Anita Kaushal - Random Thoughts

Disney on Ice – 2012

Anita Kaushal — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 19:36:06 +0000

Having recently taken my children to see Shrek, Wizard of Oz, Matilda and Lion King, I must confess that I enjoyed watching their captivated expressions, more than the stage performances. As an adult, I sometimes feel like I am sitting in economy, for the price of a first-class ticket whereas, my children leave their cynicism at the door. One of my most vivid memories of childhood was of the evening my father took me and my best friend from junior school, to see Disney on Ice. This show tours every year and it’s back next week. I remember the Princesses swishing in polyester gowns with their brash wigs and big, bright smiles, gliding across the ice to well-loved tunes. High brow it’s not, but huge fun it is; or so I recall. I do hope it lives up to the memories; if not for me, then for my children.

Disney on Ice starts Wednesday 7th March at the Wembley Arena and tours nationwide. To book visit Disney on Ice.

Chandelier

Anita Kaushal — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:30:19 +0000

I don’t need a bigger house but, oh to have space for more chandeliers. The chandelier was once just two beams of wood holding a mass of candles to create more than just a single light source; a luxury for the wealthiest. Now chandeliers are objects of desire enjoyed by many and here are the ones I am coveting.

Rock and Royal’s quirky designs include this custom-made ship, as featured in a gorgeous interior by Jonathan Adler. For a more understated, timeless option, I would choose Ochre’s artic pear or an oversized traditional crystal number as seen in Chateau De Moissac in France.

Made from over 6000 hand crafted beads from African clay and held together by an handmade wire skeleton, I love the rawness of the Mud Chandelier. I found the picture on the right, on Pinterest ages ago and it reminds me of a magical fishing net filled with precious crystals. I don’t know who designed it, but if you know, please share the information.

Obviously, the chandeliers above have taken much time and skill to make but perhaps they will inspire your own version. Start by bending wire into the appropriate shape and if that sounds like hard work, you could find an old chandelier or lampshade at your local flea market. Strip the chandelier down to the bone and then decorate with meditation beads, buttons, lego bricks, vintage jewellery, old mementos; anything goes. The point is adding a personal touch can make even the most basic carcass come to life and there is no right or wrong, so give it a try and if you have children, involve them too.

Milli In Wonderland

Anita Kaushal — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 15:12:26 +0000

Brace yourself; this is a longer than average post but I hope it inspires your own celebrations. Valentines is an extra special day for me as it’s also my daughters birthday. This year we wanted to go all out and give her the birthday of a lifetime and I am pleased to say, we managed it, but not without help from some dear family and friends.

- fake grass, miss-matched china of various sizes, plenty of tule and cupcakes add magic.
- ‘alice in wonderland’ copy and illustrations were used to decorate and disguise faces.
- our super-Star, gets in on the fun.

- hearts everywhere and decorative keys for full effect.

My son Manav dresses as the white rabbit on his sisters request. Mills gets the cake of her dreams and Cover Drive sing in my living room! Totally surreal as any Alice in Wonderland party should be. The band members were so gracious and after a memorable performance, they join us for tea and scones back in the kitchen. Huge thanks to my friend Lydia for inviting Cover Drive and helping us decorate. Decorations were mostly hand-made by my niece can-do Jessica, who travelled from the US just to be here; as did my lovely sister Sum who helped to put it all together. Super-women Miriam scouted e-bay daily for mis-matched cups and saucers, made decorations, arranged the entire table display, made truffles and cupcakes and then jetted off on holiday directly after the party. Finally my dear friend Claire Fulton took these beautiful shots capturing the energy and beauty of the day. The reason this party rocked was because everyone joined in to help and nothing was too precious. Feeling inspired? Don’t wait until you have cause to celebrate; just to be here is a celebration.

Reclaim Your Rituals

Anita Kaushal — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 22:35:03 +0000

I am loving the use of dis-used factory windows as shower doors. This chic eco option is so much more stylish than typical white-framed panels. For a similar look try UK-based Crittall Windows.

Chocolate Library

Anita Kaushal — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:34:57 +0000

There is much to be grateful for and many people who, whilst they would not expect it, I feel like thanking. I suspect most would welcome a good book and chocolates never fail to please but the two together is a winning formula and one adopted by the chocolate library. You order a book and a bar of personalised chocolate and it’s delivered all wrapped and ready to devour.

A Star Is Born

Anita Kaushal — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:59:05 +0000

I have never been keen on pets but after much coaxing from the children, I caved in and so it was that STAR came home last week. Yes, it’s like having another baby, the cleaning is a chore, then there is dog training, obligatory pet-grooming, not to mention over-exorbitant vet fees and insurance. Whilst life won’t be financially richer it will be happier, so it’s all good. My super-stylish friend Ilona, who inspired our search, once told me that no amount of threapy could compare to the having a dog and I am already beginning to see she was right. Ilona gave us her wisdom and the coolest Anya Hindmarch puppy carrier and it opened my eyes to the range of dog accessories out there, including Yasmin Le Bon’s range for Mungo and Maud. Anyway, fancy accessories or not, I shall promise to love, honour and cherish little Star.

Super-STAR has his first Skype conversation.

Listen

Anita Kaushal — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 21:08:01 +0000

We have all heard of the power of meditation; a practice that brings amongst other things, clarity and space between thoughts. I have read much recently on the power of being in the now and as I cultivate this presence, a sense of peace does indeed prevail. Of all the things I have read it is my own daughters words that resonate the most, so I hope you will not mind my indulgence in sharing her beautiful poem called LISTEN.

Silence is when you can hear things.

Listen: to the sound of pink blossoms falling.
The sound of love spreading.

The sound of air moving.

The sound of butterflies flying.

The sound of the sun setting.

my precious angel Milli. x

Christmas Shopping

Anita Kaushal — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:08:21 +0000

It’s that time of year again and as much as on-line shopping beats pounding the pavement whilst jostling past shopping bags and brollies, there is still much joy in visiting a well-curated store and it’s so easy with the pop-up shop phenomenon.

Check out Kensal Flea at the Paradise, as they are bound to have another sale before Christmas. I have purchased vintage clothing and home accessories there, whilst the children were entertained with a spot of needlework and a delicious cupcake. Okay, local plug over with, I shall tell you about another event.

My good friend and photographer (images below) Christina Wilson, will be selling her limited-edition prints and cards, along with Amanda Cox from the noted Nonesuchthings online emporium and a dozen hand picked crafts folks and like minded creative sorts. The first of these pop up sales will be Sunday 4^th December upstairs at the Victoria Pub, 2 Mornington Terrace, London. NW1. Take a look at nonesuchthings.com, christinawilson.co.uk, beingcontent.com to see what grabs you.

Kingswood Avenue

Anita Kaushal — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 17:16:00 +0000

My last post bemoaned the lack of Georgian splendour in Kensal Rise/Queens Park but what I did not mention is that whilst the red-brick houses look pretty unassuming on the outside, the interiors are a real feast. So, in celebration of my hood, I shall be showing you around local spaces from time to time, starting here with our friends spacious and super-welcoming home on Kingswood Avenue. A true party house, as I can testify having watched Kate and Williams’s nuptials here with family by day and partied here with husband and locals by night.

Now on the market with Domus Nova.

Georgian Dream House

Anita Kaushal — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 21:06:16 +0000

My dream home was and always will be Georgian. Not many of those to the pound in Kensal Rise sadly! Perhaps it has something to do with the perfect symmetry and proportions, the rows of tall windows and Alice in Wonderland style over-sized door or perhaps Georgian houses remind me of the way I drew castles as a child. My daughter still draws castles in the same way except hers are pink and why not?

Now my Georgian dream just got more desirable in the form of Dinder House in Somerset. Sat in 23 acres of landscaped and walled gardens, the interiors have recently been thoughtfully designed for family living by Ilse Crawford. Each of the 39 rooms have retained their magnificent features but been re-configured for modern family living. We can’t all live in such a grand home but what fun to dream and to relish these photographs taken by Magnus Marding.