The Shop At My Dream Canvas An Update

Its that time of the year. My little online store is filled with goodies for the festive season Yay!! Here are some quick facts about the store.

1.  We ship only with the United States. 
2. We use USPS 2 day priority mail shipping. 
3. Payment is via Paypal. 
4. For those of you that are local to the Seattle area, message me for pick up.

Here's a sneak peek :)

Click HERE to visit the online store!

Here's wishing you a bright, beautiful and prosperous festive season. 

Images: Copyright My Dream Canvas.

Diwali Inspiration From Around The World Part 2

While Diwali is over, the magic of the festivities lingers on! Here is our second line up of pretty homes from around the world! Each home has a special Diwali vignette with a story to tell......

We are heading to Bangalore today to the home of Preethi Prabhu. Preethi is immensely creative and her Instagram feed is pure eye candy. She is a keen on DIY's so you should bookmark her page for some lovely ideas and inspiration.
I was blown away by this lovely wall covered with mirrors, such a fun and pretty idea to give a space bling and beauty!

In Preethi's words " Diwali for me is a chance to re-live my childhood. Growing up in a small town you have some mandatory rituals that you follow. Everyone in the house is assigned a duty which they do to prep the house for Diwali. Such fun times."​

Thanks Preethi, I completely agree, for me too childhood memories is what I bring into the traditions and festivities in my home!

Next we head on over to Dallas, Texas! Ramya's Vijaykumar home is filled with rich eclectic and Indian accents.  

In Ramya's words " Diwali holds a very special place for me, when we were kids our household emphasized on going organic. But we were just kids, so had our share of fun, frolic and of course burning crackers. As teens we understood a part of being organic we shed the crackers and now as adults we see the grand meaning of going organic which is slaying the insidious evil and getting richer with the bond of blood and the spirit of togetherness. May this Diwali bring harmonious feelings and spirit of togetherness in every household "

Thanks for sharing these beautiful words Ramya and for this lovely Diwali vignette! You can find her on Instagram where she shares some lovely images of her home!

Pinky's home in Toronto, Canada is a visual treat. She has the most stunning brass collection of Indian brass diyas and brass artifacts. Her Instagram feed is an absolute treat. Hop on over and feast your eyes on all the pretty things in her home!

In Pinky's words " Oh how I love Diwali. I honestly wish I could decorate for Diwali all year long. Traditional and ethnic decor for Diwali is definitely cultivating my own taste. Limit doesn’t exist in my case when my traditional palette is freshen up with new styles and mantra with the herald of the festivities. All brass route is my way to imbibe and highlight the glitter and glamour of this festive season." 

 

Patricia Torres has been one of my first online blogger pals. She is passionate about decor and creates the most interesting and pretty vignettes in her home in Dubai! Her blog Colours Dekor is immensely popular  and makes for a lovely read.

Diwali in her words " Diwali is one of my favorite festivals of the year after Christmas. It also signifies the beginning of the festive season for the year. The lights, the colors & the happiness all around bring positively and joy to everyone’s face. Diwali to me, means the whole family getting together to spend quality time together & enjoy delicious sweets. Even now, all our family & friends will gather at home, or continue to pour in after sunset, to bring in the New year with love, laughter & plenty of food. It truly embodies the sentiment of togetherness. I love preparing for Diwali, cleaning up my home and closets. De-cluttering and giving away bags to the homeless. Ensuring we bring a smile on at least one persons face, by helping them with whatever is required, in some way. My favorite memory of Diwali though is the time I spent with my aunt in Mumbai, when I was a kid. To her it was an auspicious day from early morning baths & dress up, to temple visits, to family lunches, evening prayers & quick family visits. She would also make it a point to visit the nearby orphanage with loads of sweets & gifts, bringing smiles on the faces of the little kids. It would always end with loads of home made sweets & crackers."

Thanks Patty, that is a wonderful Diwali memory, one to cherish and to learn from!

​

We are heading back to India to visit Sharon DSouza's home in Pune. Sharon is the founder of the very popular blog TheKeybunch. Her blog combines interesting features related to lifestyle and travel. Her website showcases some lovely  India-inspired spaces.

For Sharon" Diwali means light and color. Instead of going with the traditional brights this year I brought in color through Millennial Pink, with a hint of green. Since families and friends come together during Diwali, I decided to warm this palette up with traditional brass and fresh flowers. Beauty, grace, color and light are the epitome of this festival for me"

Thanks Sharon, your home looks beautiful.....

We are heading back to the Pacific Northwest for our last Diwali vignette. Last, but certainly not the least, is my friend and long time advocate and supporter Raji Ram's home:) Raji is a lovely person, she is warm and affectionate and her home reflects her personality!

Thank you ladies for sharing your homes with us this Diwali. It means a lot to me! I do hope you all have enjoyed this tour around the world. 

hugs

Anu

Diwali Inspiration From Around The World Part 1

Diwali Greetings my lovely readers....

Diwali, The Festival of lights is upon us! It gives me great pleasure to bring you Diwali vignettes from my readers and friends around the world! My readers are my greatest strength...... without you the MDC journey would have been rather bleak! Your encouragement day after day is what continues to inspire me to keep on blogging....

Today, I am sharing a stunning Diwali vignette of a home just a few miles from where I live! Nirmala's artistic style and creativity will leave you spellbound! She is a long time MDC reader and friend. Her home has been one of the most popular home tours on MDC. You can visit her lovely home by clicking here.

Here is Nirmala's Diwali in a few simple words that are beautiful and for evoke a touch of nostalgia and happiness....

"Living here in the US now, Diwali to me is a time where I grow very nostalgic recollecting the real spirit of Diwali, left behind. The joys of waking up early, the new clothes, the home made sweets, the Diyas and Rangolis everywhere, the sound and smell of fire crackers, the love of family......no happiness like being back home during this time of the year. To me Diwali is all about celebrating a cherished past, a wonderful present and a bright future no matter where I am." 

The beauty of Diwali through her camera lens.....

Thank you Nirmala, best wishes to you and your lovely family for a bright and beautiful Diwali! Do visit her on Instagram for to see more of her lovely decor!

From The Pacific Northwest we head onto the other side of the world to Kenya, Africa! 

Diwali for Hemal who lives in Kenya is an amalgamation of her Indian roots mixed in with African elements.

In her words " The backdrop for this vignette is a granary door from Mali, Contemporary glass hanging lamp has a Kenyan beaded coaster as its base. The brass ware is Indian and Chinese. Diwali is a time to share happy moments with friends and family and make memories together. It is a time to celebrate and be grateful for all my blessings. Diwali to me is a time to be thankful for all I have achieved in the past year and for all that I look forward to in time to come."

Thank you Hemal and best wishes to you and to your lovely family for Diwali. Do visit Hemal's blog Villa Marigold for some lovely inspiration!

I hope you liked my Diwali World Tour :) This is just the first of many so stay tuned :)

 

Image 1 Copyright Nirmala Iyer 

image 2 Copyright Hemal Paliwal

Festive Series Part 3 : My Favorite Designer :)

With Diwali a few days away, my days are getting really busy! I have been neck deep in cleaning up the house and I am finally making progress :) For me, a Diwali mood board has to include the work of my friend and artist Chandan Dubey! While many of you are familiar with her work, her dedication and passion for restoration is truly remarkable! In my opinion Chandan's  designs can blend in perfectly with any decor! 

Her latest collection of limited edition pillows are a true delight! Vintage jewelry, vintage lace, got patti, luxurious fabric and intricate detailing makes these pillows a collectors item!

You have to bookmark Chandan Dubey Photography +  to know more about her one of a kind creations!

How is your Diwali prep coming along? My next project is my table setting for a Diwali dinner and I am totally confused :)

Spread love, light and happiness around you this Diwali!!

Images: Chandan Dubey Photography+ and subject to copyright!

Happy Diwali From My Home To Yours!

It is the middle of the night in my part of the world. I am here to wish all my wonderful readers around the world........a very Happy Diwali from my home to yours! May you and your loved ones have a bright and beautiful Diwali.

A big hug from me to you and thank you for stopping by My Dream Canvas!

Image: My home this evening!

Diwali Giveaway Winner

It has been a crazy but fun filled few days :) I promised you that I would announce the winner of the Diwali Giveaway on Diwali itself. So here it is....the clock is ticking and it is one minute to 12.00 am PST but I have managed to keep my word :) or.....maybe not!!

The Diwali Giveaway winner was chosen via random.org and is Divya of Sound Horn Please! Congratulations Divya : ) I hope you enjoy the little gift from the Shop at My Dream Canvas! A big Thank you to everyone who participated.

I am off to bed now .......as I am dozing off as I type this :)

 

 

Image : Mine

Diwali is Here!

Hello! After all the build up and numerous posts about Diwali.....the day is finally here :)

Here's wishing everyone a bright and beautiful Diwali. I am here to wish all of you the very best today and always :)

Images: My Home

Sparkle and Shine

Last night we hosted a Diwali party at the MDC casa! It was fun being surrounded by good friends :) The kids were laughing, giggling, and running around. The grown ups were just as noisy. We all had fun :)

Diwali is always a mixed bag of emotions for me. I loved Diwali as a child. Even now, as a grown up, I love everything about it. I always feel nostalgic around Diwali. The Festival of Lights has always been a celebration in my home. It all started with my mom who made it extra special for us :) There were so many things to look forward to during Diwali. There were discussions with friends and cousins about what to wear. Mom always cooked up a storm and there was a constant supply of mithai in the house. I was always in charge of the diyas, the lights, and the rangoli. The polishing of the silver and the painting and sprucing up of the house for family and friends were yearly Diwali rituals. The puja was followed by blessings from the elders. Last but not the least, there was the lighting of the diyas and the lights on the trees. Finally we would all sit around and admire our handiwork and revel in the beauty of Diwali :)

I really want to pass this legacy and the wonderful traditions of Diwali down to my kids.  Years later, and thousands of miles away from home, I hope that I am able to recreate the magic of Diwali for my children :)

I could not take a lot of pictures of my Diwali party last night but here are a few. Wherever you maybe in the world, if you celebrate Diwali, remember to sparkle and shine :)

Happy Diwali and have a great week!!

Images : My Home and subject to copyright. If you wish to use these images please remember to link back.


Joining Colours Dekor for the Weekly Story.
Joining My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Tuesday Treasures.

Working on some Festive Magic

Filigree silver tray, mercury glass....wooden tiles from Bali....some flowers and some diyas. That is my plan for Diwali centerpieces this year :) I am still working on it. Knowing me...I will change my mind a gazillion times :) However, I guess that's the fun of it :)

I shall be back later to announce the lucky winner of my Diwali Giveaway. I will try my best to have it delivered to you before Diwali!!


Have a Happy Friday my friends!

 

 

 

 

 

Images : My Dream Canvas and my home

Diwali on iDiva.com

I recently wrote an article for iDiva.com on Diwali. Head on over there for some simple Diwali decor ideas. Twinkling lights, loud music, the hustle and bustle, melas and bazaars, chaotic traffic.....I love the countdown to Diwali. Unfortunately, I am missing all the action in Delhi this year (: For me, it is is also a time to reminisce and remember all the beautiful Diwali's back home!

Don't you agree that the two most important décor accessories for Diwali are fresh flowers, numerous diyas and tea lights??

Have fun........and remember to sparkle and smile this festive season :)

 

Image : My Home

A Festive Tablescape at My Dream Canvas

I promised you a series on Diwali and here is the first :) Entertaining your friends and family on Diwali is always fun. For me, the countdown to the festivities is a time for planning and decorating. I move things around, bring out the brass and silver, hunt for the tea lights I have tucked away.....plan the Diwali bash I host every year.....yes....it is quite a bit of work but I love it :) I am sure you are looking forward to the Puja and festivities in your home as well :)

For those of you who do not celebrate Diwali, click here to read more about it. Diwali is the Festival of lights and one of my favorite festivals. Living in the States, my family celebrates Diwali, Thanksgiving and Christmas with the same enthusiasm. It is a busy and fun time of the year :)

In India red and gold are considered traditional colors. In some form or the other these hues show up in almost all festivals and weddings :) I decided on a traditional Diwali tablescape. So lets bring out the bling....and party :)

I have placed tea light holders on cocktail glasses turned upside down. This is just a simple way to create a centerpiece for your table. A red and gold tablecloth brings out my color scheme. Pretty tea lights and a jeweled tea light holder from my own little shop adds the right amount of bling :) Instead of napkin rings I have placed a fresh flower on the napkin.  My mother in law's cutlery adds a golden hue to the setting.

In my opinion do whatever you want to create your own festive tablescape. Just make sure you smile when you look at it :)

I shall be back with another not so traditional table setting..... and hopefully some more inspiration before Diwali day. I hope you will continue to stop by and leave your comments. I am looking forward to counting down the days till November 13th and celebrate Diwali with you :)

 

 

Images : My Home and subject to copyright.

 

Linking up with.......

Tuesday Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Surburbia.

Wow Us Wednesdays @ Savvy Southern Style.

Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple
Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage.

My Thoughts Today

I was all set to do a long post on Diwali ( the festival of lights) and I just could not. I am glued to CNN and watching the wrath of Hurricane Sandy on the East coast. I am hoping that all of you are safe and this horrific storm dissipates soon!

Take care and hang in there!

 

 

 

We will be counting down to Diwali right here at MDC. Do drop by the next few days for decor ideas and Diwali vignettes. Here is a sneak peek......

 

 

 

Image 1 : via, Image 2 and 3 Mine. Copyright My Dream Canvas.

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.

Twinkling lights...

Twinkling lights, loud music, the hustle and bustle, melas and bazaars (markets), chaotic traffic.....its the countdown to Diwali (The festival of lights). Diwali in Delhi........there is nothing quite like it! This city knows how to do it the right way:-) I am delighted to be here at this time, and thrilled to be with my parents.

Here are a few snapshots from their home. Do join me as we celebrate this lovely festival right here at My Dream Canvas.....

Countdown to Diwali!!

Here are some more pictures from my Sunday evening. I have been dying to use these brass stake tea light holders my mom sent from India. I am going to be in India for Diwali (the festival of lights). However, last night was my countdown to Diwali with almost all of the candles being lit at home:-)