Pinterest Picks: Offbeat Invites

Invites, according to me, play quite an important role in getting guests enthusiastic for a gathering/ party/ event, etc. That said, we do not always have the time or want to invest too much in them. Which is why I am loving this first pick for the post. It’s a great picture invite, so DIY, and easily customizable for any event. Perfect for to be circulated via the web.

Below are some more fantastic ones that I found very unique but will need considerable time and effort.

1. Sparklers with matches included: ideal for any celebratory event or even a farewell as seen below
2. & 3. Ideal for little and big boy events such as birth announcements and birthdays

 
4. Corset invite perfect for a bachelorette or a girls only birthday celebration
5. Ballerina invites for little and big girl parties
6. Egg invites for a birth announcement or baby shower

P.S. You can see more invite ideas on my Pinterest board here.
P.P.S All image sources are available from my Pinterest page too.

Get Inspired: Ganpatiji on a Ferrari

I’ve always seen a very traditional take on decorations for Ganesh Chaturthi, and understandably so – it is a traditional festival after all. But when I saw Ganpati on a Ferrari recently at my neighbor’s, I quite loved the influx of modernity to the usual decor, and how the idea was brought to fruition by a simple yet stunning addition.

This cut-out style car would also be great for a car themed party, as a photo booth set-up or backdrop for the food/ dessert/ giveaway tables.

(P.S. Big thanks to Meenakshi and Anita Khanchandani for allowing me share this)

Get Inspired: Capture these moments for your baby

As I take the tiniest steps into photography, I like to browse and be inspired on how I can capture moments. Since A was born, it’s all about baby photography, not surprising ;D and so I have been pinning some really cute ideas on my Pinterest board here. You can either keep them in mind when shooting a baby next or to brief your photographer when taking their first portraits :)

Below are some of my favorite ones:

  (Images via Pinterest)

Cute & Funny Valentine Day Messages – Perfect Profile Pictures too :P

I’m loving these Valentine Day cards over at JulieAnnArt shop at Etsy. I also know a lot of people who change their BB Messenger and social media profile pictures to reflect the occasion. These would be perfect for Valentine’s ;D

(Images via JulieAnnArt ) 

Check out some more adorable cards for Valentine’s and other occasions at her shop here.

Date Love

We’ve been treated to delicious Nadiya Dates quite a lot recently, and I am especially in love with these dark chocolate coated ones – just the right amount of bittersweet to meet the soft and sweet date.. yummyy!

They are a super competition to Bateel, not only on the cost side but taste too, and will make for a very nice birth/wedding announcement gift or as giveaways at any personal or corporate event.

Visit their website here for more details.

Pinning Away at Pinterest

I have found a new place online where I can spend oodles of time and one that I am so in love with. It’s called Pinterest, a virtual pinboard where I and thousands of others keep a track of all the lovely things we find from all over the internet, tucked in neatly under various categories such as food, home decor, DIY, parties, etc.

Pinterest has given me the opportunity to put together inspiration boards I always wanted to make but never had the time to do. And it’s so easy!!! Try it and I promise you’ll be hooked!

You can view or follow my boards on Pinterest here.

Real Parties in Dubai: Baby Einstein Themed First Birthday

One of the top Google search keywords that has been bringing a large number of visitors to my blog is planning and organising parties in Dubai, thanks to a post I had written on the subject a while ago.  

This insight has led to the birth of a brand new section on the eve of my blog’s third anniversary  =D. My dear readers, I am super excited to introduce ‘Real Parties’, a column dedicated to all those people looking for some real inspiration and local vendor details, to showcase creatively organised real parties in the country, and the region, to inspire and assist you in planning your next event.

To kick start this series, I have an awesome Baby Einstein themed party that Sarika Aidasani threw to celebrate her son, Ranveer’s first birthday. Sarika left no stone unturned to ensure her son, her family and their guests have a fabulous time. Below she gives us an overview of how she went about putting this wonderful party together. She has also very kindly shared vendor details that I have summarized at the end of the post.

 
I have loved organising events for the longest time I can remember. It all started off with social events such as Diwali parties, weddings, annual galas and then professionally moved on to corporate events (as part of being a PR consultant).

For Ranveer’s party, I chose the theme ‘Baby Einstein’ since in the last one year, he has lived by these DVDs. We have used it to cheer him up, to distract him, to keep him calm and what not. So I thought why not this be the theme?

Once my venue was decided, Gloria Hotel, I got started on the invite. My friend Deepti Rupaney Taimni (DR Design Co.), a well known graphic designer in Dubai, made me a design that worked perfectly with the theme.

While the invites were distributed, I was still working on the return. It took me the longest to decide these. I finally found the return that I liked. It was an imprint kit, a photo frame (gift supplied by Customise Me: 055 6563141 & packaged by Treasure Box: 050 7646362). I wanted to give something personalised but it was not easy to personalise the frame as I think it would damage it. So I decided to make stickers of each child with their full name and initial, which they can use on anything such as giving gifts, on their stationery and/or any belongings. I have had great feedback from my guests, so glad many of them really liked it.

Then the cake - this was simple. I didn’t want to take any chances, so I got it from Choco’a. I had tried and tested them several times and was very pleased with the cake when I saw it.

 
So now that the main things were sorted, I had to decide on an entertainment company and the options I’d like to offer my guests. For this, I felt, let’s stick to the basics. You can never judge a child’s mood and to try and do something totally different could be a bit risky. Hence, I went for the basic games, bouncy castle, face painter, hair braiding, tattoos, balloon bending, bubble machine and a soft play area for the little ones. Ranveer wasn’t walking then, so I wanted to make sure that there is something for his age group too.

I rented all of my entertainment from Crash and Castles (+971(4)3948422) who also helped me to do the décor. For the soft play, I stumbled upon Toys On Rent, really a life saver as I didn’t have all these toys and in this size. It was so very convenient. They dropped it off and picked it up.

There were special balloon arrangements made to serve as centerpieces on each table.

We also added little print outs of Ranveer’s party theme at the back of each chair instead of balloons.

I even made separate passage ways for entrance and exit as I didn’t want people to come in and leave from the same place and had placed roll up banners at all possible points to guide the people coming into the hotel.This made it easy to lay out the gift table (receiving) and organise the return gift table (done alphabetically).

All of this has been beautifully captured in pictures by the photographers I had at the event. I had a photo studio set up, done by Imprint Design, which was a chance for all guests to experience professional photography and make memories that would last them a lifetime.

 
To cover the entire party, I had three photographers as I wanted one to just focus on Ranveer and the family, while two photographers covered the event. I am so happy I had a number of photographers on hand as these are the priceless memories I am left with from the day.

Vendor Details:

Venue: Gloria Hotel
Invitation:DR Design Co
Decor and Entertainment: Crash and Castles
Toys rental: Toys On Rent
Return gifts: Customise Me: 055 6563141
Return gift wrapping: Treasure Box: 050 7646362
Photo booth:Imprint Design
Photographer for family: KR Creations
Photographer for event: Melrish Photography

Amazing 5 Minute Hairdo Tutorials

Recently, my lil one has discovered a playground in my tresses when kept down, so instead I keep my hair rolled up all the time. Found these awesome and easy hair style alternatives that can be put together in a jiffy and look wow at the same time when stepping out.

Click on the images to direct you to the tutorials.

 Braided Do Tutorial by Keiko Lynn

 
Three twisted buns (Image via A Cup of Jo)

 Simple Gibson Tuck by Sara Lynn Paige

How to tie a head scarf by Keiko Lynn

Get Inspired: Pretty Derrieres

(Images via Pinterest)

There’s too much beauty out there

…. in the blogosphere and one of my main reasons to start this blog came running back to me – to document all the lovely things I see.

Yes, I’ve been away for a very long time but there have been many instances in the past few days where I have wanted to come back….

Like today, to share this awesome find, this delicious vegan Italian cooking blog, Kitchen Bloody Kitchen. Imagine my delight! Eggless baking, eggless recipes that look so gorgeous :-)

The language shouldn’t be an obstacle if you open the website on Google Chrome browser and take advantage of its instant translate feature :-) 

  Eggless Triple Chocolate and Cherries Loaf Cake

 Eggless Apple & Almond Cake

Eggless Chocolate Cake with Cherries & Almond Cream

 

Happy browsing and craving :-)

Get Inspired: Sweet Valentine Day Creations [Eggless]

Are you planning to make or bake something special for your loved one(s) this 14th Feb? Here are a few eggless treat ideas to get those creative juices flowing... :)

 

 

 
Super cute Valentine Brownie Pops by Squirrel Bakes
(P.S. You can make eggless brownies using a recipe I tried here)

 Nutella Buckeyes from Dessert by Candy

 
Strawberry Nutella Thumbprint Cookies via Sinfully Spicy

Chocolate crackles by Bakerella

 
And finally, the simplest of ‘em all Choco dipped and drizzled strawberries via My Kitchen Addiction

Mug Love

(Image via)

Such a simple mug that’s made precious with some simple words…
Perfect present to give..
Even more wonderful to receive.. :D ;D

Personalised Hand Painted Shoes.... Oh Yes

I’m loving these hand painted canvas shoes by Veathika of Foot Path, especially for the younger ones - easily custom made to what they like, what they want, to reflect their aspirations and very unique.

They’ll make for such thoughtful presents too.

Check this soopawoman out :)

 (Image Credit: Foot Path)

P.S. Veathika is based in Dubai and can be reached for orders and inquiries via her Facebook page.

Get Inspired: Winter Gift Wrap

I’m thinking during these cooler months, presents deserve a warm wrap too, don’t you think so ;D? I’m totally loving this simple and lovely DIY wine bag from Grey Likes Weddings.

 (Image via Grey Likes Wedding)

Here’s how you can make one yourself.

Get Inspired – A White Christmas Tree

With all the green and colorful trees I’ve seen year after year during Christmas, I love how this white stands out. Stunning, peaceful, so celebratory..

(Images via)

Product Review: Loving the Falsies & Minted

I’m loving this Maybelline ‘Falsies’ mascara and the ‘Minted’ Mac kohl pencil. My new favorites that perk up my eyes with barely any effort.

Guest Post: A ‘Martha Stewart’ Perfect Christmas in Dubai – Priscilla Stanley Shows You How-To

Hello everyone, I am Priscilla Stanley from licensedtoshoot and I hate to admit this, but I am no Martha Stewart.

As the year draws to an end, I find myself wishing I had her flair for turning an ordinary, mundane space into a beautiful picture perfect home, like the ones you see in glossy Christmas catalogues at this time of the year.

Sadly for me, these images just don’t translate into real life!

It was for this reason that I found myself at Pottery Barn earlier today.

An hour and half of browsing through the store and I knew my holiday décor this year was going to be a special one. Chad Allen, General Manager, Pottery Barn (UAE) was kind enough to let me take pictures of the lovely in-store decoration so that I could share them with you all.

Whether you plan to decorate your house for the holidays or not, I’d recommend you make a visit to Pottery Barn this month. The place is truly inspiring and the beautifully crafted knick-knacks are sure to bring out the Martha in you.

Antique silver napkin rings

    Holiday Pillow Collection: Peace AED 200

Reindeer collection

 
Monogram Candle Pot AED 100

‘Give Love’

Cheeky Wine Pull ‘One good turn deserves another’ AED 60

Monogrammed stockings

 Kkkkkkkk --- This one's for you Komal ;D

Here’s wishing you all Happy Holidays and a blessed, catalogue perfect New Year!

(Image credit: Priscilla Stanley)