We’ve been very busy this summer at Sweetlime. Our exclusive kaftans, fluorescent beach bags, colourful scarves and jewellery have gleamed in the endless days of sunshine and been a natural magnet for beach-bound holidaymakers. St Ives has been full to overflowing, but as the holidays come to a close, the town becomes a little quieter and we can enjoy the September Music and Arts Festival. Sweetlime will keep her colour, but the vibrancy will be toned down a little as we transition into the new season with more of an emphasis on interiors and homewares.

To mark the end of summer, we will have a little in-store celebration on October 12th. Please come along and bring your friends!
 

With love, Elspeth

FOCUS

Since we are watching the sun go down on summer, yellow is my colour of choice this month. A colour symbolising sunshine; hope; joy and despite its associations with cowardice in the West, it represents courage in Japan and is sacred in the East.

In India, yellow plays a major role in the marriage ceremony. The colour derives from turmeric and is used in wedding food, decorates wedding gifts and invitations and is smeared on the couple’s skin to bring them prosperity, good health and many children.

The yellow pigment in plants is a great source of dyes. Saffron is probably the most famous source of yellow pigment and comes from the stamen of the crocus. The name saffron derives from the Arabic “za-faran” meaning yellow. It is believed that saffron arrived in Cornwall as the Cornish traded their tin for Spanish saffron and saffron bread and buns became a tradition in the South West. Saffron gram for gram is more expensive than gold as it takes 700,000 blooms collected by hand to make 500 grams of saffron.
Yellow is the colour of NY taxis, monk’s robes, sunflowers and French post boxes.

Keep smiling as the sun goes down on summer.


TRAVEL

Delhi, India

As I plan my next trip to Delhi, I get a little buzz of excitement just thinking about our route around the city, places to shop, places to eat and friends to meet. I first visited Delhi in 1994, it was a life-changing visit, as, after one three-day visit, I decided to start my business and make sure India became a constant in my life. Three to five visits a year made Delhi my home from home. It’s not a favourite with many visitors to India, but the hospitality I received, the work I was able to achieve and the familiarity of the city made it a special place for me. 

The city is full of diversity; small villages and enclaves make up New Delhi (a little like London). Grand boulevards and Parliament buildings are quite splendid and regal and are surrounded by public parks and green spaces.

Places to stay vary from backpacker hostels; private guest houses; Airbnbs to 5-star luxury hotels such as the elegant Imperial Hotel, which combines colonial, Art Deco and Victorian architecture.

Old Delhi is a walled city within a city built by the Mughals and is like stepping back in time. No cars; plenty of rickshaws; goats; motorbikes and hoards of shoppers. Each lane specialises in something, such as silver; dried fruits; hardware and fabric trims. It is truly an assault on the senses.

When I first visited Delhi, eating out was limited, but now the offer is endless. For example: Japanese, Mexican, Lebanese, Thai and of course Indian food, but I would always choose home cooking if given an option. Never refuse a chance to eat at home, but snack before as dinner will be served late, at the end of the evening. Once the food is eaten, it’s time to go home.

I am always happy to help and guide visitors to Delhi, so don’t hesitate to drop me a line for tips on sites to see; how to get around and where to shop and eat.

ART