India has been the land of art and culture from pre-historic time. Indian art in the form of paintings and sculptures are quite fascinating. Everybody knows about the world famous Ajanta, Ellora, and Elephanta caves. The paintings (Fresco) of Ajanta caves and sculptures of Elephanta caves have a realistic touch and tell the story of our ancient traditions and culture.
One can get a taste of Indian culture with a trip to Rajasthan. Rajasthan is also known as ‘Rangeela Rajasthan’. There is a dash of colour everywhere, in the paintings, folk songs, and even folk dances. The palaces of Jodhpur, Jaipur, and Udaipur are full of beautiful artifacts that display the talent and skill of the local craftsmen.
Rajasthan is very famous for its handicrafts and a lot of tourists come to Rajasthan to explore these handcrafted products. Colourful and bright latkans, Mashaal' are popular wall décor products. A very popular traditional wall hanging is the ‘Jharokha’. ‘ Jharokha’ basically refers to a small window. In Rajasthan, the ‘Purdah System’ was prevalent and the queens generally watched all the proceedings or functions hidden behind small and artistic windows.These were called Jharokhas. The ‘Hawa Mahal’ in Jaipur is a classic example of this.
These days the same Jharokhas have transformed into decorative pieces and adorn the walls of many homes. They are made of wood and come in different shapes and sizes. They are available in a variety of colours and you can pick one that blends in perfectly with the décor of your home. This beautiful wall hanging can also be transformed into a photo frame with a little help from the carpenter. You can even buy a set of Mashaal's and place them on both sides of the Jharokha to give a traditional feel to your wall décor.
The wide variety in colour and size makes it a great return gift for your guests.
A large mirror serves many functions in a room. It is both a visual treat and a utility in any room. If it is perfectly angled against the wall, it tricks the mind and the ceiling appears even higher than it actually is. When it reflects light, it brightens the space and provides the illusion of an extra window. A single well-placed mirror has the power to make a small room seem larger. They are a cost-friendly alternative than any other art piece or painting. Add some light and shimmer to the dull corners and bring elegance to even the tiniest of places!
These pocket-friendly ways are a great way to rejuvenate your interiors. So break the monotony of your home and bring in some happy vibes by incorporating some or all of the above elements!
Living room Decor products to transform your space
Swap your average centre table for something different and unique. Go with a vintage coffee table to place in the middle of the living room, surrounded by your comfortable couches, divans and sofa sets. The vintage decor will set the mood right for some nostalgic chitchat with your friends and family over a cup of hot brew.
Want something smaller in size but exquisite in nature for your living room Decorideas? This smoke fountain right here perfectly fits the bill. On its own, it is a beautiful little showpiece with Lord Buddha deep in meditation atop a hill. But the real beauty of the fountain comes alive when you light a back flow incense cone at the top, like shown in the picture. The smoke from the incense stick will seep into the fountain through channels built inside and flow out like a cloudy, white, gushing stream of fountain. It looks ethereal and also spreads a relaxing aura in the living room. You can choose aromatic incenses to liven up the ambience even more.
The right rug and curtains can completely turn around the look of your living room, but the wrong one will totally dull it down as well. If you feel like your room could do a bit of makeover without going into much hassle or expense, then redoing the rugs and curtains is the best idea. Keep in mind the golden rule – contrast. If your living room has furniture and upholsteries in monotones, then you can experiment with prints and patterns, but if the former has loud patterns themselves, it is best to go with solid-coloured rugs and curtains. Also, choose bright shades if the colour code of the room otherwise is pastels and nudes, and vice-versa.
Adding a lamp or a lantern to your living room Decor is a great way to jazz things up. It can be something snazzy and contemporary like this palm tree garden here, or something more traditional and old-school. For a little twist in the tale, you can have a hanging lantern right above the centre table to make the evening gatherings warmer and cosier. Turkish lanterns are quite in vogue as hanging lamps, being both delightful and exotic.
Decor statues and idols are the most common showpieces people use to brighten up the living room, and there is a reason behind it. They are the most reasonable and easily replaceable, but with the right pieces, can completely give a space a different look. Imagine a living room with your run-of-the-mill figurines, and then imagine one with this beautiful Buddha statue. The latter adds an aura of calm, peace and tranquillity in the surroundings, does it not?
You will find most of these Decor items online with lots of varieties – you will be spoilt for choices. There are many other ways you can transform the aesthetics of your living room. You can have wall accents, magazine holders, stylish book ends, or you can go the DIY way and put into use some home Decor handmade ideas as well.
Keep reading our blog to know more about home Decor products and ideas!
]]>Hanging votive or light holders:
Any festival calls for lots of lights around the house, and Christmas is no different. A lovely tea light or candle holder will be an ideal gift for this season as it will be a perfect utility item for the festival as well as a great addition to the aesthetics of the home décor as well.
At Apkamart, you will find an exquisite range of decorative light holders – there are traditional ones resembling antique lanterns as well as modern ones in unique and innovative shapes.
https://apkamart.com/collections/candle-holder
Hand-knit scarves:
Nothing speaks of love and warmth like a touch of your own creativity. If you are good with wool and knitting sticks, sit down for an hour or two and make some scarves. Go for a pastel base and big bright colours to highlight it with. The younger people in your household will love them, so will some of the older ones.
https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail/stylish-woolen-scarf-9063509488.html
Books:
Some things never get old – and books are the best examples of that. If the person you are gifting is someone very close and you know their personal tastes and preference, then get the latest releases and good reads from that genre and gift it with a lovely note. If you are not sure – search for bestsellers as well as old classics. They never fail a bibliophile.
Jewellery:
A girl can never have too many necklaces or earrings. Search through our variety of traditional as well as contemporary pieces and choose the perfect one for your wife, sister, mother or girlfriend. Nothing can be better than giving the women in your life an excuse to deck up on Christmas Eve.
Old music albums:
Remember how mixed tapes were a rage back in the days? Well, a jukebox is the latest version of it, where you can put in songs of different artists and albums together. It might be a virtual gift, but keeping technology in mind, it is a great one. Put in the old classic hits of the golden era and as well as some of the Christmas carols from childhood. It will hit the right chords with nostalgia.
Wall hangings:
Wall hangings are always a safe and at the same time, sophisticated option for gifting. Go for unconventional and distinctive pieces that go with the charming feeling of the season and speak for your sense of aesthetics. Here at our site, you will find different designs and patterns that will look elegant and classy on the walls.
Goodie hampers:
Goodie hamper is a great idea for a gift when you have little time to invest but want to make it special nevertheless. Buy a jute basket or if you want a sturdier version of it, you can even choose from our decorative boxes at Apkamart, fill them with dry fruits, titbits, chocolates, crackles and some other small things that your loved ones might like, cover it with a see-through cellophane paper, tie it up with ribbon and voila! Your gift is all ready to go.
Online memberships:
Online memberships are the latest trend in gifting. There are a number of online academic, library and streaming sites which ask for a monthly or annual subscription or membership amount. This is especially a useful gift for your kids or other younger family members whose lives revolve a lot around the internet.
Gifts are temporary, love and friendships are timeless. To celebrate such relations, gift your loved ones authentic traditional vintage clocks that will remind them of the bygone times as well as the new and better times to come. These elegant timepieces available on our website make excellent gifts for this holiday season.
https://apkamart.com/collections/decorative-clocks
With Christmas, New Year is also knocking right at the door and if the person for whom you are gifting has a habit of writing one, gift them a diary or journal to organise their daily schedules and record their everyday experience. There are some beautiful leather-bound diaries in our collection too. Choose from a range of designer diaries mad with handmade paper to help your loved ones remember how they kicked off 2018.
We hope these ideas would help you in choosing the perfect gift for your loved ones. If you want to add anything to the list feel free to mention it in the comments section. Happy Shopping!
The direction of your home temple is important as it symbolizes the flow of energy in your space. Traditionally, in Hindu and Vastu homes, the temple is located in the northeast (north-east) corner, which is considered the holiest part of the house. This direction is referred to as the "Ishan" corner and is considered to be the source of spiritual and material abundance. It is also common to face the temple towards the east or the west. It is believed that this direction receives the most positive energy from the sun and the universe.
In Feng Shui, the temple can be placed in the North sector, which represents the career and life path.
In Western cultures, the altar or shelf can be placed in any room where you spend a lot of time, such as the living room, bedroom, or office. The most important thing is to choose a space where you feel comfortable and can focus on your spiritual practice.
The purpose of a home temple is to create a sacred space where you can connect with your higher self, practice mindfulness, and express gratitude. It can be used for daily rituals, prayers, meditations, and offerings. You can light candles, incense, or offer flowers, fruits, or food items as a symbol of gratitude and respect.
A home temple can also be used as a space for personal reflection, where you can sit and connect with your inner self. You can use it to meditate, practice yoga, or simply sit in silence and reflect on your day. The key is to use the space for activities that bring you peace and calm, and help you connect with your higher self.
To maintain the sanctity of your home temple, it is important to keep it clean and organized. Here are some care instructions:
The decor of your home temple should reflect your personal beliefs and values. You can choose items that have personal significance to you, such as family heirlooms, religious artifacts, or sentimental items. You can also include items that symbolize your faith, such as a statue of a deity, a cross, or a rosary.
Relevant Information: Depending on the religion or spiritual practice, there may be specific guidelines for how to set up and use a home temple. For example, in Hinduism, it is common to perform a ritual known as "Puja" to consecrate the temple and invite the deity to reside there. In Buddhism, there may be specific guidelines for how to arrange offerings and incense sticks, and how to conduct meditation practices. It is important to be mindful of these guidelines and to seek guidance from a spiritual teacher or guide if necessary.
In conclusion, a home temple can serve as a source of spiritual inspiration and comfort for individuals and families. By following proper care instructions and incorporating meaningful decor, it can become a cherished part of daily life and a symbol of personal spiritual values and beliefs.
]]>1. Decorative Lamps and Lanterns
The idea of gifting decorated lanterns and lamps is pretty impressive in the festival of lights. It is a traditional belief that light destroys all kinds of evil powers and bestows us with a fruitful life. However, the old sort of formal lanterns and lamps are now outdated. Decorated and designed lights and lanterns are currently in use and very much trending. One can place these lamps and lanterns anywhere in their home – bedroom, living room, dining hall, study, and in light of the current situation, at their work-from-home station. A beautiful looking lamp will always light up your space, literally and figuratively.
2. Wall hangings of Goddess Laxmi
In our everyday puja accessories, candle is one of the primary listed items. Candles flourish the aura of positive power in the households. It can be the right gift item if you're thinking of presenting something to anyone keeping in mind their physical and spiritual well-being. Also, these scented aromatic candles can be used in decorating homes and for romantic candlelight dinners. Every candle also needs a beautiful candle holder that you can gift along with the candle.
Pens are of great use to everyone, whether they are related to academic studies or have completed it. We can see that our pen doesn't have any fixed position and we can't find them when there's an absolutely urgent need. For keeping the pens in proper place there is a need for pen holders. Gifting diaries and pen holders collectively can create a great impression. Both the gifts get widely used in between every family member irrespective of the age.
These traditional dry fruit boxes come in various designs and shapes, as well as with a whole lot of nostalgia. They get handcrafted with love and care, and given shapes of beautiful leaves or other lovely vintage motifs. These dry fruit boxes are also available in brass or gold coloured boxes. Dry fruit boxes can be an extraordinary gift for Diwali because they carry the ideal gift for the occasion, and also enhance the decorations of the house. The vibrant coloured dry fruit box is very much eye-catching and can get used in keeping the dry fruits safe for a long time.
6. Flower vase
Festivals are incomplete without beautiful flowers. And what else is best to hold flowers for home décor than a gorgeous vintage flower vase. Fresh and attractive aroma of the flowers helps to keep the family gathering alive. Flower vases can be a necessary gift item that can be used to decorate the tables beautifully in the living room. The extraordinary marble, metal, wooden, and wooden artistic vases can change the look of the room. Gift a unique flower vase this Diwali.
7. Wind chimes
In recent years, it has been a trend to list wind chimes as gift accessories. The sound which a wind chime makes is considered very pure, and they eliminate all negative vibes from the household and emanate positivity. The sound itself is very much pleasing to ears and helps in sleep. Wind chimes come in various modern designs which can be a good gift for an occasion like Diwali. Wind chimes nowadays come integrated with the dream catchers in it and this kind of wind chimes are now very much in trend. In Native American culture, dream catchers help sieve in good dreams through the cobweb-style design in the middle and keep nightmares at bay.
8. Wall clocks
Many gifts are not related to everyday use but clocks are not that kind of gift. Clocks have various types which are traditional clocks, decorative clocks, and many other designed clocks. These clocks can be one of the most useful gifts which can enhance the interior beauty of the house. Also, the sizes and designs of the clocks can matter because the beauty and style statement depends upon it. If it is possible then try to gift wall clocks according to the colour of the walls so that it can beautify the room on a different level.
If you gift handmade canvas painting to your loved ones, it would define the good taste you have in art. Very few people take this kind of initiative of presenting a gift of pure art to their close ones. We often see in movies or magazines how canvas paintings get used in decorating the walls of royal palaces. A gift of canvas painting inoil colour or water colour can make your gift stand out from all of the ordinary gifts.
10. Puja Thali
Whenever we visit any temples or have a spiritual occasion in our home we need a puja thali where we can prepare the desired puja accessories. These puja thalis can be a great gift in the event of Diwali. Puja thalis get decorated with so much art and excellence that it hikes the beauty of the devotional room. Puja occasions are incomplete without puja thalis.
Every small gift brings a smile to whom you're gifting on the occasion of Diwali. Then there are these unique gifts which are useful in daily life in many ways and can be a good memory of you when you're not around.
]]>
So come and know more about Diwali in our blog.
]]>Derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Deepawali’ which means ‘rows of lighted lamps’, this occasion is celebrated in the Lunar month of Karthika and traditionally lasts for 5 days. For most parts of Northern India, Diwali is associated with Goddess Lakshmi, the harbinger of wellness and prosperity. But in several other areas, regional traditions connect the festival to deities like Durga, Kali, Dhanwantari, Vishnu, Rama-Sita, and Vishwakarma.
History and significance of Diwali
The existence of a festival named Deepavali can be found as early as in the 1st millennium CE in Sanskrit texts. In the 7th century Sanskrit play Nagananda, King Harsha mentions the Festival of Lights where newly-wedded couples were presented with heaps of gifts. The late 8th century poet Rajasekhara also refers to a festival where houses were cleaned and whitewashed before the arrival of the occasion and on the day diyas were lit all over the kingdom, just like we do on Diwali.
Among the explorers, the 11th-century Persian historian Al-Biruni, 15th-century Venetian merchant Niccolò de' Conti, and 16th-century Portuguese traveler Domingo Paes has referred to Diwali as a traditional occasion where lights are lit all-over the streets, markets, temples and houses.
The significance of Diwali varies from one community to other. But at its core, the festival is about the victory of good over evil, of light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance.
Some Lesser Known Stories around Diwali
According to the Hindu epic, The Ramayana, Diwali marks Lord Rama’s return to his hometown of Ayodhya after his victory over Ravana.
He and his brother Laxman rescued Sita from Lankapuri and returned to his kingdom after the end of his 14-year long exile. The citizens of Ayodhya were overjoyed at their return.But as it was a night of Amavasya (new moon),there was darkness everywhere. The villagers lit up the whole kingdom with lampsto celebrate the homecoming of their king. Hence from then onwards this day is celebrated as Diwali to symbolize the victory of light over darkness just like Rama's virtue won over Ravana’s sin.
Lord Vishnu, reincarnated as Krishna, once killed a demonnamed Narakasura. He was the son of Bhudevi, Goddess of earth, and Varaha, another reincarnation of Vishnu. He was also the king of Pragjyotishapura. During his birth, his mother sought a boon from Vishnu that their son would be all-powerful and live a long life. Her wish was granted, but Narakasura grew up to be an evil force for the world, enslaving thousands of women and raining torture on humans.
Before his death in the hands of Krishna,Narakasura asked for a boon that his assassination will be celebrated with full festivities. Hencethe day before Diwali is celebrated as NarakaChaturdashi to commemorate the death of Naraka and the freedom of 16000 women, whom Krishna freed and later married to give dignity and social recognition.
As per ancient Jain texts, Mahavira, the twenty-fourth and lastJain Tirthankara, attained salvation on the day of Diwali. So the believers of Jainismcelebrate “Mahavira Nirvana Divas” along with Diwalito acknowledgethe moksh-praptiof Mahavira’s soul, whichthey believe to be Siddha – the purest form of soul.
The day of Diwali is also known as Varshapratipada or Padwa as the great emperor Vikramaditya of Ujjain was coroneted on this day. He defeated the Saka rulers in 56BCE and initiated the Vikram Samvet calendar in 57BCE.Vikramaditya is known as one of the greatest kings of India, famous for his valour, bravery, wisdom, and leadership.
King Mahabali, a powerful but tyrannical ruler on earth, captured Goddess Lakshmi after defeating all the men and gods.Vishnu appeared in his court as Vaman, his fifth avatar, and showed Mahabali the wrongs in his ways with a simple trick of wisdom. Bali willingly surrendered to Vaman, who sent him to the netherworld and liberated his beloved consort from the grasps of evil. This is one of the reasons why Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on this day.
Mahabharata has a homecoming story similar to that of Ramayana, when the Pandavas returned to Hastinapur after 13 years of exile. The people of the kingdom, who all loved the Pandavas, arranged for a grand welcome with lights, lamps, and candles all-over the kingdom. It is believed that this day coincides with the occasion of Diwali every year.
On this day, every devotee celebrates by lighting up earthen lamps and candles, and placing them on thresholds, balconies, terraces, windows sills, and every open area of the house as a symbol of ‘triumph of light over darkness’ or ‘good over evil’. The entire country fills up with lights in every nook and corner to commemorate the beautiful The Festival of Lights.
]]>With beautiful illustrations and in-depth information, this blog post is an excellent resource for anyone interested in learning about Mahashivratri and its significance. Whether you're a Hindu or just curious about different cultures and traditions, this article on Apkamart Potpourri is definitely worth a read.
]]>Mahashivratri has immense significance for Hindus, and it is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm. On this day, devotees observe a fast and offer prayers to Lord Shiva. They visit temples, perform puja, and chant mantras to seek the blessings of the Lord. In this blog post, we will explore the significance of Mahashivratri and how it is celebrated across India.
Mahashivratri has various significances in Hindu mythology. Let's delve into some of them.
Mahashivratri marks the day when Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got married. According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Parvati was deeply in love with Lord Shiva, but he was not interested in marriage. However, after a long period of penance, Goddess Parvati won Lord Shiva's heart, and they got married on this auspicious day. It is believed that those who pray to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati on this day will be blessed with a happy and prosperous married life.
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a Lingam on the night of Mahashivratri. This Lingam is considered to be the embodiment of Lord Shiva's power and energy. It is believed that on this night, Lord Shiva's energy is at its peak, and those who offer prayers to him can attain spiritual enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Mahashivratri is also celebrated to mark the victory of Lord Shiva over the demon Tripurasura. According to Hindu mythology, Tripurasura was a powerful demon who had conquered the three worlds and had become invincible. Lord Shiva defeated him on the night of Mahashivratri, and this day is celebrated as a victory of good over evil.
Mahashivratri is celebrated in various ways across India. Let's take a look at some of the most common ways of celebrating this festival.
Fasting is an essential part of Mahashivratri celebrations. Devotees fast for the whole day and break their fast only after offering prayers to Lord Shiva. Some people observe a strict fast without consuming even water, while others consume fruits and milk. Fasting is considered a way to purify the body and mind and to show devotion to Lord Shiva.
Visiting temples is a crucial part of Mahashivratri celebrations. Devotees visit Lord Shiva's temples, offer prayers, and perform puja. They pour milk, honey, and water on the Shivalingam, which is considered an embodiment of Lord Shiva. The Shivalingam is adorned with flowers, and incense sticks are lit to create a serene environment.
Chanting mantras is an integral part of Mahashivratri celebrations. Devotees chant "Om Namah Shivaya," which is considered a powerful mantra to seek Lord Shiva's blessings. Chanting mantras is believed to create a spiritual and positive atmosphere and can help in attaining inner peace.
Varanasi, also known as Kashi, is considered one of the most sacred cities in India. Mahashivratri celebrations in Varanasi are a grand affair. Devotees take a dip in the holy river Ganga and visit Lord Shiva's temples, including Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The temple is decorated with flowers and lights, and there are special aartis and puja ceremonies performed on this day.
Ujjain, also known as the city of Lord Shiva, is another place where Mahashivratri celebrations are a grand affair. The city hosts a month-long fair called the Mahakaleshwar Mela, which attracts thousands of devotees from across India. The highlight of the fair is a procession of Lord Shiva's idol, which is carried around the city.
Mahashivratri is an essential festival in Hinduism, and it holds immense significance for devotees of Lord Shiva. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm across India and other parts of the world. The day is marked by fasting, visiting temples, and chanting mantras to seek Lord Shiva's blessings. Mahashivratri is also an occasion to celebrate the victory of good over evil and to attain spiritual enlightenment. It is a day to reflect on our lives, seek inner peace and connect with the divine.
]]>Now the real confusion begins right? Allow us to solve some of your problems. So, here go some ideas for return gifts that are absolute to be a giant hit among your guests.
Perfumed candles are a great option as a wedding return gift. They serve both a useful and decorative purpose.
Further, scented candles come with their subtle aroma, their candles attempt to evoke memories and rekindle the senses - adding more than just a flicker to life. Popular fragrances are rose and lavender. They give the impression of being delicate and chic. They can be easily packed. They are also easy to install and be enjoyed by the guests.
You can gift these with candle holders as well. Candle holders are really very chic and elegant. There are a lot of designs to decide on from.
Return gifts for the wedding have taken up a very creative turn. Couples today want to gift their guests with some useful gifts that may be in their memories for a lifetime. If you wish to gift something useful and special to your guests then a set of dinner plates, Trays or Tray set, set of glassware, a designer set of spoons etc. Designer glasses with elegant designs and intricate detailing are a wise choice for a wedding return gift. You can also go for mugs. They’re very useful, get a hand on some quirky designs. A wonderful selection in every way and with such a thoughtful gesture it might make your guests happy all the more. This can also be selected as a couple of wedding gift.
3. Decorative Boxes or Jewellery Boxes
Nothing more ethnic than jewellery and but we’re not telling you to gift them jewellery, gift them jewellery cases. Artefacts are beautifully crafted handmade items that make the perfect wedding return gifts. These beautiful looking jewellery boxes make an ideal gift for culture-lovers! Artefacts can be easily bought at exhibitions and from vendors.
You can go for simple and vibrant cane boxes or carved wooden ones. These boxes are multipurpose and will make dressing table look really organized and attractive. That’s what makes them a perfect choice. Contact a handicraft association, and they will be able to get you a list of items that you can give as your wedding return gift.
4. Gift Vouchers
If you still cannot think of the perfect return gifts, the simplest way is to buy a gift voucher of a suitable amount of a store that you both like. Your guests can go to those stores and choose whatever they wish to purchase redeeming the gift vouchers. Planning your wedding successfully is less complicated than you think.
5. Personalized Return Gifts
Personalized gifts are a wider term and have plenty of options to settle on from. Your personalized gifts can be customized chocolates, wall hangings, room decorative items, desk clocks and much more and a thank you notes on them, biding a thankful goodbye to your guests for their presence in the wedding.
Return gifts are nothing but just another way to say “Thank You” to your guests. Make them happy and honored at the same time by reciprocating their gestures as pretty return gifts. Choose whatever suits your budget. These were some best wedding return gift ideas that you simply could use to gift a wedding return gift to your guests.
]]>Mother Teresa
Gifting is an age-old tradition. The system of gifting has its roots in human’s intrinsic need to express love, affection and respect for another individual.
During ancient ages, tribes used to gift each other with skins, bones and horns of animals, and sometimes weapons as a gesture of friendship and truce. In the medieval period, there were customs of exchanging large amounts of ornaments, precious items and even cash crops between monarchs to show mutual respect.
Gifting is nothing but a token of one’s feelings towards the other. If we share a fond relationship with someone, we like them to have something which would remind them of us. But the culture of gifting has changed tremendously ever since franchisees like Archie’s took over. We convinced ourselves that expensive décor items, greetings cards and exotic chocolates are a must to express our love.
But that is not always necessary. You can gift simple, home-made items created from leftover pieces, scrap materials or any other homely stuff that you can put your hand on. All you need is a little bit of creativity and willingness to make a beautiful gift; you will be amazed at the different options that can open up for you.
Here are 10 DIY gifts that you can make at home and gift your loved ones on occasions, or even without any.
PHOTO COLLAGE BOOK ALBUM
Gather copies of the pictures of the best moments you have shared with the person over the years – it can be selfies, dualies, groupies or candid photographs; they can be in either one of your houses or in a place you two visited together or of a special day spent. Buy a scrapbook and paste the whole of the picture or cut them into shapes of your choice. Fill the rest of the space with captions, memorable dates, a conversation shared or simple quotes. You can use bright sparkling pens or even crayons to give it a touch of nostalgia. Leave a heartfelt note at the end. Wrapping the book with colourful handmade paper will also be a lovely addition.
Your own photos, words and handwriting will make this gift way more special than a greetings card with a generic passage purchased from a shop.
STYLISED LIGHTING
This is even simpler than the previous one. All you need is a string of rice-lights that can be bought in any electrical shop, especially during the festival of Diwali; another item is a medium-sized glass fishbowl or jar. Cover the glass fishbowl or jar with fluorescent coloured neon paper, leaving the mouth open. Coil up the lights string and keeping the plug outside put the whole of it inside the glass item. When plugged in and switched on, the light emanating from behind the fluorescent papers will make the glass fishbowl or jar glow in darkness. It is a brilliant substitute for neon lamps and yet so simple and cost-effective to make.
Gather any trinket or scrap piece of cloth you can find in your home. Stuff like any old pair of danglers, pendants, embellishments from your dress that came off etc. will do perfectly for the item. You can take help of a flexible copper wire to hold the things together. Twist, paste or sew the colorful cloth pieces and the trinkets with the wire to make your customized wall hanging to gift. Following the recent trend, a dream-catcher wall hanging will be a very good improvisation.
This gift is easy to make but requires extra consciousness and safety, and lots of patience. Buy paraffin wax of different colors from the market and melt it safely in a double boiler. Get small and medium-sized jars and containers of thick glass and pour the molten wax into the jars. Wait for the scalding heat to pass before inserting the cotton wick into the liquid. Let the wax go back to its solid form and you can have colorful jar candles of different sizes as a simple yet lovely gift.
PLATE CLOCK
This one is pretty easy to make. You will need a colorful ceramic, plastic or melamine plate from your collection or you can buy a new one. There are many with several abstract patterns and designs found in the market. Attach a battery operated clock machine behind and the three hands in the front. This part might be a bit tricky, so you can take help of a technical person or YouTube videos. You can decorate the plate further or add the number figures with paper scraps or acrylic paints. Attach a hook or a stand, depending on whether you want it to be a table clock or a wall clock.
Convert a tissue paper box into a piggy bank for children. Wrap up the cardboard box with colorful chart papers or marble papers and also use some stickers and sparklers to make it more attractive. Keep the slit on top open. This is not only a handmade, lovely gift for a child but it will also teach him or her the importance of savings.
Bring out the knitting needles and weave some square, circle or rectangular pieces from leftover wool from last winter to make coasters. Use different colors and give them double or triple layers to make the coasters thicker. Gift them in a set of 10-12 together. It is simple, yet very unique and useful a gift.
Homemade pieces of jewellery are in vogue right now, but most of them are highly stylized. Make a quirky one for your friend or sister by bringing together spare buttons, beads, a broken seashell you might have kept, a piece of tinsel and any other funky material you can find. Braid up some threads - either in monotone or in various rainbow shades to make the necklace thicker. String up the materials into it and add a hook in the end or leave it in a knot. Your DIY funky necklace will be ready for gifting.
Another easy deal – cut a rectangular piece of cardboard, cover one side of it with colorful marble paper, neon paper, chart paper or handmade paper and fold it into a whole circle, thus giving it a cylindrical shape. Glue the edges together to maintain the shape. Cut out a circular piece in the measurement of the cylinder’s mouth, cover it in the paper also and paste it on one end of the rolled cardboard sheet. Stick any small trinkets you want to on the body. Your new gift of a stand-out pen stand is ready!
PAGE MARK
If your friend is a bibliophile, cut out several pieces of cardboard in various shapes and sizes, cover them, paint them and decorate them as you want to, paste small funny figures or emoticons that are easily available in stationery shops. You can improvise as much as you can in this case. If the person loves superheroes, the page mark can be in the shape of a flash or Batman’s Batarang. If the person is a foodie, it can be a sandwich, pizza slice or burger shaped, and so on.
These gifts are not only simple, cost-effective and easy to make, but they have a touch of your own hand. It shows how much effort and thought you have put into making the gifts and that reflects in the gifts themselves. Even though homespun, they have ten times more appeal to your loved ones than the expensive and clichéd ones available for everyone in the market.
Space Saving Balcony Furniture Ideas
Small balconies need clever space managing interior designing. Try to use folding furniture that can be folded and tucked away whenever you need to free the space. Try to keep the front of the balcony free of furniture so you don’t block the air.
Multipurpose table: Use a small easily movable table preferably wooden or metal for the balcony that can be turned into your small dining table anytime. Now you can have a candlelight dinner on your balcony or have an open-air breakfast space.
Get a swing cum chair: There is nothing better than a cosy swing in the balcony to sit and chill or read a book. It's an easy way to keep your kids at home too.
Make It Cozy: Throw in some floor pillows and outdoor rugs to make it look cosier.
Decoration Ideas
Dim the light: Spruce up your balcony with beautiful lampshades that dim the light. A dim light won't only attract fewer insects and allow you some privacy in the open balcony, it will also set a romantic and exotic mood.
Add wall shelves: Great idea to save space and do more on your balcony. You can place small indoor plants or flower vases in them to make your balcony a green paradise. Or place showpieces to add more aesthetic appeal.
Use wall decoration: Using wall paintings and wall hangings are the best ideas to decorate your apartment balcony. You can keep them at the eye level to grab more attention. They are easy to clean and take up no space at all and no worries of breaking them. They keep your balcony clutter-free to make it look more spacious.
Get Your Private Balcony
As much as we like open spaces, we also want our privacy in it. Add blinds that block the view from outside but allow air and light into your balcony. Blinds also help you keep the heat out in summer and the rain out in the rainy season. You can use light curtains instead of blinds in summer to make it more beautiful. Get a handmade bamboo blind for the best feel.
Go Green
Balcony gardening is a great idea both for your mental and physical health. While you can have a collection of your favourite flowers you can also turn it into your mini kitchen garden. You can hand pots outside the balcony or use hooks and hang them from the ceiling to save space. Have shelves added to your wall to place small pots or go for a wall garden. Get a yoga mat and you can turn your balcony into your green yoga space too. The green adds calmness to your balcony and can be your space for meditation.
Spruce your balcony with the season
Summers: Summers can come with a mixed feeling of wanting a green space and fear of the heat. Turn your balcony into your private green shade. Add blinds or curtains to block the sun rays but allow some air and light to come in. This is the time in which you can keep your balcony perfectly cosy with cushions, pillows and rugs. And a cot for you to enjoy the intoxicating heat and fall asleep. Also, it is safe to keep your collection of home decor on display in the balcony.
Rainy season: This is a good time for your balcony gardening ideas. Keep your home decors away and make your balcony greener. Have a table and some cosy chairs for you to enjoy the sound of the rain with your cup of tea and a book. Add blinds to keep out the rain and feel the chill.
Winter: Keep it cosy and warm. Throw in some blankets and pillows for your balcony chair. Keep the floor warm with a floor rug. Enjoy the candlelight dinners in your own house.
Other: Do we need more balcony ideas for spring and autumn? They are the best seasons to do anything with your balcony. Hand light curtains and do all you want in your balcony.
Your balcony can be your best hanging out space in the quarantine. Stay home and find out more home decor ideas and products with us to make your home your favorite place.
]]>It is believed that when a lady showers the Shivalinga with milk, ghee, honey, Ganga Jal, etc., she gets a loving husband if unmarried and long life for her spouse if married. It is a ritual to stay awake throughout the night on MahaShivratri, as lord Shiva came to earth on this day in the form of Shivalinga during the night.
Just like this one, there are facts behind every ritual performed on the auspicious occasion of Shivaratri. Let us discover some of them in today’s discussion.
Why Is Neelkantha Flower A Must?
Neelkantha flower symbolizes lord shiva and is a must for worshipping him. The story behind it is, during the time of Samudra Manthana (churning of the ocean of milk), a fatal pot of poison came up while the gods and the demons were churning the river.
Terrified by the destructive situation, the gods pleaded to Shiva for rescuing them and, therefore, the world. Seeing no other way out, lord shiva drank the whole poison himself to save the universe. While he swallowed, his throat turned blue because of the poison.
He successfully saved the world and thereafter came to be known as Neelkanth (blue-throated). The flower looks similar to the appearance he had after the shuddering incident. Hence, it is mandatory to use the Neel Kantha flower on the “Great day of Shiva”.
What Is The Significance Of The Devotion Of Ladies?
Have you ever wondered that where from did this concept of ladies worshipping Lord Shiva for their husband come? In the sorrow of Sati's death, Shiva went into deep meditation. Nobody in this universe could break his meditation when Sati incarnated as Parvati.
After much difficulties, with the help of Kamadeva, on the night of Shivratri, Parvati not only succeeded in breaking Shiva’s meditation but also married him after Shiva recognized her. Hence, ladies worship lord Shiva on this day to get a faithful and loving husband like him.
Though Sati died, Shiva continued living; this is a reason why married women worship him on Shivratri. So that their husbands get longer life than them and they could die peacefully seeing them in good health and enjoy their companionship till the last breath.
Why Do People Keep Vigil The Whole Night?
It is a custom to stay awake the whole night on MahaShivratri. The Adi Guru Sadashiv was believed to be formless by his devotees. But on the night of MahaShivratri, he manifested on earth in the form of “LingodbhavMoorti” during the “Nishith Kaal” (midnight).
From then onwards, his devotees keep a vigil on the MahaShivratri night and chants hymns, bathes him with milk, ghee, etc., and then apply Chandan paste on him. Fruits, vegetarian food dishes are also offered to him, along with flowers to ornament him.
The devotees believe that every year on the night of Maha Shivaratri, Lord Shiva appears on earth to bless his followers and accept their offerings. In order to stay awake, various cultural events are organized in many places as a part of the puja.
Why Bilva Leaves Above All?
The puja of Lord Shiva, on not only MahaShivratri but in general too, is incomplete without Bilva leaves. There is a story behind this that says, one day, a hunter, while searching for prey, came under the eye of a ferocious lion.
Failing to find an alternative, he climbed a Bilva tree and decided to stay there until the lion departs. So that he does not dose off on the tree, he kept plucking bilva leaves and dropped them below. He was unaware of the Shivalinga that lied under the branch he was sitting.
By this, Lord Shiva was very much satisfied with the offering of the hunter. Despite his sins of killing birds, Shiva forgave all his sins. This is the reason Bilva leaves are a must and is believed to drain all sins of human life when prayed with full devotion.
So, these were some of the facts that lie behind the rituals we perform on the day and night of MahaShivratri. We hope from now onwards you will feel more devoted to the traditions as now you know the underlying reasons behind a few of them.
]]>
But the ones that come from the heart
Are the best gifts of all”.
- Tinku Razoria
Look, I know that you want to impress your partner with something beautiful and unique, not something mainstream or boring, and to become the reason of a lovely bright smile on his face. choosing the perfect gift for your husband or boyfriend can be very puzzling and stressful. As there are very limited options of gifts for presenting men. On several occasions like birthday, anniversary or valentines day, gifts are something we look for to make our men happy and also to make their day memorable. So, if you are looking for that perfect and unique gift for your husband or boyfriend or father, then here are some unique gifting ideas or recommendations which you can explore and choose from.
Beautiful bottles need a suitable bottle holder to enhance it’s look and can be used to add to the decor. Bottle holders are a very unique gifting option. It can be used in a car, in kitchen or on wall for decoration. Wine bottle holders can be best used for decoration to give a lively and vibrant outlook to your dining or drawing room. We have a lovely collection of bottle holders, you can check it out and give it a shot! How about this Unique one? It’s in the pattern of a cycle which is silver in colour and will look absolutely unique and adorable wherever he will place it in his home. So, impress your partner with this kind of unique gifts on his birthday, anniversary or Valentine’s day.
“ where there is no wine, there is no love” said famous Greek Tragedian Euripides. So, show some love to the love of your life by gifting him a bottle of white or red wine and savour the taste of love through it. Some of the brand’s Wine bottles are extremely beautiful and unique along with their superior quality and taste so can be decorated in home along with an unique bottle holder, as I have recommended earlier. We have some very unique collection of bottle holders from which you can easily choose. Let me show you a unique wine bottle about which I was talking about earlier. You can pair it up with a wine bottle holder from our exclusive collection. You can opt for this gifting option for your husband or boyfriend on his birthday to make that special day more memorable and loving.
After all what will be more romantic than accompanying your partner on his special day and celebrating that day with a glass of wine!
If your husband or boyfriend is passionate about cars or bikes, then here are some unique gift ideas for them. You can gift any car accessories like car’s dashboard magnets, or car cleaning sprays, music system for car, bike driving gloves, head gear, stylish helmets et cetera. There are some of unique car accessories available online on different sites from which you can explore and choose from. We have a brilliant collection of dashboard magnets, from which you can check out and find out the perfect one.
Isn’t this absolutely adorable!! You can check out our website to find out many such cute and adorable car accessories . So indulge in the world of emoji or emoticons with our unique collection! I’m pretty sure your boyfriend or husband will perfectly love it.
Spectacle holders are another unique gifting option for your husband, boyfriend or even your father. If your father wears spectacle then what about gifting him a unique spectacle holder on his birthday or on the occasion of father’s day! Spectacle holders are not only a unique gifting option but also it has got immense utility. Often our fathers forget where they had kept the spectacle the last time and search for it in the entire home so this spectacle holder will be helpful in keeping it in one place and they will know where to find it. These spectacle holders can also be used for keeping sunglasses which will look absolutely cool and unique over there. So, you can also gift this unique thing to your boyfriend or husband on his birthday or anniversary and put a lovely smile on their face. We have some unique collectibles in our stock, you can check it out. This will look awesome on the study or office table, it’s kind of a perfect gift, isn’t it!
Alarm clocks are also an excellent gifting option. Just think about that important day or important meetings at office which we almost miss due to waking up late. Alarm clocks are really the lifesaver in that situation. So, if your boyfriend or husband is a late goer then this is the best gift you can choose. Apart from it’s immense utility, you can choose a range of exclusive and awesome looking alarm clocks from our collection. Just give it a look and I’m sure, you will find the perfect one. Let me show you one of our unique collectibles. This vibrant red coloured alarm clock with large fonts will help you in seeing the time properly with your half dozed sleepy eyes in the morning. Check out our website Apkamart. Com to find out more such beautiful yet elegant looking alarm clocks .
I hope this blog will be helpful in choosing out the perfectly unique gift for your husband, boyfriend or father. Whatever may be the choice of your partner or your father, be it ethnic and traditional or modern and contemporary, I hope these gifting options will suffice in that respect. You can check out our exclusive collectibles which are always handcrafted by skilled artisans with love, care and absolute precision. You can also explore other websites and buy these gifts online. Wishing you all the best in this search for unique gifts for your husband, boyfriend or father to share happiness ,smile , love and care . Happy shopping!
]]>Thinking of the best anniversary gift for your spouse? This is truly the most important decision that you got to take to make your partner feel special and help to embrace the lovely journey throughout.
As rightly said, it’s easy to fall in love, but it’s much harder to stay in love with the same person for the rest of your life. You must be searching for the best gifting ideas? Don’t worry we have the ultimate guide for you in various categories.
Apkamart continuously makes the best efforts to provide you the high-quality products for the cheapest price ever. We at Apkamart are concerned about your needs and thoughts, with that we provide you all the matching products which truly move your mind! We're always ready to serve you the best every time and render the best experience.
So, we’ve listed the top 5 categories from the best of our products in the category of the “Best Anniversary Gifts”. Dive in the interesting list we’ve made for your ease:
What if the anniversary gifts are of the trendy styles, traditional touch, and divine or the blessed flavors? It is one of the best deeds to gift someone positive and spiritual blessings for the blissful journey ahead too.
The combination of quirky new styles with a cultural touch up has been the recent trends of today’s ultra-mod society. Gods truly have essential importance in everyone's life. We should always regard him and render true respect and offerings for our blissful future.
Apkamart brings to you God's attires in this new trendy society which looks pretty cool and religious in the same way. It will truly display the old ideologies and the beliefs of the people, depicting the perfect touch.
Our history and culture have the deepest impact on our work and it also has its roots deep grown in our minds. So are our lovely products in this category. All our collections of these categories have the magnificence and the glory which is representing the same taste. The art pieces will truly infuse the positivity in your mind which is truly an amazing factor.
The products truly are mirrors of the universal beauty in the format of pure art, creativity, divinity, and perfection. You can choose any art option from the variety of options available and feel the spiritual wave in your life with your spouse. The couples would truly love blessings through this creation.
The paintings having carved with amazing depictions which have the best looks and fine work too. These too are classy gift options for the anniversary as they'll truly be soothing and stunning forever.
Apkamart gives you the best blend of all the flavors of the Indian Culture from all across the states. We have stunning creations in canvas paintings, oil paintings, abstract paintings, and colored paintings. We have an amazing collection of products which you can easily surf and choose from a wide variety of options.
The products truly represent the cultures and the craft and we make sure that all our creations give you the exact flavor of the same to rejoice in every look. We truly believe that we manifest the exact same culture that we have experienced for many years.
Considering the fact of the rich and diversified culture and traditions we know that pre-historic times had the rock paintings era. Also, the murals, miniatures, figures were prominent among the Mughal era. You’ll get a feel of all this transformation through our product variety available.
You'll find the beautiful clicks with the exact precision, which will truly grab everyone’s attention. You can see the village scenic beauty through our paintings and drawings available. Also, about the life, culture, rulers, and king era is beautifully depicted.
It is truly the best gift option you should look for from our varied options.
Showpieces are considered to be the best home décor product which is super unique and lovely in the looks. We at Apkamart provide you the exact touch of the art and craft with immense beauty through all the products.
All the products are created with high innovation and creativity also keeping in mind the Indian décor touch too. Showpieces are truly the multipurpose products, you can decorate them on your walls, home, tables, or a showcase area in a truly beautiful way. They give a nice appearance to the showcased area of your house. They help the shine of the place get brighter with the look and feel. And we bet that you'll fetch a lot of eyeballs on them!
Apkamart gives you the showpieces with a huge variety in the dimensions of wooden, decorative pieces, marble, and iron pieces as well. Our products will truly match your expectation of gifting and décor as they are available in various forms, styles, dimensions, and domains.
We have a variety of products ranging from the Radha Krishna paintings beautifully crafted on marble plates to the marble paintings, table mirrors, drums, and the decorative sets featuring the handcrafted metal cannons. They will truly fit for any gifting idea or décor purposes. All our products in this category are made from wood or iron very precisely and with all the beautification needed. You'll love the designs and the art forms that are depicted through them.
Use of our showpieces has no bounds of usage throughout, you can place them on your side table, table, corner stands, or the bed areas where you keep some books, etc. and simply get that Indian décor flavor to your home. You can choose from the wide range of varieties that we have and then you’ll truly find your gifting choice. You’ll truly find the hard work of one of the finest artists from all across the globe in that final product which ultimately will increase the value of your anniversary gift!
Do you know what is the best thing for décor in your house which also a lovely gifting option? Wall hangings are the best options for the same which will truly get your mind on them. They have different colors and designs which give the exact touch up that you look for in a piece.
Apkamart provides the best options for the wall hangings that are super awesome and fits well with your home setting. Also, when you’ll gift them, they’ll truly add the best art to their home as well. We completely know that what is the importance of art and relations and we always come up with brand new creativity and ideas for them.
Be it any design or the creation of latkans or the hangings, it’s always the best form that you’ll get from us. For instance, the metal wall art in our products is much beautiful and appealing for the stunning art and creations, so is the latkans that are truly inspired by the gods and goddesses with a contemporary touch. Also, adding to that the wooden wall art provides the super-polished look to the wall hangings decorated. It looks super awesome too when you’ll decorate that at your home. You’ll find a lot of variety and ranges in the options available for you in the category at a reasonable and cheaper price ever!
Apkamart provides you the exceptionally unique creations in the new avatar which truly is the best factor to consider. All our designs are well thought of and made very nicely and precisely by the artists. You’ll truly find the best match for your walls through our platform. You can give them as a gift item easily by just taking a look at the options and then finalizing the domains in which you want to give them.
The products at Apkamart are truly innovative and will portray the best art which matches your walls and the interiors as well. You can freely plan for the gift; it will look pretty always. We guarantee the excellent quality of the products and we are sure the anniversary couple would like the gift.
Ever thought you home décor could also include the best of the architectural glimpses from the mighty state of Rajasthan? It is so good that you can even gift them to your loved ones to enhance the beauty at their place too! Apkamart is the best platform to get the Indian art form through creativity and innovation in every product.
Jharokha is basically a beautiful architectural design of Rajasthan, which shows an overhanging enclosed balcony. They are super attractive and amazing items showing the apt window style décor. It truly showcases the real sense of the culture and the life of Rajasthani architecture. Truly said that it is so vibrant that you won't resist buying that or gift that to your loved ones.
Back in the royal time, the windows were crafted by a highly skilled artist with fine and intricate details all over which looks so attractive at sight. Apkamart brings you that same attraction and the vibrance through the Jharokha product series.
You'll get the amazing options that have different details, colors, styles, dimensions, and areas. They will look as royal as they have a mighty history.They are easy to hang and have the compact structure which clearly fits in the backdrop so don’t have to worry about them at all. They represent many colors, designs, and art which will truly blow your mind away for it! You can even use them as photo frames as well. If you are gifting it to the anniversary couple then you can attach their pics, your pics for a personalized gift, etc. we bet that they will love it.
Also, if the couple is not a Rajasthani or even you, then you got to buy this! It will truly amaze you once it's with you. Apkamart knows that Rajasthan is best known for the rich culture, art, and creativity at its peak. We completely ensure the same through the products, keeping in mind the vibrance and the beauty shouldn't tamper at all. It will truly add the colors, glamor, and vibrance to your place.
Also, the wooden frames a lovely touch to the gifts and have a deeper impact on your mind. They will truly be the best fit if you are gifting them to your loved ones. It will help them keep all the memories intact and bounded with love closely.
So, this was all about our rundown of the 5 Best Gifting Ideas for the Anniversary Couples. We hope that it was of great help to choose the perfect gift for your loved ones on the auspicious occasion. So, what’s the wait for? Go surf the products and get them on super cheap rates ever only at www.apkamart.com
]]>Page after page after page, full of words that are capable of transporting us into infinite dimensions. Stories and fables and tales that give us a ticket to a whole new world of imagination. From exploring the adventures of superheroes to solving mysterious crimes ingeniously to travelling alongside witches and wizards, the magic of words take us on a beautiful ride every time, everywhere.
And when these books give us a lifetime’s worth of happiness, why not give a little something in return? Your books deserve a little care and love, don’t you think? Here are a few ideas you can use to revamp your bookshelf (and your life).
Bookends are a wonderful way to add some aesthetic to your otherwise scattered bookshelf. They keep your books stuck together so you never have to fear for your babies tumbling down the bookshelf, ever again. What’s more, these are a blessing for those book lovers who can never bother to arrange their books in a disciplined fashion, who believe and rejoice in messiness. And for the religiously neat, bookends add an extra touch of satisfaction to the eyes. You could find the time and creativity to make your own bookends, or pick a few from the infamous internet we have at our fingertips. It works both as a gift or a personal purchase!
2. Bookmarks
The world of bookworms is divided into two- those who use bookmarks, and dog-earing monsters. Optimistically considering that you don’t fall into the latter category, bookmarks are a wonderful accessory for your books. To some, and by some I mean most, folding the corner of a page to mark where you’ve reached in a novel is a heinous crime. (If it isn’t, it should be) Why would any book lover tarnish their beloved possession by folding even a tiny corner of a page? This is why bookmarks were invented! This little accessory is the easiest DIY in the world. You could customise your bookmarks based on the book you’re on! Or you could simply choose from thousands of little bookmarks available online.
What I’m saying is, invest some time and money is this wondrous little piece of creativity and save your books from crooked edges.
Are you one of those nerds who like to cherish a book with a cup of tea that makes it just so much better? Or are you the night owl that finds peace in reading a book in the silence of the night and needs a cuppa to keep yourself up and about? Or maybe you know someone I just described. Literature-based teacups and mugs are the best buys for such beverage lovers. Imagine turning a page and rushing to the next, taking a sip of coffee in the middle, and holding up the mug to see a grammar joke or just a simple bunch of meaningful words written on it. Won’t that count as absolutely delightful? Everything you love, tea and coffee and words, assembled together in a single masterpiece. Need I convince you further?
There are some that would say you are not a true book lover unless you love the scent of its pages. (And I must say, I agree to some level) Picture this: You visit your favourite bookstore, pick out the latest book you’ve been waiting for, open a random page and inhale the fresh scent of new prints on sharp, crisp pages. Or this: You visit your nearby library, choose your favourite novel from the dusty old collection, hold open your favourite part of the book and bury your nose in the familiar whiff of old, musty pages. Did I just describe a true book lover’s heaven?
If you do indeed think so, book-scented candles are the best thing you can invest in. Light one up when you feel nostalgic about your first book or remember all your beloved authors, and feel yourself float into new, undiscovered galaxies of imagination.
5. Phone Case
If you’re gonna do it, do it all the way. Continue along the path of turning into a model case of book obsession with phone cases that look like books. Intriguing, isn’t it? You pick up your phone 200,000 times a day. Now imagine looking at a classic old book cover every time you use your phone. These phone cases reaffirm everyone’s (and your own) beliefs that you definitely are a book nerd through and through. You can customise your case with the visuals from your favourite novel! Or maybe a quote from the same? Or perhaps a velvety, solid phone case that opens up just like a book? The possibilities are endless with this one. Wouldn’t you absolutely love to pick up your phone that carries the Hogwarts emblem or the map of Middle Earth or the Targaryen flag with the three dragons? I know I would.
Aren’t these accessories simply marvellous for a reading enthusiast? Along with these, there are many such tidbits that you can enjoy such as book lockets, Kindle covers, paperweights, your favourite fandom merchandise like Hermione’s Time-Turner or Hand of the King brooches, duvets designed like pages, a keyring with a trinket of your choicest novel, and so, so much more.
A little creativity and a dollop of time and you could have every book lover’s dream all in your personal library. Because we all deserve one, don’t we?
]]>
There is a very interesting story behind how Lord Ganesh came to be revered as the Lord of New Beginnings in the Shiva Purana. One day Lord Ganesh and his brother Lord Karthikeya were having an argument on who is wiser amongst the two. The argument went on for a long time without any result. Lord Narad decided to end the predicament by organizing a competition between the two.
According to the competition, the first one to circle the earth three times would be the winner and would be declared the wiser one. As soon as Naradmuni finished speaking Karthikeya mounted his Vaahan (vehicle in English) the Mayur or Peacock and flew away to complete the task. Now Lord Ganesh’s Vaahan is the Mouse and he knew that the mouse would not be able to beat the Peacock. He closed his eyes, folded his hands and circled around his parents three times, and declared himself as the winner.
When Lord Narad questioned him, he smiled and calmly told him that for every child his parents are his world and since he fulfilled the condition of the competition first he should be considered as the winner. Shivji was extremely happy with his son’s wisdom and gave him the boon that he would be worshipped before the start of any ceremony or pooja. That is how he became the Lord of New Beginnings.
In Hinduism, it is considered auspicious to keep Ganesha idol in homes as well as offices. It is believed that he attracts good luck and tranquility. Ganesh idols and wall hangings are very popular gift items. These statues and wall hangings are crafted out of different materials such as marble, gunmetal, paper mache, brass, glass etc. These days Lord Ganesh can be seen in a variety of poses in the wall hangings and idols.
With living spaces getting smaller wall hangings are becoming more popular
In several wall hangings, Lord Ganesh can be seen playing different instruments such as Dholak, Daphlee, Harmonium, Tabla and sometimes even Harp. Gun Metal or cast iron is a popular metal that is used to craft these wall hangings. The idols are easy to clean, maintain and reasonably priced.
Another popular pose of Lord Ganesh is where he is shown sitting and writing the Mahabharat. He is wearing glasses and has a look of deep concentration on his face. This wall hanging is a great gift for your loved ones too.
Another popular pose of Lord Ganesh is simply his face carved in metal or paper mache. These wall hangings are beautifully crafted and come in different sizes.
Bringing Lord Ganesh to your home is considered auspicious and a Ganesha statue or wall hanging will definitely bring positivity and attract peace and good luck to your home or office.
There are many easy and simple tricks to attract the attention of wealth and money. From arranging areas according to the money need to using wealth symbols. These are some of them which can be done with ease.
Those were some tips to arrange your area to welcome income and wealth. Similarly, the following are some Feng Shui symbols which are also known as Feng Shui cures.
Pots and vases have been the vessels of beauty and good vibes for centuries. Every civilisation has had this object of grace etched in its history. With a dash of colour, a flurry of ethnic and contemporary designs and a shape that would bring out the best in any place that you keep it in, pots and vases are a sure shot beauty booster in your house. Put one on the garden table, two outside your door, three in the yard or four on your porch, it’s never truly going to be enough. With a whirlwind of the fragrance of the flowers inside them, your home is going to bloom a little more!
If you were thinking that bowls were too mainstream, just wait till we tell you about our flower-shaped beauty. With those smooth curves of the petals, a soft glow of the white marble and the subtlety of the design, the flower bowl comes with those extra points for your exterior decoration. Options, you ask? Spread inside it some sweet-smelling potpourri, let some petals float in water or just keep some nice origami swans in it. Our ideas won’t quite stop here. Do you think you have more? Then, this is the thing to have outside your house! Try your hand at something creative with this urli bowl.
Darbaans come from Indian history during the times of royalty, power and service. Gatekeepers and protectors of the realms, Darbaans have always been alert and on their toes, their senses tingling way ahead of any approaching trouble. Since the Darbaans have always been the guardians, who better than them to add to the glow of the main entrance of your house? Miniature men of art, these Darbaans are quite a handful to miss out on. A traditional feel to their outlook, it’s nothing but perfection that would be standing outside your house, looking out for you!
Traditions call for masks as evil warders, and we believe that they watch over you, silently protecting your surroundings and keeping your bubble safe and sound. Inspired by tribal art, ethnic manoeuvres and contemporary pieces of ideas, our masks make it increasingly easy for anyone to be in awe of them and impart nothing but good energies in the places that they are kept in. Still, thinking if it’s cool enough? Well, yes! Just head over to the collections and catch a glimpse of what the exterior of your house might look like with these marvellous beauties hanging outside!
Wall hangings have not only been harbingers of positivity and waves of tranquillity over the centuries, but their presence has known to be insanely blissful. Wind chimes with their melodious tinkles, dream catchers with their good old vibrant colours and traditional hangings with their bright lively designs are a sure shot to the heart. Your exteriors will have never been more spirited before these. Next time you welcome your guests, let them find their hearts swaying to the sweet tunes of the chimes and dancing with the hues of life with our Latkans!
What if we told you that flowers are forever too, just like diamonds? It is true! Our collection of artificial flowers are nothing less than the original. With their softly luminous colours, they will bring spring to your life as well as to your exteriors. Worried that you might miss those soft hues in your garden in the winters? Not anymore! Spring is here to stay all year round and make you spend more time in your gardens and verandas throughout the year. We say, grab some patio chairs, sit back with a cuppa and enjoy the beauty of nature’s marvels from us!
]]>
Silver Ganesha : Ganesha made out of silver brings fame. So it is the best gift to your artist friend or anyone seeking to be popular.
Copper Ganesha : This Ganesha is the best wedding gift. It is best for newly married people if they wish for happy and healthy offspring. Copper Ganesha blesses us with good family life. The long-lasting quality and copper colour will make you treasure it like some old ancestral lucky charm.
Brass Ganesha: This is best for a house puja room. The brass Ganesha is said to bring prosperity and joy is worshiped regularly. You can give this for any house function. It is durable and has an antique look.
Clay Ganesha : If you are wishing for success for your loved ones, gift them a clay Ganesha. Clay Ganesha removes all obstacles and provides an auspicious journey. It is suitable as a birthday gift or for someone starting a new business or any new venture.
Wood Ganesha : Best gift for housewarming, home pujas or as a wedding gift. Wooden Ganesha blesses the house with success and long and happy life. Not just this it also gives a rural natural look to the house. Also, you can go eco-friendly.
Marble Ganesha: White Ganesha is usually made of marble and sometimes they are embellished with ornaments of other colours. White Ganesha brings prosperity, joy and well being. This is an all-rounder gift to show your love to someone. The white Ganesha makes the environment peaceful by the serene look.
Crystal Ganesha : Crystal Ganesha is attractive as a showpiece for its clear look but has other benefits too. It can remove Vastu dosh and channel positive energy.
Vermillion Ganesha: Vermillion is the symbol of the superiority of humans. This is the best gift if you are wishing for individual development and success. It can be a wise birthday gift or for a newborn child. The Vermillion Ganesha catches our eyes with a strong claim of presence.
Turmeric Ganesha : This is not an easy one to find. But it is the most auspicious Ganesha to gift for any occasion as it brings happiness, success and removes all obstacles and brings good health.
]]>
Why is a Ganesh murti an ideal gift?
Ganesha has had an immense influence on the art forms across many cultures, especially on Indian art. The images and sculptures of Ganesha are widespread because of their aesthetic qualities and their essence of playfulness. This quality makes a Ganesh idol or image a perfect showpiece. It adds a lively artistic look to wherever it is placed. A Ganesh Murti can be placed anywhere, be it in the house or the office or at shops. Ganesha is known to be pleased in little and is always joyful, so you can usea Ganesh idol or image both as a showpiece or for puja. Also worshipping Ganesh can have more benefits than you can imagine. The mere presence of Ganesha imparts positive vibes and artistic beauty to the surrounding. Hence, it is the perfect gift for you to express your well wishes for anyone you value.
How to choose a Ganesha showpiece for a gift?
You must be careful of which kind of Ganesha is best for gifts and be aware of the adverse effects of choosing the wrong one. There are so many varieties of Ganesha available in the market that you will be confused as to which one to choose. There are 32 forms of Ganesha and all of them are marketed with different additions to make them more appealing as home decor. And so it can be tricky to choose the right one. A gift unwisely chosen can have the opposite effect of the desired one. So here we intend to break down for you the basic details by which you can identify which one of them is ideal for your purpose.
Ganesh murti based on postures:
Ganesh murti based on trunk:
Ganesh murti based on idol material:
Some minute details:
There are many varieties of Ganesha but the best Ganesha you can blindly choose for a gift is the vamamukhi Ganesh in lalitasana.
]]>So let’s get started with some simple yet stunning DIY home décor recycling ideas right below.
1. Turn broken plates to wall decor
Having glass plates mean at least one of them will break every six months. Do not throw them out. Dishes with cracks glued together might not be a great fit for the dining table, but they look great on the wall. You can style them in many ways. If it has broken into too many pieces, you can create a small mosaic design in a blank frame and hang it up on the wall as well.
2. Turn old paint tins to plant pots
If you got paintwork done in your house in the recent past, you probably have leftover paint cans stashed in the storage. You can easily use them to grow small flower plants or cactus. You can get rid of the paint marks inside using hot vinegar and a paint scraper. Once the paint is off, fill the tins with soil, plant your saplings, and start growing your cute little garden. You can paint over the cans or keep them as it is for a more rustic look.
3. Turn broken ladders into towel holders
Big things like ladders are difficult to dispose of. So, if you have a broken ladder at home with a missing rung or balance issues, fret not. Tilt it across your bathroom wall and use its remaining rungs as towel and cloth holders. It would be quite an exciting and quirky addition in a space like bathroom, where opportunities of experimenting with décor are less.
4. Turn old CDs to tea and coffee coasters
No one really listens to CDs anymore. You can stream the songs and movies you so cautiously treasured in those disks, right on the internet. So what do you with the CDs then? Turn them into bright and colourful coasters. You can take any route to recycle them. You can straight up paint them with acrylic, or cover them up with canvas or denim cloth pieces, or go the extra mile to get them a crochet cover. In any case, they will look amazing on your tables and also save you the trouble of cleaning water stains.
5. Turn mason jars into tea light holders
Mason jars come into our house as containers of a wide variety of things. From skin care products to local honey to mousse cake sample you picked up from the new confectionery store. When the products are over, you can wash them clean and turn them into tea light and candle holders. You have to do nothing – just place the tea light or the candle inside the jar and you have got yourself a beautiful décor at no cost at all. You can add a strip of lace around the jar to refine it some more.
There are several other ways to recycle or up-cycle an existing household item and make it something better and more useful – old cardboard boxes into bathroom hampers, bed sheets with stains as a tapestry, old suitcases as pet beds, frames of broken mirrors as a hearth – the options are endless. The only things you will need are a few basic tools and a whole lot of creativity to pull this off.
]]>
But guess what? We at Apkamart are ready for your help!We got you the amazing dining products the serving products which will truly save your time and grab the best possible way out for you. Our varied new products will be the best fit for helping you out for these parties and ceremonies.
Dining honestly, is one of the most prestigious places in our house, which most probably are kept for the guests or grand gathering. We often clean that area when the guests are attacking your place to have the exotic creations by you! But trust us, we're there or you at every point of time to save your life and ace this issue!
But we shouldn't keep that area as a left out point! We should keep that neat and clean without even the matter of welcoming your guests! Bright and neat dining is probably the best impression in a guest's mind. It expands your persona and housing sense by multi-folds.
We bring to you the best of the creations for dining décor which will portray your food no less than a royal restaurant. We got you a variety of items be it the beautiful servings or the bright cutleries. Serving your food in the bright and colorful trays is the best vibe ever! It makes your serving look more inviting and scrumptious rather than a normal serving dish!
We have the amazing hand painted cutlery range for you which will move the minds of your guests. Also, we have other things in store for you like the amazing tea coasters, fruit baskets, and the napkin holders. These are made inspired by the vibrant metallic colors and the Indian ancient designs.
We at Apkamart help you out to choose the best match and the best piece for you!
Do you know that serving is also art? If you could manage to appeal the guest by your diligent serving act and the perfect serving then you’re already loved by them and it is the win-win situation. You can easily choose from the wide variety of the products and the designs from our store and grab the best of the dining products that you desire.
We know that India has the most popular culture of the “Mehman-Nawazi” which dedicates completely to the act of hosting your parties of dinner, get together, ceremonies, or the meetups. You get the opportunity to serve your guests the scrumptious food.
You work super hard in the kitchen for creating the super lovely dishes for your loved ones and for that everyone praises you a lot. But imagine when they comment on the way you serve your scrumptious dishes! The dish may be 10 on 10 but the serving tray is a worn-out plastic material with torn edges or tampered designs, this isn’t a good situation, right?
We got you the super amazing options that can replace your serving dishes and give it the amazing look while you are serving your amazing dishes. Trust us you will get a lot of positive reactions and lovely comments on the serving for sure.
Our various styling and varieties of the decorative trays would give you the best modern looks in your dishes, also, it adds to the décor styling and the amazing feels of the dishes.
The stainless steel or the wooden serving trays, we have the best varieties for you in-store which will provide you more choices of the servings in a better way. The Minakari steel trays or the tea trays would enhance your kitchen décor and make your collection even more divine. We make these ultimate pieces for you having an Indian touch.
You’ll find the designs and the finishing of the products apt for you and have the beautiful hand-painted and glazed texture. You’ll love the royal looks of the accessories in your kitchen. Also, the main catch is that when you don’t want to use these serving platters, you can use them as the table decors, your guests would truly love these. This would amazingly be the statement for you to flaunt in your network.
The wooden serving trays are the amazing variants to the collection which have the well-crafted and painted Indian art. Some of these also feature the inbuilt pullout coasters, which are truly the super handy and the comforting item when you are in a hurry and serving the teacups to your guests. They are also compatible to use with the glasses or cups and they give a classier look to your table as well.
We polish the wooden serving trays pretty well to give you that amazing shinning look when you display or use them. Don’t worry about the cleaning of the tray as well, they are super easy to clean.
Talking about the steel trays, they also have a blend of the Indian art and the Minakari work which are truly excellent and redefining the looks of the masterpiece. Also, you don’t even have to worry about the cleaning of the piece, it's super easy to clean and maintain.
So, even if you are planning to gift them to your loved ones, it's truly the best fit and also it would be loved by them.
At Apkamart you get the best of the products which are of the highest quality and the top-notch creativity. The products are handcrafted super well and with full care of your needs and responsibilities. We perfectly fit all your home décor needs and all the stuff that you desire that should be in your place.
Fruit Baskets are known to be the best of the dining décor products which are truly essential in any household. The fruit basket and the fruit bowl range have some amazing pieces that you’ll love to choose and buy from. Even they are perfect for the gifting purpose as well. The designs of the products are specially crafted with love and creativity to give you the final top-notch look.
According to the décor trends that are going on in the market, the wooden fruit bowls and the decorative fruit baskets are in trend.We at Apkamart give you this complete solution to catch up with the trends at one click. The fruit bowls made of the glass material are also in the trending list. We know that serving bowls and wooden bowls are necessary for us in daily life for serving purposes. With the perfect blend of traditional use and the new tacky design methodology, we have created all the beautiful options for you. With these, you can easily decorate your dining and the kitchen.
These options are perfectly suitable to gift to your loved ones too, as they’ll also know about the fact that you are an art enthusiast and about your lovely choices in the dining and the décor area of your place.These decorative bowls are truly the most favorite area of the guest to acknowledge and comment, so you should truly use them in your house and be the shining one in the housewarming parties or the get-togethers.
With the innovative ideas and Indian art, these bowls will truly fit in your choice accordingly.We have crafted them with detailed designs and the artistic color palette. You’ll find all the lovely options here in our store for your perfect choices in the dining and décor segment. You’ll truly get the superb quality of the products with us and also the amazing designs ever for the décor and the kitchen styling. So, don’t hesitate to choose your best design and opt for gifting to your loved ones.
It’s a superb idea to have the perfect blend of various forms of art and the cultures in your home décor.Also, it is the super essential and the perfect décor for your place which you should treat always. Every piece that we create gives you the finest of the looks and the amazing storing options for your items.
The decorative all-rounder pieces would be super amazing to use due to their multi-usage and the fine complete looks. We at Apkamart bring you the amazing utility gifting options which can easily solve your multiple purposes. These amazing dry fruit boxes and the Mukhwas boxes are the best décor pieces you can ever get our store in the utility décor section.
You'll find the pieces fully made with the Minakari art, hand-painted Rajasthani art, and the blend of the other art forms as well. You can easily use these utility dry fruit boxes for the storage, which truly expands the space as compared to the normal use of the serving bowls and the serving trays.
These dry fruit boxes and the mukhwas boxes will perfectly set up with the décor highlights of your place and also the art of your room.You’ll get the marble bowls super finely polished and in the perfect Indian Traditional look which you wouldn’t stop praising at all.
As we know already that how important it is to create a positive impact on the guests when they are paying a visit to your place and truly Apkamart helps you to arrange a perfect blend and create the best first impact on your guests. We perfectly set to your amazing choices for the best of the options in the home décor domain and here especially considering the product of the Dry Fruit baskets, they have a super cool impact and the thoughts in the mind of the guests.
You'll find all the products of the best quality and made in beautiful forms. Be it traditional or the off-colored place at your home, we take the proper care for your choices to make that brighter and super amazing in the looks.
The store has the best of the pieces of dry fruit boxes, mukhwas boxes, the storage boxes which will truly be the best fit for your home décor as well. It portrays the blend of the Indian traditional décor in every dimension you look at.
So, what's the wait for then? Grab the perfect gift of this lovely décor item for your loved ones and truly amaze them with your choice. You'll truly get all the love with this product!
Our place has a lot of dimensions and areas like bedrooms, study rooms, living rooms, dining rooms, kitchen areas and much more! We spend the amount of time to decide and work for the amazing looks and the feel of our place. How it will look? Which item would suit that the most? Which color suits it the most? Who will place that area décor where? Simply we think of the entire house furniture and the overall looks of the same. But ever thought deeply for the kitchen area?
Yes, indeed we plan a lot but end up messing up with the kitchen décor essential and the items which truly make the best of the house when you practice for the get-togethers, meetings, parties, etc. Don't worry! We at Apkamart provide you all the various detailed choices and the options which are super amazing in the looks and the feel, supporting the ultimate décor of your kitchen area.
We provide you all the possible options of the kitchen décor and the others under one roof and then set the best fit for you according to your décor styling. We offer you the best of the cutlery options for the kitchen cutlery options and the perfect setting of your kitchen.From the wide collection of the cutlery, you can choose your best fit as you wish to make.
Your kitchen deserves to be the best part of your home as well. So, you should also plan to the perfect state about the proper cutlery choices. It is truly evident that sometimes the food can be super scrumptious but can be truly monotonous when you serve that in the normal cutlery at your place. You can make the best match and the perfect fitting according to your table.
We work for all your choices and the creative décor strategies which you plan. We do our creative efforts for removing the dull and the low strata of your place and to transform that in the beautiful yet elegant style.You can choose the best styling of the cutlery that you want according to your dining needs and the presentation. With these items, you can truly experience the food rather than just eating that!
You can choose the best options from our store which best fits your kitchenware. With the amazing combinations of the designs and the prints on all the products are the best in our store. We create the finest quality of the products with all the precision in the kitchen products. You’ll find the best of the items here in our store for your dream collection of the kitchen products. You’ll get the products made with the ultimate caution which provides you the safety and the security while you use them.
Our highly skilled craftsmen make the products ranging from all the varied creativity levels which will truly add up to your kitchen life. These products are truly handy and they’ll be the perfect kitchen buddy for you. For our products will speak volumes for your kitchen décor skills and interests. You’ll truly be glad to serve them in these amazing pieces.
So, what’s the wait now for? Plan the best of the cutlery pieces for your loved ones to gift and make them experience the supreme quality in the kitchen.You can choose from the varied options of the cutlery like glass stands, wooden cutlery, bowl sets, and much more to excite you! You can easily order them on our store and plan for gifting them to your loved ones!
We at Apkamart provide you the best options available for the décor of your place relating to the stunning handicrafts too. Be I the wall décor or the hand-painted table decors we have all the supreme quality of the items in store for you, which will truly match your plans. It will truly set to thee beautiful pace of your home. You'll find all the products of the best and the creative designs with modern technology and approaches. All the amazing products serve the dual purpose, easing you up for not purchasing several items separately for the work.
One such utility product that we have in our store for you is the napkin holder. Are you also struggling to keep the napkins in one place and arrange them nicely when you have guests onboard? or you are facing troubles to look for the best way of proper presentation of the napkins? Don't worry at all! We at Apkamart are here to provide you the best of the options of the designer and the super creative napkin holders.
You can easily use these amazing napkin holders at your place and use them for the dining table décor as well. They will help you out to make the napkins fit into the place super easily, without any effort of the management and the organization of the same. You’ll get the best qualities of the napkin holders and the napkin rings in our store which truly are the best fit for your home.
With the lovely and the ultimately glam look of the pieces, you’ll fall in love with all the pieces. We have designed them to give you the soothing looks and the best visual aesthetics. These holders will gel up in any place you wish to place them for the décor of the napkins. You can place these napkin holders on the corner tables, side tables, or simply decorate them as the table accessory, trust us they'll truly going to make wonders in your décor styling of the house. You can use them creatively as well to decorate your dining area.
You can use these as the best glam décor option for your place and make your place look brighter and more colorful. These napkin holders are crafted very uniquely and professionally to give you the defined seamless looks which can make the boring corners super lively. Also, these holders are the perfect buddies for you when you have small parties on the occasions at your place or the kitty parties. These would truly help you with the proper organization and make the dining table make look classy and colorful.
Even considering the best gifting option, you can gift these classy pieces to your loved ones on any occasion that you feel like or simply keep them as the prizes for your kitty parties or the games. These amazing utility décor items will fascinate you and your guests as well.
So, what's the wait for now? Plan your best color and the amazing designs from unique options like wooden holders, dispensers, boxes, colored, textured, and much more! You'll get all the variety that you are looking for in the amazing piece, be it the size, color, fitting, prints, patterns, etc.
So, this was it for our rundown and the lovely suggestions for the gifting ideas in the dining category! We gave you the perfect insights about the cheaper and classier products which you can use for yourself and gift them too to your loved ones. We at Apkamart provide you the best of the products which are of the top quality and the seamless beauty. They’ll truly bound your guests or the loved ones to praise you a lot for the amazing choices as well. Be it any utility options of the gifting- serving trays, dry fruit boxes, fruit baskets, cutlery, or the napkin holders; you'll have the best of all from our store at the cheaper rates and of the finest quality!
Do give it a try and plan the best one for you! Have the discounted rates and the easy shipment as well with your purchases. We hope that this rundown was truly helpful and a perfect guide to eradicating any confusion for you in the dining gifting options!
]]>Here are 10 unique wall décor ideas which you can experiment with.
Wall clocks are essential elements of a living room or dining hall, and they are the most common type of wall décor that houses have. You can go offbeat with your choice of wall clock by swapping out your mundane piece with something vintage. Railway clocks are a subtle reminder of a prestigious time bygone and brings a touch of antiquity to your room. You can keep it in your work from home space to keep an eye of the ticking of time as you delve into the new normal way of taking forward your career.
2. Jharokhas
Notice the Jharokha woodwork in the picture above and imagine a similar handiwork in your living room – magnificent, right? Jharokhas are a part of native architecture in Rajasthan. They are slightly overhanging enclosed balconies that look like windows from the outside. You can bring home the essence of old Rajasthani forts and palaces by putting up a miniature version Jharokha as a wall accent in your room. You can set it up around a small peephole type window or a favourite picture of your family.
If traditional and ethnic décor is more up your alley then something unique like this sword and shield set will be perfect for you. They are a vivid remembrance of the history of our country where promises were made and broken over the blade of a sword and by the slant of a shield. A set of dhal-tarwal will make a great wall accessory and reflect your interest in the glories of the past.
Tribal masks are an unconventional idea for wall hanging – but one that would look spectacular if done right. In case you do not know, this beautiful piece above is a down to the detail replica or traditional masks worn during Kathakali dance performances. If you are not a patron of art or music, you can go with exclusive African masks which show off excellent handiwork and bring a pop of colour to your walls.
Traditional does not mean you have to compromise with the quirk inside you. If you are someone who loves uncommon décor in your room, find yourself something different like this set of ten colorful umbrellas welded together as a single wall hanging. The idea is contemporary, but the design and color palette is traditionally Indian. In case you do not have a big wall space for something big, you can also go with smaller and sleeker handmade décor like charms and wall votive holders. Metallic ones like silver and bronze would look great against darker wall paints, while wood wall décor is best displayed against lighter and pastel shades.
There are a dozen other ways to accessorize your walls if you have the eyes for it. Vintage paintings, posters, tapestries, dream catchers, LED wall décor, and many more options are there for you to explore and experiment with. But whatever you pick up for your home, make sure to champion the cause of for Local and invest in Made in India products. Locally sourced and handmade wall décor from the rustic workshops and studios of semi-urban and rural Indian artisans will bring you more charm and artistic excellence than mass-produced products ever can.
]]>Fathers are those beacons of light which make our life better and more worthy of living. From the moment a man becomes a father, he not only becomes a different human but, he becomes a version of his child to make their journey with them. Matching with your baby steps to matching with your graduation pose, he walks all the way without flinching for once. So, why don’t we take a small trip to understand how talented our dads truly are!
The Role Model - He truly is Superman!
Remember all those times when you needed to be rescued from falling off the cliff and when you looked around, your father was there standing with a harness? That’s what our dads have always done for us. He has flown in with his cape flying behind him like Superman to not let any bad thing every touch us. Be it a bad situation, a troubling life decision or judging if a person is right for us – he has always taught the correct thing. He has left his shoes for us to eventually grow into them and learn from his mistakes and experiences. No wonder, he lets us venture into the wild sometimes and stops us from falling into traps at another. A father is always the first role model that we ever look up to. He is the umbrella that shields us from the treacherous weathers and storms while also teaching us to be strong enough to face those storms ourselves someday. So, the next time you see your dad swooping down from the sky to give you a hand, hold it or hang onto his cape as he takes you for a journey full of learning and understanding through this life.
Trust us when we say that he knows everything better than you for, at some point in his life, he was a kid too. He knows even you better than yourself. All the times when you think that he doesn’t really understand, he really does! From the day he first held the tiny you in his hands, he knew that his life had changed, that he had a journey to undertake now, to make you grow into the beautiful human that you are today. From teaching you to take your very first steps on the ground to press the accelerator in the car a little harder on your first driving lesson, he has also grown with you. The first teacher who teaches you how to live is your father. The first person to know you inside out is your father. He takes in all his life learning, his own lessons, his own achievements and mixes them together to curate your lessons with all his love and devotion for you. So, the next time when you feel that you need guidance in your life, go to your dad for he is always there to look out for the apple of his eyes –you!
A father’s support is inevitable in the growth of his children. He not only pays for all those toys that you broke in your childhood but, he also pays for all the things that have moulded you as a person. It is not just money we talk about here. We talk about the emotional investment that he has put into you always. All the times, you had to endure failure, he endured it with you. All the times you felt that there was no way out, he dug the way out for you. Even in the darkness, he has always managed to keep his support to shine the path that you walked on. He is not only a support system but an ATM of it – you can go to him at any time of the day and seek his help. You know what is the best part? He will always be there to hold your hand and lead you ahead. He is the engine to the mechanism that we all run on and without him, there would have been no progression. So, we appreciate all the fathers who have supported their children without hesitation and still continue to do so!
Remember that one time when the heartbreak was a little too bad and he had finally sat beside you while he handed you a glass and told you not to worry? “You’re an independent woman who can win her own world all by herself,” he had said to his daughter and “You’re a strong man capable of getting over his failures and winning it all,” he had said to his son. And, even if you never told him about your feelings and emotions, his radar had always picked up those hidden bits about you. Our fathers are our first buddies in life. They crack dad jokes, ask for your help to take a screenshot even after you have explained it to them about a hundred times and makes sure that you are mentally healthy and stable apart from everything. What do we call them if not for friends? It is your father who has always come forward to shield you from your mother’s scolding, taken you off on a random bike trip in the evening without telling anyone and probably bought you an ice cream just to see that smile on your face. We thank all the fathers in this world for always being the shoulder that we need, for they are our friends indeed! These were just a few sides of all that our fathers are actually capable of. It would take longer than an eternity to reach the end of the line where appreciation stops. They are truly a blessing for every child. So, we wish all the father’s a happy experience with their children for their constant love and support.
Remember all those times when you needed to be rescued from falling off the cliff and when you looked around, your father was there standing with a harness? That’s what our dads have always done for us. He has flown in with his cape flying behind him like Superman to not let any bad thing every touch us. Be it a bad situation, a troubling life decision or judging if a person is right for us – he has always taught the correct thing. He has left his shoes for us to eventually grow into them and learn from his mistakes and experiences. No wonder, he lets us venture into the wild sometimes and stops us from falling into traps at another. A father is always the first role model that we ever look up to. He is the umbrella that shields us from the treacherous weathers and storms while also teaching us to be strong enough to face those storms ourselves someday. So, the next time you see your dad swooping down from the sky to give you a hand, hold it or hang onto his cape as he takes you for a journey full of learning and understanding through this life.
We are quite sure that your dad must have chased you through the house with a newspaper in his hand some time in life while trying to teach a valuable lesson to you. He must have also made sure that you never forgot that lesson ever again. We look back upon those memories fondly now, a smile on our faces and waves of love flowing in our hearts. It truly was fun and also a bit scary to run away from him for he always caught us. There have been so many times when we tried to convince him that we hadn’t taken the money from his wallet or bunked our classes. But, he is the father after all and, not the other way around. He had always seen the truth in our eyes yet he had let us go so many times. It’s all because of how much he has always loved us as little parts of him. Fathers are the disciplinarians who give us a pat on the back when we do the right and don’t hesitate to raise an eyebrow when we rebel too much. That is what makes them a balanced individual in our lives, teaching us resilience and strength just by being his true self.
Trust us when we say that he knows everything better than you for, at some point in his life, he was a kid too. He knows even you better than yourself. All the times when you think that he doesn’t really understand, he really does! From the day he first held the tiny you in his hands, he knew that his life had changed, that he had a journey to undertake now, to make you grow into the beautiful human that you are today. From teaching you to take your very first steps on the ground to press the accelerator in the car a little harder on your first driving lesson, he has also grown with you. The first teacher who teaches you how to live is your father. The first person to know you inside out is your father. He takes in all his life learning, his own lessons, his own achievements and mixes them together to curate your lessons with all his love and devotion for you. So, the next time when you feel that you need guidance in your life, go to your dad for he is always there to look out for the apple of his eyes – you!
A father’s support is inevitable in the growth of his children. He not only pays for all those toys that you broke in your childhood but, he also pays for all the things that have moulded you as a person. It is not just money we talk about here. We talk about the emotional investment that he has put into you always. All the times, you had to endure failure, he endured it with you. All the times you felt that there was no way out, he dug the way out for you. Even in the darkness, he has always managed to keep his support to shine the path that you walked on. He is not only a support system but an ATM of it – you can go to him at any time of the day and seek his help. You know what is the best part? He will always be there to hold your hand and lead you ahead. He is the engine to the mechanism that we all run on and without him, there would have been no progression. So, we appreciate all the fathers who have supported their children without hesitation and still continue to do so!
Remember that one time when the heartbreak was a little too bad and he had finally sat beside you while he handed you a glass and told you not to worry? “You’re an independent woman who can win her own world all by herself,” he had said to his daughter and “You’re a strong man capable of getting over his failures and winning it all,” he had said to his son. And, even if you never told him about your feelings and emotions, his radar had always picked up those hidden bits about you. Our fathers are our first buddies in life. They crack dad jokes, ask for your help to take a screenshot even after you have explained it to them about a hundred times and makes sure that you are mentally healthy and stable apart from everything. What do we call them if not for friends? It is your father who has always come forward to shield you from your mother’s scolding, taken you off on a random bike trip in the evening without telling anyone and probably bought you an ice cream just to see that smile on your face. We thank all the fathers in this world for always being the shoulder that we need, for they are our friends indeed!
These were just a few sides of all that our fathers are actually capable of. It would take longer than an eternity to reach the end of the line where appreciation stops. They are truly a blessing for every child. So, we wish all the father’s a happy experience with their children for their constant love and support and hope that each day is like Father’s Day for them!
]]>1. End Table
We all need a complementary partner who brings out the best in all of us. In the same way, the tables in our homes need one too! Why we say this is because we have pieced together an impressive furniture collection of drool-worthy end tables to tickle your creative nerves and colorful areas of the brain. We will be honest with you when we say that we marvel at these beauties every single day of our lives and that life has been much glorious since we have started giving our heart and love to them. Worried about the size of the furniture? Looking for the perfect color to match your theme? Look no more for you have been brought to the perfect place to tend to your fantastic furniture fantasies. Big, small, colorful or the simple plain – our end tables are built to impress! Jump into the old style vintage designs or invest into a living room décor idea for all the evening coffee breaks accompanied by nothing but peace, this is something that is purely made in India for all the lovers of furniture out there. We gladly give the credit to our immensely talented artists whose brainchildren are these gorgeous bits of creativity.
2. Corner Stand
There is always that empty space somewhere in the corner of the room where nothing really fits yet the place looks inviting enough to add some creative flavor to it. Corner stands are the most glorious options to your rescue. They are magically always the right size to squeeze into those corners and give it a makeover in a matter of minutes. From woody frames to traditional and ethnic styles, corner stands are the cherry on top for interior decorators. How would you feel to have a magnificent vase with fresh flowers spreading the sweet scent of bliss in your house while it rests on some of the gorgeous corners stands from our collections? It will have you wanting more for your perfectly marvelous decorative ideas. A bit of experimenting with the designs here and a dash of colors there is what makes any house your home. We always say that nothing beats a good set of furniture in the corners of your beautiful houses. Why neglect the most important bits of your rooms when you can make them look elegant and add utility to them at the same time? Buy online and buy good!
Drawer chests are nothing less than gateways to different dimensions of existence. Each one can hold a different world while being a part of the same furniture. Doesn’t that make it a bit magical already? Dive into the world of jewellery on the first drawer, a collection of fine pairs of socks in the second and a bunch of your mobile chargers by the third. The most loved perk of having a drawer chest is the systematic organization of all your bits of things here and there? If your mother is cross at you for leaving your things unattended at any place in the house, gift yourself one from our collection and bring a smile on her face too. Not only that, we know that our drawer chests make a fine gift for all those gorgeous occasions of life. They are what you call the organized form of fun yet they are cool to get on with. We can vouch for their efficiency in being beautiful as well as utilitarian for your homes. An added bonus to them is how they double up as bedside tables too. So then, do you think you should wait any longer to try a few for yourself?
As they say that a chair is no less than a throne, make your guests and family feel nothing less than royal when they come over to your abode. Handmade by some really artistic craftspeople, we have finally made some gorgeous additions to our decorative chairs collection. Not only does it pack a punch of vintage essence and ethnic class but, it also wraps within itself the traditional fervour of Incredible India! Imagine a beautiful sunlit evening where you make yourself a nice cup of tea or coffee and head over to your living room to grab the receding rays of sunshine. Where do you sit? In one of these beautifully carved decorative chairs from Apkamart. We can always assure you that this experience is nothing short of a dream and we aim to make each bit of our furniture with all our love and heart. Chairs are indispensable for every household and we want you to know that choosing style and comfort is the game that we offer. With our chairs, don’t just sit but, enjoy sitting as a comfortable get away from your worries and the regular humdrum of life. Take a few moments to breathe and do so with some gracious art around you.
5. Center Table
The center point of anything is the most important bit of all. To center your mind, body and soul while throwing in a dash of lively zest to your life, let us introduce to you our marvelous collection of center tables. Our love for them would cross oceans but, we genuinely feel that our collection has been amassed from some fine and creative artists who we are proud of. Stating their styles from old vintage designs to modern-day abstract and minimalistic arts, our center tables have come a long way. And, like them, so has our collection. Interior décor has got a new name now that we have added in the furniture that goes with different themes, rates and styles suited for your home. Pair it up with chair, sofas and other seats to make your own style come alive. In the midst of it all, let us be a part of it with our handcrafted gorgeous tables that surpass the regular buzz of life. Just when you thought that it won’t be an easy task, we are here to assure of it. Now buying quality furniture online is what you will enjoy sitting in your homes. Browse through our furniture collection and grab the ones that catch your eye. What we guarantee is happiness and much of bliss accompanied by it.
Now that we have given you a sneak peek into our hearts, we hope we have been able to open a few doors to yours too. Nothing ever beats the feeling of having good furniture at home – long lasting and good looking. The way we see it, they are the talk of the town, cherry on the pie and comfortable as cloud. What are you really waiting for then? Put on your cool shades and explore away to your heart’s content with our collections and styles!
]]>With great anticipation and gusto, Indians celebrate Holi each year. The sound of Indian chartbusters of Holi songs boom at each corner of the streets. Holi celebrations across India enable us to look at the various regional uniqueness, traditions, and facets of Indian cultures.
Here is how Holi is celebrated in various parts of India –
In Western India, especially in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, Holi is informally known as Shimga or Rang Panchami. The celebrations start with Holika Dahan which is a common tradition of lighting a Holika firewood pyre. It takes place on the night before the start of the actual celebrations.
On the next morning, Rang Panchami is celebrated by playing Holi with dry and wet colors. The celebrations can go around for a week with various singing and dancing programs. People also gorge on a unique delicacy called 'PuranPoli'.
Uttar Pradesh is not only limited to being the largest state of India but also celebrates Holi in the most interesting way. Lathmar Holi, the local Bhojpuri name of Holi in Uttar Pradesh, is celebrated uniquely. Women get earned with canes and lathis to playfully hit the boys and men during the celebrations.
The men also come with a shield or dhal to protect themselves from the hits. The men who get caught during the play by women are made to dance on the streets wearing female attire. All these activities are done not aggressively but playfully.
Lathmar Holi is believed to have originated from Hindu Mythology. Legends claim that Lord Krishna playfully teased Radha in an attempt to celebrate Holi with her in Barsana, her village. During this attempt, the local women of the village got furious and chased Lord Krishna away with canes and lathis.
In Kanpur, the Holi celebrations last for up to seven days with a grand fair known as Grand Mela on the last day. In Gorakhpur, the festivities start with a pooja, and brotherhood is celebrated. Here Holi is known as 'Holi Milan' and people go over to each other's places and apply color to each other.
Going up further north, we find an interesting theme of Holi celebrations in Punjab. Holi is popularly known as Holla Mohalla in Punjab and is celebrated the day after the actual Holi.
Holi in Punjab is a celebration honoring the heroism of Sikh Warriors. The Holi celebrations are done primarily by the Nihang Sikhs, a particular sect in Punjab. The festivities include music, dancing, and traditional martial arts display.
Holi in Goa is a massive celebration of colors and spring. Here, Holi is popularly known as Shigmo. Farmers perform traditional folk songs and street dances. Tourists take part in the Shigmo celebrations with equal fervor and excitement.
Goa is primarily a coastal state with the main occupation of fishing. The boats of fishermen are decorated vibrantly with mythological and religious themes. You will also find various Shigmo Parades in various parts of Goa.
Here are two main customs of Holi celebrations – 'VhadloShigmo and DhaktoShigmo'. DhaktoShigmo is primarily celebrated by laborers and farmers in the rural region. However, everyone participates in the VhadloShigmo celebrations.
As the name Royal Holi suggests, Holi is celebrated on a grand scale in Udaipur. Udaipur was the kingdom city of Mewar and to date, the traditional festivities are celebrated by the royal family of Mewar.
On Holi eve, the celebrations are started with the lighting of a bonfire. The celebrations are followed by a flamboyant parade of horses with royal bands.
The Kumaon locality of Uttarakhand celebrates Kumaoni Holi across several towns. The celebrations take place over several months and are more focused on musical affairs, unlike other states. Holi in Uttarakhand signifies the beginning of the sowing season for the farmers.
The celebrations start with the lighting of the Holika pyre popularly known as 'Cheer'. Holi in Uttarakhand is celebrated in three main forms —
Baithaki Holi: Here the locals showcase their talents in singing by throwing a musical performance using classical instruments. The songs have classical ragas with the correct blend of fun, melody, and spiritualism.
Khadi Holi: Men wear traditional garb and sing Holi songs using instruments like Hurka and Dhol.
Mahila Holi: This Holi celebration is dedicated to women in Uttarakhand.
Kerala is known as God's own country. Here, Holi is known as Ukuli or ManjalKuli. The Konkani and Kudumbi communities of Kerala traditionally celebrate this festivity. The major color used in Kerala during the Holi is ManjalKuli or turmeric. The Holi celebrations here are quite peaceful and take place in a few temples.
West Bengal is not only famous for its sweets but also its Holi celebrations. Holi is locally known as Dol Jatra or Basant Utsav in West Bengal. Women usually dress up in yellow signifying the abundance of joy, goodness, and spring.
Shanti Niketan in Bolpur traditionally celebrates Holi. This quaint location depicts the cultural richness of Bengal. The Holi celebrations here are unmatched to date. You will also find many programs of traditional dance, song, and Tagore's poetry here.
Holi is celebrated with many flavors and festivities across India. This festival unites people all over India and celebrates brotherhood, victory, and good over evil. The several states of India provide a melting pot of varying traditions, cultures, and festivities during the Holi celebrations.
]]>1. Table mats- Table mat or placemats are an important part of your dining table.Beautiful and unique placemats are what first catches the eye of the guests on your dining table when you are serving them food. These come in a variety of designs & shapes. They are usually made of vinyl or cotton fiber. Some have prints made on it & some have just a plain woven design. There are some unique place mats that are made of bamboo that would just look amazing on your dining table.
Source: woven vinyl placemats. Ali express
2.Centre piece- At the centre of the dining table you can place a fruit basket or a dry fruit box or a plain flower vase. These are a few things that you can place at the centre of your dining table to make it look elegant. The fruit basket can be a one made from bamboo or you can simply use a bone china or glass bowl to keep the fruits. There are a variety of wooden, steel and plastic baskets available online. A beautifully designed dry fruit box will also look very aesthetic.
3) Drink/Tea coasters - For your dining table decoration you can buy some tea or Glass coasters which would definitely look gorgeous on your dining table. While serving tea or drink you can place the cup or glass in these coasters. Costers usually come in a set of 4 or 6. They are usually made of wood or plastic.
4. Napkin stand- Usually when we dine out in a restaurant we can see a napkin stand on the centre of the table. It would also look really classy to have a napkin stand on your dining table. You can find an uniquely designed napkin stand that could go along with your home decor. Here are some napkin stand designs that would look good in your dining table.
5. Serving trays - Trays are an important part of your dining table in order to serve the cutleries. In order to uniquely decorate your dining table you can search for some aesthetically designed serving trays that look attractive to the guests. Trays come in wood, synthetic fibre and steel. Here are some unique serving tray ideas for you.
These are a few budget things you can buy online for enhancing the look of your dining area and give it a fresh and elegant look. Decorating your dining area would give an aesthetically pleasing look to your home decoration.
]]>You will say that you relish the hot parathas that your mum makes when you feel down and out, isn’t that right? So, when you catch her taking the wrath of the gas stove just to see that look of bliss on your face after you taste her food, just silently lay the table without telling her. When she comes out of the kitchen, just say ta-da and surprise her with your little efforts. Stay a step ahead of her so that her complaints turn into gasps when she sees your bed clean, sheets folded, cupboard sorted and your nose clean!
You that she wears that one particular shade of lipstick just because you like it. All we want to plant in your head is the idea to give her a chance to leave a mark of that same lipstick on a beautiful ceramic cup from which she drinks the tea that you made her all by yourself. Sounds enticing, isn’t it? A loyal partner, a friend for life and an equal, she is none other than your pillar of strength so, to keep her strength going on, we definitely say that breakfast in bed is our favourite option. Trust us when we say this that no wife has ever said no to it!
This is that same girl you saw taking her first steps before she fell down and cried again, and this is the same girl who you will have seen taking her first step towards success with pride. She will always look up to you, learn from you and take to your habits. So when she wants to talk, lend her an ear; when she wants to make a decision, just let her; when she wants motivation, give her. She is the one that makes you calm, and at the end of it all, she is the one that makes you feel beautiful inside out for having her in your life.
You know that she sits at the opposite desk, gets coffee from the same machine, likes her salad on the left side of her plate and has blue stick notes on her table. But, do you know that she was the topper in her stream in school and that she had beaten her opponent with a clear margin of ten points in the college badminton competition? She has always been your contemporary from the day she stepped into the office, and we love the idea of working together and making great things happen!
Did she call you again with a problem last night? Did she tell you some of her secrets that she hasn’t shared with anyone else before? Take our word when we say that she trusts you like no one else. Sometimes, she fights her battles and stands strong even against the winds coming from the other side. We say, calm her mind and calm her soul. Sometimes, be a soft shoulder for her to lean on and when she wants to fist-bump you, don't miss that chance. Let her find peace in your friendship and safety in your company!
Alright, we all know that she switches off the fan every morning even when the summer is at its peak because she has to broom the room. But then we also think that because she does that, you wake up, your feet touch the floor, and it’s cool and clean. Every evening when you find the dishes sparkling, the tea ready, and the soft smell of dinner cooking in the kitchen, do share a bit of your happiness with her, for without her, our lives would really be a mess!
Admit it, you have pulled her hair at least once in her life. But now, when she wants to cut her hair short and make life-changing decisions for herself, be a support to her. Let her feel at home when she comes to you and asks, “Do you think this is right?”Jump with joy at her successes, cry with her at her failures but most important of all, always stand beside her and let her remember that she never stands alone!
]]>