Valentine's Day is around the corner. For those who prefer to give a gift of experience (versus things), traveling is not an option this year - we better be home due to the state of the world. I am not complaining - I have been using this time to focus on my inner self. I picked up Ashtanga yoga, I made changes to my diet, I am on a partial digital detox - there is a lot changing. Still, with all these positive developments there is one thing missing and that's exploration of a new culture. There is a part of me which can't wait to travel and I know I am not the only one.

As we think of gift ideas for this Valentine's Day why not try to satisfy that longing for a new cultural discovery?

I recently discovered a book "The yarn connecting generations" published in Tashkent in 2017. The book is in Uzbek and Russian. The book is a tribute to works of two ikat artisans from Margilan - Turgunboy and Rasul Mirzaakhmedovs, a famous father and son duet. They revived some Central Asian ikat patterns lost during the Soviet times and created many new ones. Turgunboy Mirzaakhmedov passed away years ago - God bless his soul. Rasul, the 9th generation abrbandi ikat maker is continuing his legacy. It was interesting to read the book since I personally knew late Turgunboy aka and know Rasul.

Sustainability is becoming a matter of paramount importance. 2020 has taught us a lot of lessons. Some of these lessons have been life changing effecting how we live our lives going forward. Home has become a centre of everything - personal life, work life, hangout place, often with friends on the end of a town (or the end of the world via Zoom). This is why being home has to feel good and that feeling is better be achieved using sustainable methods. This post is dedicated to sustainability and how our ikat pillow covers can make fabulous Christmas gifts.