The Beat That My Heart Skipped – A blog dedicated to daily design inspirations. By Rohini Wahi.

I guess it’s apt that my first post of 2013 should be one of reflection…

You may or may not know that the song ‘Auld Lang Syne’ – traditionally sung to usher in a New Year [written by Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1788] is generally interpreted as a call to remember long-standing friendships, loved ones and to remember the days gone by. The title can be translated into English literally as “old long since”, “days gone by” or “old times. The melancholic song begins by posing a rhetorical question as to whether it is right that old times be forgotten? A strange choice of song then to celebrate starting anew don’t you think?

When I was a teenager I remember wanting to race towards a New Year, excited about a fresh new start and what that year might bring – something bigger and better than the last – and not caring to look back.  Obviously Robert Burns was a lot wiser than my teenage self! As I get older I feel an urgency to hold on to the past – the people I am leaving behind and the experiences that have whizzed by so fast.

I watched a film called The Hours over Christmas – an adaptation of the book of the same name by Michael Cunningham starring Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore and Meryl Streep. The plot focuses on three women of different generations whose lives are interconnected by the iconic novel Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf and all of whom, in one way or another, have had to deal with suicide and depression in their lives [I promise it inspires more reflection than depression!].

At the end of the film, Meryl Streep’s character in present day New York reflects on her life with her daughter [played by Claire Danes] who asks her when she was the happiest. Streep answers about a period in life when she was young, “I remember one morning… getting up at dawn… there was such a sense of possibility! You know? That feeling? And…and I remember thinking to myself: “So this is the beginning of happiness…”, “This is where it starts!”, “And, of course, there’ll always be more.” Never occurred to me it wasn’t the beginning, It was happiness. It was the moment…”

I guess what I am saying is that one of my resolutions for 2013 is to live in the moment and appreciate that happiness is what’s happening now – not just focusing on what is to come – 2012 whizzed by so fast with so many momentous milestones – that I wished I had taken more time to appreciate them. So in a bid to appreciate for a little longer – here are some pictures of the final month of 2012 – festive celebrations with our nearest and dearest and entertaining in our home [our first Christmas in our new home] -  Happy New Year!

I enjoyed making our home cosy for Christmas  – I hung mistletoe and boughs of greenery all around and this beautiful candle sconce from Rockett St George flickered gently every evening in our hallway.

Entertaining over the break, I home-made food tags for snacks using brown paper and a chalk pen. I hung tassle garlands inspired by Confetti System – learn how to make them here, and burnt my heavenly smelling Pomander candle [orange studded with cloves and cinnamon], from Diptique – if you only buy one candle during the festive season – make it this one!

Candy Cane Cocktail prep for our New Years Party. Get the recipe for the cocktail here.

I served Prosecco and raspberry punch. Made with Prosecco and raspberry liqueur and garnished with Rosemary speared Raspberries.


Lots of food  of course and my first homemade cakes!

I made Candy Cane Cookies! Get the recipe here.

A seriously lazy post but I thought i’d share some of my Autumn Instagram’s with you…

A super realistic Autumn Berry wreath that now has pride of place on the inside of our front door. Purchased at a very reasonable price from Butlers [I am thinking I can add Ivy to make it last through Christmas]

Cosy night in with Anthropologie Eden and Pear candle and tiny delicate wine glasses from Merci…

My Gulping Guppy ring dish keeps my treasures safe.

London at Twilight.

No-Carve Pumpkins hastily decorated with Spot Markers.

Charity shop find – gold lettered Oil jar.

Sigh. I have always always loved New England, The East Coast – the magical draw of the watery landscape, its cookie cutter seaside charm and rich history. This time last year I was there – being chased up to the tip of a storm smouldered Cape Cod by Hurricane Irene – seeing the Cape in all its natural raw glory and then a glorious glittering calm after the storm.

This year I am yearning for it all the more. There is something in the air that is bringing the charm of the East Coast into general consciousness.

I recently went to see the new Wes Anderson film Moonrise Kingdom set in an idyllic and nostalgia hued 1960′s New England island. The shingled and slatted coastal houses, rocky coves and summer camp aesthetic had me doe eyed and whimsy!

On the other scale – tapping into the glamour of the East Coast – Ricky Lauren [wife of Ralph] has just released what is sure to be a glorious book – The Hamptons, Food, Family and History. Combining food with her memories of raising a family in New York’s legendary Hamptons, the book captures the lifestyle—plus the rich history—of America’s most exclusive resort. The evocative book is packed with delicious recipes, beautiful photographs, and original watercolors that paint a picture of life in the Hamptons.

To sate my yearnings I like to look at design that might bring a little New England style into my home. The biggest thing on my design wishlist is this beautiful powder blue Shaker style kitchen from bespoke kitchen co Plain English. I can only imagine having a kitchen this dreamy!

Lotions, potions and scents from natural beauty brand Cold Spring Apothocary in NY. I love the simple vintage packaging, and beautiful amber glass bottles and tops wound in twine with wonderfully evocative ingredients Cedar, Black Pepper, Clove and Lavender.

Finally these super cute colour blocked chopping boards from Anthropologie have a fresh Cape boatyard look about them.

Could there be a more lyrical name for a store? I discovered this treasure today in Williamsburg on a strange kind of street common to Brooklyn I suppose – a contrast of ugly urban architecture prettified with boutique stores on a street that sloped down towards the industrial banks of the East River.

Stocking a combination of simple utilitarian homeware – plain linens, weighty chopping boards copper and iron hardware, the store also has a Gothic slant – offering glowing Edison light-bulbs, Victorian book stands and strange twisted pewter initials -  Moon River Chattel with it’s gold-lettered frontage was kind of glittery and dark and simple and complex all at once.

Everyone says that London has some of the most beautiful old architecture in the world but as i’ve been walking the streets of New York this week I have noticed the most stunning colour combinations gracing the city’s warehouse style buildings. Rarely in London do I see buildings with complimentary aesthetics sitting side by side and most usually march to their own merry tune!

These New York buildings are stacked up next to each other and adorned with subtle and elegant greys, blues, olives and taupes like someone has taken a giant Farrow and Ball brush and swept across Manhattan in a flurry of on-trend colour combinations. Even railing details, recessed windowsills and doors are highlighted in perfect symphony. Has anyone else ever noticed?