[Random Thoughts] Preparing for Deepawali 2013

So here comes that time of the year, for which we Indians wait throughout the year... the biggest Indian festival Deepawali or Diwali. I have already written few things about Diwali in my previous posts (Read here and here).
As per the Hindu calender, in 2013, the Diwali celebrations starts from Friday, 1st November that is Dhanteras and will go on till 5th November, Bhaiduj, with Diwali on 3rd November.
The preparations often start weeks in advance with cleaning of house and shopping for new things for house, new clothes, preparation of various sweet and savory snacks to offer guests who visit during this period.
In my house also, we started with all this some days ago and are done with most of the shopping- our clothes are ready, home decor is ready and we prepare the snacks today. 
I will start putting on the Rangoli from today and atleast till the day of Diwali and later as well if I could survive all the excitement post diwali.
So, with all the excitement coming through from today, I'll keep this post short and will write about all the celebrations in the coming week

Till then, Have a Happy and Prosperous Diwali

[Sponsored Review] Mary Kay Foundation Primer Sunscreen SPF 15

I received full sized Mary Kay Foundation Primer Sunscreen SPF 15 for review.
I have been using this product for few weeks now and did find it worth writing about.

Product Description
This is a light-weight gel primer with UVA/UVB protection creating a perfect canvas for flawless foundation application. It makes the skin look smoother and also extend the wear of makeup. The primer is oil-free, comedogenic (won't clog pores) and is fragrance free.

Good For
All skin types and also sensitive skin.

My Impression about the Product
Texture & Fragrance
The product is fragrance free and has a gel like texture.
It spreads easily and is absorbed well, leaving the skin with a very slight powdery feel. It looks like nothing is applied on the skin.

How I Use the Product
After cleansing, toning and moisturizing, I apply a 10 cent coin amount on my face and blend it well with fingers, before applying make up.

The Effect
The skin becomes really soft and smooth and the makeup also stays on for longer. What I like is the non-sticky, powder like feel that you get on application. Being lightweight, it really seems to be a great product for before-makeup application.

The Verdict
After a long search, I could find a face primer that is so light and absorbs well. Definitely this is gonna be one of my must-haves. This is an all in one product, which acts as Moisturizer, sun protect and primer. 

Will I buy it again?
Definitely and also recommend it specially if you tend to have oily skin after applying make-up

Retail Price
S$40

Where can you buy it?
From Independent Mary Kay Consultant or if you don't have one, send me a mail at nsur20@gmail.com and I'll recommend one for you.

Do go for this primer if you really want something light weight and easy to absorb to put under your makeup, this is the product to go for.

What do you feel about Mary Kay Foundation Primer?  Have you used it? Please share your views 

Till then keep reading and discovering!

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Disclosure
I received full sized sample of Mary Kay Foundation Primer for review.
I was not paid to write the review only was given the product. The views and opinion are my own and not given under any influence.

[Pastimes] Rangoli For Deepawali- Part 2

After yesterday's post (Read here) on my Diwali Rangoli Designs, today's post is about the designs I created for Diwali of 2009. By this time, I gained much more confidence and was ready to explore little more complex designs than those from last year. This time, I decorated my doorway for 3 days.
Diwali is celebrated for 5 days- first day is Dhanteras, which is celebrated to please Goddess of Wealth, Sri Lakshmi and a lot of precious purchases are made on this day; the second day is Naraka Chaturdasi, which is to celebrate victory of Lord Krishna over a demon named Narakasur; the third day which falls on a no-moon night is the main festival and is celebrated by worshiping Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Lord Ganesha, the elephant God, remover of all obstacles. People light of their houses with clay lamps and welcome Sri Lakshmi into their houses. The fourth day is celebrated as Govardhan Puja in north to commemorate the victory of Lord  Krishna over Lord Indra by lifting a mountain called Govardhan on his little finger, while in southern India it is celebrated as Bali Pratipada, to celebrate the victory of Lord Vishnu in his dwarf form Vamana over demon king Bali. The fifth day is Bhai Duj when sisters and brothers express their love and affection for each other. 
So the celebrations goes on almost for a week and it is a great fun when you celebrate with family and friends. 
Now, coming back to Rangoli, in 2009, I designed rangolis for first three days and here are the pics.

This design was done for the first day. If you know me by now, you will be able to see one of my signature designs- the paisley.

This design was created for the second day. I kept it really simple.

This design was done on the day of Diwali at the doorway. Again featuring the other design which I love to create - the Peacocks. This is the most elaborate design I have created till date.

This design was done at the Puja area. If you notice in the last post also, both the designs in the puja area have lotus motif. This is because Goddess Lakshmi sits on the Lotus flower and these rangoli motifs signify the seat of Goddess Lakshmi. We invite Her to our houses and also keep a seat ready.

Hope you like the designs and share with us what kind of designs you like to create by posting a comment.

Till then, stay in touch for more on this...

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[Pastimes] Rangoli for Deepawali- Part 1

As some of you may be aware of the Indian Hindu festival known as Deepawali or Diwali or Divali. It is the most widely celebrated festival among Indians. It is also known as 'Festival of Lights'.
One of the significant custom is to do the Spring Cleaning of whole house and decorate it well. The doorway and the 'puja' (prayer) area is often decorated with 'Rangoli'. 
Rangoli, also known Kolam, Mandana, Alpana etc. in various parts of India is a folk art used to decorate the floor of doorways and courtyards during festivals to welcome the deities. Various media can be used individually or in combination- dry colour powder, flowers, rice paste, coloured marble chips, paint etc.

When doing a rangoli on Deepawali, I prefer to use Colored powder which is easy to sprinkle, yet requires a lot of practice. The first time I tried doing Rangoli of Deepawali was in 2008 and here are some pics-

The first two pics are of Rangoli done at puja area while the last one is at the doorway. I love doing floral and geometric designs and sometimes combination of both.

Do you like doing Rangoli on Deepawali or any other occassion? What are your favorite type of design?
Do leave a comment and share...

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