Mini!

Good things come in small packages...

Starbucks has introduced the MINI STARBUCKS CARD!

"Just like your regular Starbucks Card, only smaller, the new Mini Starbucks Card is made to stick right by your side. Put it on your key chain, tie it to your belt loop - it's the little card that stays with you wherever you go. No purse or wallet required."

Now if the gold card came in a mini version I would really be all set to go!

Photos and Prayers

Finally, I was able to scan a few of the 'professional' photos taken at the Taj Mahal and in Jaipur. I think the Taj ones are just amazing. You can see the sun coming up on the right of each photo and as mentioned there is not A SOUL in the background of a single one of our photos. The early bird gets the worm!

Lilly goes around the world with Hopsy...Lilly at the Taj Mahal!!

I think this photo might be suitable to submit for Lilly Lover days. Should I go with the elephant or the Taj photo? Decisions, decisions.

Happy 30th anniversary to my wonderful parents! Have a brilliant day celebrating in India! Also, please keep the country of Honduras in your prayers. I lived in San Pedro Sula for three years and the country will always be dear to me. What is happening there is very scary and the country has essentially been taken over by the military. We have so many dear friends living there today and they have expressed a true need for prayer during this turbulent time. Please keep the safety of these families in your prayers!

Just Tweeting Away

After many emails and comments, I have finally succumbed..

Click the picture for updates!

Last Day

Yesterday was my last day in India and it was just as wonderful as ever. It was VERY hot in India, the temperature ended up being 113 (I think the heat index had to have been higher because I was dying), but mother and I braved the morning temperatures to visit Humayun's Tomb in Delhi. The Taj Mahal is based on Humayan's Tomb so I will be sure to share the photos in the coming weeks. After suffering in the heat we ran errands and ended up at the Oberoi hotel (if you go to India you HAVE to stay at the Oberoi or the Imperial!!) to pick up all the food for our party!
Everyone from father's office was invited over for an afternoon gathering. We enjoyed a DELICIOUS Victoria sponge cake with mango and whip cream as well as divine macaroons! The Oberoi sure knows how to bake!! It was wonderful to meet everyone before departing.
After dinner we took one last drive down Raj Path. We took this drive many a times, but I always missed the monkey clans playing outside the Presidential palace. Well, they must have known I would be by last night because they were EVERYWHERE!

They were playing on the cannon, scaling the gates and swinging from the trees. It was simply adorable!

While the monkeys are very tame and some people were playing with them, I thought it best to stay back and just enjoy them from afar.

Aren't the babies just the cutest?!

After our trip down Raj Path is was off to a farewell dinner at The Imperial. Our family LOVES the Imperial too! The hotel is very British Colonial India and it is full of history. I choose to have a traditional Indian meal as my last in Delhi and it did not disappoint.

We were up early this morning so that I could catch my flight back to London. I simply cannot speak highly enough of my first experience in India. It was so amazing! I loved exploring New Delhi, visiting surrounding areas, indulging in delicious food, learning about history and getting to know the wonderful Indian people. I really did have the best ten days one could have in India!! Thank you for following along and for your many kind comments. If you ever get the chance to visit you MUST!!! Also, I am almost certain I will take a handful of bag orders for delivery around Labor Day.

True Beauties

Today, in between errands and nail appointments mother and I managed to pick up the the leather handbags I had ordered last week. Now, the leather shop is in the most interesting area and one would never just stumble upon it. It is in an alleyway, it has tinted windows and it surrounded by plywood shops. Mother's friends have raved about the handbags they got here so I was hoping mine would turn out and meet my high expectations and boy did they do just that. The bags are NOTHING short of sheer perfection, they are divine!

Let me introduce you to "the Hopsy bag:"

I am in LOVE with every single one, but the pink just might be a tad, tad, tad higher on my list.

Aren't they just wonderful?

Every single bag is perfectly made and not even a single stitch is off. The bags are lined and I had cell phone pockets added as well as a side zipper pocket. I also love that the amazing maker was still able to add the purse feet (simple things can be VERY hard to come by in India so it is truly wonderful he was able to get these), these save bags as they prevent wear! These handbags are just true, custom made beauties in every way! Father is coming to the US in August so I really might start taking orders!

Tomorrow is my last day in India. I simply adore it and am going to miss it and my parents so very much. I will need to start planning my next trip now! Mother and I can now lead amazing shopping and sight seeing tours if anyone would like to join in on the fun!

I Spy

It was another HOT and busy day in Delhi! Since it was over 111 degrees and dusty outside mother and I opted for a few indoor activities. We started off the day by attending Delhi Network. Mother is a member of this group that meets for coffee and pastries every Tuesday morning. Members of the group are woman of all ages from all over the world. It was great fun to meet and converse! After Delhi Network we enjoyed an delightful lunch with a number of women that are in the group. Mother, myself and a good friend had all been dying to go to the fabric stores, so we hopped in the car after lunch, braved the heat and hit the stores! Well, since I love fabric you know this was a good time. The silk was just divine and mother and C loaded up on a number of fabulous silks and cotton prints too.
After having loads of luck upstairs we headed to the basement and I immediately spotted an ENTIRE shelf of MADRAS! They had ever type imaginable (Tickled Pink & Green would have been in heaven!). I even spotted a very familiar seersucker madras.

Do you recognize this?

It is the Vineyard Vines seersucker madras! I bought father the shorts in this for his birthday last year so as soon as we got home we compared mother's sample to the shorts. Well, they are indeed the same and the VV shorts' tag even says "Made in India." They are an exact match indeed! Thank goodness we have to head back to the fabric area tomorrow, I will be buying a few yards for myself!

After our very successful fabric shopping it was home to hideaway from the heat. The above photo taken outside the fabric shops shows you what parking lots in countries with over a billion people look like...you can only imagine what driving is like, it warrants an entire post.

Upon returning home, mother and I enjoyed a sweet lime drink while waiting for father to come home then we headed out to the paper store and the tortoise shell shop. It was simply a magnificent (and successful) day!!

Jaipur

Though it may be hard to believe, last week's trip to Jaipur was actually filled with much more than just an elephant ride (however, this was clearly my highlight!). Like much of India, Jaipur is a city very rich in history. The first thing we did upon our arrival was stop at the Amber Fort. The fort is centuries old and built entirely of sandstone. The Amber Fort is magnificent and unique in that it incorporates both Hindu and Muslim elements.
Many tourists visit the Amber Fort in the early morning. You are able to ride an elephant up to the fort!

Another attraction of Jaipur is the Palace of Winds. These were the women's chambers of the City Palace. It is constructed of pink sandstone (Jaipur is known as the pink city)

and the wall of more than 900 windows allowed the royal women to look out and observe everyday life without being seen.

Jaipur is full of monuments to visit, but they are also known for their magnificent blue pottery. Absolutely everything is painted by hand and as you can imagine mother and I were in heaven! Ginger jars galore and not one of these hand made jars costs more than $40!!

Finally, Jaipur was and is home to the Maharaja of Jaipur (they are particularly famous as they hosted Jackie Kennedy on her visit to India- Jackie also rode an elephant in Jaipur!). Maharaja means "great king" (the British often referred to them as princes) and they were very much Indian royalty. Princely states were abolished when India gained independence and even the very wealthy found the upkeep of their vast palaces too much to maintain. In the 1950's the Maharaja of Jaipur decided to convert their palace into a wonderful hotel: The Rambagh Palace. Gayatri Devi, the wife of the Maharani of Jaipur, still lives on the hotel grounds and she is really the end of a generation. She is really the last living Maharani that grew up in the old day in age of the Maharaja. Though that way of life is incredibly fascinating, the tiger hunts, elephant fights and vast ceremonial parades have come to an end. The Rambagh Palace is still as magnificent as ever and takes one back in time-elephant polo is still played on the grounds! Should you ever get the opportunity to travel to Jaipur stay think of staying no where else!

After a wonderful day in Jaipur it was off to Agra to see the Taj!

Winner!

Congrats to EntertaingMom!!! You were comment SEVEN which is the winning comment for the Grayson Saige pink and green toile star! Thank you to all who entered and be sure to check out the darling etsy store for many more fabulous, preppy, nautical items for your life and home!

The Taj

Well, as you know mother and I took the most amazing trip last week! While father traveled to South India we went to Jaipur and then to Agra where the Taj Mahal is located. While I knew the Oberoi hotel was close to the Taj Mahal I had NO idea we would have such an amazing view ! Our room had a dead on centered view (see the early morning photo above) of the monument built to love and it could not have been any more stunning. Gazing out was such a treat and mother and I both spent quite a bit of time taking it all in. Since the Taj Mahal is closed on Friday mother and I were told it was best to get up VERY early (read before sunrise) on Saturday morning to beat the crowds. Mother was all about doing this, but of course I was not so dead set on it. However, I got to thinking that 60 years from now I did not want to remember sleeping in and missing out on a once in a lifetime opportunity...and a once in a lifetime opportunity it was indeed!

Mother and I got up at 4:45am on Saturday and then had the hotel take us by golf cart up to the Taj entrance. We arrived at 5:15am just as the sun was starting to come up. You cannot officially enter the Taj until 5:30am so we waited patiently with a few other early risers. After a short while the guards came over to me and said we could enter. We were SO lucky that we the very first people let in the gates. Before we entered we had decided to find a photographer to take photos (we did this in Jaipur when I rode the elephant and had tremendous success) and we found such a wonderful one. He took our photo (which I will have to scan) when we first entered and then on the Princess Diana bench. Notice there are NO people in the background! Mother and I could hardly believe we were all alone and got VIP worthy photos. Getting up at 4:45am 100% worth it for this alone.

After our mini, VIP style photo shoot it was off to take in the great monument. By the time we got up to the building the tourists were starting to pile in, no more photos without people would be had for other guests! We just somehow got extremely lucky

The building itself is just magnificent. No detail was left undone. When visiting the Taj Mahal you can understand why it took 22 years to complete.It really is amazing the entire building stands in tact today, and that it stands tall and as beautiful as ever. The Taj Mahal truly is a wonder of the world and I feel so blessed to have seen it at the perfect time of day!

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day!!

Enjoy the time with your father, grandfather and husband today! I am so thrilled I got to spend the day with my father. I gave him two Lilly polos, a plaid Lilly button down and a new D-Day book. We enjoyed brunch at the Oberoi hotel here in New Delhi and are off to exercise in a bit.

I Did It!!

I rode an elephant yesterday!!

It was actually a bit scarier than I thought, but loads of fun and totally worth it. Mother opted not to go so she played photographer instead. I was going to ride an elephant up to the Amber Fort in Jaipur, but ended up riding one just along the lake instead. I am actually glad I did this, because you are SO high up that I know I would have been mortified to climb a mountain early in the morning (heights are not always my thing)! Another life goal has not been checked off the list. If you ever get the chance to ride an elephant I would say you MUST!

More updates to come. We are now in Agra, and I am want to take advantage of the AMAZING view of the Taj Mahal from our room. It is simply divine!!

Lilly Wish List!

Britt Dress in Pink Salmon Out to Lunch Moon Glow ($128)

Pink Lady Tunic Printed ($248)

Kelton Skort Printed in Beach Club Blue Making a Scene ($138)

Bettina Top Printed Lawn in Classic White Oh La La Brella ($188)

Rodeo Tunic Solid ($198)

Lilly Picnic Basket ($295)

India: Day Two

We had another busy, busy day here in New Delhi. After a packed day yesterday and a busy next few days we thought it best to take more of it easy today. So, we went t the movie with one of mother's friends and I also saw the Indian mall. We went to the movie Karma which is mystery and it is huge here right now. I enjoyed it and loved that the theater still offers an intermission here. After the movie we ran an errand and mother and I was super excited to see one of the Cargill offices. Father used to work for Cargill and we have some very near and dear friends that are still highly involved with the company so we had to get a photo for them!
After getting home and putting our feet up father arrived home and mother and I went to "The Steakhouse" aka the grocery store (the grocery stores are very small here, about half the size of a gas station if not smaller) and then down Raj Path. On the way to Raj Path I spotted a handful of monkeys playing on the sidewalk and crossing the street. Here is a poor photographer's attempt to capture one.
At the top of Raj Path we got out of the car again and I captured the elephants that surrounded us.Aren't these just beautiful??

Finally, I got a photo of the AMAZING pink and green items I picked up yesterday at Soma. Soma is the Vera meets Lilly store and it is utterly amazing. I went crazy in the tiny store and can hardly wait to visit their main store in Jaipur tomorrow. Aren't the items to die for?! I could buy just about everything on the shelves I think!

As mentioned, tomorrow we are off to Jaipur for two nights and then we stay in Agra (where the Taj Mahal is located) for one. I will be sure to continue to update you as I am able. Thank you for your many well wishes thus far!!

India!!!

I arrived in New Delhi late last night and had such a wonderful reunion with mother and father and the dogs. My flight was slightly delayed thanks to seven passengers who decided not to board on time. Once we landed I breezed through customs, but it took ages and ages to get luggage. I was out of the airport by 12:30pm and we headed straight to the house. Even though it was dark I loved seeing Delhi!! I unpacked and we hit the hay to get a good night's sleep in preparation for today!
We met our driver this morning and mother and father gave me a quick tour of Delhi. This was one of the first scenes I saw this morning and I just had to capture it for you all. Can you imagine balancing all that wood on your head?

Delhi government buildings

Hopsy in front of the Indian presidential palace!

These cars, Ambassadors, are everywhere in Delhi. The government drives white ones, the Air Force drives blue, black is Army and anyone else can order a different color of their choosing. I would get silver or hunter green.

The Indian Arch, doesn't it remind you of the Arc de Triumph?

After a quick tour of New Delhi we headed to one of mother's favorite places in the city, The Imperial hotel. We enjoyed lunch out on the covered and air conditioned patio (it was too hot to sit outside, outside). Mother and I split the club sandwich and lemon sorbet. I had a sweet lime drink and then English breakfast tea.Next to The Imperial pool, I was tempted to dive right in.

After lunch it was off to the Imperial Salon for hair and nails. Here I am being spoiled!

After the salon mother and I ran a number of errands. We went to an AMAZING store that has loads of pink and green. The only way we can figure out who to describe it is Lilly meets Vera, it was divine! We also ran to the purse maker. I am having a number of Catherine style bags made this week. I cannot wait to share the result with you, I even found pink ostrich!! As you can see, my first day in India was absolutely delightful! I am loving it and cannot wait to see what each day holds!