weekender EDITED BY SHARON BRADLEY
BEST BUYS, HOT SPOTS, NEW IDEAS
DREAM DESTINATION
TAJ RAMBAGH PALACE
You assume the former royal residence of a maharaja is going to be fancy, but Taj Rambagh Palace redefines the word. Comprising 78 elegant rooms and an assortment of lavish public spaces, it’s an architectural paradise of glistening marble floors, shaded cloisters, intricate masonry and exquisite furnishings. The luxuriant gardens are a delight to stroll through, with peacock sightings probable. The afternoon heat a little too intense? A vintage car, or horse and sulky, will whisk you off to tour the grounds. A musician plays a bamboo flute, an astrologer is available for consultations, and folk dancers perform in the evenings on the lawns. Enjoy fine Indian cuisine while watching the ravishing recital, then retreat to your opulent abode to wake early for a sunrise yoga session. tatyana leonov BHAWANI SINGH ROAD, JAIPUR, RAJASTHAN, INDIA; FROM ABOUT $450 A NIGHT (INCLUDES BREAKFAST); TAJHOTELS.COM
We’re so turned on by the new Wink Lamp, an update of the classic HD3 table lamp by awardwinning Melbourne lighting design team ISM Objects. With its playful nod to Wee Willie Winkie candle holders of old, the Wink comprises a sleek disc base and cylinder, available in a range of powder-coated colours. It also offers an optional metallic reflector disc, in gloss-white or polished brass, to allow heightened control of the glowing LED lamp.
gadget of the week Android Wear watches have been around for a year or so, but what we like about the ASUS ZenWatch 2 is that it’s the first to be iOS compatible. Download the free app and follow the prompts to pair your Zen 2 with your phone and, before you know it, it’ll start buzzing discreetly to notify you of incoming emails, texts and socialmedia alerts. We also like the price of the Zen 2 (it starts at $289), its slim (9.5mm) good looks and its comprehensive personalisation options: up to five different straps and more than 50 watch faces are available. Cue admiring glances – and gentle enquiries.
WINK TABLE LAMP AVAILABLE IN SIGNAL ORANGE (ABOVE), GLOSS BLACK, GLOSS WHITE, QUARTZ GREY AND MARINE), FROM $280; ISMOBJECTS.COM.AU
ASUS ZENWATCH 2 AVAILABLE IN TWO SIZES IN SILVER AND GUNMETAL STAINLESS STEEL), FROM $289; ASUS.COM/AU
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object of desire
AUSSIE FLAVOURS
$65
DAMIEN AND YILPI MARKS CUSHION COVER shop.nma.gov.au
$75
PRAWN COCKTAIL SCARF
juliewhite.bigcartel.com
COMPILED BY TARA AXFORD
$99
MUDDIES TOWEL
rowfastergeorge.com.au
$125
CERAMIC WATER PITCHER
etsy.com/au/shop/maribray
$220
SEED POD RING
dinosaurdesigns.com.au
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