PbFiGO1cCyuJfBpOGFqkbgGCG9h-UtXwmxvmb4qoXRSypSBYnx2cLl8HZsO0MD-DLVWOPD3qRscSGSdwGzpxC8CAyjdPfFo/s320/photo+(262).JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdprToYKpeEDEKUPkDERYmN2inVqBy_s8K_gXD2HbsmwF3XedKgcN9fzEU4fJluH5HXSHzE9zb1FeqL0T8v5LCqidbbj1nEe7_iOiLlUAsyE0PEsEqeRsJdOLzWaUlRtEjdExjB6S4u48/s1600/photo+(259).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdprToYKpeEDEKUPkDERYmN2inVqBy_s8K_gXD2HbsmwF3XedKgcN9fzEU4fJluH5HXSHzE9zb1FeqL0T8v5LCqidbbj1nEe7_iOiLlUAsyE0PEsEqeRsJdOLzWaUlRtEjdExjB6S4u48/s640/photo+(259).JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4b9nc_2fxoUgnf6c6W9ONLoCrXQtsN3JKjNYQj7DHgt-9KLGqGL8xhfziOHLcufE7wv3H4V2rL4iTmlmy_LCjrJz6Auw6F7KbaSxIkXAgie_OX7tbj9OSZcUwqNJ9YeGOT_cCGdUta-M/s1600/photo+(250).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4b9nc_2fxoUgnf6c6W9ONLoCrXQtsN3JKjNYQj7DHgt-9KLGqGL8xhfziOHLcufE7wv3H4V2rL4iTmlmy_LCjrJz6Auw6F7KbaSxIkXAgie_OX7tbj9OSZcUwqNJ9YeGOT_cCGdUta-M/s640/photo+(250).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Pearl Bhasinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948060175283837900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566783729863463558.post-4278634956829745022012-12-05T20:57:00.002+08:002012-12-05T20:58:01.177+08:00Yarning Along<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm still at it - <a href="http://mayaruhi.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/yarning-along.html" target="_blank">my garter-stitch scarf with the wonderful colourway</a>. Yup, I'm a slow knitter.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSw7I5BVZO8m0M4ukwrf2mlM_ECeKA9pHyMLWaHqNUwLGKsRNYrs3XM1sgizNaamLWOKQPb_mG6mJzZQ2oHjzG-InFrkJ0APSUE0d0JlaRWp1fVnrY0zlvL4tRR4kSi2IcO1jE3d74Wo/s1600/photo+(238).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSw7I5BVZO8m0M4ukwrf2mlM_ECeKA9pHyMLWaHqNUwLGKsRNYrs3XM1sgizNaamLWOKQPb_mG6mJzZQ2oHjzG-InFrkJ0APSUE0d0JlaRWp1fVnrY0zlvL4tRR4kSi2IcO1jE3d74Wo/s320/photo+(238).JPG" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdQ-btIurZQEqn27zqugbCjITAHy7cor3VV2yGc5GvQMrz_ryw4WJTL5h9zgo8kIOdpj2qojB4SCVdFFMgPL1KDs9hkOEzHmT3Iy19N3Vr08-vw3kF4Oapa8wM7FZWel_mkcXoxLqmyk/s1600/photo+(240).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdQ-btIurZQEqn27zqugbCjITAHy7cor3VV2yGc5GvQMrz_ryw4WJTL5h9zgo8kIOdpj2qojB4SCVdFFMgPL1KDs9hkOEzHmT3Iy19N3Vr08-vw3kF4Oapa8wM7FZWel_mkcXoxLqmyk/s320/photo+(240).JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
But I must say, it is coming along very nicely. A few minor irregular-tension type of thing going on here and there. But that's the beauty of "handmade", no? ;)<br />
<br />
So this will quite definitely not be in time for Christmas, but it's OK. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05B-FDz8aQmmNB8NDoQ0CkV-cC1IeIqu92wHTAlm16RzggMSvcjuY3_Yf2mKhQJJLXVMAzbuoy_ypfiboJujh1kqTojSkj5MXLW-jASKS1KEZWwTCY-YHDcXyP6rTakjXRE_j-ozT9J0/s1600/photo+(241).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05B-FDz8aQmmNB8NDoQ0CkV-cC1IeIqu92wHTAlm16RzggMSvcjuY3_Yf2mKhQJJLXVMAzbuoy_ypfiboJujh1kqTojSkj5MXLW-jASKS1KEZWwTCY-YHDcXyP6rTakjXRE_j-ozT9J0/s640/photo+(241).JPG" width="476" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And I am reading this fantasmical book,<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Night-Circus-Erin-Morgenstern/dp/0099554798/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1354712120&sr=1-1" target="_blank"> "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern</a>. It's no literary masterpiece. But, boy, what a story! It takes a bit of a stretch of the imagination, but you get used to it by the 1st chapter, and then you are hooked! It's so good, I am high-five-ing myself (sometimes on the inside, sometimes aloud and physically - which constitutes an audible "Wow!" and me putting the book down for a second to give a self-satisfying clap.) My family is used to it.</div>
<br />Pearl Bhasinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948060175283837900noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566783729863463558.post-85787182578547185592012-12-03T20:39:00.000+08:002012-12-03T20:53:11.402+08:00Sunday Bake-Off<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ruhi's Chocolate Cupcakes...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXs-DBuhTxjbU_btayX88o_Zxmwd76fSgagpZBiVNRXLuXtUe-I2QDcOaSXGYdsr-NxKJxl6wTtimmJwXt_znL04ecDMgNByXINlXyzwWllwaAAXOynSEh-nA4AHHnkvE4Mu9nI4o24M/s1600/photo+(231).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXs-DBuhTxjbU_btayX88o_Zxmwd76fSgagpZBiVNRXLuXtUe-I2QDcOaSXGYdsr-NxKJxl6wTtimmJwXt_znL04ecDMgNByXINlXyzwWllwaAAXOynSEh-nA4AHHnkvE4Mu9nI4o24M/s320/photo+(231).JPG" width="239" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIENgmKdUJCgrbp6wjbjSFVLNFxjmaBFXFGBy6qVW-Ic2ZebhOqZ3QzL-GUKBac2TWnOPPS1sogo1EcVqz-BBUmLMza5kF8PHX1n8YsHPMeTvSX3UHxSyKjJlKeuzKGLhaj8Sx5pRfCzk/s1600/photo+(21)+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIENgmKdUJCgrbp6wjbjSFVLNFxjmaBFXFGBy6qVW-Ic2ZebhOqZ3QzL-GUKBac2TWnOPPS1sogo1EcVqz-BBUmLMza5kF8PHX1n8YsHPMeTvSX3UHxSyKjJlKeuzKGLhaj8Sx5pRfCzk/s320/photo+(21)+-+Copy.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbf_YavIjkmtXNdVHug7h_f0-Vac1Sr8hGSouSFjuPki1DGTvGC2n1ul4-inWClfAqysbaNBynJfxHz5iWe0-MLJ0op19p3m5hqySbC1sAzZdsKX3YTs0tVOMwc0eruowaXqHMhrEoRM/s1600/photo+(11)+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbf_YavIjkmtXNdVHug7h_f0-Vac1Sr8hGSouSFjuPki1DGTvGC2n1ul4-inWClfAqysbaNBynJfxHz5iWe0-MLJ0op19p3m5hqySbC1sAzZdsKX3YTs0tVOMwc0eruowaXqHMhrEoRM/s320/photo+(11)+-+Copy.JPG" width="239" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTvog73B0qZzgAbeeylH92vd5hhOvF7Qdtp5VgM8rpG5wuJldwRKMWJF_ya3At0x21FjlVwHhkokCYNBX5kckGqjTRsS2Cwzml6S3nzGEIcvzR7LDhCjNz73GT9D-vdiLRAMCguyicDE/s1600/photo+(237).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTvog73B0qZzgAbeeylH92vd5hhOvF7Qdtp5VgM8rpG5wuJldwRKMWJF_ya3At0x21FjlVwHhkokCYNBX5kckGqjTRsS2Cwzml6S3nzGEIcvzR7LDhCjNz73GT9D-vdiLRAMCguyicDE/s320/photo+(237).JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRcxn3ui_IcVKx6-57oGoscMitkCMn4SboF4DAdSXfBGANBPyy9PAIDCjsa3-KZcHtPKPgio_-9f_mi71l8kuomvSEGQp9nWfDK7lCDEMCH6NzGIPOWmc-rVQbyRjCXu0cxUedsal-vc/s1600/photo+%25287%2529+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRcxn3ui_IcVKx6-57oGoscMitkCMn4SboF4DAdSXfBGANBPyy9PAIDCjsa3-KZcHtPKPgio_-9f_mi71l8kuomvSEGQp9nWfDK7lCDEMCH6NzGIPOWmc-rVQbyRjCXu0cxUedsal-vc/s320/photo+%25287%2529+-+Copy.JPG" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLswn_BDm1Kj6gzkJUUmctZj87AMvGTKKUnYzzieH9sd4LbQ7d5LriJsrje7DNQSvwM6JlWEeaxRK1PPepjfFH07_BpPPlCV4dGF4okXXlZcMFSGLJxcPL7sHnHieMg5o-o36GIwtAac/s1600/photo+(3)+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLswn_BDm1Kj6gzkJUUmctZj87AMvGTKKUnYzzieH9sd4LbQ7d5LriJsrje7DNQSvwM6JlWEeaxRK1PPepjfFH07_BpPPlCV4dGF4okXXlZcMFSGLJxcPL7sHnHieMg5o-o36GIwtAac/s320/photo+(3)+-+Copy.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
...and Maya's Apple Tart.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TXBAKvEWbAQ__yIKtTXnXgsnItjyM3U1VUnOctoc4waLybo0MAFJVOOFYe5pZIAWHIXl_layCZXjI89d2ZbkmXI9oIRq9wGqrUjmf8BDS21Iy_8FAqSJjn-4PFhp4y0Kkje1UuKAbVs/s1600/photo+(233).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TXBAKvEWbAQ__yIKtTXnXgsnItjyM3U1VUnOctoc4waLybo0MAFJVOOFYe5pZIAWHIXl_layCZXjI89d2ZbkmXI9oIRq9wGqrUjmf8BDS21Iy_8FAqSJjn-4PFhp4y0Kkje1UuKAbVs/s320/photo+(233).JPG" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyW2vuJnOGfDDBjUiDoqpfUeo5LGKnQV_yk8rnrEyjrpUm1AXk9Nsd9Kvx5rUOFWeuCBO16A8CurKPiIM5blKW_OTh2w9tzLdPp3vj_EgDkMnAVCk9UWyKDKDoDuk_MOOHiDq_z-I8tSc/s1600/photo+(232).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyW2vuJnOGfDDBjUiDoqpfUeo5LGKnQV_yk8rnrEyjrpUm1AXk9Nsd9Kvx5rUOFWeuCBO16A8CurKPiIM5blKW_OTh2w9tzLdPp3vj_EgDkMnAVCk9UWyKDKDoDuk_MOOHiDq_z-I8tSc/s320/photo+(232).JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivfWOrqlU9PqLthcUhbLHnGE3FvVH5Z8cCQlmwfAQvs1hbtpCFQXpVPTXsm7DNGX3JDYZzAdihUPcZ_TliiS7LnB3y7EN9BQV3ATpj6ROekli0O4MIhybTvx-IfWcD8vmQB_ZDTxkZ-k/s1600/photo+(234).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivfWOrqlU9PqLthcUhbLHnGE3FvVH5Z8cCQlmwfAQvs1hbtpCFQXpVPTXsm7DNGX3JDYZzAdihUPcZ_TliiS7LnB3y7EN9BQV3ATpj6ROekli0O4MIhybTvx-IfWcD8vmQB_ZDTxkZ-k/s320/photo+(234).JPG" width="239" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBG0sPj1nojhBNM_2s2N42WDkP5irr5Ki7P6ckKIOcDh5Bxu3QwRYXpkTXy06I20Cz5QCxMQ8fEAjFU55QTjgnsQdYEIAu2l4bnTuQP9GQFP9812rhTSkKEenKVA9qmxo2kwpdIJinmQ/s1600/photo+(235).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBG0sPj1nojhBNM_2s2N42WDkP5irr5Ki7P6ckKIOcDh5Bxu3QwRYXpkTXy06I20Cz5QCxMQ8fEAjFU55QTjgnsQdYEIAu2l4bnTuQP9GQFP9812rhTSkKEenKVA9qmxo2kwpdIJinmQ/s320/photo+(235).JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1tJ27EMQd9uhmoXviRoeMYJdd5gAdVFqVFdFH9BW3zWApa-oKlHKjXCxDbqMQf0AFIYQ4SCXUVElbKrFlsr4L3BxYA02omiSwQ5MdtPaBQHK74-93gDCDqW1vNcIHdCmx6ZS30wHY7c/s1600/photo+(236).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1tJ27EMQd9uhmoXviRoeMYJdd5gAdVFqVFdFH9BW3zWApa-oKlHKjXCxDbqMQf0AFIYQ4SCXUVElbKrFlsr4L3BxYA02omiSwQ5MdtPaBQHK74-93gDCDqW1vNcIHdCmx6ZS30wHY7c/s320/photo+(236).JPG" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjaIeZvF-u5bUVdJ9f2UgUi91vAafTVC-2QdsEkSgFaUd_pOmhf9A1eh1eUQZpyRPtBYt7IWv0MHx0b7j-QDzvJNRAkck7t4840YXRMyfsNuNahGvJtmY28GkYBx59BixZOPLM57FIfUg/s1600/photo+(230).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjaIeZvF-u5bUVdJ9f2UgUi91vAafTVC-2QdsEkSgFaUd_pOmhf9A1eh1eUQZpyRPtBYt7IWv0MHx0b7j-QDzvJNRAkck7t4840YXRMyfsNuNahGvJtmY28GkYBx59BixZOPLM57FIfUg/s320/photo+(230).JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
"Mm-mmm!" to both! :)</div>
Pearl Bhasinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948060175283837900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566783729863463558.post-79062941257852939552012-11-30T18:45:00.000+08:002012-11-30T18:47:15.311+08:00Scenes from a Frosty Morning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://mayaruhi.blogspot.co.uk/search?q=wimbledon+common" target="_blank">Wimbledon Common</a> is oh-so-gorgeous on a crisp and cold morning.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Just a few days ago, I was cursing and swearing all the way across it because a cold rain was beating down, and the ghastly wind just about blew me off the gravel path. I had visions of me rolling helplessly off course, nails digging into the gravel in a futile attempt to get back on my feet. It was pretty hellish...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But look at her today: a completely different take. No wind, no rain, just a calm, crisp cold. All pretty with her vast green muted by a light frost. Frozen puddles trapping little leaves and stones in a seemingly timeless in-situ. Absolutely heavenly...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCAo65C39iE0DKDkRFEgkOt_VnoDedIrcdkYxQnorwIJaozGQDyEhclcBeAUy0a-jCEwdUCcvSzCbx8cw_-VzG6GEyd4pf8oQNB6sea2jAOvxc1G0hvfShvY2YS4cbTw-dsx6B-Y6GYw/s1600/frost+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCAo65C39iE0DKDkRFEgkOt_VnoDedIrcdkYxQnorwIJaozGQDyEhclcBeAUy0a-jCEwdUCcvSzCbx8cw_-VzG6GEyd4pf8oQNB6sea2jAOvxc1G0hvfShvY2YS4cbTw-dsx6B-Y6GYw/s640/frost+2.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUISQrSwvxT_eN5asoOU4uvvc0El58_9CG2BrqvQdsHwcexqlJWs6p3SvT5zC2F1UQIeM0jFNzux5mItU92D7wubHwC16eZODHvkT3j9k2Cfj0UIgTOHEAKzA1U6lcyL6mF0ZMi2MNZ1Y/s1600/frost+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUISQrSwvxT_eN5asoOU4uvvc0El58_9CG2BrqvQdsHwcexqlJWs6p3SvT5zC2F1UQIeM0jFNzux5mItU92D7wubHwC16eZODHvkT3j9k2Cfj0UIgTOHEAKzA1U6lcyL6mF0ZMi2MNZ1Y/s320/frost+1.JPG" width="239" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbYIjqTMb2dRhkQhrW5UJnw4acXeKvbVWIQuJ_ZZr0t9jVJsFLkrLrCnxoLy0xuIllG8GT7GKTSRwisSyUViwomcpbJd-u2cLvnuKwyx006NZ-PJORoVqjUXnfQHY2R2paD4r9EdQRnQ/s1600/frost+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbYIjqTMb2dRhkQhrW5UJnw4acXeKvbVWIQuJ_ZZr0t9jVJsFLkrLrCnxoLy0xuIllG8GT7GKTSRwisSyUViwomcpbJd-u2cLvnuKwyx006NZ-PJORoVqjUXnfQHY2R2paD4r9EdQRnQ/s320/frost+4.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleEs6V3MNeDK_TYVwf_FkprM9rJJ2qHvKb9iEqRpHrMKOliSNFll97AQ_mB1FRjivADFNtnXnv_fs_cpZdviIlch_bExfwYrLAexLhaBCGIOCK9RLfLi8vXcHBZtYD6mVIwKJ519MuQM/s1600/frost.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleEs6V3MNeDK_TYVwf_FkprM9rJJ2qHvKb9iEqRpHrMKOliSNFll97AQ_mB1FRjivADFNtnXnv_fs_cpZdviIlch_bExfwYrLAexLhaBCGIOCK9RLfLi8vXcHBZtYD6mVIwKJ519MuQM/s320/frost.JPG" width="239" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrVhTrN_xhU-m7WRF0qYNjYZrZaR3QN8UNNoygBFRVVO388hMRnuL6iHXZPVHeD4OtAZ4mwf96jzk0-0pYWP5tESF3_8SMrGKgdy_HJ6SaZxobK-RTsMjszRy46Zd8IdPpJO7-v3Bq-0/s1600/frost+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrVhTrN_xhU-m7WRF0qYNjYZrZaR3QN8UNNoygBFRVVO388hMRnuL6iHXZPVHeD4OtAZ4mwf96jzk0-0pYWP5tESF3_8SMrGKgdy_HJ6SaZxobK-RTsMjszRy46Zd8IdPpJO7-v3Bq-0/s320/frost+7.JPG" width="239" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxIMxtPLkrtzub74uoD5E-iIuld5_bfOzwKdqxgBvSRiTtI8RGTF-cLwo1sfO19zvceIlduV2CZBObH8AvgpPVAZAknW2gH6kFwlsSy4IyOEeUtAhRHNA3e2kLwckDnE0asLOC-njeZw/s1600/frost+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxIMxtPLkrtzub74uoD5E-iIuld5_bfOzwKdqxgBvSRiTtI8RGTF-cLwo1sfO19zvceIlduV2CZBObH8AvgpPVAZAknW2gH6kFwlsSy4IyOEeUtAhRHNA3e2kLwckDnE0asLOC-njeZw/s640/frost+5.JPG" width="476" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSoBf9BZ3RngoNdWCUaLAtGY60_QaDQ9-tnrScq42RcfLaLs89B8xk-h4JE6nNoiha437kv4tkIr1_IP85F4UeJtSEwY8JOMRqXSqYeTNMhCtajJqTcnN3WXvQENejihtpRqS4T2JIlW4/s1600/frost+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSoBf9BZ3RngoNdWCUaLAtGY60_QaDQ9-tnrScq42RcfLaLs89B8xk-h4JE6nNoiha437kv4tkIr1_IP85F4UeJtSEwY8JOMRqXSqYeTNMhCtajJqTcnN3WXvQENejihtpRqS4T2JIlW4/s640/frost+6.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIB2OsVMXCIDufMhcNItyxxRR_YGYXqsCMHt38n3SHHEHBzE66C5-Wj4YEAjLS4wPSWzpL9fAlYVc0v7ilSZVnay7rjnGdD5feHJomk9iBGYYMC11CyfTV5udIDGzqqv1d4LZJkq1v8V8/s1600/frost+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIB2OsVMXCIDufMhcNItyxxRR_YGYXqsCMHt38n3SHHEHBzE66C5-Wj4YEAjLS4wPSWzpL9fAlYVc0v7ilSZVnay7rjnGdD5feHJomk9iBGYYMC11CyfTV5udIDGzqqv1d4LZJkq1v8V8/s640/frost+3.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Pearl Bhasinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948060175283837900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566783729863463558.post-43234303278959312512012-11-27T19:21:00.001+08:002012-12-01T20:30:04.142+08:00Makes Me YogaYesterday, I yoga-ed for the first time in a very long time. I spent about 45 minutes stretching and resting on the yoga mat. I thought I should be really gentle on myself, seeing that <a href="http://mayaruhi.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/out-of-limb.html" target="_blank">my shoulder and arm is not 100%</a>. So I was mostly down on the mat doing back bends and twists.<br />
<br />
And then it all came back to me - the joys of yoga. The stretching and relaxing, the contorting and the unravelling. It felt really, really good. So good that I confidently went into <a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/480" target="_blank">Shoulder Stand</a>, and then into <a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/479" target="_blank">Plow Pose</a>. After some deep breaths, I unravelled and rested. And then to counter the deep forward bend of the spine, I went into <a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/472" target="_blank">Bridge Pose</a>, and then <a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/473" target="_blank">The Wheel</a>. Gosh, it was rejuvenating!<br />
<br />
I used to do a mean <a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/469" target="_blank">Staff Pose</a>, and a rather magnificent <a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/468" target="_blank">Crane Pose</a>. But that was before the bad shoulder. I don't think I will be attempting these all that soon. But I will, maybe in a couple of months. In the meantime, I have super-yogini, <a href="http://briohnysmyth.com/bio.php" target="_blank">Briohny Smyth</a>, to keep me inspired. :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/loszrEZvS_k?rel=0" width="640"></iframe><br />
<br />
Contrary to what you might think as gratuitous semi-nudity, it is actually a very good idea to practise in your underwear. No restrictions, no fabric folding awkwardly while you're going in and out of poses, and absolutely at one with the atmosphere... <br />
<br />
Unless, of, course, if you're practising in the living room of a Victorian house that's 17 degrees C inside, and not sure if the postman might ring the doorbell to deliver the books you had ordered off Amazon a couple of days back. <br />
<br />
But this underwear-yoga thing, I will try one day. Maybe when I am back in good ole Sweatypore. ;)Pearl Bhasinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948060175283837900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566783729863463558.post-66376606097718382732012-11-26T18:03:00.000+08:002012-11-26T18:03:57.780+08:00Happy Monday!<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="." height="400" src="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/upload/102738435219432625_MnSr9E1w_c.jpg" width="260" /></div>
<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>(pic via <a href="http://deelightfulstudios.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">deelightful studios</a>)</i>Pearl Bhasinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948060175283837900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566783729863463558.post-41883666677473800822012-11-21T20:26:00.002+08:002012-11-22T17:50:24.381+08:00Alphonse Mucha<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhSlGmqGGtgEyS3i82KaVGI9I-S-54d-lwH2nbrl0YlHE6pjHlsJMK8rVrhvhFEWxbBuqwMJwYBckt8aKhlVWDzq7CaOem9P7qDs9AQ3PHjV0S4RynjF90MQEg4cViufBEs_6qsLtFHY/s1600/mucha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhSlGmqGGtgEyS3i82KaVGI9I-S-54d-lwH2nbrl0YlHE6pjHlsJMK8rVrhvhFEWxbBuqwMJwYBckt8aKhlVWDzq7CaOem9P7qDs9AQ3PHjV0S4RynjF90MQEg4cViufBEs_6qsLtFHY/s400/mucha.jpg" width="322" /></a></div>
<br />
This is Alfons Maria Mucha (yes - "Maria"). Born on 24 July 1860, in Ivancice, a little town in South Moravia under Austrian administration. His father, Andreas Mucha, was a court usher; his mother, Amalie, a governess. Alfons Mucha grew up in an era racked with revolution, and was thus infused with the passion for an independent Czech Republic from a very early age.<br />
<br />
You'll know him as Alphonse Mucha, the great visionary and founding father of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Nouveau" target="_blank">the Art Nouveau movement</a>. You might also associate with his name, crazy-gorgeous retro images of nymphs and otherworldly beings, with flowers and tendrils in their long flowy hair. (Herebelow we have <a href="http://www.artnet.com/artwork/426012166/424121842/alphonse-mucha-the-precious-stones-ruby-emerald-amethyst-topaz.html" target="_blank">Amethyst, Topaz and Emerald</a>, something he did in his hey-day, for you to "ooooh" and "aaahhh" over.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jqUC-OEYNURi-xs89d5PlNrhmDaf32IxF7DrkQK_11jB1oy3FskRD8JPDhAMnfiNFmmHDCFAyekzrgyu2PVtZq2-ICVMMfei3vxhPADl2N36_-3cJKTCf_YxDer1iaAH3Ep3wt4u-6U/s1600/mucha+amethyst.jpg!Large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jqUC-OEYNURi-xs89d5PlNrhmDaf32IxF7DrkQK_11jB1oy3FskRD8JPDhAMnfiNFmmHDCFAyekzrgyu2PVtZq2-ICVMMfei3vxhPADl2N36_-3cJKTCf_YxDer1iaAH3Ep3wt4u-6U/s400/mucha+amethyst.jpg!Large.jpg" width="172" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_ww3L-0YwN_jedDIXxLudDTzcH-KX4mtpeQ-nv2ZXzXkkkXE8yOq9Tt1Q7CwwuIwiky8IeVBKsrcX_M7rGdbuPmklms8e39oSyxUib8wWFPJV54dvAc88z6p63mPbCiUDssNdK1n6Gk/s1600/mucha+topaz.jpg!Large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_ww3L-0YwN_jedDIXxLudDTzcH-KX4mtpeQ-nv2ZXzXkkkXE8yOq9Tt1Q7CwwuIwiky8IeVBKsrcX_M7rGdbuPmklms8e39oSyxUib8wWFPJV54dvAc88z6p63mPbCiUDssNdK1n6Gk/s400/mucha+topaz.jpg!Large.jpg" width="171" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMlVzm5zGOly2hRU5EAnD5e4ciA0oyJFv9r_NB_mhyphenhyphenbX4ON2ENm-r4qG2seQ9vXXI-KM7mnhk42wglW9WLFHUOpFYJtq0j19irb1A6M5hWQEODJLPdhAXIqeYMTY23uOpuquzdHGAooU/s1600/mucha+emerald.jpg!Large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMlVzm5zGOly2hRU5EAnD5e4ciA0oyJFv9r_NB_mhyphenhyphenbX4ON2ENm-r4qG2seQ9vXXI-KM7mnhk42wglW9WLFHUOpFYJtq0j19irb1A6M5hWQEODJLPdhAXIqeYMTY23uOpuquzdHGAooU/s400/mucha+emerald.jpg!Large.jpg" width="161" /></a></div>
<br />
Alfons Mucha the boy, was no academic. Apparently, the only thing that kept him in school was his choirboy services - the boy could sing! But, as any self-respecting pop star can tell you: "Your voice can only take you so far", and by high school (I suppose when his voice manned up), Mucha was expelled.<br />
<br />
So the young Mucha sought solace in his hobby - drawing. His father secured him a clerk job in the courtroom, but Mucha was harbouring ambitions as an artist. He applied to Prague Academy of Art with his drawings, but was rejected. So he stayed on with his day job, and began freelancing for theatre companies, painting decorative sets and backdrops.<br />
<br />
In 1879, at the age of 19, he quit as clerk and moved to Vienna, to work as set painter for a major Viennese theatrical design company. With his steady pay, Mucha enrols in evening art classes for a taste of formal art lessons. And while living in Vienna, he soaks in the culture visiting galleries and attending exhibitions of the modern greats of the time.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQQED8NYgQlboxixqXKIx56uNH8PX4J4tyocCh_TcztQJ-jTWXa4fD3WKTZV5nw9QjEij3-Rb8CctMrPHmAFx4vQot-RhNVDPWRgsU_Lk4GcU7vimrMbOwcgp4Fzwl5ApSTmbpqJpBpY/s1600/mucha+800px-Ringtheater_Ruine_1881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQQED8NYgQlboxixqXKIx56uNH8PX4J4tyocCh_TcztQJ-jTWXa4fD3WKTZV5nw9QjEij3-Rb8CctMrPHmAFx4vQot-RhNVDPWRgsU_Lk4GcU7vimrMbOwcgp4Fzwl5ApSTmbpqJpBpY/s400/mucha+800px-Ringtheater_Ruine_1881.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Great Fire of Vienna's Ring Theatre, 1881</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This happy state of affairs did not last long though. A massive fire broke out at Vienna's grand dame <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ringtheater" target="_blank">Ring Theatre</a>, and as a result, the theatrical design company where Mucha worked at had to fold. Mucha was forced to return to his little town in Moravia. But with his formal training, and new-found confidence as an artist, Mucha took on various portraiture jobs, and managed to continue making a living through his art.<br />
<br />
Mucha's work now caught the attention of one Count Karl Khuen of Mikulov. The Count loved his work so much that he hired him to paint his house in 1883. Not your usual paint job I must say. These would be Mucha murals in Emmahof Castle. So impressive were these, that the Count's brother, Egon, commissions Mucha for his own Gandegg Castle, and sponsors Mucha's formal studies at Munich Academy of Fine Arts.<br />
<br />
"What a story!" you say? I can only tell you: it ain't half of it...<br />
<br />
With no worries about tuition fees and living expenses, Mucha graduates from Munich Academy of Fine Arts moves to Paris in 1887 to further his studies. Here, he hangs out at Madame Charlotte's Cremerie, a cafe now known for it's clientele, including Paul Gauguin, Paul Serusier and Edvard Munch. (Only back then, they were natty nobodies camping out in warm comfort over coffee and chit-chat -- as artists do.)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHGoc-mKQkwTa_ypHYEY-k16YA7PCeAQ1Pzi-xUbC9Y9Mu5A9s1P2xIU4XLz6uAgv9x9L6o_4QhlbNb9ii8MVRf26RTUzirw_9KrXUtYI4we1I1wlN-HwlB5pV0TTH3gvy7j0_6siEiM/s1600/mucha+gauguin_piano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHGoc-mKQkwTa_ypHYEY-k16YA7PCeAQ1Pzi-xUbC9Y9Mu5A9s1P2xIU4XLz6uAgv9x9L6o_4QhlbNb9ii8MVRf26RTUzirw_9KrXUtYI4we1I1wlN-HwlB5pV0TTH3gvy7j0_6siEiM/s320/mucha+gauguin_piano.jpg" width="251" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul Gauguin playing the harmonium how he likes it, in Mucha's studio. What a blast!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So it's the festive season of 1894 in Paris. Mucha by now has notched up work as a regular contributor drawing up costume designs for a theatre magazine. The greatest stage actress of the time and place is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Bernhardt" target="_blank">Sarah Bernhardt</a>, known for her beauty, her art on stage, her numerous marriages, her lesbian dalliances, and her rumoured love affair with King Edward VII while he was Prince of Wales. Yes, you can see how she got her nickname "The Divine Sarah". All hail Sarah!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo12XCxNB_R0abYE_VqdWYK58awbKlStjOmwbgqIOccdmJhlHhUZWpk-j_TLCF94v_AUuvVPyKMCcxmgN0uVmmcUCIUyZnsI6RSSvRsATI7_PFeeQ6MoYEA6eHVTNe6-cUCfGoedtjrgQ/s1600/mucha+divine+sarah+paul+nadar+1878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo12XCxNB_R0abYE_VqdWYK58awbKlStjOmwbgqIOccdmJhlHhUZWpk-j_TLCF94v_AUuvVPyKMCcxmgN0uVmmcUCIUyZnsI6RSSvRsATI7_PFeeQ6MoYEA6eHVTNe6-cUCfGoedtjrgQ/s320/mucha+divine+sarah+paul+nadar+1878.jpg" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah Bernhardt, photographed by Paul Nadar, 1878</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjl-JCQNyZNSFRNzrprvCxnhIZLAL1MUuYSOt1v9_2H7ANQf98nIXCN-LAXOWroYT-0pIlrvpYKz8DcPzr5p96tXVjOrd0oh7uNJajhVAGcD4K4VtcQ3w6BpWv5YUPjAkFuMeZz4SuIBU/s1600/mucha+sarah+bernhardt+1896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjl-JCQNyZNSFRNzrprvCxnhIZLAL1MUuYSOt1v9_2H7ANQf98nIXCN-LAXOWroYT-0pIlrvpYKz8DcPzr5p96tXVjOrd0oh7uNJajhVAGcD4K4VtcQ3w6BpWv5YUPjAkFuMeZz4SuIBU/s400/mucha+sarah+bernhardt+1896.jpg" width="267" /></a> </div>
<br />
And what happens when The Divine Sarah is not satisfied and wants to re-do a poster of herself? It's gotta be done. But wait. It's Christmas, and all the artists have gone home to celebrate with their families. Except our man, Mucha. Talk about being at the right place at the right time. Mucha's work for Sarah Bernhardt forever changes his fate, as well as art history. The Parisians knew him as Alphonse Mucha, and they couldn't get enough of him and his work.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1LFpRorfLX00JCyiSTnyje3BYsqrgJW2yYSp9iUEnNPF28pHLrOX8-xjd2tN_IGoxYJazNlJ4PeBrl1cqc_fm_uY22y0dIMSjddvxJpRGvd6LaDMy7u0RliyaSQnJPW4zLTsE7j3kvw/s1600/mucha+sarah+bernhardt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1LFpRorfLX00JCyiSTnyje3BYsqrgJW2yYSp9iUEnNPF28pHLrOX8-xjd2tN_IGoxYJazNlJ4PeBrl1cqc_fm_uY22y0dIMSjddvxJpRGvd6LaDMy7u0RliyaSQnJPW4zLTsE7j3kvw/s640/mucha+sarah+bernhardt.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We could call it the birth of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Nouveau" target="_blank">Art Nouveau</a>. The hyper-romanticism of soft, flowing folds of gown, and tendrils of hair that joins into tendrils of words. So impressed was Sarah Bernhardt by the work of the little back-up artist, Alphonse Mucha, that she contracted him for the next five years, during which he designed her posters, some of her costumes, and even jewelry. From there he went on to advertising, interior design, furniture, and sculpture, influencing many of the greats of the time, including jewelry designer <a href="http://www.antique-jewelry-investor.com/georges-fouquet.html" target="_blank">Georges Fouquet</a>, decorative glass designer <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ren%C3%A9_Lalique" target="_blank">Rene Lalique</a>, and illustrator <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aubrey_Beardsley" target="_blank">Aubrey Beardsley</a>.<br />
<br />
Mucha was on a roll! Behold his ads for Job cigarettes, Lance perfume, Nestle baby food, Bagnolet soap, and Moet and Chandon. Gob-smacking stuff, I warn you...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cy5OBB2-u00T_LnyUw-Oagqg-vxTqrdgR45PZoAVn-oDBYk6gORG29D2BV0gpmtC-jhITOxyS4tLUPMULfBLa4jbDbTqLpnOawNwoD9sHRNfwTrTh_YOmDAArq-T9fMzl1fDjrFfwfI/s1600/mucha+job+cigarettes+1896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cy5OBB2-u00T_LnyUw-Oagqg-vxTqrdgR45PZoAVn-oDBYk6gORG29D2BV0gpmtC-jhITOxyS4tLUPMULfBLa4jbDbTqLpnOawNwoD9sHRNfwTrTh_YOmDAArq-T9fMzl1fDjrFfwfI/s400/mucha+job+cigarettes+1896.jpg" width="297" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9oqRDDjaJR33Isp5IO7N2YBy3SvuV5gRgfZfumgdRdbfCaieg-FMqqWKvbOOreR7BnbPTEOi2S-EiT7ayYanWrPDhosW4UD38ZeBX4ZtL5NrieD4FHzbNgNOHA_19q0zE8kqTmgnGzMc/s1600/mucha+lance+parfum+1896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9oqRDDjaJR33Isp5IO7N2YBy3SvuV5gRgfZfumgdRdbfCaieg-FMqqWKvbOOreR7BnbPTEOi2S-EiT7ayYanWrPDhosW4UD38ZeBX4ZtL5NrieD4FHzbNgNOHA_19q0zE8kqTmgnGzMc/s400/mucha+lance+parfum+1896.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yP7x3r_H927gbu4YC46lGSuBDF9y6N2Am6g44RS5Nmb6tt2zycU7tvZrfJ1fUYCvezGz0p7subOJha2l6b62NUwbeGbJejZM5rsrIEENH97fs6JxgAziY0E32vOyHX2jms_UMjAwV_I/s1600/mucha+nestle+1897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yP7x3r_H927gbu4YC46lGSuBDF9y6N2Am6g44RS5Nmb6tt2zycU7tvZrfJ1fUYCvezGz0p7subOJha2l6b62NUwbeGbJejZM5rsrIEENH97fs6JxgAziY0E32vOyHX2jms_UMjAwV_I/s400/mucha+nestle+1897.jpg" width="186" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4F-Iugz_C1BhfW-OAwcwaWpDeoIcQegA3qZeshb39Osq5jsO2pifr362xNbQD40sdUG3D4JjT9O9xVenJ4c_GvsY-5esk-tHjiUjLEV-Ya0BzKXBOsa491WU9oU7lomnDfMXVB9E5EQ/s1600/mucha+soap+bagnolet+1897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4F-Iugz_C1BhfW-OAwcwaWpDeoIcQegA3qZeshb39Osq5jsO2pifr362xNbQD40sdUG3D4JjT9O9xVenJ4c_GvsY-5esk-tHjiUjLEV-Ya0BzKXBOsa491WU9oU7lomnDfMXVB9E5EQ/s400/mucha+soap+bagnolet+1897.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZhtzJdmPW-Jt6HkUdRlFut4E97UbCdHlNhxE-qbyjlVA59aS_Rj5L88B5xlIB8nJZla2V7vmzFahLTXGIxNBDApR93mz3olQQBRunNA5fRMRI02a2ybM8vB2bnTbstPDP-ATSiqd1t4/s1600/mucha++chandon-cremant-imperial-1899.jpg!HalfHD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZhtzJdmPW-Jt6HkUdRlFut4E97UbCdHlNhxE-qbyjlVA59aS_Rj5L88B5xlIB8nJZla2V7vmzFahLTXGIxNBDApR93mz3olQQBRunNA5fRMRI02a2ybM8vB2bnTbstPDP-ATSiqd1t4/s640/mucha++chandon-cremant-imperial-1899.jpg!HalfHD.jpg" width="222" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYWnyLX33Tj2ynsV9huUFVi3R2YwwfR8fiqTYAwGbfOmPg8K8w1gP8bSDQwVWGYenORhNTG2O7WctxvhQJUgQSTud8YLu5uRikKkt-yr1bmWDJBxsx9a-BDjd0Kb8tkdGn62t61dzpWk/s1600/mucha+moet-and-chandon-white-star-1899.jpg!HalfHD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYWnyLX33Tj2ynsV9huUFVi3R2YwwfR8fiqTYAwGbfOmPg8K8w1gP8bSDQwVWGYenORhNTG2O7WctxvhQJUgQSTud8YLu5uRikKkt-yr1bmWDJBxsx9a-BDjd0Kb8tkdGn62t61dzpWk/s640/mucha+moet-and-chandon-white-star-1899.jpg!HalfHD.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
As such, we could also call Alphonse Mucha the Godfather of Art Nouveau. Except he never liked it. Although he enjoyed the success of his art, he never liked the popularism that accompanied it. He saw Art as a visual communication of a spiritual message, and didn't fancy himself as a trendsetter in any way. He regarded his art as an expression of himself and his Czech roots, and never revelled in the Parisian high glamour that his art was known for. He believed in A Greater Good with art, and was always constantly churning out patterns and decorations for printing and publishing firms, so he could share with other aspiring artists. He even compiled a book of motifs for public use and reproduction.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2o_ri1Es9K0uuxDa7LoZZIBMkD0XTB8NZGYUpt0DZthuQl-gKpQCv5ZTLtxziOmMTpe4p_jx3Yxq6NJ7dQxLhxKii1Gon64BP4Mpqfr4U7nkBYI7H6HtS1Xv4usaXn6Ix5Kb2wR0lsU/s1600/mucha+byzantine-head-the-brunette-1897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2o_ri1Es9K0uuxDa7LoZZIBMkD0XTB8NZGYUpt0DZthuQl-gKpQCv5ZTLtxziOmMTpe4p_jx3Yxq6NJ7dQxLhxKii1Gon64BP4Mpqfr4U7nkBYI7H6HtS1Xv4usaXn6Ix5Kb2wR0lsU/s320/mucha+byzantine-head-the-brunette-1897.jpg" width="260" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRwtr2iaGuaeppCZkojAi0EX9VPeZgV04JQ_v7diDORtWjzLEClrker4h9m4Z3zQOyZWovkowUNEPtq3dd1GeVT00utoqGZf9V5ytVjvFVc8and0nDlCqxYWV5eejdqfofZ1nFRkXMmw/s1600/mucha+byzantine-head-the-blonde-1897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRwtr2iaGuaeppCZkojAi0EX9VPeZgV04JQ_v7diDORtWjzLEClrker4h9m4Z3zQOyZWovkowUNEPtq3dd1GeVT00utoqGZf9V5ytVjvFVc8and0nDlCqxYWV5eejdqfofZ1nFRkXMmw/s320/mucha+byzantine-head-the-blonde-1897.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkyTN1bNIytXhjKB-iTnIjqj4KwvzgCKrMXCvCdlX4u4eftS_SD9cARq7OhdS56sItpdnF-QzHUhIpcoIQ8sOvOrDXHV0XXpzm9YQZqdzafe-uW0jUGPUfls7bUCIyRwtthXxPWlKXFg/s1600/mucha+flower+1897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkyTN1bNIytXhjKB-iTnIjqj4KwvzgCKrMXCvCdlX4u4eftS_SD9cARq7OhdS56sItpdnF-QzHUhIpcoIQ8sOvOrDXHV0XXpzm9YQZqdzafe-uW0jUGPUfls7bUCIyRwtthXxPWlKXFg/s400/mucha+flower+1897.jpg" width="245" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh84qKLuSN7ya7Ez93DrN7DcMtVXGohnfRkNx9NMbQ-5BEq5kgmHW1N57qII3MJeGNxSqawTnQk483v83GsSrtRvigOp4t6l46iZyh_fWGI7xyhK72lBHiXL2yocoXSxMZYT_Lm_VAZas/s1600/mucha+fruit+1897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh84qKLuSN7ya7Ez93DrN7DcMtVXGohnfRkNx9NMbQ-5BEq5kgmHW1N57qII3MJeGNxSqawTnQk483v83GsSrtRvigOp4t6l46iZyh_fWGI7xyhK72lBHiXL2yocoXSxMZYT_Lm_VAZas/s400/mucha+fruit+1897.jpg" width="252" /></a></div>
<br />
It is 1903. Mucha is 43 years old, successful and established. He meets one Maruska Chytilova, a gamine Czech art student 22 years his junior, and begins to have plans on settling down. He then asks Sarah Bernhardt to help him get to America, where he plans to kickstart his Grand Plan, which was to do portraiture work for the rich and famous, make enough money to retire and return to Prague. And there, he would indulge in artistic projects on subjects closest to his heart - his Czech roots and his people.<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Portrait of Marushka, Artist s Wife - Alphonse Mucha" height="400" src="http://uploads6.wikipaintings.org/images/alphonse-mucha/portrait-of-marushka-artist-s-wife-1905.jpg!Blog.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="251" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Marushka</i> by Alphonse Mucha, 1905</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The American stint didn't go quite as planned. The portraiture work did not quite flourish. But Mucha did get connected with millionaire <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Richard_Crane">Charles R. Crane</a>, whose hobby was supporting noble causes and revolutions. After meeting <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom%C3%A1%C5%A1_Garrigue_Masaryk">Thomas Masaryk</a>, a Czech socialist and philosopher, the three men honed in on Slavic nationalism.<br />
<br />
Muchas returned to Czech lands in 1910 with his wife Maruska, and daughter Jaroslava, who was born in New York City, and settled in Prague. Here he poured himself into public service, decorating the Theater of Fine Arts, and creating the murals in the Mayor's Office at the Municipal House, and a host of other landmarks around the city. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom%C3%A1%C5%A1_Garrigue_Masaryk">Thomas Masaryk</a> went on to become the founder and first president of Czechoslovakia. So when Czechoslovakia won independence after World War I, he roped in his old friend Alphonse Mucha to design new postage stamps, bank notes, and a whole load of other government stuff for the brand new state. How cool is that? To have Mucha money!<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTI5xGljldna5g08Ah2HpfDBDBAM46ngd_tHxjm8co8-Ask1WC9ZLiLtRC1mZ7R2fq3wHOSd0SegKOC-H_BOnPIUhj2cKh2P-yYF45qloXUNSOwF0Pgd5AUtonZEMZT5-yHOjj-ebWz3g/s1600/MuchaMoney1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTI5xGljldna5g08Ah2HpfDBDBAM46ngd_tHxjm8co8-Ask1WC9ZLiLtRC1mZ7R2fq3wHOSd0SegKOC-H_BOnPIUhj2cKh2P-yYF45qloXUNSOwF0Pgd5AUtonZEMZT5-yHOjj-ebWz3g/s1600/MuchaMoney1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgqfqUgKU_EMNCur55PGmjzvc9BUCQJUGRe0r3-L8FXWl5OWs2FO3B6iCon9tDittu13rDHTIqTpR-PeIFd7zUob8KNTqu4ML-YF0-jaJGmVE-eE1cWHgXVtaRUlSBfdeHxIeEnPJyHk/s1600/MuchaMoney2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgqfqUgKU_EMNCur55PGmjzvc9BUCQJUGRe0r3-L8FXWl5OWs2FO3B6iCon9tDittu13rDHTIqTpR-PeIFd7zUob8KNTqu4ML-YF0-jaJGmVE-eE1cWHgXVtaRUlSBfdeHxIeEnPJyHk/s1600/MuchaMoney2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Incidentally, that captivating young woman on the 100-koruna note is Crane's granddaughter, Josephine.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(via <a href="http://mehallo.com/">mehallo.com</a>)</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The greatest contribution of Alphonse Mucha to the art world is arguable. Not that he wasn't a superb artist, one of a kind of his time, a prolific visionary, and undeniable milestone maker in art history. But other than being the Grand-Daddy of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Nouveau" target="_blank">Art Nouveau</a>, he also created a sombre series of 20 massive (by "massive" I mean 405 X 480 cm) paintings depicting the trials and tribulations of the Slavic people, entitled <a href="http://www.muchafoundation.org/gallery/themes/theme/slav-epic" target="_blank">The Slav Epic.</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7E6AhdwKkM7qzQcPqIKQetEBYgFaA991eCOpnwXQWO-QsSRjb-rii7_ge_ZNQAx8RN8zvqVU2iASMg66xCc5zad2UamzNPMjVpY3uWkLdzAUdS0toQCcdEyc_DTYmSDZ-G3C8XPuya4/s1600/mucha+slavs+in+their+original+homeland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7E6AhdwKkM7qzQcPqIKQetEBYgFaA991eCOpnwXQWO-QsSRjb-rii7_ge_ZNQAx8RN8zvqVU2iASMg66xCc5zad2UamzNPMjVpY3uWkLdzAUdS0toQCcdEyc_DTYmSDZ-G3C8XPuya4/s1600/mucha+slavs+in+their+original+homeland.jpg" title="" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Slavs in their Original Homeland </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWolAsuhwQ1WkiPtfX9Pi97CqzdYzk4IpB4U-fXgFFw6Jw_y0vHh6eL37edTDYTrqxZgWbNG79cyBtFRXsRBDUaxFMRjuGqnshSsY6raxkPpJ1RxjILXUyZh1oImZPIf9io175Mg4zYE/s1600/mucha+the-abolition-of-serfdom-in-russia-1914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWolAsuhwQ1WkiPtfX9Pi97CqzdYzk4IpB4U-fXgFFw6Jw_y0vHh6eL37edTDYTrqxZgWbNG79cyBtFRXsRBDUaxFMRjuGqnshSsY6raxkPpJ1RxjILXUyZh1oImZPIf9io175Mg4zYE/s1600/mucha+the-abolition-of-serfdom-in-russia-1914.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Abolition of Serfdom in Russia</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiPEbLWicWhIju6Hrm5pPOCri6PttXBj-Q7MLHRvSKOMk4Xxqgk6HM3Y9SRKHkxj1zeKwHbidbEGnZHTKCA7MacAWa3tPlDvHofLNZRcj5Jhawj9AeLBBsg8kjfLFbYGmmtRcjqvlTMk/s1600/mucha+the-printing-of-the-bible-of-kralice-in-ivancice-1914.jpg!Large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiPEbLWicWhIju6Hrm5pPOCri6PttXBj-Q7MLHRvSKOMk4Xxqgk6HM3Y9SRKHkxj1zeKwHbidbEGnZHTKCA7MacAWa3tPlDvHofLNZRcj5Jhawj9AeLBBsg8kjfLFbYGmmtRcjqvlTMk/s1600/mucha+the-printing-of-the-bible-of-kralice-in-ivancice-1914.jpg!Large.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Printing of the Bible in Kralice in Ivancice</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ54t7sV6MRBTfnfRcW4tXS6TXgzGpKoTKYTzvuSuXSsKW-BTEPMLUDY42tPNoQeK4T8JOtF0V5scGBJGz_kvP_9k9okHKkIyK23Ta_DFq_RwkRAk-Vkxi19LC4eoRuBUrAdBPItkXggo/s1600/mucha+work+slav+epic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ54t7sV6MRBTfnfRcW4tXS6TXgzGpKoTKYTzvuSuXSsKW-BTEPMLUDY42tPNoQeK4T8JOtF0V5scGBJGz_kvP_9k9okHKkIyK23Ta_DFq_RwkRAk-Vkxi19LC4eoRuBUrAdBPItkXggo/s400/mucha+work+slav+epic.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mucha working on The Slav Epic in 1920</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It took Mucha 18 years to finish the 20 giant canvases. During these years, Mucha researched extensively into history and traditional costumes, visiting many of the places and talking to many of the locals. He even had them pose for some of the paintings.<br />
<br />
In 1928, Mucha and Crane officially bequest the entire Slav Epic to the City of Prague in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the creation of Czechoslovakia.<br />
<br />
Alphonse Mucha died in 1939, shortly after he was interrogated by the Gestapo during World War II. During this time, the Slav Epic was rolled up and hidden away by patriots who protected them fiercely from the Nazis. So well did they hide it, that they were only found in the 1950s.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietSuD4ZRiSZh-Kfa4eVbwT_GuDZjtNwsrqxNZWyE-1WN1ZUXueY7JZIPXurXbeM6hwEwyUw3nlcBnasbN27XWvLignnJ-0x2hGYwavvj2TL5SI-3BCwhlFYxfhxcfcoPEmA9hp0NjuaM/s1600/mucha+moravsky+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietSuD4ZRiSZh-Kfa4eVbwT_GuDZjtNwsrqxNZWyE-1WN1ZUXueY7JZIPXurXbeM6hwEwyUw3nlcBnasbN27XWvLignnJ-0x2hGYwavvj2TL5SI-3BCwhlFYxfhxcfcoPEmA9hp0NjuaM/s1600/mucha+moravsky+2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Today, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Slav_Epic" target="_blank">The Slav Epic</a> is proudly displayed in <a href="http://www.a-tout-prague.com/en/guide/moravia/moravsky-krumlov/" target="_blank">Moravsky Krumlov</a>, a small town near where Mucha was born. Thousands of tourists make their way 216 km from Prague by train, to witness its magnificence. Prague has been trying to convince the locals that it would be good for business if The Slav Epic moved to the City, but they'll hear none of it. So <a href="http://www.theartnewspaper.com/articles/Mucha%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%9CSlav-Epic%E2%80%9D-moved-to-Prague-without-approval/26284" target="_blank">the tussle</a> continues... and it's proving <a href="http://www.ceskapozice.cz/en/news/society/%E2%80%98slav-epic%E2%80%99-saga-provides-convenient-problem" target="_blank">epic</a> (pun not intended).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TmVhJIw7Rd3VKLbzPCp4NUjei6SfXC_XRzZkga8h6IqQf12hqzpz80fqL2LZH919rQgswGqyQ1JzR1KjOl8PspqBIO7spYS85pnUi3ZTe-VOvAMLV-aGhB3ExUehyphenhyphennZw9zfU1zLIjQg/s1600/mucha+champagne-printer-publisher-1897.jpg!HalfHD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TmVhJIw7Rd3VKLbzPCp4NUjei6SfXC_XRzZkga8h6IqQf12hqzpz80fqL2LZH919rQgswGqyQ1JzR1KjOl8PspqBIO7spYS85pnUi3ZTe-VOvAMLV-aGhB3ExUehyphenhyphennZw9zfU1zLIjQg/s640/mucha+champagne-printer-publisher-1897.jpg!HalfHD.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">for Champagne printing publisher, 1897</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
What I find so awe-inspiring is how the King of Parisian Glamour went on to become the Slavs' National Hero. It's like Chanel becoming Mother Teresa, or Valentino becoming Gandhi. I mean, seriously, who woulda thunk!? And as much as Mucha wanted to steer clear of the whole glamour thing, all he did was prove that Art, be it for flights of fashion or a fight for freedom, is the perfect medium to move a people.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2n9jrNNrYW1PdLmJIZCi4cKAwsss9VnZ2IpyYm_efKxga0jqlQVHWm7tbzeZrhrzEP3WFyq8kZOI67PhkhhNVsYoL0SkubV5tiGNlMStsmtmPs-96vVv8AttXPC4M-4zmtFNmo2YGD4/s1600/mucha+the-slav-epic-1928.jpg!Large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2n9jrNNrYW1PdLmJIZCi4cKAwsss9VnZ2IpyYm_efKxga0jqlQVHWm7tbzeZrhrzEP3WFyq8kZOI67PhkhhNVsYoL0SkubV5tiGNlMStsmtmPs-96vVv8AttXPC4M-4zmtFNmo2YGD4/s640/mucha+the-slav-epic-1928.jpg!Large.jpg" width="420" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from a poster for <i>The Slav Epic</i> exhibition, 1928</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(all images of Mucha's work via <a href="http://wikipaintings.org/">wikipaintings.org</a>)</i></span></div>
Pearl Bhasinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948060175283837900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566783729863463558.post-23662545442579459242012-11-19T17:51:00.001+08:002012-11-19T17:51:51.434+08:00Happy Monday!<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="640" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3u86n4ys21qjavzso1_500.jpg" width="484" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>(via dbellotta @ <a href="http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/i-am-in-charge-of-how-i-feel-and-today-i-am-choosing-happiness" target="_blank">tumblr</a>)</i></div>
Pearl Bhasinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948060175283837900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566783729863463558.post-38452133031248088712012-11-15T18:35:00.000+08:002012-11-15T18:36:35.648+08:00On My Lust List<div style="text-align: left;">
Aren't these GORGEOUS? Hand knitted by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/lyralyra?ref=owner_profile_leftnav" target="_blank">Lina B.</a> from Lithuania, and available at her Etsy shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lyralyra" target="_blank">LyraLyra</a>, these are perfect for the impending chill. I love how they are so nouveau-Nordic, intricate yet modern, and just plain absolutely-fabulous. As much as I am lusting to wear a pair of these, I am also SO wishing I could knit like this...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Wool Arm Warmers - Hand-knit Fingerless Gloves- Yellow and Brown Fingerless Mittens - Fall Winter Accesories nO 68." height="320" src="http://img2.etsystatic.com/006/0/5841701/il_570xN.370704746_3tui.jpg" width="254" /> <img alt="Wool Arm Warmers - Hand-knit Fingerless Gloves- Yellow and Brown Fingerless Mittens - Fall Winter Accesories nO 68." height="320" src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/001/0/5841701/il_570xN.370704752_mjcv.jpg" width="222" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Beige Fingerless Gloves - Wool Fingerless gloves - Womens Gloves nO 6." height="640" src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/000/0/5841701/il_570xN.196099372.jpg" width="432" /> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Navy Blue Knit Fingerless Gloves-Blue and White Wool Gloves-Gloves with Stars-Scandinavian -Fall Fashion nO 50." height="320" src="http://img1.etsystatic.com/003/0/5841701/il_570xN.370711365_lnok.jpg" width="227" /> <img alt="Navy Blue Knit Fingerless Gloves-Blue and White Wool Gloves-Gloves with Stars-Scandinavian -Fall Fashion nO 50." height="320" src="http://img2.etsystatic.com/008/0/5841701/il_570xN.370701502_jnzd.jpg" width="243" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Pearl Bhasinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948060175283837900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566783729863463558.post-42028098577244110592012-11-12T18:44:00.000+08:002012-11-12T18:50:58.622+08:00Scenes from Neal's Yard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There is a small alleyway between Short Gardens and Monmouth Street in Covent Garden in London. And this is where it leads to: Neal's Yard. Quirky, cute, and slap-in-your-face colourful, it's a refreshing little nook with a hip little salad bar, an organic hairdresser, a juice bar, a sneaker boutique filled with collectible editions, and (of course) a <a href="http://www.nealsyardremedies.com/" target="_blank">Neal's Yard Remedies</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfaNfYGlEpuqoLuk7i9P8u8Np05mhKcofvB4JWo1aRPGV5SeXhxWjaj5aRmcmV_-1uCMttuU9ZgxkNZCDu0TFbR97Jc9YDQzZbjs1vnRBKPtnVVmSTDJYE8kLHr0n2b7cBwHsm6YzdaU/s1600/2012-11-02+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfaNfYGlEpuqoLuk7i9P8u8Np05mhKcofvB4JWo1aRPGV5SeXhxWjaj5aRmcmV_-1uCMttuU9ZgxkNZCDu0TFbR97Jc9YDQzZbjs1vnRBKPtnVVmSTDJYE8kLHr0n2b7cBwHsm6YzdaU/s640/2012-11-02+033.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmvZJvnX1ena32i3E1cBQkgjryXW0O_zt9RueJ9UWRvufjjo8hp5eQMx0w1MIV-1egWIK3-tU_aVhWMWIQNBWojzgWUg9D7uymrXuiuJfGCUI3q_VPqjbq-A-aYJlV80KacHpx8fW09A/s1600/2012-11-02+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmvZJvnX1ena32i3E1cBQkgjryXW0O_zt9RueJ9UWRvufjjo8hp5eQMx0w1MIV-1egWIK3-tU_aVhWMWIQNBWojzgWUg9D7uymrXuiuJfGCUI3q_VPqjbq-A-aYJlV80KacHpx8fW09A/s320/2012-11-02+049.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmV4oJlU51Tv36j9ugnWvug5vvZlDU_x03wjrHYzttUDhaVaOqQd3mfOL4slRKQAvchMwVuuZORgcU-A8djpoWMvYxmLAkDSftxJTCpt_FsFA1g9THV8A47sm3o_OKqDJsVc6Em5j4mAs/s1600/2012-11-02+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmV4oJlU51Tv36j9ugnWvug5vvZlDU_x03wjrHYzttUDhaVaOqQd3mfOL4slRKQAvchMwVuuZORgcU-A8djpoWMvYxmLAkDSftxJTCpt_FsFA1g9THV8A47sm3o_OKqDJsVc6Em5j4mAs/s320/2012-11-02+045.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyfdGPNovah91YkN3PtnAOLbHviyYj0nwwAckhdKNnQ05fJF3HeoAOT3hdDcbiAN44IA4081x_Te8CArN1BxKoI_1-DClfIQDLPkCXgoWs44cQJiwVmSNH3GPTrK8zumYgCxYU20TuZ8/s1600/2012-11-02+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyfdGPNovah91YkN3PtnAOLbHviyYj0nwwAckhdKNnQ05fJF3HeoAOT3hdDcbiAN44IA4081x_Te8CArN1BxKoI_1-DClfIQDLPkCXgoWs44cQJiwVmSNH3GPTrK8zumYgCxYU20TuZ8/s640/2012-11-02+027.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qW-dK6Tk8KqV9z-fm3VWTH4ARVKe5fJFlBcWRQOlotgke7i5ArA8PPECTItA-6WzlFfSt6jANWkEXYWY0tSP4UnNPEB9SrNAZN7quJl2veQUT-RUtOfOzcjFy6V5zzXhcHLFKwoSgNk/s1600/2012-11-02+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qW-dK6Tk8KqV9z-fm3VWTH4ARVKe5fJFlBcWRQOlotgke7i5ArA8PPECTItA-6WzlFfSt6jANWkEXYWY0tSP4UnNPEB9SrNAZN7quJl2veQUT-RUtOfOzcjFy6V5zzXhcHLFKwoSgNk/s640/2012-11-02+024.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9ejK0l5PkxAzL8Cq_f5gOnODKzqPRpJNFakmWapBk8tnYkAMLmjYqPdwxNhb-iFaGzdNgJ_aaPq9kfmkVRpJPS4TVbCATEfpQK6Zj8I7UheA_PqdoCMEfBMELKYgwVNJ6lAM10gqRDA/s1600/2012-11-02+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9ejK0l5PkxAzL8Cq_f5gOnODKzqPRpJNFakmWapBk8tnYkAMLmjYqPdwxNhb-iFaGzdNgJ_aaPq9kfmkVRpJPS4TVbCATEfpQK6Zj8I7UheA_PqdoCMEfBMELKYgwVNJ6lAM10gqRDA/s320/2012-11-02+036.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsr_PG2uF8yzRfz-GVQ2UWAbxTm9jPT__JxAqAhKEDcg-bnJOABqAs9d0PejKnfwMcTZxY3jQQbYqsJqy1S9UWw4Mycs2-uo4Enw0Ye08KVFCJ_hLU81lzg42BP1cEZeCgp95nR3v_xE/s1600/2012-11-02+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsr_PG2uF8yzRfz-GVQ2UWAbxTm9jPT__JxAqAhKEDcg-bnJOABqAs9d0PejKnfwMcTZxY3jQQbYqsJqy1S9UWw4Mycs2-uo4Enw0Ye08KVFCJ_hLU81lzg42BP1cEZeCgp95nR3v_xE/s320/2012-11-02+030.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvkv8lJ2Mg5ojO4ArjWcbNqMFUv4T2Ti6XAgSJ2mc4touThKFC2k9P5RXEpke3ldtnHQ_A2wKXvYsmvHgvhmEvJQcnAtm9kDYZNkL71_-81dnFCFn5B_qA8JjIA5i21oYP6B-DqOiFYQ/s1600/2012-11-02+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvkv8lJ2Mg5ojO4ArjWcbNqMFUv4T2Ti6XAgSJ2mc4touThKFC2k9P5RXEpke3ldtnHQ_A2wKXvYsmvHgvhmEvJQcnAtm9kDYZNkL71_-81dnFCFn5B_qA8JjIA5i21oYP6B-DqOiFYQ/s640/2012-11-02+050.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ZhFcRBlJgA4WUTRaJL9HvSuFxEVT0_6_T35ue9A9dsPu3iJaUV4o3KsuGKChDlfCyUUNeQwpOl89LuraKZwBIWMppw8O5ngEd4_Ii9a2UOi3oPbkOPHvyfe_IYQWo4Vj722R5BmVrMA/s1600/2012-11-02+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ZhFcRBlJgA4WUTRaJL9HvSuFxEVT0_6_T35ue9A9dsPu3iJaUV4o3KsuGKChDlfCyUUNeQwpOl89LuraKZwBIWMppw8O5ngEd4_Ii9a2UOi3oPbkOPHvyfe_IYQWo4Vj722R5BmVrMA/s400/2012-11-02+039.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiww_PbOlbNNWlzxEbNJ9gOFBudtzmUhovtro1gIyWXv1VI0hz3pT6EWgvylOsPJfzl4QmjjkuqZLxc5SNAKMXh1BVPQE9x1BrXuMw05F9ecMIBIKeeNH2EMuhrchcw64wQrcz_XGKXFH4/s1600/2012-11-02+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiww_PbOlbNNWlzxEbNJ9gOFBudtzmUhovtro1gIyWXv1VI0hz3pT6EWgvylOsPJfzl4QmjjkuqZLxc5SNAKMXh1BVPQE9x1BrXuMw05F9ecMIBIKeeNH2EMuhrchcw64wQrcz_XGKXFH4/s400/2012-11-02+041.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Pearl Bhasinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948060175283837900noreply@blogger.com0Neal's Yard, Soho, London, Charing Cross, London, Greater London WC2H 9DP, UK51.514341 -0.12652551.5118705 -0.1314605 51.5168115 -0.1215895