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.

Hey......anybody there????

I know I've been gone for a long, long time. Totally disappeared on you....just V.A.N.I.S.H.E.D. 
And........that isn't good at all, I know. But......for a good reason, which I will let you in soon, I promise. For now, I'm here as I couldn't resist popping in to share some Diwali sparkle. 
If you know me.....you know how excited I get about Diwali and where ever I am, I do my best to make it very special. This year is no different. The lights outside are already up and I have been busy putting together a few vignettes for lighting up my home:) 

Here are some from last year (might have shared them on the blog before, but who doesn't like to look at pretty pictures).......will be back soon to share more pictures from this year.  

Wishing you all a very joyous, bright, and safe DIWALI!!!
May the glow of the diyas brighten your life and bring you success and prosperity!

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

Diwali wishes....

....from my home to yours!!!

Wishing you all a happy, prosperous, joyous, bright and safe Diwali!

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

Rangoli

Rangoli or Alpana has always been an significant part of diwali decorations for me, ever since my childhood.

My earliest memories of Diwali and its traditions, are of my mother making an alpana/rangoli in our puja area. The alpana pattern was made of a white paste of rice powder and then decorated with a hint of red. The pattern itself could be made of various forms- flowers, lotus, diyas, geometrical designs etc. The floor area covered with the alpana was considered sacred and worthy of placing all things to be worshiped. Traditionally, Diwali festivities last a few days starting with Dhanteras. The alpana once made, stayed intact for all the days till the festivities lasted.  

As I grew older, I remember my sister and I making a rangoli every Diwali, near our entrance back in our home in India. As kids, amongst other things that marked Diwali as a special occasion, such as getting new clothes, gifts, lighting candles and diyas, fireworks; the rangoli was always one of the most exciting part for us. It was a way for us to express our creativity and be appreciated by all the guests that visited our home to bring Diwali wishes:)

Diwali, for me, is a very special occasion to celebrate... and I wish to always continue the rangoli tradition.

Here are a few shots of the Rangoli that I have made in my home past few years.

I hope you are all gearing up for the festive times ahead......My weekend is going to be packed with preparing for Diwali...and then Halloween!

Have a great weekend!

I'm joining Of spooks and sparkles, A bit of India in my home

A special time of the year...Diwali

What better way to start my blog than to share my diwali moments...

Diwali has always been a very special time of the year for me, ever since I was child. I have beautiful memories of the festival and I want it to be as special every year for my family.

Here are some pictures of the Diwali we had this year...



Flowers



Pooja Thaali




The sweet treats

  



This idea was inspired by a post on Prachi's blog Purplehomes



It looked beautiful, and I got so many compliments on this one. Thankyou Prachi!







Outside lighting





Tree lanterns





Some more lights inside

I'm linking to the Diwali Dhamaka at the The Keybunch and to Emreen's Itz' Festival time!