The Rug Company.

What do you do if you had wanted a rug and also wanted to pay tribute to your favourite fashion designer? You'll need to check out The Rug Company, of course. They have wool, hand-knotted rugs designed by Marni, Paul Smith, Vivienne Westwood, Lulu Guinness, Cath Kidston, Diane Von Furstenberg, just to name a few.

I love how colourful, grand and contemporary their rugs are. They are sure to bring a breath of fresh air to a space. Will buying one of these lovelies help give the declining economy a little push forward? It sure will. So start saving.

VW Flag By Vivienne Westwood.

Rug by Cath Kidston.

Anemone Cocoa By Marni.

Swirl By Paul Smith.

Sunset by Matthew Williamson.

Glamour Girl By Lulu Guinness.

Paspaley Pearls.

My mother loved pearls and to me, I've always related it to the choice of the older woman. I always thought that there was nothing great about them; they don't sparkle, they are not rare and they just look like beads. Then a few years back, I'd found my love for them. 

My favourite pearling company is Paspaley. They have the most lovely designs as well as the most beautiful pearls. Check out their collection online.

Paspaley is the largest pearling company in Australia. It started operations in the 1930s and is based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. It has about 20 farms, situated between Dampier, Western Australia and the Cobourg Peninsula east of Darwin. It's flagship store is along Martin's Place, Sydney. 

Cake Stands.

Anyone who hosts an afternoon tea tête-à-tête with friends must never go without her own cake stand. Today, I realised that there is a need for my very own vintage cake stand. Criteria? It must be unique, have a strong foot and feed the eye. Singapore is hopeless when it comes to hunting for such beauties. 

If you are hunting for cake stands too, Don't just go for one. Have two or three of them in different colours or heights. Put your home baked dessert, a bowl of flowers or curios on a pedestal. Put some pride in exhibiting your work.

Longitude 131, Uluru, Australia

Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock is a large sandstone rock formation of the southern part of the Northern Territory, Central Australia. It has many springs, waterholes, rock caves and ancient paintings. It is listed as a world heritage site.

Located near the Uluru, is the Longitude 131 hotel. What makes this special is that it is made up of 15 luxury tents (with all the modern amenities like Bose sound systems and ipod connectivity), each having a view of the Uluru. If you are wondering what to do for your stay there? Check out the "Sounds of Silence" Dinner. 

At the Sounds of Silence experience you can dine under the canopy of the desert night, while your very own storyteller shares tales as told in the stars. After your feast, the lights will dim and an astronomer will introduce you to some of the world's best star-gazing, taking you through the beautiful and star-encrusted night sky. You'll also have a chance to view the jewelled night through telescopes, before the lights are turned out completely and you enjoy the silence of the desert, stretching out forever all around you. This will be an experience that will be etched in your memory.

Besides that, there are township tours, camel rides, helicopter tours, Uluru sunrise walks, Aboriginal dot painting workshops, etc.

It looks changes its colour during the different times of the day and during different seasons.

The Longitude 131 hotel tents lined in the desert.

One of the tents.

Inside one of the tents.

The Sounds of Silence Dinner.

Sunset at the Sounds of Silence Dinner.

This is what happens just after dinner.

Christmas Wreathes.

Christmas is around the corner. Been thinking whether to hang a wreath on the door or not. It's tempting to make my own, but I am afraid that there isn't much time left for crafting it. Then there is the other question, if I were to get a wreath, what sort would it be? Fresh flower wreathes are breathtaking but they don't last in our climate. If I had to buy one, which one would I consider? Definitely nothing cliche.

Here are some that I did consider.

Driftwood Wreath By Karen Miller. It is partly made from recycled materials, looks festive, yet organic (to some extent). Sold by Devon Driftwood Designs. Be warned, going "green" doesn't come cheap. (55cm dia for GBP205)

Frosted Cone Wreath By The White Company. This reminds me of autumn in a subtle kind of way. (41cm dia now for GBP17.13)

Meribel Bell Wreath by Habitat in plum and tarnish. Why not ring in the Christmas season with a petit wreath made of bells? Isn't this just the perfect wreath for witty hosts? (25cm dia for GBP25)

Christmas Cheer.

I've been wondering where the Christmas cheer this year has gone. I know that we are in the midst of a global recession; the media, our bosses and even friends have made it felt and known. But what is Christmas without a little Christmas giving?

If you are strapped for cash or just want to practice a saving for the storm ahead, why not bake some cookies and put them in jars decorated with ribbons? There's so much stuff you can make to give away, including homemade jams, caramel sauces, sew up a little tote, or even bake fruitcakes. 

Anyway this blog isn't about how to make any of those. It's just a few items that have caught my fancy during this Christmas season. These are 'easy' presents as in presents that are sure to please.

A set of 8 Kate Spade Holly Heights Coasters. These are great for holiday entertaining and if a little tippling won't drive the recession blues away, these will bring a smile to the face. (USD$9)

Christmas Cookies from Polka Dot Cookies and Cakes. They are pretty and well decorated. These are sure to please children and the child in you. (AUD$38 per jar)

Mozi Sicilian Orange and Cinnamon Candle. Everyone loves sitting around with a burning scented candle, especially so when it smells like Christmas (burns for 40hours). Sure to set the mood right in any Christmas Cheer lacking home. (AUD$34.95)

Green Elf Striped Stocking from Papier D'Amour.  This stocking is a fair trade product from Armenia. It helps the artisans to develop sustainable income for them and their families. Besides, hanging a sock out, keeps Santa in business too. (AUD$75)

The Pièce de Résistance is this "Paris" Christmas cake from Ladurée. This dessert topped with a dark chocolate effiel, the cake is fleur de sel flavoured caramel and covered in
chocolate caramel mousse. It's a dream come true (at least for me). (Feeds 4, EUR52. Feeds 6 to 7, EUR84).

New Additions.

I love going through ebay to find stuff. They have almost every other thing that you might want. A few months ago, I bought 2 yards of Waverly fabric in Cameo at a steal. Finally, they have been made  into 2 cushions and a seat cover. They look great resting on the sofa.

There are a few new additions at home which I love and I'd like to share it with you.

The two new cushions on the sofa. I think they match well.

A close-up of the cushion. The cushions have a cream silk edge trimming. The back of the cushions are also in the same cream silk. It is stuffed with down making it more luxurious.

The same print made into a cushion cover for the rattan armchair.

A close up view of the cushion cover.

A Roberts RIC-1 Radio, August 1968. This is the first British radio to utilise an integrated circuit, from an era when Roberts were equated with quality products. I bought this through ebay. it has a lovely leather and wood finishing.

Click to expand the picture. The radio indicates the radio stations by their district. Eg, London 4, Lyons, Vienna, etc.

An old photograph, reprinted. This was bought for my husband (through ebay as well) of the old fashioned motor races. This car and sidecar were produced by BMW.

The new cushion cover for the guest room by Jim Thompson. I love the lovely velvet cutouts and texture of the fabric.

A close-up of the Jim Thompson fabric.