A Year End Post!

With the lingering haze of sleep and nerve grinding Toronto cold weather, I am wrapping my mind around with the possibilities of words to shape up this last post of the year. Although, this is the busiest time of the year, keeping my nagging worries aside I am pretending to be in the state of a controlled chaos (with our upcoming travel) and connecting with you all for the last post.  

I am totally bogged down (with a thought of long travel), my stress level is through the roof (managing all the packing) and I can‘t keep calm (with all the excitement of a family wedding). For now I am going to let them slide and pretend they are not part of my life and daydream about the choices I might have to ‘spoil’ me with my long & weighty shopping list of silk sarees and glistening jewelry. Shopping is undoubtedly one of the most exciting aspects of the entire wedding preparations….probably more when it’s an immediate family wedding.

However I find it overwhelming …even though I have precise favorite shopping places, a favorite designer, hundreds of photos saved on my phone and many pieces stored back in the memory of my head…I feel finding the perfect piece or saree is a daunting task especially when you are ‘oh so old-school’ & fussy kind of a person when it comes to settle from the latest flashy trends. No matter what the latest trends say, my fashion funda is clear, I wear something without any pressure from any trends, grace and sophistication comes easily to me when I am sticking with my love for traditional.

Apart from shopping, excitement level is soaring higher thinking about all the massive spread of food and festivities. Feasting on an unending menu of multi-cuisine delicacies and dreaming about dressing in best of the attire we are ready to stir up some fun at a family wedding. There are some typical glitches of travelling overseas but the satisfaction of meeting and mingling with family and friends is worth everything.  

Humming the tune of excitement and with butterflies in my stomach….we are so ready but how could I leave without wishing you all well at the year end for all the love. As we close the year end post, acknowledging each one of you for being a part of my passion. Thank you for your unwavering support and sticking around. Shall crack open new decorative adventures in the coming year. Until then, if you are travelling like us or staying home to enjoy the magical time of Christmas...wishing you and your family the very best of the holidays and a happy new year! 

You may stay connected with me on my Instagram to #travelwithpinkz stories until my return on the blog. A big e-hug to all of you, toodles! 

Festive Mode is on - Ganesha Chaturthi 2017

The festive season is upon us and I feel it is the best way to recharge and feel rejuvenated. Festivals give us a chance to debunk the suffering of our stereotype lives and enjoy the unapologetic and non-guilty pleasures of celebration.

 

Nevertheless, this year with our recently ended road trip and schools re-opening in a week, punishing schedules has begun to take toll on me and with that our home is an absolute madhouse.  Still the temptation to welcome 'Bappa' with all the grandeur is as strong as Fevicol adhesive :). After all, festivals are all about forgetting our worries and celebrate the positive side of life which also includes finding the time to do all your favorite things! And as you all know my favorite thing is to ignite a new romance and unfold new décor stories at the herald of any festival.

The one whose arrival has captured the social media, many homes and many hearts this festive season also is our rotund and plump bellied fella, Ganesha. Whose love runs in our genes and in our collection being the soul of our home. On this pious festival of "Ganesh Chaturthi", presenting few rare pieces of grand antiques from our collection that resonate with history. At the same time, they echo our sense of pride being a passionate collector of such gems. 

The very first in the antique series is "Sitar playing Ganesha" paired here with the rest of the antiques. My everyday gold brass is scrubbed and shined especially for the festive season. The brass water jug and small 'lota' housing flowers are recent loots from an antique dealer this summer. I personally think, these rare pieces keep us plugged in the past and surround ourselves with nostalgia and history. 

Next is an intricately carved brass hanging diya..which is quite heavy to hang. I have proudly displayed it here with all the bumps and knocks it came with. Every time I call these antiques in service, my husband wonderfully smug about collecting them all with his discerned eye, I let him take the credit of adding them to our collection ;), but it is me, who feel contented to bring out the best of them by displaying them in the nooks and corners of our home.

 

Whatever the festival it is, make-overs on my consoles and coffee table are part of my decorating DNA. Placed on my console here, the chubby little deity 'Bal-Ganesha', is my absolute favorite. Festivals are the best reason to bring out those hidden gems and scatter these treasured pieces into dead spaces. However, this Ganesha doesn't take turns often on my social media because keeping him clean is a herculean task. Though, this year, my son offered his hands for shining these beauties. His thoughtful and appreciative gesture revealed that festival values are being instilled in him firmly without being said.

And for the last of the series, I am ending with antique duo of Ganesha with more brass (is there a such thing as too much brass? Not for me!). Each of our pieces are distinct and have an individuality and character of its own. Multitude of such brass items can bring a buzz on the coffee table with ease.   

 

All this antique pieces are hunted and acquired from different antique dealers who have sourced these pieces directly from the destruction of palaces and temples, hence the exact era and age of these pieces are unknown. We feel proud to own and display these pieces from history in our collection which are hard to find in current market for owning. 

And before I wrap up this post, it hit me that you, my dear reader, might not know that these stunning but simple vignettes this year are created with the flowers from our tiny garden. With every bloom, I have leaped and whirled in one of those dances to see these babies and my green thumb grow ;).

Signing out wishing that may this festival of faith and joy bring the prosperity and happiness in you and your family. Happy Ganesha Chaturthi, enjoy the festivities until we meet again, toodles. 

September - A Herald of Festivity!

As we step forward to September, it’s hard to believe that we are about to kiss goodbye to summer and welcome fall. As the beach vacations, road trips and cottage staying will fade in distance, life will be trapped back into a busy cycle by hitting the hay early. However, the tan on our skin and the memories we created this summer are adequately evident that we enjoyed summer to the fullest. Ignoring the look of displeasure we are also ready to pack the bag and send our older teenager for her university life again. We will miss her presence (which is loudly felt in the home) and her infectious smile which is unfazed.

With September we also march into festivities and our home is so ready for a grand affair with celebrations galore.  We are all set to make Ganpati Bappa’s grand presence felt in our home. Hope the coffee table arrangement here will exude the same vibe for you all :).

On top of my saccharine and syrupy stories of our "Gifted Ganesha" collection on the blog, this month first time ever we are also taking a different turn by hosting a wonderful ‘Giveaway’ in collaboration with our featured product segment. Further down the road, this month we also have a home tour which will leave a compelling impression on all the décor lovers.  

And our every year’s ritual has been followed this year as well. Our young lady in the house has created another eco-friendly Ganesha for this year’s celebrations. I will be unfolding the new 'avatar' of him on the blog tomorrow. Until then signing out hoping that my enthusiasm has rubbed off on you to bring on the festive mode. Make sure to keep yourself connected on Facebook and Instagram for more big and small decorating ideas, toodles!

Passion of Collection!

Who wouldn’t fall for his spellbinding and hypnotizing rotund and jolly appearance? For the one who utterly embodies divinity with chubby cheeks, sparkling eyes, benign smile curved lips and his innocent trunk face. The one who radiates an aura of his twinkling and gleaming personality, the one who excels all the masters and the one who is most worshipped divine being, we did...yes...with Ganesha.

As the whole world welcomes him for a grandest celebration, I could not select any better day to cap off my long held idea of a post to take you on a virtual tour of our proud collection of "Ganesha". Though, we (me and my husband Aj)  both being an avid collector, are deeply confident about our interest and tastes, the credit for taking personal interest in building our collection should be endowed to my husband, Aj. The collection reflects his well -travelled life of business and his deep resonated sense of taste to pick the right pieces. Perhaps, his discerning eye is intuitively drawn towards certain pieces. 

So, keep your eyes and heart open as eventually I steer you around our home.

      

As you draw in, you will see the masterful layering around the home with carefully chosen mix of brass belting out the saga of our truly precious collection. As our home gets ready for the festivity, few upbeat hues of the festivities are brought to life at my entrance way. You might settle with my thought; DNA for "Ganesha's" love runs in the family, his charm has catapulted magic for our artist daughter as well who drew these beautiful paintings adorning our entrance. 

                 

When celebrations start, a dash of dancing lights and flowers along with our inherent craving for brass transform our living room a focal place in our home. The curated cabinet, in our living room,  is a perfect discovery for homing our rare, treasured and sentimental pieces. A common thread of brass here stitches all together.

Periodically combing through what you have accumulated eases a challenge to balance the pieces. Grouping in ingenious ways permits each item a greater decorative value. Particularly this "Ganesha with kumkum" I remember as the first one coming home before we begin collecting. His gesture being in a shell makes him an adorable and an exclusive piece of our collection.

Embracing possibilities by detaching preconception leads me to a perfect pairing of some timeless brass which often authenticates a little sense of newness in my décor. The “Zula Ganesha” was plucked by me for a pooja celebration at home,  over a decade ago. The antique brass tray was scored from the “Gurjari Bazar” of India. It’s a fabulous plus to our collection and no wonder you often spot in my décor being my absolute favourite. Little elbow grease and tamarind worked its charm to give the sharpness and shine to the plate. 

I chew on modifying and styling collection, instead of being jumbled on a shelf taking up your space. One of such styling of the impeccable crew of brass Ganeshas are taking their grand entry on the blog especially for the collection post. Each figurine in the troupe of brass portrays the compassionate Ganesha frolicking different traditional instruments. 

Traditional and fanciful rare piece such as this “Ganesha writting Mahabharata”, resonate depicting stories of history. To add more reflective glamour on the festive season, I every so often fetch him and other brass knick-knacks on our coffee table for a cheerful look. 

I often find myself challenging to balance the pieces without everyday being a feel at the brass store. To justify the correctness of each piece, I group with a great mix of style that is flexible and continuously evolving with different pieces. The "Idealistically sitting Ganesha" here on the vignette was fetched from an antique store boutique from Delhi. And the kettle, you are gazing at, is unexpectedly fetched from a yard sale rightly proving that one person’s trash becomes another person’s treasure.

We started feeding our passion by hunting and gathering aesthetically beautiful and elegant pieces such as this “Bal Ganesha”. Grouping him with few of my favourite things together builds a strong reason to stop by him and take a closer look. 

You don’t necessarily have to inherit an antique to love it and make it your own. This cutest “Nerdy Ganesha” is our most recent purchase from India. His sharp, smartened look made him a one of a fanciful gem of our collection.

For the collection journey, only part of our collected pieces were chosen here to share. But my tale of collection would never be complete without sharing our traditional and ethnic idols.

Raising the veil off of one of the classic “Wooden Ganesha” who was brought home as a treasured memory of our first purchase of a new home. This new age “Lotus seated Ganesha” came home recently as a gesture of our old school friendship by a dear friend. 

Along with few serene “Sitar playing Ganesha” and an infantile form of “Bal Ganesha”, we also own the most marvelous shade of blue ones. There are also few who a tug a string of our heart and often take numerous rounds in my regular décor on Facebook and Instagram pages.

Few multi-coloured idols of "Ganesha" also lend some personality, charm and whimsy to our collection.

A significant collection usually begin with just one item whether books, art, paintings or Ganesha, outline the personality of your home and reflect style and taste of the owners. Spark an interest in something you haven’t realised or considered collecting. Whatever and however you collect, just follow your heart. If you love something, you will always find a place for it. Love and surround yourself with your favorite pieces and live with it. 

Amid the plethora of fantastic treasures, I wrap up this journey of our collection. The tad-bit long post is a result of hours of styling, hundreds of clicking and finishing off final touches before festivities at our home. Now, as I am off to welcome our this year's Ganesha, wish you all the very happy Ganesh Chaturthi and a wonderful celebration, until we meet again, toodles!

Summer Strokes!

Stroking some bite size ideas on my summer notes today. To undertake my decorative goals for the welcoming season, I try to acquaint with a new colour scheme and the existing pieces to set the style and create little area of cosiness. My mind always has thoughts floating around to shake up seasonal décor for approaching a better look and feel the place in my home. 

Mingling with accessories and playing with what I own offers me an abundant preference. The principal factor, in my most decorating projections, is our proud crew of "Ganesha”. I take liberty to coddle in some unique combinations by providing contemporary spin on traditional pieces with the benefit of different Ganesha.

 

Exhibiting my brass wares for spreading out flowers is a resourceful way for seeking out the unexpected. I mostly incline for grouping of 3 objects to lend the visual power that only one alone would not give.

Rotating cushions is also my way of giving a splash to a space. Bold and deep colour for winter and/or light and airy for spring/summer looks always enticing.
 

For this season, I have punched bold pop of yellow and mango to build that summer triumph effect in the room. Custom-made cushions from Bristi lend a hand to complete that summer arrival in my niche.  

My family tour will mention my affection of cushions and how every so often I change them. Of course, I don`t have that many cushions, I have all those different cushion covers which are always welcomed in the room according to my frame of mind and décor swings. Besides, they are quite easy to wash and put up when not in need. My linen closet is packed with those dressy, casual, colourful or neutral shades of covers.

Face lifting the fire place mantel from season to season is also on my evolving décor mantra. Stirring things around can make the same room feel so fresh.

 

Mr. Sun`s sweltering summer rays in my family room add the last touches on my vignette.

When I survey the scene after smoothening out every wrinkle, straightening pile of books, mist with linen spray or lit a candle to pleasantly hazy the room, I honestly get seduced every time I enter the place.

Rediscover your style with a little of this and a  little of that to open up a stream of variety in your decorating styles. Turn those under the eaves corner into justifiably known one. Be undaunted in your approach and you will succeed. Till we meet again, toodles!    

Hello Monday :)

Hello Monday, here I am scooting over countless chores and juggling with many balls at a time. Taking a compulsive break to get connected with you.  Catching  up with a quick post to gather all the energy I might need to survive for the rest of the week.

Unveiling today, another signature piece of Ganesha from our collection. His stress-free and peaceful mudra leaves a smile on my face at every glance.

Past few days have been working against the clock for me as we had a  “pooja” arranged at home this weekend. Lovely crowd of family and friends accompanied the occasion, hoping to share few glimpse soon J. Though, presently, I am turning a blind eye to all the chores on the horizon for me.

My agenda of the week is jam packed with tons of activities. Lingering haze of many draining dance practices and few final touches of an approaching weekend dance performance is etched on the screen of my mind right now.

Also, last exam of school life ended for my daughter, leaving us with a thought of how fast the life and childhood slip away so soon. We have hard time grasping the truth that daughters grow up so fast. Since exams are over the young girl has a fresh reason to go on a shopping spree with mom for upcoming prom.

 

The good weather is also to be blamed for being inattentive on the blog front. I have professed my official envy for those who can take pleasure of indoor and outdoor life throughout the year, but for us Torontonians, just few warmer months bring our "boring" winter life to some  "chatpata" weather. Hence, busy enjoying the first taste of sandal season after long.

Along with my ranting, I am signing off today with some beautiful blooms, though, I have pretty few posts in pipeline, so stay connected with me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, until we meet again, toodles!  

 

A Springy Welcome

Our home is punctuated with many personal collections of 'Ganesha'. Many gifted, discovered, collected and inherited exquisite pieces are often revealed on facebook page. Though, some pieces of my collection tug at my heartstrings. Today's special appearance of my absolute favorite Ganesha is one of those piece. It is one of the interesting decor find of our proud collection. As soon as I had my eyes landed on him, I knew this fabulous, exceptional and unique "Ganeshji" is coming home. Many of you have witnessed my winter oasis of front foyer, created with all neutral white leaving a calm effect inside during those chilly, white winter months. Today, taking you closer to a more springy note. Few swirling spring thoughts and trial & error phase has resulted this vignette  cheering at the front foyer.

 

This fabulous plus of "Jhula Ganesha"(swing Ganesha) has been added to our collections since almost 10 years. The spring has repulsed my thoughts and my décor fundas to exhibit a remarkable piece from our collection. And on one of those "design moments" well chosen pieces are all set to guard my entry utterly uniquely.

 

 

Flowers have always been my best bet. A quote on one of the recent read; "Any thing that holds water can mostly be used for housing flowers" takes after my theory of setting flowers. Beside, nothing looks as inevitable as fresh flowers when you enter the home. Flatter the style with some fuss free arrangements of fresh flowers and you will be complimented at every initial encounter at the front doors. I have set them in an antique brass kettle to suit my purpose here.

 

 

 My mirror where I check on my last appearance before heading out the doors has reflected the perfect capture of the vignette. The proud brass lion is a visiting card holder piece which was rescued from Aj's office desk to complete the boldness on my table.  

 

 Lately, brass details implemented into home décor are a huge hit. The common thread of brass stiches this vignette together as well.  Posing above "the Ganesha paintings" add playful hit of solid colors. The back drop art of brilliant water color painting of Radha-Krishna on cotton canvas was a gift from Jaipur (15 years back) which I treasured by framing. It has been just displayed informally  here so that I can alter different looks more often on that console table.

 

 

 

After gathering up all well chosen pieces for entrance,  I stir up some fun and achieved this look of spring at the front foyer. Have you added some design punch at your entrance to upbeat the mood of spring? I would love to hear all about it,  until we meet again, toodles!

Spring is in the air

Happy Sunday folks, finally Spring is in the air. Toronto was soaked up in wet and muggy shower kind of weather but honestly, the weather has whisked me away, I feel I have rediscover myself after a long hiatus. The first trace of dawn in bed is surprised with whistling and chirping of bird songs outside, a hot cup of my ginger tea is enjoyed with occasional visitors in the pond of my backyard and evening is indulged by trailing off for a long briskly walk breathing in the pleasant air.

 Mr. Sun is perking up in little corners of the home and enveloping us in a bear hug. My spring blooms adopt a perfect look in the sunshine adding bonus of enjoying spring.  

This little transition has rekindled my love affair with Mother Nature.  Surveying these scenes create a new surge of assurance that warm days are just around the corner after big hangover of wintery days.  I am determined not to mess up with this chance of warm spring weather ahead and enjoy it with my happy-to-be attitude!  Wish you all a very happy week ahead, I know I will have a good one as my weather bug has all double digits Celsius lined up for me :)

Until we meet again, toodles!