Happy Diwali 2016! feat. a hand embroidered outfit by Mum

Hey guys!
How are you??? You wouldn't guess this from reading but I'm actually fricckin excited!! Its DIWALI tomorrow... My favorite Indian festival and generally my favorite time of the year.
Its spring here in NZ, there's seeds germinating in my garden, there's more light in the day, there's sweets everywhere, the festive season has kicked off and there's an idiotic smile on my face.

I missed out on Auckland Diwali Festival 2 weekends ago due to my impromptu trip to India but I'm glad I caught up on some other events planned around the city this last week (all the goss on my Insta Story). There's no certainty if I'll ever be able to attend Diwali in India (I was pretty close this time..just 8 days away!) but in all honesty I've fallen in love with Diwali here in New Zealand. I do miss home but this is my second home so it's not that bad you know....
Moreover, I got homemade sweets from India so technically there's some taste of home this year.

I have my diyas (clay lamps) ready, fairy lights have been dusted, sweets bought & gifted and I'm so ready to enjoy this festive weekend. If you're a non-Indian, head to any Hindu or Sikh temple this Sunday (Oct 30th), there'll be tons of food, over the top dressed up happy people and Fireworks. Maybe you'll spot me in the crowd too.

This year I'm wearing a very special outfit. Well its not fancy and shimmery like my last 2 Diwali looks (Diwali 2014 & Diwali 2015) but its the most dear to me. Just last week, it had my mum's hand all over it painstakingly embroidering the last few stitches. Yep! That motif you see on my Punjabi Salwar Suit is made with pure love. My mum has spent countless hours on it.

Its a beautiful coral suit with a very simple green dupatta (veil) that is like a match made in heaven in my eyes. I wish I inherited 1% of creativity and zest that my mum has because this right there is her legacy..that I'll always hold close to myself. Truth be told, I'm sometimes jealous that I have no such abilities to create gifts that impart such everlasting memories..gifts that go on from one generation to another...gift that someone can wear & flaunt.

Sorry for boring you out. Looking at this piece of art I just can't hold my emotions in.
But hey! didn't you know that I blog for myself..my future old self. Wait!! Didn't you figure it out from the way I do my blog posts? Each one done in my own sweet time. I truly believe if it's on the internet..it's forever. So today, I make this outfit a forever. There will be a time when I'll no longer fit into it (lets not be kidding ourselves here!) but I shall always hold these beautiful memories of Diwali 2016 close to my heart.
I'm not the one to post elaborate Diwali looks that you'd feel over the top wearing on yourself. I'm actually wearing this same outfit with the same makeup & lipstick tomorrow because it ended up looking so beautiful..my heart actually broke a little taking the makeup off. I forgot to put a bindi on though..which I'll definitely do tomorrow.
Fact- The only item of jewelry I indulge in are Earrings. The bigger the better. These beautiful Gold Chand Baalis are my cherished ones!

For Makeup, I did a subtle peachy golden eye feat. MAC pigment in Melon that I only have a sample baggie of but witnessing how beautiful it looked in real life..I'm so tempted to buy a full pottle of it. The star of the look is obviously this beautiful warm coral lipstick from MAC called Tropic Tonic that is seriously the most amazing color I own. I saw it on a friend (thanks Roop!) and just fell head over heels on it. I had to buy it (Hey! thanks Sofia for getting it for me all the way from States).
If you have warm medium skin..you have to buy it too because you will be in love..pure love! And Its matte. Told you! you need it in your life.

Eye blinding highlight courtesy Champagne Pop highlighter from Becca which is another must have if you still don't own it because seriously everyone owns it and its worth every cent. It makes up for the best Diwali gift! Maybe I should've told you this a month ago. Oh well! Christmas isn't that far..is it?

Here's full makeup breakdown for your pleasure (Sorry I forgot to click pictures of actual products used. Maybe I'll update the post with them tomorrow?)

Priming
MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Painterly (Eyes)
MAC Prep + Prime Lip Base (Lips)

Eyes
MAC Pigment in Melon
L'oreal Color Infallible Eyehadow in 040 Cosmic Black (Outer V of eyes)
MAC Espresso Eyeshadow + Napoleon Perdis Color Disc in 'Cherry Bomb' mixed together as crease color
Inglot AMC Eyeliner Gel 77 (Cat eye)
Essence Long Lasting Eye Pencil in Black Fever (Tightlining upper lash line & lower waterline)
Shu Umera Lash Curler
Benefit They're Real Mascara

Eyebrows
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow Pomade in 'Dark Brown'

Face
MAC Strobe Cream (For a glowy face)
MAC Waterweight Foundation NC 30 mixed with Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation in shade 'Tawny'
LA Girl Pro Conceal HD Concealer in 'Orange Corrector' (to counteract dark undereyes)
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer in 'Medium' (Under eyes, Around Mouth, bridge of nose, forehead)
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in 'Medium Plus' (to set foundation all over face)
Benefit Hoola Bronzer (For contouring under cheek bones, jawline, sides of nose)
Becca Cosmetics Champagne Pop Highlighter (On cheek bones, bridge of nose, cupids bow & under eyebrow arch)
MAC Blush in 'Style'

Lips
MAC Lipstick in 'Tropic Tonic' (Matte)

Nails
Maybelline Color Show in '214 Orange Fix'

I'll be gorging on Jalebis & Kheer this Diwali. What's your favorite Indian sweet? What are you wearing this Diwali? Tell me in the comments below!
And hey!! Happy Diwali :) Here's a virtual bear hug from me. Thank you for being a part of my life and being a constant support that you are, always showering me with kind comments even though I post 20156819 pictures in the same cliched pose. I love you. Mwwah

Your friend from New Zealand! (Rhymes well right?)
Nishu

P.S. Shout out to my bff, hubby and munchkin all rolled into one fluff ball for taking such gorgeous pictures (Self flattery at its best!). I love you more than you know!