Happy New Year!

Wishing all of you a very happy, healthy, successful, cheerful and joyous 2014!!!

Image: Mine. Please do not copy.

My Diwali in pictures

Diwali is all done,

and  now I wait for the next one!

I have no more words to say....

Only my Diwali in pictures, for you today!!   

PS: The mason jars coated with glitter is the quick DIY I mentioned in my previous post:)

Images: All mine and subject to copyright.

It's Diwali time.....

Here's wishing a  very happy and prosperous Dhanteras to all my lovely readers!

I'm all done with Halloween. Now it's time for the big celebration, that is Diwali. Traditionally, Dhanteras marks the beginning of the five day long festivities for Diwali. So today, I'm ready to spruce up my home and bring in some Diwali cheer:)

I'm sharing some vignettes that I've put up at home...... 

I made these candle holders a couple of years back....read more about them here. They become a part of my Diwali decor every year. 

Back in India, come Diwali we would always go out and get the colorful paper lanterns called Kandeel. We would pick out a big one for our porch. It's one of those many childhood memories that I have of Diwali celebration at home.I do miss that here......

My orange lantern from Z gallery is what I'm using to decorate my home here:)

I did a quick Diwali DIY as my table centerpiece and I wanted to share it with you all, but....it's still not dry for me to light it up and take pictures. I will try and take pictures tonight, so I can post them tomorrow. 

Until then......Have a safe, warm, and Happy Diwali!!!

Diwali Glow and Glamour

Diwali is right around the corner.....

and I have reds, pinks, and gold on my mind as I think about dressing up my home this festive season. 

Finally, there is a nip in the air, and the weather is becoming cooler. The lit up diyas give a golden glow to my home and add warmth:) 

   Sharing some glimpses of my home from last year...... 

I love this time of the year.,...there's shopping to do....planning for a Diwali get together.....decorating for the festivities.... and to add to the mix, there's also the excitement of Halloween, especially for the kids!

I'm also busy preparing my Indian outfit and jewelry for the special occasion.....this is one day when I go all out Indian and want to wear something that is traditional as well as glamorous.  How about you?

PS: If you haven't already, do check out my etsy store shopAraish for some lovely jewelry that may add some glamour to your Diwali outfit:)

Images: All mine. My home. Please do not use without permission.

Warm glow of Winter

I'm so sorry that I have been missing from this space for all this while...and for the lack of posts. I think the cool weather paired with tons of sunshine has kept me busy and out of the picture-:)

I'm loving the warmth of glowing candles at home on the cooler days here in Florida.

Plus, I'm enjoying the holiday 3Ps (Parties, Potlucks and Picnics) :)

Isn't this ...... the most wonderful time of the year......?

So, what have you been upto? Are you enjoying the winter in your part of the world?


Images: My home

Glimpses of my Diwali

Diwali came...and went. 

In my world, the festivities went on up until this weekend...when I had the Diwali party at home. 

Here are a few glimpses of the last few days.....

our Diwali moments:)

Now I'll wait for next Diwali;)

Linking to Weekly story, Metamorphosis Monday

All set for Diwali...?

The weekend was a very busy one....with prepping for Diwali day.... and the Diwali get together that I have planned for the coming weekend.

With Diwali falling on a Wednesday, I wanted everything to be all set over the weekend. We managed to do a lot....cleaned nooks and corners of the house, put up lights outdoors, prepared for the pooja, planned the menu for the party and then the most exciting part.....decorated the house.  

I tried out lots of different ideas....

Decorating with wine glass lamps...such a simple idea- using block printed paper to make little lamp shades for wine glasses.

Lining up a row of tea lights on a bright colored table runner...don't they look lovely....?

Using a mercury glass tea light holder...I'm seeing mercury glass everywhere these days in stores. It adds to the glamour and zing of the decor and I'm loving the look:)

I'm all set for Diwali... Are you...???

Wishing you and your family a very Happy, Prosperous and Joyous Diwali!!!

Linking to Weekly story, Metamorphosis Monday, Emreen's Itz Festival time, 
Show and tell Friday

Decorating with Candles

The festival season draws near and I'm all about planning in advance:)

I've been collecting and trying decor ideas for the special occasions this year. As I promised in my earlier post,  

here I am, sharing with you, the first in the series of candle light decor. 

I hope you like it. 

Now, for the how- to. As you can see, the idea is very simple. I just took a few glasses, wrapped them up with some twine and then some kalava with a few ghungroos tied in between. 

If you have any such ideas...do share. I'd love to post about them here.

Linking to Metamorphosis Monday, Weekly story, Show and Share, Amaze me Monday, Show and tell Friday, Feathered nest Friday, Good Life Wednesdays

Images: All mine

Let there be candlelight

It's September......the start of Fall- the harbinger of all festivities. Before you know it, the festive season will be here....Dussehra, Diwali, Halloween, Christmas, and candles are a big part of all of them.

My mind is bursting with lighting ideas for this year's festivals.....I found loads of inspiration all over the web and here is some for you....

Go get all your glasses out- wine glasses, shot glasses, martini glasses, all kinds of glasses.....and then all those jars that you may have collected, bring 'em out and get decorating.....with candles, for this festive season. 

Flowers paired with candles make for the most dazzling decor....don't you agree?

Jars with candles hung as lanterns....Pretty! I did something like this last Diwali.

I have tonnes of more ideas for decorating with candles- some inspired and some my own, which I'll be sharing with you in the next few weeks. So stay tuned for more on 
candlelight decor.

 If you have any such ideas...do share. I'd love to post about them here.

All images via Pinterest