A Dash of Glam on your table ( Diwali Tablescape)

Come of Diwali season and I get into the décor mode with the frenzy. Décor mania has gripped me very hard just like every year and I have started weeding through the best of my décor pieces to reflect Diwali cheer at my end. Along with delectable array of Diwali feasts, treat the eyes of your guests on a dining table laden with loads of sparkle and glimmer. Adding a festive interior spice will make that royal-on-going festivity of chiming cocktails, devouring Diwali delicacies and delicious tête-à-têtes into a memorable one.  

If you haven’t yet given a thought of your festive tablescape for this year, let me help you construct one with the kind of things you use all year.  The series of such small pieces at my end have created a larger impact on the table occupying as layers for the festival. 

The Diwali table is one place, I love to play and plan even before deciding the menu. A fine idea was brewing in my mind to use these brass coasters (recent loot from Home Sense) on my Diwali Tablescape and 'ta-da' they look fantabulous. 

For that extra little glittering effect, I went overboard with the self-adhesive ribbon from Michael’s. It was super easy to peel and paste on my bare table runner. To add more interest, I also tried the ribbon on some ordinary looking candle votive. And I think I got lucky to achieve that richer look on the table, what say?  

Along came the “Navratri” bangles as candle votive on the table. These bangles are a token of love from a dear aunt but they unfortunately didn’t fit me and I didn’t have heart to pass it on to someone else. With their flashy color, I decided to let them join us on the tablescape :). They befitted perfectly with my golden theme.

 

For a festive look, choose metallic colors such as brass and silver, they are not only timeless but they never fail to cast a spell to bright up a space.

Try a hint of red, it always works for me. From flowers to candles to tablemats, few thoughtful touches of red can go a long way with your any decorative style.

It doesn't take a lot of time or money to create a beautiful table....just a bit of imagination. Muster up some table skills and run with this as an inspiration to build one with an easy, cozy vibe so you can wonderfully smug about having it all done for the crowd of your favorite people.  You may also refer to my last year's 'Diya tablescape' here.   

We have couple more Diwali Inspiration posts lined up next for you all, so, until we meet again, stay connected on Facebook page and Instagram feeds of Pinkz Passion, 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! 

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!

Jay Shree Krishna!

Lord Krishna, by whose hail, we start our day, by whose name, we exchange greetings to everyone. His divine existence can not be only felt in our temple room, but also he can be spotted stealing a look with his smirk in the rest of our home. Yes, even though, our “Ganesha” crew ranks at the top list, our “Krishna" collection is likewise appealing. 

Unlike last year's traditional celebration, this year's joyful celebration is different. For this 'Janmashtmi' we are venturing where we haven’t venture before. Letting you in today, on our Krishna collection with some ideally suited festival vignettes of “Krishna” theme around our home. These treasured pieces have not only witnessed our experience but they often unlock the past and let in the deeply held memories with them.

The very first is our natkhat ‘Bal Gopal’, (a kid version of Krishna) combined here with complimentary accessories to honour the piece. His giggling smile pouring out a dollop of ‘makkhan’ (butter) is amply evident for his love towards it. Curated from all the way UK, this baby Krishna was rescued from my son’s bedroom to share on this post. 

Few pieces of our collection tug at my heartstrings and this Krishna is one of those. His handsome pose is infused here with few pops of red and hypnotizing flames to fall in love impulsively. He came into our life as our wedding gift (many moons back) from family members.

Another flute playing Krishna is a family heirloom piece that we proudly own. With intact imprints of the place and the year (Haridwar, Ganga River, 1969) this piece marks the oldest of our collection. Holding the pride of the place in our temple, it is a treasured ‘handed down’ gift from my husband’s grandfather.

And few glorious touches of celebration on ‘Krishna’ theme around the home also include some flat lays. Another gifted piece of flute playing Krishna is a brass frame, which is casually placed for a decorative tone.  Lately, I have sparked my interest in a flat lay styling and still learning the tricks of building a theme but floating flowers in diyas created this vignette effortlessly.  

Now we leap towards the vignettes of eternal love. A soulful and sensuous “Radha-Krishna” sums up the core of my next 3 styling. The colors of the piece itself complement one another and to harmonize the appearance I have floated few same colored petals in a brass bowl. A yellow dahlia from my very own tiny garden champions a fresh approach on this swaying away zula under the ‘kadamba’ tree figurine.

A shimmering silver vignette with limited color pallet has been added on my wooden shelf anchoring another ‘Radha-krishna’. Krishna, as spotted here under ‘kadamba’ tree, is playing heartwarming tunes from his flute; while Radha here is simply curling up to hear more melodies.

No Krishna celebration could be over without mentioning his unapologetically mischievous “raas-leela”. A very old frame (which followed us in each and every home of ours, is entwined in many memories) portrays different gestures of Krishna playing raas with Radha. Another flat lay sort of arrangement to justify the look of the frame is banded together with little strokes of color to give a melodic appeal.

Celebrations also call for special recipes of the family...this 'Gujarati Panjiri' (made out of 5 ingredients) will rock your celebration. Recipe calls for dry roasted whole coriander, whole roasted fennel seeds, dried shredded coconut, powdered sugar and white poppy seeds. Grind equal amounts of every ingredient and add a drop of clarified butter (GHEE) and your Panjari for Prasad is ready, not only for Krishna but also to please your guests.

Signing out today's post singing "Happy Birthday" to Krishna and wishing you all a very "Happy Janmashtmi" celebrations at your end. Until we meet again stay connected on Facebook  and Instragram feeds of Pinkz Passion for more eye candy decors, toodles!

Holi - The colorful celebration

Puttering “Holi” pictures on the virtual world has sent me in the same vein as you, if you are also nurturing "Holi" blues with a twinge of envy just like me, for being detached from all the festivities back home. These festivals graciously allow us to remember old days especially to those who are far away from India, where any celebration of any festival is always at the peak.

Few thoughtful, few silly and few heartwarming honest moments evoke fond memories of my childhood. As I recall the days vividly, where the hurly-burly on the road and vivacious friends on the street play with colorful tradition ardently. 

        

Briefly toyed with the “Holi” idea, I have attuned a corner to celebrate Holi this year unlike last year's fanciful décor. Charming amalgams of my antique brass diyas and yummy colors have brightened a corner, which compliments the festival in our home. 

And for your dramatic finale of "Holi" I have got you covered with this light, fluffy and of course creamy "Thandai Mousse" to please any size of your party crowd. Certainly an impressive dinner party dessert here is delicately flavored with thandai that really brings out the spice when mixed with wickedly rich cream.

 

Ingredients:

• Whipping Cream - 1 cup
• Regular milk - 1 cup
• Water - 1/2 cup
• Thandai masala & syrup (readily available, and if not, there are gazillions of recipes to make at home)
• Shredded almonds ( Few drops of food coloring for a dramatic display)
• Agar-agar powder (China grass powder or Gelatin) 1 spoon
• Sugar ( as per your sweet tooth)

Instructions:

·         Whisk the whipping cream till soft fluffs are formed;   keep it in the refrigerator until ready to use.

·         Dilute agar agar powder in ½ cup water and cook on low flame

·         Add 1 cup of milk to this water and keep stirring

·         Add 1 spoon of Thandai masala and 1 spoon of Thandai syrup

·         Add desired amount of sugar (thandai syrup is sweet so taste and add sugar accordingly)

·         Bring the mixture to boil until everything dissolves and milk is wee bit thickened.  

                     

Let this liquid cool down on room temperature. Once ready, place this liquid on top of an ice cube loaded bowl and mix vigorously, it will start thickening soon and to avoid any lumps, the mixing constantly is necessary. Add in the whipped cream and fold in until both are evenly combined.  Transfer the mousse in serving bowls or cups and garnish on top with colored almonds or any other dry fruit you desire. Refrigerate for about 4/5 hours and serve. The colorful array of almonds make it an enticing dessert. You may play with any flavor combo you may like to make this mousse.

(If you have opted china grass as a replacement for of Agar-agar powder, you will have to cut china grass into small chunks and blend it down into a coarse powder before using, you may also have to strain the liquid for left over pieces of china grass before mixing the whipping cream)

 

Okay party people hold on, as on the spirit of HOLI, Sonal Gupta, the culinary expert at Simplyvegetarian has rounded up with all sorts of deserts and snacks for you to toast your festival with. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to be a part of her festive collective.  To earn yourself more desserts and snacks head straight to her blog where she has oceans of other recipes to feed inspiration for your upcoming festive parties from rest of the fellow bloggers.

We, Torontonians, are spoilt here with many friends and this festival fever of Holi has gripped us firmly, hence, we are going to mark the day noisy way in our own neighborhood. If you celebrate sober way or smudge the beautiful colors on your loved one's faces, enjoy every bit of it as these simple pleasures of life light up our world, signing out wishing everyone very happy festivities at your end, until we meet again, stay connected on facebook or instagram, toodles!

Rangoli

As a herald of Diwali or any other pooja day, a precise corner in my home is always brightened up by Rangoli with riotous colors. I have doled out my share of décor via Diwali posts but when it comes to art by no means I am an expert 'Pundit" unlike my artist daughter.  

As usual after typical perplexing over the design, this year’s Diwali Rangoli design is created by stealing an inspiration from our artist daughter’s art piece. A bit of family team work easily kicked up a notch. Hubby dear drew the design, young fella mixed the colors and the lady of the home, moi, created the magic ;)
  

For those who are novice like me with the flow of vibrant rangoli dust, this easy peasy rice rangoli arrangement will set you all up for the day.

 

Offering some fresh spin on traditional decorating of rangoli by using few mirrors is my way of cheering the corner. So splash few drops of food coloring and plain rice to create the magic in few minutes. (Ensure to have your hands covered with gloves before mixing the rice with color)

  

Year 2015



Rice and mirror rangoli

Mirror & leaf template rangoli year 2014

Rice Rangoli 2013



Paisly and Diya with rice -Year 2012



A very talented fellow blogger Lakshmi has weaved the tales of Rangoli dictating every aspect of it very well, do pay a visit on her blog Celebrations Décor for a great read on rangoli.

Until we meet again, wishing each and every one happy festivities of Diwali, toodles!

Festival of Lights - Diwali Decor-1

As we roll into the festivities of Diwali, I am totally stoked to represent a festival that I grew up loving. If there is any manuscript decor buried in your head or drawer, it is time now to ground them with life. Limit doesn’t exist when it comes to Diwali décor, so bring on few quintessential ingredients that typify your style and choice for the festival of lights. Diwali is all about a traditional palette so freshen up your home with visual opulence. FLOWERS to radiate the chic serenity, LIGHTS for some blinking and twinkling and BRASS for an extra bit of sparkle to top off the festive look.

After the Diwali Tablescape, I have roped in a picturesque journey of 2 Diwali décor posts in line for you to create festive oasis. Today's post is about glorious touches at my front doors bathed in Diwali spirited theme.

 A new warm look has been grounded to boast up the entrance. Décor has taken up a notch with warm ambience and over all festive bits, bringing an inviting atmosphere at my front doors. The German silver plate once belonged to my great grandfather is pulsating with life housing Ganesha taking the center stage surrounded by flickering diyas and scattered strands of marigold. Flowers are also attired in a similar heirloom piece of brass 'kalash'.

For setting the perfect festive tone, I scattered my collection of brass diyas. Golden hued flickering from diyas are cajoling  the gleaming charm at the entrance.

My artist daughter's Ganesha canvases never fail to steal the show. Here, I have casually rested another frame to add vibrant back drop on the vignette. The frame is housing a page from an old calendar of Krishna showing all his "Leelas", which I didn’t had heart to throw away. With an urge I kept the pictures. Now I repeatedly alter the pictures in the frame by swapping the pictures as per my color theme.  

 Creative display and array of breathtaking antiques will definitely stop and park your guest before they whisk away. I have exercised something unexpected by resting the brass urali and candle holders on the wooden wall scone. The wall scone is still begging for a perfect wall to rest in the home, until then I have informally rested it on a brass stand to suit my purpose on this festive season.

Few of our hidden gems are brought into a limelight this festive season. Shining a spotlight here is the star ingredient of our collection. Though, polishing this heavenly weighty bell was a herculean task.  

Gathering a gang of diyas will give your space twice the bang. I wonderfully smug about my collection of diyas added over many years from back home and few gifted here. Diyas are the rightness of any décor plan in festivities. Their alluring lights make an erotic atmosphere.

Red and gold are the Diwali classics and can easily kick up a notch in any décor. I have sizzle up the floor here with some exciting changes by mixing modern and vintage pieces. Staging of small pieces in a bunch will give you a power of a large display.

I honestly wish I could decorate for Diwali all year long. Traditional and ethnic décor for Diwali is definitely cultivating my own taste. Hope these images perfected the set of signaling a festive mood in your home. Circle back with me this week on the blog for Day-2 Diwali Inspiration of our living room. Until we meet again, stay glued here or on facebook page, toodles!

Plethora of fantastic treasures

Blogging has been my utter good fortune for meeting wonderful people who share related interest and passion as me. Today’s post is about crossing the path with one such personality down the road of blogging via Instagram. We share the same passion of collection, so join me as I take you on a story of joy and pleasure with bounty of brass as we explore a wondrous and full of pride brass collection of Shalu Prasad. Shalu’s home is a mecca of drop dead gorgeous brass pieces. Inspired vision, sentimental echoes and plenty of classic Indian charm drips through every nook and cranny of her home.

Traditionally beautiful antique pieces favor Shalu's  true passion for brass and antique with a talent of pulling it all off. In a span of 18 years Shalu has garnered a staggering amount of collection. Intriguing mix of antique and modern points out intrinsic character of the lady in the house.

Artfully piled and decorative display of brass richness defines Shalu's pervasive visual knack. With her own unique appealing styling in clever ways, each item in her home is bursting with greater decorating value than it might otherwise have.                 

She started feeding her passion for hunting and gathering in her young age to create her own special world of brass. Shalu's exquisite refined taste since her early years of high school made her to put down her name for an ancient cabinet which was being used by her grandma. She proudly claims to possess the same till date.  

Each antique in her home whispers stories of the past, how magnificent to have family hand-downs, and even better if you enjoy them just like Shalu. She has inherited exciting antiques from her grandparents, parents and in-laws. Shalu slated her blossoming interest towards collecting brass has also been nourished by her friends who have generously contributed to her brass collection.

Age has its advantage when it comes to brass. To prove this Shalu has confidently feathered her displays here with a naturally aged patina covered genuine bronze figurine, giving it an old world ambience. Lightly tucked in colorful flowers make the strong statement of tying old with new.

Shalu firmly believes that antiques are thrilling and always full of surprises! The whimsical pooja plate once belonged to Shalu's grand mom now displays some mix of her antique bronze, copper and brass pots. Not to overlook the timeworn background image, probably dates back from a print of 1950’s from Shalu’s friend’s mom’s attic adorning the vignette.

Few of her aggrandized pieces will transport you back to an idealized past era. A "Vajri" an authentic old antique of Shalu's collection sets the perfect example of being many centuries old which she scored from an antique dealer in Kerala (India).

If you are thinking to add some metallic gleam for the upcoming festival, start picking up ideas and inspiration from few of her revived and revamped corners occupying center stage for the upcoming festival.

Multitude of diyas on a plate can create a well-focused point of view during the festival time. With adding a hint of flickering diyas and by employing cheerful flowers you can perfectly warm up the Diwali theme.

With a discerning eye, Shalu has injected the warmth of elegant and dazzling pieces with rich patina to cheer up the festivity in her home. I love how tightly grouped flowers are giving a monochromatic decorative effect with the gleam of diyas.

Though Shalu decodes many of her collection haven't been yet photographed due to paucity of time. Being an adored and respected art lover, her skill with a paintbrush is more often applied to canvas for teaching paintings and sometimes taking orders also.

 
Hope you enjoyed bursting of lovely brass in an array of appealing styles.The serene and classy results of her passion mirror the quite taste of the lady herself. Thank you Shalu for sharing your breathtaking antiques, I being an avid brass lover can surely bring in a cot to live among your great treasures. Do get connected on Shalu's unique styling on her instagram page of templebells where she shares all things nice from her collection of brass and art.

 
At the passion casa, we have started to capture the spirit of Diwali. Until we meet again, stay connected on Facebook page of Pinkz Passion for lined up posts of the festivities, toodles!

(Images Credit: Shalu Prasad)