The versatile block print chunni wrap

Cotton hand block-printed chunnis (or duppatta, what ever you may choose to call it) with traditional folk motifs earthy colours are one of the most versatile pieces of clothing. The soft cotton weave is large enough to be the perfect oversized scarf, vest, skirt, beach towel, shawl, sarong or throw and it only gets better looking with repeated use.

I've had this one for ages and it is a part of a kurta, salwaar set that has long since been misplaced. The chunni or dupatta is a necessary wardrobe item for a desi woman back home. Normally worn as a long scarf, draped over one or both shoulders with a kurta or kurti, it is usually a flourish of color for any outfit.

I have worn it here as a swimwear cover-up to wade about in the shallow waters of a rivulet that weaves it way through a rainforest, culminating into a spectacular escarpment water-fall. Traditional fabrics and water-falls seems to be a theme on this blog that I am in no hurry to change. I genuinely feel the most content around water-falls with loved ones. What's your happy place?

Tropical waterfalls on road-trips

Happy 2017! Here are some photos that make me happy, from a fun road-trip we went on last month at the beginning of summer.

On our meandering trip exploring the highlands south of Sydney we came across this impressive escarpment-leaping waterfall. The scenic bush walks, lush valley and deep gorges made the place just magical, the best part was we could get in the water and look over the edge down the towering cliff. It was a dizzying but breathtaking experience that I am in no hurry to forget.

Weekend getaway from Sydney

We got slightly tired of the urbanscape and escaped to the Southern Highlands in NSW for a weekend. It was a glorious weekend of exploring tiny little country towns, eating fresh produce, walking/ driving along dirt tracks and rivers, splashing about in waterfalls, spotting wildlife, drinking the local beer, exploring markets, buying plants and generally having the most tranquil break from the hectic end of year rush.

I wore easy breathable cottons over bathers with either a pair of flip-flops or my trusty Palladiums, carrying just two pairs of shoes is an achievement for me. I used to be someone that packed a bunch of unnecessary stuff when travelling and I think I am getting better at packing stuff I actually use and not much else.

Here I am wearing my favourite hand-block print fabric shorts and men's shirt with a simple leather cross-body and my boots that I can walk/ hike for hours in. The landscape around the area was stunning and trust me the pictures don't do it justice. There were miles and miles of rolling meadows, quaint farm-houses with farm animals and wild kangaroos, stunning cliff faces with massive waterfalls dotted with myraid colours of wild birds plus the colours of the land and the greenery were straight out of a painting. Seriously beautiful stuff that is being sorely missed now that I am staring out at a construction site!

A road trip around lush tropical rain-forests, watching the sun-set behind undulating landscape and chatting with friendly locals (while cuddling their furry babies) have to be some of my top favourite things to do. And the best part was, a lot of the holiday decor was beautiful, earthy, hand crafted and lacking the tackiness of plastic baubles flooding Sydney right now. I came back refreshed, rejuvenated and with some great ideas for holiday decorations.

What are your summer weekend away favourites?

Calm Sights and Sounds

Ancient woodland, sunlight pouring through a canopy of trees, the gurgling of a tiny water-fall and a tranquil pond at the foot of it surrounded by mossy rocks. This was the place I spent my birthday this year, dressed in comfortable cotton block-print, carrying a fabric bag and dozing by the beautiful sounds of birds and nature.

More mountain snap-shots

Dress: Sportsgirl, Flannel: Vintage, Shoes: Converse hi-tops, Beaded necklace: Sydney markets, Sweater: India

As soon as the chill creeps in I start layering wool plus flannel haphazardly till I am warm enough and just grab a beanie and am good to go. I envy people who look put together even when the weather is colder, naaa who am I kidding I love to dress to be me but I do like to look at people unlike myself.

I miss the clean mountain air and the fresh smells of the bush, can't wait to go back. Can you tell I love ferns? I find them beautiful and would like nothing better to be sitting in a forest of ferns but then the thought of creepy crawlies is scary. Shudder! On to better topics, I love this beaded necklace but somehow broke it and now think only my sister (who is bloody amazing at DIYs) can fix this. How amazing is this Ganesh bag I got at the hippie markets in the mountains and am in love with? I mean my obsession for Ganesh and elephants is well-documented here, even if the obsession is ignored the bag is perfect!

There is nothing better than running up and down mountain tracks in dirty canvas hi-tops, by running I mean happily skipping down and panting heavily on the way up. Hope everyone is having a wonderful start to the week.

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Mountains days and nights

I was working on Saturday when the boy said he was renting a car and we were going to the mountains, I thought it was just something he said because it was past three pm on a Saturday afternoon and the rental places were shutting soon. But 45 minutes later he let me know he was on his way to pick me up from work and he'd rented this HUGE ass four-wheel drive to go exploring in and I just went SQUEEEEEE!

We drove home, packed in a jiffy and in less than an hour were driving towards the Blue mountains with a bike in our trunk, ah the fresh mountain air does wonders for my soul. We parked by the most breath-taking views of the peaks as well as the bush and settled in for the night in the car. Think loads of block-printed bed-sheets draped all over to make the most magical caravan and sleeping atop a heap of quilts+air mattress. It was the best setting ever to drink ice-tea and watch the Life of Pi before we feel asleep to the quietest quiet I have heard in a long time.

Woke up to the most beautiful morning light streaming through the fabric we'd hung all over and stepped out of the car to the first two photos. Started the day with breakkie at our favourite cafe, shopped around at the various op-shops and hippy markets then proceeded to spend the day walking in bush in a ton of layers to keep warm. I live for days like these. Stayed away from the internet and the phone except for texting our respective Mommies. Here are a few photos of the lovely day. HAPPY MOTHERS DAY world.