Simply Delightful - Pendleton Harding Luggage Bag

Recipe: Palak Aloo Chicken - Spinach with Potatoes and Chicken

So, I'm panicking slightly because I haven't been cooking!! Yes, I need to get myself into the kitchen and conjure up some recipes so I can keep this section of the blog going... But between feeling immensely lazy and finding an angel of a cook to hold the fort in the kitchen, I just haven't been going in there enough... We're safe for now and the next week (yes, I did cook some stuff that I haven't publicly showed off yet).

For the recipe section today, I'm going to share yet another Easy Peasy recipe (which can be made Vegetarian or Non Vegetarian) as you please... I am a Spinach Lover and when my Bloggy Friend Loulou did a post on Spinach some weeks back, I started getting this itch to make something Spinach, and this is what I got around to:

Inspiring Spaces: Vintage Office

{restoration hardware}

Restoration Hardware could be one of the  most innovative luxury brands in the home furnishings marketplace. It is positioned as a lifestyle brand and design authority, offering dominant assortments across a growing number of categories, including furniture, lighting, textiles, bathware, decor, outdoor and garden, as well as baby and child products.

Can you imagine my delight when I came across their site on the internet? I wanted to order everything and just run with it... lol, someday...

Simply Delightful: DIY Book Planters

For a lot of people (including my Husband) cutting through a book would be nothing short of Blasphemy :) I just had to share these beautiful DIY Book Planters I recently saw on believe it or not a wedding planning blog called Green Wedding Shoes. While I don't see myself cutting through any of Ali's books anytime soon... it would make for a lovely desk top greenery arrangement! xx

Inspired by Art - Babar Azeemi

Proenza Schouler Python Bag, Anna Demeulmeester Lace Up Leather Jacket, Rick Owens Leather Jacket, Pierre Hardy Ballerinas, Lace Couture High Waisted Pencil Skirt, Pamela Love Crystal Slice Ring, Barse Mayan Bronze Necklace, Pleated Pussy Bow Scarf TopShop, 

The Colour Palette is inspired by a Pakistani Artist Babar Azeemi's Painting from his Collection Titled 'Wajood e Zan' (the existence of woman). The palette mixes tough fabrics like leather with the softness and femininity of lace and sequins. Babar Azeemi's paintings are on sale at Ejaz Gallery. To learn more about Babar Azeemi visit Danka.

Happy Weekend :))

This is what I'd be doing over the weekend, if it weren't for my gorgeous lil' Bump AND the persistently continuing 37 degrees extremely humid and hot weather outside... 

Wishing you the loveliest of Weekends xx

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If you missed out on any of the posts this week, Don't forget to send some loving over the weekend :))
This week we:
- Started the week with some inspiring Photo Walls to add colour to your walls :))
- Learnt why we should sleep with a pen and paper by our side
- Fell in love with the Fall IT shoes

- Cooked delicious Channa Pulao Mahah Style...
- And revisited Paris through 3rd or our 4 post series!
xx

J'aime Paris - Chapter 3

By day 3 in Paris, all of us had discovered our own groove. We all had our agenda’s for the day and pretty much followed them to the dot. Harry wanted to go check out the Islamic Center, Zub wanted to go see the Catacombes and I just wanted to take the city in…As a result, Harry and Zub set out to the South of Town early in the morning (9am?!? Early for a Vacation, no?) Anyway, while I decided to (yes, again!) sleep in till I possibly could.

Islamic Center of Paris

The Islamic Center is a small compound that’s probably out shone by the more glitzier destinations that Paris has to offer, since the chances of you actually putting it on the itinerary are slim unless you’re specifically interested in the Islamic Architecture, I thought I’d share some images that Harry took with you.

Islamic Center Tips: Dress modestly, pay a 3 Euro entry fee and walk about… pretty simple no qualms.

Recipe: Mahah's Channa Pulao (Chickpeas and Masala Rice)

I recently saw a picture of Haider (a friend from Pakistan visiting France) sitting in Mahah's living room in Fountainebleau eating her mouthwatering Channa Pulao with Shami kebabs (the recipe for these will come in future sometime) It made me smile. Trust Mahah to be sitting in a quaint college town in France making sure her house was running spick and span Pakistani style AND there was delicious Pakistani Channa Pulao to Consume!

Trends: Shoe Trends Fall Winter 2011

1. MIU MIU Gold Peep Toes, LOUBOUTIN Helmours, 2. GUCCI Suede Bootie, 3. REDBYWOVLES Yvan, LOUIS VUITTON, 
4. ALEXANDER WANG, PRADA,  GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI, GIANVITO ROSSI, 6. GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI Satin and Crystal Embellished 
Ballerinas,  7. FENDI Colour Block Brogues, 8. DEREK LAM Fede Ankle Boot, GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI, CHLOE 

Note to Self - Drop of Wisdom: Episode 7

Inspiring Spaces: Photo Walls

I personally think, there is no better way to decorate a wall than to decorate it with happy shiny photographs. And while I have developed a small photo wall of my own at home, I thought I'd share some inspiring images that tickle my fancy! Needless to say, the first one is my ABSOLUTE favourite! Do let me know what you like?? An outburst of colours like me... or these monochrome delights! xx

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Happy Weekend :))

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I will do everything in my control possibly to spend as Lazy a Weekend as Possible :)

Happy Weekend! xx

If you missed out on any of the posts this week, Don't forget to send some loving over the weekend :))
This week we:
- Started the week with Massimo Dutti's Gorgeous FW 2011 Lookbook
- Discussed the joys in life
- Fell in love with the Cutest Ballerina Pumps ever!!

- Cooked delicious Lentil and Rice Siddy Style
- Thanked GOD that Bold Eye Brows are Back!!
xx

Trends: Brows are BACK!!

For all those who have long squirms at the thought of having your eye brows pulled and tugged every periodically, who irk at the thought of threading or plucking... I have great news. Bold Brows are back this Season!! I started suspecting it some days back going through some shoots and look books across the internet...

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Recipe: Daal Chawal (Lentil and Rice) Siddy Style

Daal, seen here served with boiled rice... the way I like eating it best!

Since most of the recipes I share have more to do with what I love eating, or am craving than the challenge of cooking itself (which comes into play regardless given my lack of cooking skills) I decided today to take on a very basic Pakistani 'Daal' Recipe. While there are a gzbillion Daal Recipes online, unfortunately they just assume that one would know how to make something as simple as Daal. Well what do you know, there are people out there who are 32 and are attempting making it for the first time in their lives... So, after extensive searches and being disappointed with phrases such as 'add as much water as needed' I decided that I had gained enough knowledge to venture making Daal with my very own recipe, and this is how you do it:

Simply Delightful: Joy Folie Ballerinas

Joy Folie

Maybe its just my Maternal Instinct kicking in BUT, are these not by far THE most adorable pair of Ballerinas pumps you have ever seen??

The Art of Living... A Beautiful Life

What exactly is a beautiful life and how do you find it? I recently came across a blog post that gave plenty of food for thought...

Fashion Feature: Massimo Dutti Fall 2011 Look Book

Words, Thoughts, Musings and Everything - 'This September'.

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Wishing for Peace... Across the Globe. 

Happy Weekend :))

ORANGE YOU GLAD ITS WEEKEND!!

Dress, Flower, Wreath, Nails, Tutu, Ring, Bag, Band, Shoes

If you missed out on any of the posts this week, Don't forget to send some loving over the weekend :))
This week we:
- Started the week Dreaming about Paris
- Went crazy about Ballerina Pumps
- Fell in love with the Coolest Camera known to Womenkind

- Cooked delicious Spicy Potatoes Pakistan Style
- Found Jewelry for our cupboards on Etsy
xx

Etsy Interiors - Cupboard Jewelry

Appropriately titled 'Cupboard Jewelry' these Cupboard Knobs are something that will most definitely feature in my house whenever I make one (not in shiny silver though) :)) The metal knobs are over laid with clay, baked and hand buffed to a beautiful satin sheen. The maker promises the design won't wear off ever!! Check out for yourself... Gloryworks @ ETSY

Recipe - Aloo ki Bhujiya (Spicy Potatoes)

Aloo ki Bhujiya, served here with Daal, Chili Pickle and Paratha

When it rains in London, it really does pour and if you have a drop of Pakistani blood running through your veins somehow you automatically want to turn to something hot, something spicy, something tangy, something 'slightly' if not entirely fatty! The answer for a heavy duty rainy day lunch is Aloo ki Bhujiya a simple 30-40 odd minute recipe with minimal ingredients and maximum taste. Try this out yourself:


Ingredients:
Potatoes 3 Medium Sized, Peeled and sliced
Oil 3 Table Spoons
Water 0.5 Cup
Cumin Seeds 1 Teaspoon
Red Chili Powder 1 Teaspoon
Turmeric 1 Teaspoon
Salt 1.5 Teaspoon
Tamarind Sauce Optional
Coriander Fresh a Handful

Recipe:
- Heat the oil in a thick bottomed pan and add cumin seeds to it
- Once the seeds start sizzling add the potatoes to the oil
- Now add the Water, Turmeric Powder, Red Chilies and Salt and Stir the mix so that the Spices are evenly spread in the pan.
- Lower the flame and cover the pan with the lid allowing the Potatoes to Cook in the steam
- Check in approximately 15-20 minutes to see if the potatoes are cooked (or nearly cooked)
- Add the handful of chopped fresh Coriander leaves and cover again for another 5 odd minutes (or however long it takes to make sure the potatoes are soft and well cooked)
- Serve with Roti (Pakistani Bread) or Paratha (Fried version of the Pakistani Bread)

Simply Delightful - Leica D Lux 5

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Ever since I moved on from my Sony Cyber shot I have never quite found a camera that yells out me!! As soooooon as my eyes fell upon this beauty, it was just LOVE love lurveeee! In my ever increasing wishlist of things (and my new zero salary unemployed status) I don't know when I'll actually be able to own one... but you can't stop the lurveeee! xx

Do check this link out and make your OWN customized camera, lol so what if it's 'I'll have to Sell my Right Arm' expensive... its worth spending ten minutes :)) Leica D Lux

Fashion Feature: Spoilt for Choice

Recently, I have been shopping online... A LOT. Yet another one of my new found indulgences I happily blame the Baby Bump for. After all, who has the stamina to walk through malls, browse individual stores, walk back home with a load of shopping and so on so forth. And while all the above so far are absolutely do-able, I have to guiltily admit, the only reason I am shopping online is... 'I'm spoilt for choice'!!

Illustrating with the basic example below... With my upcoming travel back to Pakistan, and the fact that I am wearing flats these days, I decided to shop for a nude and a black pair of ballerinas... Below are my top 8 (yes 8, not 1 or 2) in each category! lol. HELP?? Would love to know whats your favorite out of these...

(Please click the individual boxes below to see the shoes up, close and personal at - Zalando.co.uk)

J'aime Paris - Chapter 2

While it's not necessary to know much French Language before you land in Paris, the French do appreciate being greeted in their language (as anyone would I guess)... Beyond that, thank GOD English is global enough to go by... As a consequence there isn't much French I picked up during this trip except what I learnt courtesy my BlackBerry Application.

'Bonjour, Je ne sais pas Francais, Pouvez-vous parler Anglais? Merci'

Good Morning, I don't know french... Can you speak English? Thank you

BlackBerry Travel Tip: FancyTran is perhaps one of the most highest rated 'free' translation applications on BlackBerry AppWorld. You do need to be connected to GPRS or Wifi but it comes in mighty handy when travelling to a non-English speaking country...

Paris Day 2

Second Day in Paris, started almost mid morning given our 'very' late stroll across the streets of Latin Quarters and Marais the night before. Now wiser since our near heat stroke the day before, we had checked the weather (which was fortunately cooler than the 34 the day before) and paced our day to accommodate an art lover who wanted to absorb all, a pregnant woman who couldn't walk too much and a poor fresh graduate who had the misfortune of being stuck with the above two.

Paris Tip: For most part you'll find Paris to be overwhelming, there is so much to do and see that it was almost impossible in the four days that we were there... If you are in Paris for less than a week, do pace yourself, spend sometime with lonely planet or trip advisor trying to figure out what you're interested in and plan your itineraries accordingly... you CANNOT seeing everything in Paris :))

Day 2 was therefore divided into 3 parts, the Antique Market in the morning (mid morning) which was my whim, Pompidou in La Marais which was something Zub wanted to do and a visit to Sacre Coeur in Monmarte again something I wanted to do (poor Harry didn't have much of a say in the matter).

Blog Tips: How to Embed your Link in a Comment Form

Haven't really spoken much about little bloggy tricks I've been learning recently... but this one just had to be shared, because I feel it can help fresh bloggers like me greatly.

I follow a hundred million extremely impressive blogs all for different reasons... some are great content, some great design, some are just mind boggling creative and some because I associate with them... While all blogs do not really have the profile of people I'd like to invite over to my blog, some do.

Here I would advise to be aware of the blog owners preferences, some blog owners consider it advertising if you post a link to your blog on the comment form and some are just plain cool with it... Anyway, long story short. A lot of times, if you enter your blog address at the end of the comment, it doesn't appear as a link and requires anyone interested in visiting your blog to copy paste the link in the browser making the whole process tedious and discouraging clicks to your blog.

A simple way of doing it is following:

This makes My Name clickable and if someone wants to visit my blog, they can simple click and hop there... So, if you want a clickable link just simply replace the URL with your destination URL and Siddy with whatever text you want to be clickable.

My normal comment entry on a blog therefore looks like.

and reads...

Here, Siddy is clickable and routes to www.siddysays.com
Again, I'll advise you to be sensitive to the blog you are commenting on and their policies.
Happy Blogging!
xx

Happy Monday Folks!!

Happy Monday!! Hopefully, this LAVIN Fall Winter 2011 Advertisement featuring Karen Elson and Raquel Zimmerman will light up your day :))

Simply Delightful - Correspondence Cards

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Lol, Remember a time when one could actually use these? College perhaps?? Saw these and smiled :) Aren't they just gorgeous?? Happy Weekend! xx
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If you missed out on any of the posts this week, Don't forget to send some loving over the weekend :))
This week we:
- Celebrated Eid
- Announced the Winner of our Amazon.com Giveaway
- Cooked the 'oh so delicious' yet 'so darn simple' Mince Meat and Rice
- Listed the Top 10 fashion Essentials for Fall 2011
xx

Trends: Top 10 Must Have Fall 2011 Essentials

{Clothes Sources}

1. A Funky Parka, 2. Coloured Jeans, 3. Man Inspired Loafers, 4. Chunky Bronze Jewelry, 5. Patterned Tops, 6. Cropped Sweater, 7. 70s Inspired Dress, 8. Something Polka Dot, 9. Tuxedo Jacket, 10. Colour Form Clothing