Ganpati Bappa 2018

Regardless where you reside, you are bound to be overtaken by the festive enthusiasm, where decorating is a natural extension and essence of the festival. My festive fervor shines through my decor choices. Bringing my signature luxe touch on this year's Bappa settings with rich and complex accents of brass is a pure delight. 

To ignite a new romance and unfold new décor stories at the herald of this festival, I moved forward in that eureka moment and revamped this wall in spurt of the moment. Now the new strong background strengthens the point of focus and spiritual ambience in our temple room. Here is the look of our last year's décor. 

More is marvelous when it comes to brass. I am addicted to brass and I use it often and sometimes unnecessarily. Best of the brass pieces are out on the table that add a visual delight in the company of our eco-friendly Ganesha. The strikingly bold and glamorous paintings of our daughter gives this setting a riotous splash on the wall. The ikat framed mirrors from our recent Egypt tour add enough razzle-dazzle.

Do check out her growing feed on Instagram here.. from where she also takes up orders of painting.

Despite the fact, how people love Ganesha, worship him with all their heart and hold genuine respect for him, how I wish we could maintain quiet dignity to this festive without commercializing it. The viral videos on social medias of throwing away statues of worshipped Bappa has dampen my heart and spirit of the festival. 

Ending the post with a hope and a prayer that more people can make a move towards celebrating this festival more eco-friendly way in coming years. Until we meet again stay connected on my Facebook and Instagram handles, toodles! 

Ganesh Chaturthi Wishes

Wishing you all joyous and glorious festivities 'Pinkz Passion' style. May Ganesha always shower his love and blessings on all of us. Here are some eye-candy images to begin the festival. 

'Happy Ganesha Chaturthi'

Here are the vignettes of Ganesh Chaturthi special if you missed on my social feeds. 

Our Darling Ganesha!

With the celebratory occasion...‘Ganeshas’ are having a moment right now. And just like every year, we too have invited eco-friendly “Bappa” in our home. No corner of our home is untouched with the celebration. Especially our pooja room, which is brimming with his love and presence. The sound of soothing 'Bhajans' and the rising of chanting 'prayers' has left a purifying effect in our temple room which I look forward to enjoy every year.

Festive look this year has been created with the burst of yellow and green colors with some red thrown in. Strings of artificial marigold garlands have been placed on the runner (dupatta) to uplift the aura of the room. Our daughter's Lord Ganesha portraits are adding enough splashes of colors making it a perfect backdrop.

Taking care of the environment while we celebrate the festival, our daughter has been making idols at home since last four years now. You may peek here and here for our last two years' idols.We immerse him in a 'kundi' at home and let him be with us by pouring his left overs in our little garden.

Though one must visit India in order to experience the grandeur and splendor of ten days festivity of “Ganesha Chaturthi”, which is celebrated with much zeal and fervor.

With more festivities lining up to our calendar, I have so much to do, to plan and celebrate the festive joy at this time of the year. Signing out for today, as I head back to tick off the long list of things to tackle for the upcoming days. Stay connected until we meet again friends, toodles!

And we welcomed Bappa......

The décor demon inside me is hard to tame when the festivity ranks supreme. This year also the spirit of the festivities has created quite a stir in our home, and as a result of that great fervor, a seized corner in our temple room is breathing elegance in the presence of our eco-friendly Ganesha. 

Traditional theme has been injected in every corner anchoring my brass pieces.  My artist daughter’s artwork as a backdrop does not only rivet the attention but also gives a powerful impact on this year’s setting.

The same set of Bandhani dupattas used for décor here and here are called in service to imbue more color and draw the eye. Don’t miss the frolicking troupe of ‘Ganeshas’ with brass diyas (that I used freely mixing unexpectedly) adding festive touch on the table.  And the garland adorning on the “bajoth” of ‘Ganesha’ is actually a “toran” (door garland) that adds a decorative tone on the setting.
The tall wooden Ganesha statue is graced in the center as a great impetus. The dark and soft color contrast make both idols stand out. In between the festivity chaos and complete madhouse, the traditional ladoo recipe has been dumped and new (an easy peasy) coconut ladoo recipe (stolen from YouTube) has taken care of his cravings.  

Few traditional, pretty and colorful decorating, relevant to the celebration has surprisingly created a spiritual ambience in our temple room. I love it especially when the lit up candles cast a warm glow in the room throughout our prayers.  From my end, I am leaving no stone unturned to please our darling little “Ganesha” this year :).

 

Up next on the blog is our first giveaway, stay glued on facebook page or Instagram feed so you don't miss out any details on the post or more decorating ventures. Until we meet again, toodles!

Gifted Ganesha collection!

As I write this absorbing all my energy, cannot stop thinking about faces with all smiles, spilling energy on the roads, and madness on the street welcoming Ganpati Bappa back home. Where all the festivities are zaniest best, and ‘Bappa’, with his gentle candid smile, standing in front of storm fan, ready  to be coddled for 10 days composed of worship, devotion and love. Alas, no matter how low our heart sunk thinking about the laudable festivities in India, we have upped the ante here by making our small eco-friendly ‘Ganesha’ at home for the festivities.

Our penchant for ‘Ganesha’ collection is well known not only for my blog readers but also to our friends and family. Knowing our special bond with this plumpy fella, our friends or family don’t have to stretch their thinking for any gift or souvenir to bring in our home…Ganeshji finds its way to our home inevitably. And these little gestures of overflowing gifts have turned our collection into unforgettable memories. 

To honour our memories, unlike last year's brass galore, this 'Ganesh Chaturthi', I have summed up few portraits of these ‘Gifted' Ganeshas.

The very first in the series is our Parijata yellow jade Ganesha in 18k gold polish, who came home from all the way Jaipur, India. Taking the center stage on our coffee table, he is placed here on a German silver plate (a family treasure piece) with floating flower petals and candles 

Next two pieces are from polyresin material. Even though, both are intricately moulded from the same material they both beg to differ with their posture and gesture. Prudently used bright colors adds the attraction on our 'Paghdi Bappa' and the warm glow from votive candle holders enhances the captivating charm.

Another ‘prized’ piece with minimalist colour tone, is mixed here with my brass. Editing and styling these pieces instead of cluttering them taking space in a corner, encourages long conversations when we have company. 

A vibrant Ganesha hugging Shiva lingam and holding Parvathi on one hand came home as a return gift on a house warming ceremony. These nostalgia wrapped pieces bring back many memories when they occasionally land on my coffee table.  When not in use, these pieces can be found in our temple room which is overlaid with such other gifted Ganeshas.

With our Golden Ganesha all the way from Sri Lanka, I took some outdoor styling freedom in the company of fall mums. My husband, who is busy circling around the globe, often comes home with gifts of such wonderful pieces which add elements of history in our collection. 

This divine marble Ganesha sitting on bajoth (Chawki) with studded kundan work is my personal favorite. You know I had to bring in the brass for my styling ;), so here is the smallest piece of our collection paired with my glimmering brass. He is a gift from one of my loving friend who doesn’t leave a chance in adding pieces in our collection whenever she comes across any new piece in the town :). 

The very same friend, who also fetched this ‘Nau Dhan’ (nine grains) Ganesha, to make sure I have a company in the kitchen.  Now he has been placed where he can watch over me as I cook away storm in the kitchen. Lord Ganesha here is hand moulded with 9 different types of pulse and grain by artisans of South India. 

Lastly, the very latest Ganesha from one of my husband’s colleague from India is concentrated here together with other yellow- green accessories. The quirky candle holder is also a gift we recently added in our collection from Mumbai.

I hope you equally enjoyed walking with me through the fields of memory as much as I enjoyed pitching in new ideas for styling few of the our buried down treasured collection.

Wrapping up today's post sending our warmest wishes to you and your family on this festive season of 'Ganesh Chaturthi'. Until we meet again, toodles! 

Eco-friendly Ganesha!

Ganesh Chaturthi, one of the most talked about festival, brings to mind joy, fervor, extra zeal, pomp and gaiety.  The festival has created quite a stir in our home as well and the thrill and delight in equal measure has propelled us into a festive mode.  

Just like last year, our daughter has rescued us this year also by carving out our own excellent ‘Bappa’ for the festivities. Moulded with her labor of love, he is ready to be surrounded by love throughout his stay and shower his blessings.

 

This year, we are celebrating with double the joy as with extra time on hand, she managed to make 2 idols :). Unlike last year’s bappa placed on a flower, this year, he will be taking his seat on a leaf.

There is definitely an appeal that adds allure to her handmade creations. It likewise also makes both of us happy to see her engaging herself in traditions.

We have left the polluting bandwagon of immersing our idol long back and now carrying out the most elaborated way to celebrate the festival.  The worshipped idol will be immersed in “kundi” or “urli” after the festivities and the water will be poured out in our own garden to feel his presence forever with us.

For those who want to "go-green" with this year's celebration, can use air-dry-clay from Michaels, which is sturdy and fits the bill perfectly for us to mould our idol. The easy to use and easy to smooth air-dry-clay softens with water and ideally flexible for variety of other sculptures as well. After drying the clay idol (about a day) she painted him with acrylic paint.

The excitement of “Ganesha’s” arrival is palpable and preparations are at the peak and hoping the same for those who celebrate the festival.  As I turn myself back on the festive mode, we will see you again next week with a post gargling about our unseen collection of “Gifted Ganesha”.  Until then stay connected on Facebook and Instagram, toodles!

Deva Shree Ganesha!

How could I bid farewell to our little Ganesha without ensuring you all greet him? Yes, our charming Ganesha will be taking his grand departure of this year in few days. His impressive visit in our abode is strikingly stylish. Festive décor touches lent an added sparkle to his presence. 

Unlike India's noisy and colourful one, our immersion will be more personal at home only.

On these festive days I surely miss seeing the most intricate and extravagant celebrations back home, with crowds thronging the streets, frolicking flashy music on jam-packed roads. Ah, the blurry memories of childhood brought up the past that has been forgotten. We used to be up on the balconies waving good byes to all Ganeshas taking their grand exit with great pomp and celebration.

 

Blanketed art of the Ganesha's collage wall by the artist of the house, turned out to be a perfect backdrop. The pleasing celebration of this year’s festivity approaches to an end at our home also. Our little fella will be heading back taking all of our troubles and worries with him. Though, eco friendly Ganesha has lead us to an easy immersion this year.

Churma Ladoo

Our Ganesha has been treated well by offering his favorite delicacy Churma Ladoos everyday. 

His very much felt VIP presence in the home for the last couple of days will be missed. As all good things have to end, so does his departure. With Plenty of etched memories and deep footprints in our heart, we will bid him farewell, so he can make his majestic entry next year. Hoping you all had a wonderful celebration at your end as well :)

Up next on the blog, we will be falling for FALL. Stay connected with Pinkz Passion, until we meet again, 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!