December and a Wedding!

Hello there! I did not want December to come and go without me saying Hello to my favorite people :-) Wow, this year has flown by and for me so will this month! My brother's wedding is ten days away....yipee:-)


My parents house is a hub of activity....happiness and chaos filled days as the countdown begins!! I am also working on some gorgeous home tours and have not forgotten my baby,"The Shop at My Dream Canvas". I promise you a fun and exciting new year at MDC. So stay tuned.....enjoy December and see you around!

How are the Christmas plans coming along? I would love to hear from you???

Hello!

Hello there! I am just popping in to say a quick Hi! Hope you are missing me :-) I am in my favorite city Delhi :-) I am enjoying being home with my family. With my brother's wedding just a few weeks away.....its a fun and crazy time. Days are filled with happiness,laughter, nostalgia........and so much more! The endless errands and the shopping makes for busy days!


I have missed MDC and all my friends. How are you doing? I would love to hear from you. For all my friends back in the States, here's wishing you a lovely Holiday season and a very Happy Thanksgiving!

I am off to enjoy the wedding hysteria but hopefully I shall be back soon :-)

Have a super duper week.

hugs.....

Anu

Image: Anuradha Varma

Twinkling Lights and a break!

Hello all! Its a wee bit early for the Christmas tree to be up but mine is :-) My kids are not home this year for Christmas so I decided to put up the tree and all the frills for them to enjoy! The sheer delight and the smiles on their faces made it all so worthwhile :-)  I am going to take a break from blogging for a few days. There is a wedding in my family and I am heading off to India very soon. My baby brother is getting married and I couldn't be happier :-) I promise to share some pictures of the festivities on MDC.

Have a wonderful Friday and a great weekend. Its is the Holiday season here in the US and a beautiful time of the year!

See you around and stay in touch.....hugs Anu!

Image: My home

A Feature!

I have just received my copy of the California South Asian Bride Magazine. The magazine is a Publication of Big Think Media, Inc. based out of California. As the title suggests, the magazine is a treasure house of ideas on how to plan your perfect wedding. They also feature stories about real Brides and Brides to be! Now for the exciting part!! There is a 5 page story by yours truly on how to create your ideal home! Yay!

Here is my article titled "Your Dream Home". Its a wee bit long....but I do hope you enjoy reading it :-)

 Home is where the heart is, and for newly-weds the home is even more symbolic as it is the starting point of your journey together. When two people come together, you need to create a space that works for both of you. Different ideas and design aesthetics come together to create that unique space that is all about the new "you". The transition from a house to a home is a slow and ongoing process, but it is also fun and exciting.

For me the journey began eleven years ago sometimes with turbulent beginnings. Getting your spouse to agree with you can sometimes be a Herculean task :-) While not all husbands have an opinion on interior design, mine certainly did. After numerous candid discussions, today we are proud to walk into a home that we both enjoy and cherish.

Your home should also be a place that makes you both happy. Life can be unpredictable but your home can be your constant companion through all of its various phases. Your home evolves and grows with you over the years, and ours certainly did.
The main ingredient, however, remains the same. Stay true to yourself, and surround yourself with memories and things you love, and you will enjoy spending time at home. For me personally, I like to be around family heirlooms and things that have a special meaning for me and us as a couple.

We all strive for an ideal home, but what does that really mean? It may sound strange but I believe that your home is like a journey. It represents who you are and what you have become over the years. A friend that knows your deepest secrets, a home knows all that's good and all that's bad :-) Spend time in your home, create a space that will nurture your relationship as you begin your new life together…….. and soon it will become your haven.

As a homemaker and author of a lifestyle blog called My Dream Canvas, here are a few helpful suggestions to create your ideal home......

Tip # 1 Think of your home as a canvas.

Give your home the importance it deserves by spending time to decorate your home. An inexpensive souvenir from a trip can be as meaningful as an expensive decor accessory. It can be a constant reminder of a beautiful time gone by. In my home silver heirlooms sit alongside seashells from a memorable trip to the beach.

Tip #2: Blend Different Styles and Colors.

As newlyweds try to bring in something that reflects both your personalities. It should be something that you can both love and enjoy having in your home. Just like your new relationship, experiment with things that showcase your unique design sense.

Tip # 3: A House becomes a home if you both cherish it.

Flowers are a simple and extremely effective design accessory. Don't wait for those special occasions. Just bring some stems home every few days to brighten your living space.

A big thank you to the editor Arushi Sinha for inviting me to be a part of the magazine. For details on how to buy the magazine click here.

Wednesday musings...

Groan...grumble...groan!! On this crisp beautiful fall day I am surrounded by a pile of suitcases as I need to start packing for my trip. The excitement of getting ready for a trip.......nah, that's not for me :-) I want to skip that part and close my eyes and just get there with my luggage intact :-) The packing, the repacking, the weighing of the suitcases....Oh! the fun has just begun!!

So how is your week coming along?

I think I deserve a break from all the stressing and thinking and not the packing :-) So, this is where I would like to be.......unwinding with a good book in this gorgeous space!

Image 1 : Unknown, Image 2 : via

Come Fly With Me to Brazil

I am cheating a little with this post today :) I am very keen to include this hotel in my "Come Fly With Me Series". The interiors are gorgeous and Brazil is a dream destination so bear with me as I take you back to the Uxua Casa Hotel.

I am swept away by the beauty of the UXUA Casa Hotel in Trancoso....... a small historical fishing village on Brazil’s southern coast.

The Casas were created by designer Wilbert Das in collaboration with local artisans using traditional building methods, reclaimed materials, and Brazilian antiques and art. It is certainly my kind of place :)

Have a great day and keep on smiling.....

I adore this eucalyptus shower-head in the open air bathroom of one of the casas.

 

 

 

Images: via

A Princess :-)

The princess is mine :-) My baby turns three tomorrow! Time has flown since we brought her home from the hospital. She is a three year old with an attitude and her own personality :-)

She makes me smile and fills our life with sunshine......Happy Birthday little one!

Have a great week!

Image: via

A Winter Weekend

It is a really cold start to my weekend! I would love to drink endless cups of tea and watch a good movie. However, my house is in complete disarray and I have to pack.....pack......and keep packing!!

A winter palette of warm rich colors, a lovely fireplace, hot tea and a good book is my recipe for a perfect winter day. What's yours?

Have a great weekend my friends.......and do join me for some tea right here at My Dream Canvas :-)

Image: My home

Cate Parr

I am completely astounded by the beauty and creativity of Cate Parr's oil and watercolour paintings. Cate Parr is an artist/illustrator born and educated in England and is now living in LA.


While its so hard to pick just a few of her paintings to feature here, these are definitely my favorite. Maybe I am drawn to them because these are illustrations of Indian brides but the detailing in them is fantastic.

View her entire collection on Etsy at silverridgestudio and prepare to be amazed....                            

Here is  an illustration of the Indian actress Aishwariya Rai. This is from a series of Cate's work inspired by the culture, colour and beauty of India.

 

Images: via

Come away with me to Essaouira, Morocco

It has been a while since I featured a hotel or  wrote a travel post. These images of Villa Maroc in Morocco makes me want to fly away.....away from reality where my head is filled with dreams of faraway places :-)

I love everything about this Villa! It is so charming and full of character. Morocco has always been on my list of places to visit. I do believe I will make it there someday :-)

 Marie Claire Maison describes this hotel beautifully" At the hotel Villa Maroc in the medina of Essaouira, one feels at home, in a world of simplicity and warmth, where gentle pleasures are enhanced by the flavours of ancestral family cooking, updated by the lady of the house."

So are you as besotted as I am ???

Images: via

A Georgian Townhouse

Good Morning! It is a really pretty fall day outside my window! This period home in Sussex, England has all the warmth and beauty that I am loving today :-)

What do you think??

To see pictures of the entire house, click here.

Images: via

Hello November

Hello November! Do you get the feeling that this year has gone by too quickly? I do!! However, no complaints from me....its been a good year and I am thankful for that! Another few days and I will be heading off to India for my brother's wedding. I am all smiles :-)


Have a wonderful November and stay warm! I may not be blogging very frequently as I have a lot on my mind and tonnes of things to do!! I shall pop in whenever I miss you or if I have something special to share......that's a promise :-)

Here's me sipping peppermint tea at home on a cold yet brilliant day !!

Images: My home

Monday is Here!

It is Monday once more......and a cold and windy autumn day in my part of the world. There are leaves falling everywhere. I could spend hours walking outside and feel the leaves crunch beneath my feet. The gentle floating of the leaves as they fall to the ground is a pretty sight!

Good luck for the new week. Enjoy it and ..............

 

For all those celebrating Halloween, here's wishing you a very Happy Halloween!

Image 1 :via, Image 2: via

TGIF!

My weekend does not comprise of spending time with a good book or relaxing! However, this image has a calming influence on me. I have hectic weekend ahead but I can certainly wish for a weekend filled with rest and relaxation for you :-)


Thank God its Friday and Enjoy it!!!

Image: via

Hello there and a virtual trip...

Good morning all! How have you been? Its been a busy few days for me, and its gets busier as I head off to India in less than two weeks :-) We had a lovely time celebrating Diwali (the festival of lights at our home) last night. Today, it is a gorgeous Fall day here in the Pacific Northwest. I have a million of things to tackle but I am enjoying the sun streaming through my window. Grab a cup of tea and join me as I take you away to Spain with me :-)

A 19th century industrial building has been lovingly restored to create this lovely home in Cadiz, Spain. I really like the bright and rustic feel to this house......

What do you think?

To view the entire house, click here.

Images: via

Diwali Wishes!!

Diwali is one of my favorite times of the year. It is called the Festival of Lights and is truly a beautiful day. Today, I am here to wish my readers all over the world happiness and prosperity and send you my best wishes! You all are an integral part of my everyday life. My Dream Canvas would not be the same without you and for that I am very grateful.

Here is a glimpse of my home ready for the Diwali festivities! Have a bright and beautiful Diwali and see you in a few days!

Image: Anuradha Varma. Please do not copy under any condition.

Lets Go Shopping!

SHOPO is a wonderful marketplace to buy handcrafted Indian items. One of my favorite blogs Colours Dekor and SHOPO have teamed up for a fabulous Diwali Giveaway.


On my wishlist from SHOPO is this pretty cushion from Anek Designs.

Love this beautiful box from Artnlight.

These festive zari cushions from Varnam.

Hope you all enjoyed shopping with me :-)

Linking up to the Giveaway and Weekly Story at Colours Dekor.

All images : via

A New Week....

Hello Monday and a big hello to all of you! My weekend was busy and fun.....and the week ahead is busier!! Diwali parties, shopping, a musical at my son's school, lunch with friends, birthday parties and packing for my trip to India....I am exhausted and excited all at the same time! Sounds funny......I know.....but that is where I am :-)

Have a great week.... and come back soon, as the Diwali magic continues right here at My Dream Canvas!
This is a picture I took of the tree outside my home......I love Fall!

 

Happy Fridays...

Fridays are way more special than the actual weekend. Friday goes by in anticipation of the weekend. Should we rest, relax, run errands, watch movies...party etc etc....??? Well, in our case it is also taking my son for soccer, swimming etc...etc.......you know what I mean :-) However, the excitement of Friday never seems to fade! The weekend is usually spent cribbing about how fast it went by :-)


So I declare Fridays as happy days :-) I have a couple of Diwali parties to look forward to, errands to run and a bit of shopping to do for my trip to India!

What are you up to? Hope you weekend is fun and relaxed....and remember to enjoy happy Fridays :-)

Image: My home

Thursday morning crush..

There is something so lovely about both these rooms. It is my Thursday morning crush that I had to share with you :-) The light streaming in,  the suzani covered sofa, the colors, the map and the whimsical feel to the second image...it all makes me smile:-)


Have a wonderful day!

 

Image 1 : via, Image 2: via