Let us continue the festivities..

Last week this day ,the house was filled with the fragrance of flowers and incense sticks. In the evening, warm glow from the tiny diyas spread happiness and love in every corner .Their flames danced in the cool breeze. Akashkandil -paper lantern, diyas and the twinkling string of led lights dazzled the outdoors. Rangoli designs were made by sprinkling the white powder all over and making designs in a heap of powder with 2 year old insisting on 'helping' me. My son's eyes gleamed with joy to see the shapes we made with the sparklers.   

After day 3 of Diwali, some flowers in the garlands began to dry.. became dull, brownish. It is then when you realize that the festival will soon be over. How we wish that it would last a bit longer, isn't it? The festival won't but what I would like very much is for the decorations and euphoria of the festivities to continue a bit longer. I hate to remove the decorations down so early but then I had to save the ones which are still so much alive and happy.. 

Let them spread the love and joy.. So I took down all the garlands, cut the string and sort out the better ones. You can make this with fresh flowers as well. 

Take a slightly deep dish and fill it with just enough water to dip the stem of the flower. This helps to keep them fresh for many days even week(s) additionally it looks good from aesthetic point of view. This vase is a heirloom .. Belonged to my grandparents.. I was so happy when my father gave it to me.

 As for now I am happy that I get to enjoy the flowers , cherish the memories and continue the festivities. They make a good centerpiece as well!! This centerpiece can be good for India themed party or Indian wedding. 

Happy diwali

Wishing each one of you a very happy and prosperous Diwali. May this year bring you lots and lots of happiness in life and fulfill all your dreams.

Home sweet home..getting reading for diwali

Hello friends.. How are you? Have you started decorating the house for the festive season.. I have slowly started decorating..with a lot of caution as my 9 month old has started climbing and pulling things down..Lucky for me (for the decor sake) he is only interested in gadgets,cars, trucks and books.

So here is a corner in my living room which is the first to get decked up for Diwali..

 I believe that most of the things required to decorate the home for occasions and events are at home.. one just needs to find them and know how to use in the decorating or creating a pretty corner in the house..

Lamps, lanterns, earthen pots, hurricane lamps, tea light holders- bring all of them out!!!

Glass bottles , mason jars, old wine or drinking glasses.. its that time of the year to collect them!! urlis, Indian traditional style brass and earthen diyas , silver ware and brass ware all need to get polished..These all will be needed to light up and decorate the spaces in the house..

Have you guys started making the Diwali sweets yet..I better run as I have a long list of tasks to be done yet.. See you soon!!

Diwali Decorations

Hi beautiful people!!! Hope you all had a wonderful holidays and festivities..I still have a holiday hangover..Sharing with you some of the pictures of Diwali decorations in my house last week!!!

This is how my center table in the living room looked like..Floated lots of flowers in a brass urli along with some floating candles..I changed the flowers everyday..sometimes orchids..sometimes roses ..sometimes marigold and rose petals..Around it is designer Rangoli..It really looks good on glass surfaces!!

Outside the main door I made traditional Rangoli from chalk powder..I was bit lazy so I used stencil to make these patterns...

Flower garlands on the main door with mango leaves and lovely door decorations which my mom send me from India..

Few more wall hangings she sent me I have hung them from the ceiling near the Ganesha paintings..

     That's how my balcony looked like.. Fairy lights have such a magical effect..

Some more pics of the decorations in my house... 

I am updating the blog after quite some time....I have just started my third trimester .. feeling tired now but of course I have more time on my hand as I am full time home now..I have lots of baby projects in my mind.. Hope to complete them in these 2-3 months!!! will share the update on my new painting soon..Stay tuned!!!!

Check more fabulous Diwali craft and decor projects on this blog! 

Indian style table decorations

I came across Benfield photography yesterday while surfing for some Indian decor inspiration. It is a gorgeous site where the absolutely talented photographers showcase the weddings covered by them. I was flabbergasted by the beautiful wedding pictures taken by them. They have not only caught the emotions and expressions of the people well but also have a keen eye for the details in the decor which is painstakingly put together which is often ignored by some wedding photographers . These pictures are of the beautiful table decor from a multi-day Indian wedding ceremony in NYC.

 I just loved the beautiful metal vase with the striking flower arrangements.. Did you notice the gorgeous table cloth.. the candles create such a romantic mood..

These gorgeous metal centerpieces are the highlight of the wedding.. These tables are decorated with pretty lanterns , tall vases with exquisite flower bouquets which add color, soften the look of metal centerpiece and provide symmetry or rhythm to the arrangement!!! 

         Gorgeous tall centerpiece with flowers and dazzling metal balls..I love the one on the right..tall glass vase filled with grapes and lemon slices... looks so refreshing ....with a round bouquet at the top and shorter ones with floating candles ..

You can see more photos of the wedding and the decorations here on Benfield photography!!! 

Check more fabulous indian decor ideas on this blog! 

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Indian themed tabletop

After the end of the holiday period , getting back to the routine is a little difficult!! Plus I am trying to fulfill my new year resolutions .. cooking at home as much as possible, eating healthy, more vegetables and many more..(Don't be surprised if you see one or two recipes on this blog)....

Coming back to decor... All holiday decorations are back inside the cupboards ... I am busy giving my home a romantic look..New year should have a new look!!! So this is what my side table in the living room looks like now..

You might have seen all these items in my earlier decorations .. This is how I have put them together for this theme..

Moroccan lamps go well with Indian or a romantic theme.. 

Heres a tip...Soften the wooden furniture by hanging tassels from cupboard door handles.It  also it creates an eclectic Eastern charm and look!!!

I am joining the fantastic parties with Marty for Tabletop Tuesday and Susan's Table scape Thursday !!

Indian inspired wedding

This post is On-Demand for my lovely reader who is soon getting married!! She wanted some ideas and inspirations for centerpieces and decor ideas for Indian inspired wedding!! 

Indian weddings are vibrant and colorful... with elegance, grandeur and finery..No doubt the preparations goes for months and the actual ceremony lasts for 3-5 days!! 

If you are dreaming of having a India inspired wedding.. with a little bit of creativity you can give that royal touch, the ethnic essence and sparkle to the wedding venue!!

Marigold known as the Indian wedding flower. Traditionally marigold garlands are used to decorate the wedding venue. 
Some different ideas to include marigold in your wedding ..

Fill a large bowl- either copper/brass or a earthen one with water and float flowers in it with candles.

Make designs (rangoli) with petals of marigold around the centerpiece.

Use marigold as a brooch or bouquet!!

How about a marigold inspired cake!!!

From clothes to wedding decorations all follow vibrant and bright colors scheme! Reds, golds, silver go well with the Indian wedding color scheme..

If you want a Indian inspired wedding, the idea should be incorporate these colors into the color scheme of the wedding in small or big dose..

Red and white color theme or blue and silver with gold touches 
You can continue this theme on the wedding cake as well..
I love the royal cushion cake..


I love the blue and silver theme the most.. with the silver charger plate and the blue satin napkin with silver  jacquard ribbon border..blue hydrangeas and a gift for the guest in the blue and gold potli(sac)

More inspirations for adding touches and highlights of having a Indian themed wedding.. Hanging flower balls ..made of orange, red, pink roses

Add some colorful cushions with jacquard laces or Zari borders 

Moroccan lanterns go well with Indian theme as well..Hang them or keep them on high table!

Candles in a small earthen pots or in a copper vase/ bowls or in clear glass vase...

Make the place cards with Indian textile designs or henna patterns..If you want to incorporate a Ganesha or Om  in your place cards..

and don't forget to have Indian cake toppers to match your theme!!!

Check more fabulous indian decor ideas on this blog! 

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Mosaic 1:  Top left: Marigold events, Bottom left. I love tulip  Bottom right: The evil plankton Top right: Diwali celebration

Mosaic 2: Top two: Imatharu@rogers flickr ( IMG_2591, IMG_2617), right bottom: Nirali mag cake: Cakelava

Mosaic 3: Top: 1.Knot           2. Ethnic essence  Bottom: 1.2. My wedding

Mosaic 4:  Garima singh

Mosaic 5:Shaddi Curry   Bottom right: My wedding

Weekend Wrap

This weekend was festive and very happening one!! Lots of decorations, sweets, flowers, candles, lights, friends, festivities... In my home I did a  diwali themed decor with watermelon lantern ..then  some dazzling centerpieces with Chrysanthemums ...and some more festive centerpieces with candles which I shared with you on this blog .. Today I will share with you some more centerpieces I did on the weekend!!!

We went to the flower market and brought lots of roses, marigolds and lotus.. I floated some candles with rose petals .. filled my pumpkins with marigold!!!

This is on my living room's center table.. the yellow marigold, orange pumpkins and red rose petals and candles made such a striking centerpiece..created  festive mood for the evening...

I brought lotus first time in my life.. I have no idea how and when will these two bloom..I will definitely share the pictures if and when they bloom:) This is our dining table which you guys have seen in all my table decors..this weekend it was dazzling with floating candles in a copper vessel and some earthen diyas/ candles....

This is our puja table..In Zürich we didn't get marigold flowers or garland.. we were so happy that we could get a thick marigold and rose garland...sweets (boondi ladoo) and coconut as  offering ,  rangoli design on floors..lots of diyas, lights and candles..

In the balcony I lit a row of lights...

I took this picture today of the Diwali celebration and decorations in Singapore's Little India. The entire long road is dazzling with these decorations!!!!  

Hope you all had a great weekend!! Have a lovely week ahead!!!

Indian themed centerpieces and gift tags !!

Continuing with the earlier post of centerpieces in my house. Today I will show you some more Diwali centerpieces in my house!! Centerpieces portray the mood of the home.. or party!! All the centerpieces are coordinated according to the theme which is Diwali- festival of lights.. 


This is the corner of my dining area..I always feel corners are neglected as I guess they are difficult to decorate..Lot of trail and permutations of different decorations usually goes in the corner decor before I finalize one.. For now I am happy with this corner's decor!!

Since I shifted here only last month..So my plants are still very small..I think the silver vine will look pretty when it grows more!! This ornamental ganesha is a gift from a friend and also the carved wooden elephant.. The ladies and the lotus candles are from Zürich. 

I have collected Indian themed items from all over the world..Another one I love to collect is beach themed items..The plate is from Venice, Italy. The white lotus is a battery operated light which toggles between different colors!!

Another centerpiece reusing halloween's pumpkins..With their scary faces turned inside I kept few around a short vase with chrysanthemums in it..

Placed it with earthen and shell candles which I am planning to burn only on the main day of Diwali which is tomorrow!!

How about a game of Tic Tac Toe with candles.. Using round and square candles with skewers in the middle!!! Another corner glass table .. looks prettier than in picture here!!


Festivals are about giving gifts and presents.. l!! It is something I made with my hands with love just for you:) I hope you will like it!!

You can download these in JPEG here!! 

Happy festivities!!!! Happy Diwali!!!

Diwali themed table decor

The festive season is knocking on the door.. Deepavali or Diwali is just around the corner.. I am getting into the festive mood and getting my home into the festive mood as well..Starting from the dining table..My dining table is the center of anything happening in the house and shows the mood of the people living it !!! This is what my table looks like today .. decked with flowers, candles and an .....

...yes as you can see an carved watermelon as a lantern .. I carved it yesterday night..I have made a tutorial of how to carve a watermelon which I will share later on the weekend..This is not the first time I carved a watermelon.. I had carved a ship and peacocks earlier.. you can see tutorial here. I had used it for a beach themed table decor. ( btw the watermelon can be used for Halloween or anyother festival as well..it is going to be my substitute for pumpkin jack of lantern as well..seriously.. I am not joking..:))

Coming back to the festive Diwali table decor..Diwali is the festival of lights and so the most important decor element is lights, lamps(wax or oil), traditional Indian diyas, candles..I arranged small candles which are made in shells around the carved watermelon..They are in vanilla scent..and also decorated some candles around the stargazer lily..

The second important decor element is flowers .. As you know that I moved in Singapore last month and so discovering my favorite flowers was a moment of happiness.. I arranged some in a cut-glass bowl which I brought from Berlin and on its side is a Swan from Austria.

I arranged the stargazer lilies in a tall vase to give rhythm and symmetry to the arrangement.. 

The focal point is the carved watermelon.. I lit the candles and it gives a magnificent glow and makes a beautiful pattern when it is dark.. 

The warm glow and the pattern gives a calming and magical effect ..

I arranged the cut pieces of the melon around the dish .. They make a pretty pattern..

The silver leaf gives the glittery effect of the festive season. Coming back to the important decor element for Diwali ..the third important is colors .. India is known for bright and happy  colors and it is obvious during the festival time..Colors denote happiness.. reds, maroons, orange , greens, gold and silver.. all glam & glamour and bling bling!! I am not that adventurous or flashy so I used colors in subtle and natural form ..

The top view of the centerpiece..I just love the colors and the shapes and the harmony between them.. all natural !!

This is the first Diwali decorations and there is more festivity on my blog ..so do stay tuned .. I did a tutorial of this watermelon carving ..check it out here!!!