• Lawar: a Balinese Delicacy

    If you’ve ever been to Bali, you’ve probably sampled a version of the local savory delicacy called lawar. One of the island’s most iconic dishes, lawar literally means “thinly sliced” or “finely chopped”, and consists of chopped meat and vegetables mixed together with fragrant spices and herbs. It is typically served at important Balinese events and ceremonies. However, visitors to Bali can easily find different versions of lawar in most restaurants and warungs...

  • Balinese House Compounds: a Microcosom of the Universe

    A visitor to the smaller towns and villages of Bali would be forgiven for thinking that temples adorn every street corner and all of the spaces in between. High walls with the smallest of doorways allow only the briefest of views by passers-by, while above the walls there are tantalizing glimpses of exquisitely carved shrines, some no larger than birdcages. However, these are all in fact private residences, more properly called compounds or karangs, which may house several generations of Balinese families at one time. Source: Bali Tour Guide

  • Linda and Ian Visit the Countryside

    This trip took place during a very trying time in our lives, in 2002, when we had decided to move from Sydney to Barcelona, Spain, and set up our retail business there. We had been working for some months to establish ourselves and things were not going well.  A wonderful Australian who owned a café in Barcelona and had befriended us now took pity on us and invited us to stay for a long weekend in the charming stone cottage she and her Catalan husband rent in a small but perfectly formed village called Tavertet. The following is my diary record of that fateful trip...

Aurora Three Strand Earrings

Aurora Three Strand Earrings

These stylish earrings consist of natural Afghan lapis lazuli and the finest quality Arizonian turquoise, mixed with sterling silver. Stunning against any hair colour. See the seven strand version here

Aurora Seven Strand Earrings

Aurora Seven Strand Earrings

These beautiful earrings are made up of seven strands of the finest natural Afghan lapis lazuli and Arizonan turquoise. Sterling silver fame and hooks. Stunning against any hair colour.  See also the three strand version here

Forget Me Not Necklace

Forget Me Not Necklace

Hand crafted necklace consisting of polished spheres of black onyx, turquoise, dyed grey pearls, dyed black pearls and cultured white peals, all suspended from a sterling silver chain. A stunning piece.

Stoneware Range

Stoneware Range

This beautiful range of stoneware has a matching jug, kettle pot, small and large candle sticks and candle pots. Bring home the French provincial look without the cost! Choose your pieces from the drop down menu.

Alabaster Vase Large

Alabaster Vase Large

This stunning vase is hand carved from a single block of alabaster. Translucent white-yellow with vibrant veins of red-brow running through it, every vase that we have is slightly different in tone and colour.  From Egypt, contemporary.

Antique Laxmi Oil Lamp

Antique Laxmi Oil Lamp

These delightful oil lamps are hand cast in a bronze alloy and depict an image of Laxmi, Hindu goddess of wealth, flanked by two elephants.  Between 60 and 120 years old and showing patina and wear, they are perfect to hold tealight candles in an indoor or outdoor setting