1. Magicbox telephone

    October 26, 2009

    I was looking for a new home phone recently and thought, the task of finding one on-line would be quick and easy – not so.  Why is it so hard to find a phone that is cordless, functional, well-priced and is not disguised as bunny?  Anyway, after a rather time-consuming, fustrating few hours, I found one that ticks all the boxes and more. So here are the details for your reference – the Magicbox Colombo 212021.  Google it for any number of suppliers.


  2. Diwali

    October 20, 2009

    If you went past our home or indeed any home on the evening of Saturday 17th October and found all the lights were on, it was not because we just felt like maxing the electric grid, but because we were celebrating Diwali; the festival of lights, where lanters are lit to welcome the goddess of light and prosperity. And it was also my son’s 6th birthday.  We had told our daughter the plan the night before – dozens of balloons blown up at dawn, his favorite breakfast prepared and presents wrapped and waiting, but you know children.  She came up to his bedroom as he woke announcing in not very code, code ‘mummy I can’t blow the carrots up’!  Obviously, Manav then came bounding down to find 6 balloons, a half prepared breakfast and some crudely wrapped presents – not as planned, but all good.

    After the morning celebrations, we headed to my parents for a family get together and then dinner at my in-laws, where we all recited our own take on diwali.  Basically, we release the old and welcome the new, in terms of the physical and in terms of our inner light – all good stuff and the perfect time for me to launch my  very small or putting a positive spin on it – thoughtfully edited collection of products.  I shall add more, when and only when I find things that serve a purpose, are beautiful, natural different from that which can be found in every other shop or site.

    aliwoodenplateLoRes


  3. After a while

    October 6, 2009

    A beautiful poem by Veronica Shoffstall written in 1971, at a time when so much was changing for women, but its words are as relevant today.  This writer feels strong, self assured and contented.

    After a while you learn the subtle difference

    between holding a hand and chaining a soul

    And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning

    And company doesn’t always mean security

    And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts

    And presents aren’t promises

    And you begin to accept your defeats

    with your head up and your eyes ahead

    with the grace of a women, not the grief of a child

    And you learn to build all your roads on today

    because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans

    and futures have  way of falling down in mid-flight.

    After a while you learn that even sunshine burns

    if you get too much.

    So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul

    instead of waiting for someone to bring your flowers.

    And you learn that you really can endure

     that you really are strong

    And you really do have worth

    And you learn and you learn

    With every goodbye you learn……


  4. A bigger bang

    I wanted to share the work of Justin Smith, another artists who works with paper to full effect.  Her images are simple, yet strinkingly powerful in their message.  The latest – ‘A Bigger Bang’, says it all.  To see more of her work, visit www.justinsmith.net

    Justin Smith's take on the world economy.

    Justin Smith's take on the world economy.


  5. Rob Ryan

    October 5, 2009

    I know some of you will know of Rob Ryan’s work but even so, I want to share it for the benefit of those who don’t because whilst unashamedly sentimental, it is warmly welcome in our sometimes over cynical world.

     What is really alluring about his work is that once you look beneath the delicate, painstakingly handmade cut-outs and pretty screen prints you see topics such as love, hate, loss, pain, fear, death and a more melancholy attitude, but still life affirming nonetheless.  

     

    I picked up a copy of the Its Nice That and was lucky enough to get Rob Ryan's wonderful work with it.

    I picked up a copy of the Its Nice That and was lucky enough to get Rob Ryan's wonderful work with it.