(We deliver in Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida and Ghaziabad. Terms and Conditions apply)

(We deliver in Delhi, Gurgaon and Noida only)

Author Archives: Manasi Vaidya

Con Affetto’s Incredibly Funky Christmas Gift Ideas

It’s that time of the year when even the regular store round the corner looks a little magical with its collection of festive looking Christmas trees and X’Massy decorations. Yup, Christmas is upon us and there’s an air of festivity all around that makes you want to burst into a cheery Christmas carol! If you’re like the rest of us, it’s also the time when you start worrying about Christmas gifts. Apart from the joy of playing Santa and picking out the perfect Christmas gifts for friends and family, Christmas is also a good time to gift those you may have missed out during the rest of the year (Ooops!). But before you start frantically Googling the best online flower and cake delivery options in your locality- STOP! Sure, Christmas is about cake, but why not banish the regular and gift something incredibly unique this Christmas? Read on for our carefully curated selection of fabulous and funky Christmas gift ideas that will make even Santa turn green with envy 😉

Fabulously Funky Christmas Gift Ideas For Him

We’re yet to meet the man who isn’t fascinated with The Game of Thrones, the medieval fantasy epic of kings, queens, thrones and dragons. Help him celebrate Christmas and his own personal fantasies 😉 with this very cool personalized Game of Thrones Flask. Perfect for long nights, favourite drinks or just making a statement!

A funky Christmas gift idea for Game of Throne lovers

A funky Christmas gift idea for dragon lovers ;)

Pair it with our Golden Moments cupcake bouquet; the perfect way to celebrate the golden moments from the year gone by.

Funky Christmas gift ideas, gift Con Affetto's edible bouquets

#giftediblebouquets Golden Moments Cupcake Bouquet

Incredibly Funky Christmas Gift Ideas For Her

Has she ever complained that your gifts aren’t meaningful enough? Surprise her this Christmas with the most meaningful gift idea ever! This customized fingerprint necklace in sterling silver, engraved with a message of your choice will ensure you (and your words) stay close to her heart forever.

A funky Christmas gift idea for the special woman in your life

A unique, meaningful gift she will surely cherish for many more Christmases! :)

Pair it with some Purple Love, our exclusive satin drenched edible bouquet of hand crafted cake truffles.

#giftediblebouquets Con Affetto’s Purple Love Hand Crafted Cake Truffles

Unique and Funky Christmas Gift Ideas For Couples

Everyone knows at least one made for each other couple. The sort that completes each others sentences, laughs at the same jokes and even manages to have perfectly coordinated eye rolls! Celebrate their perfectly in sync love with these oh-so-cool customized couple magnets.

One of our funky Christmas gift ideas for couples, personalized couples magnets

Incredibly funky Christmas gift for the made-for-each other sort!

Pair it with our Ballerina cake pop bouquet, an ode to tender, sweet love.

#giftediblebouquets Con Affetto’s Ballerina Cake Pop Bouquet

Unique Christmas Gift Ideas For Kids

Know a young ‘un who loves and lives Harry Potter and secretly wishes for the life of Hogwarts, Quidditch and disdainful looking down of muggles? Look no further for the perfect Christmas gift idea- a personalized Hogwarts bobblehead doll- no less (This one is a good bet for Harry Potter loving grown ups too- we know quite a few!)

One of our funky Christmas gift ideas for Harry Potter fans, customized Hogwarts bobblehead dolls

A funky Christmas gift for Harry Potter fans!

Pair it with a selection of our fun and fabulous cake pops and cookie wands.

#giftediblebouquets Con Affetto’s Cookie Wands & Cake Pops

Meaningful and Unique Christmas Gift Ideas For Parents

Gifting can be tricky when it comes to the older generation but we can bet you’ll hit the sweet spot with this unique Christmas gift idea; a personalized family print that can immortalize your near and dear ones in the most incredibly fun way possible! You can even bung in a fictitious character for the fun of it 😉 – or maybe use this creatively when you want to make that happy “you’re going to be grandparents” announcement!

One of our funky Christmas gift ideas for parents, customized family prints

Charm your parents this Christmas with these personalized family prints!

Pair it with some Hello Sunshine; little pieces of sunshine crafted into a cakepop bouquet: the perfectly sun-shiny way to brighten up their sunset years

#giftediblebouquets Con Affetto’s Hello Sunshine Cakepop Bouquet

We hope you’re feeling inspired by our incredibly funky Christmas gift ideas! Don’t forget to write in to us with what’s on your shopping list this season! Merry X’mas- and happy shopping!

How To Bake The Perfect Brownie: 8 Must Know Hacks!

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Chewy… Fudgy… Dense… Moist…

Our top 8 hacks to bake the perfect brownie will ensure soul satisfying brownies every time

Chewy…fudgy…chocolicious! What’s your brownie type?

We sure take our brownies seriously here at Con Affetto! We even match our brownies to personality type 😉 Dense brownies for the serious sort; crumbly brownies for the soft-hearted, there’s always the perfect brownie for everyone! And whether it’s a chocolate hug in a mug at the end of a long day or much needed comfort food at the beginning of a difficult one; you can always count on a brownie to bail you out. So it always helps if you know how to bake your brownie just right. Here are some super simple hacks that’ll help you bake the perfect brownie every time!

Our top 8 hacks to bake the perfect brownie will ensure soul satisfying brownies

Brownies are the ultimate comfort food!

#1: Make up your mind

Is it a fudgy brownie you want or a cake-y one? Blondies more your style? Decide what you want before you get baking, and choose your recipe carefully because every different sort of brownie requires a different mix and proportion of ingredients.

Our top 8 hacks to bake the perfect brownie will ensure your brownies are baked to perfection

To bake the perfect brownie you need the perfect recipe!

#2: To bake the perfect brownie you need the perfect eggs…

And by perfect we mean eggs at room temperature. Cold eggs don’t mix well and just make for unhappy, too-dense brownies (perfect for the office grouch maybe 😉 ). So get your eggs out of the fridge at least a half hour before baking.

Our top 8 hacks to bake the perfect brownies will turn you into a baking pro

Egg-ther you have it or you don’t!

#3: Be gentle with the flour!

When it comes to folding in the flour, if you’re gonna heave it all together what you’ll get are thick, chewy brownies. So be gentle and don’t over stir. An easy trick is to fold the flour in till a few streaks are showing and leave it at that.

Our top 8 hacks to bake the perfect brownie, be gentle with the flour

A little gentleness with your flour will go a long way to brownie baking perfection!

#4: How hot is your oven?

Clueless? Invest in an oven thermometer and you are well on your way to brownie baking perfection. Most ovens are off temperature-wise and when it comes to baking, even a few degrees can be the difference between the perfect brownie and a tasteless blob!

Our top 8 hacks to bake the perfect brownie, invest in an oven thermometer

An oven thermometer is a great investment for serious home bakers

#5: To bake the perfect brownie timing is EVERYTHING

Yes it is. Time it right and you’ll have soul satisfyingly delicious brownies popping out of your oven Every.Single.Time.

Our top 8 hacks to bake the perfect brownie, timing is everything

Watch that clock!

#6: Don’t wait till the end to check on your brownies

Check on your brownies at least 5 minutes before the time stated in your recipe. This is because when you’re baking from a recipe, there will be a lot of variables you’re working with: oven heating, type of pan etc. And like we said earlier, when it comes to baking, even an extra minute or two can make a difference.

Our top 8 hacks to bake the perfect brownie, check on your brownies 5 minutes before the recipe time

You’ll have happy brownies popping out of your oven in no time ;)

#7: Happy pans make happy brownies!

Light-coloured, shiny pans conduct heat more evenly as opposed to dark-coloured or glass pans which can cause the edges to over bake or burn. Choose your pans carefully, bake your brownies in the center of the oven and don’t put them in until the oven is preheated.

Our top 8 hacks to bake the perfect brownie, get the right bake ware

Your bake ware is an essential ingredient too!

#8: Work the lining

Use greased parchment paper or wax paper to line your pan and leave an overhang on the sides to create handles. When your brownies have cooled, use the handles to gently lift out your brownies.

Our top 8 hacks to bake the perfect brownie, don't forget to line it right

Add the final touches with the right lining, your perfectly baked brownies are almost done!

And lastly, when you’re done baking your gooey perfection, give them some time to cool, before you dig in! Trust us, the texture and flavour of your brownies is SO much better when cooled. Do YOU have any pro tips when it comes to baking the perfect brownie? The most funky & helpful tips stand a chance to get featured on the blog- so TELL US already!

Edible Bouquets: What Makes Them Rock!

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A rose by any other name would smell as sweet…

Edible bouquets with the Con Affetto tag will make a regular flower bouquet pale in comparison

A rose by any other name…?Not if it’s from a Con Affetto bouquet!

Well, what if Shakespeare were wrong? Impossible, you say? What if we were to tell you about a bouquet created with rich, moist cake…soft as butter and dipped in the finest chocolate with a promise of melting on your lips? We can bet even Shakespeare would be drooling at that! And he sure would agree that a rose with the Con Affetto name is a million times yummier 😉

Edible bouquets bring together the perfect union of gourmet baked products and the alluring good looks of a flower bouquet

Melt in your mouth gourmet bakes inspired by the beauty of flowers; visions of heaven are guaranteed!

Don’t get us wrong, we love flowers just as much as any gal. And which gal wouldn’t love getting a bursting bouquet of gorgeous blooms? But what happens after that initial heady rush? Those very same blooms begin to wilt and fade away, and eventually end up as trash. And that just made us kinda sad. It also made us sit up and think…

What if you could get a bouquet with blooms just as gorgeous, but that wouldn’t need to be trashed? What if they could smell as great, look as gorgeous….and taste divine!

Eureka! And that’s how Con Affetto came to be. The finest creations, inspired by nature and designed to make mortals go weak at the knees! Anyone who’s bitten into one of our sinful delights will tell you it was love at first taste.

Our edible bouquets range from cake pop bouquets, cookie bouquets, cup cake bouquets to cakesickles, cake truffles nd the works

LOVE! At first bite 😉 Dip into our red velvet cake pops bathed in dark chocolate or our classic vanilla petit bites in swathes of milk chocolate

Has to be be, when you marry the sophistication and taste of gourmet baked treats in all their layered, frosted delight with the sheer beauty of flowers… and when the union looks something like this!

One of our edible bouquets is the gorgeous and yummy cupcake bouquet

What looks better? Our gorgeous cupcake bouquet or exotic packaging it’s encased in?

Talk about gifting something unique, meaningful and oh-so-delicious! We don’t like to brag but even the most gorgeous bouquet of flowers cannot compete with our soft, moist, rich edible delights that will explode on your taste buds in a burst of decadence.

Do you really need to think again next time you’re looking for, say…maybe an online flower delivery to your special someone? Here are a few more reasons why an edible bouquet beats a regular flower bouquet any day:

No gender discrimination;)

So you Googled the best online flower delivery option and had their finest (and most expensive!) bouquet delivered to your love. That lush bunch of flowers may have HER swooning, but can you say the same for HIM? Last we heard, flowers aren’t really that big a deal with the guys (some of our guy pals even confessed that they think being gifted flowers is kinda embarrassing- not macho enough, no?)! No such problem with our edible bouquets once they unwrap the packaging and start discovering the scrumptious delights that lie within!

One of our edible bouquets is the cookie bouquet with an assortment of cookies, pretzels, marshmallows

Think we’re only about chocolate? Our cookie bouquet brings you a dizzy assortment of vanilla butter cookies, sugar cookies, pretzels and marshmallows ….swooon!

Maintenance…say what?

Remember the last flower bouquet you were gifted? What did you do once you’d finished ooh-ing and aah-ing over it? Trimmed the stems, put it in fresh water and changed the water daily, most likely. Only to see those pretties wilt away and end up in the trash eventually. Edible bouquets? Receive. Ooh and aah! Unwrap. Eat. Bask in the blissful memories…and taste! And say ta ta to maintenance!

Edible bouquets are better than regular flower bouquets in that they require zero maintenance

Drop dead gorgeous and oh so low maintenance!

Dee-licious!

Just in case we didn’t say it enough;) Our edible bouquets taste like they’ve been concocted by the Gods of Chocolate themselves, right up there in the divine chocolaterie….lip smacking drool-icious! Now you’ll just have to taste one and see for yourself! And if you’re wondering about the variety you’ll get into a tizzy trying to pick just one from our giddy assortment of cookie bouquets, cup cake bouquets, handcrafted cake pops, cake truffles or cakesickles!

Our edible bouquets come in a wide assortment of products and flavours

Cookie bouquets; cup cake bouquets, cake truffles, cakesickles…we’ll have you spoilt for choice!

The perfect gift for just about anyone…

Forget about frantically searching for the best online flower delivery option and then trying to pair it with a cake or maybe chocolates thrown in for good measure. With an edible bouquet you have the perfect package tailored for you: gourmet baked products that look even better than flowers and presented in a way that will make the most gorgeous bouquet pale in comparison. If you’re looking for the perfect gift, look no further!

Edible bouquets look gorgeous and taste even better!

Fall in love with our gorgeous bunches of edible blooms :)

So in case you’re still thinking about a traditional flower bouquet as your go to delivery gift option, think again! Let the flowers bloom we say, and gift an edible bouquet instead!

15 Surprising Benefits of Being in a Romantic Relationship

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We hope this post finds you savouring the after-taste of a fantabulous festive season! We also hope you remember a little contest we ran here a couple of weeks ago. 21 days to be precise. Yes, we are talking about the 21 Day Challenge to Romance Your Wife! Now we didn’t exactly get a response from you guys (yes, we know you’re out there reading- say hi will ya 😉 ) but we’re guessing it’s because you’re too…um, busy. But we do want you to know that there are some surprising benefits of being in a romantic relationship. So those 15 minutes we’d asked you to invest each day, actually translate into 15 tangible good-for-you’s! Curious? Read on!

1. Being in a romantic relationship amps up those feel good chemicals

One of the benefits of being in a romantic relationship is the release of feel good chemicals in your brain

Get those feel good chems soaring!

Think dopamine and testosterone! One of the many benefits of being in a romantic relationship, especially one that is long term and committed, is the boosting of these feel good chemicals that are seriously good for your well being.

2. You live longer

One of the benefits of being in a romantic relationship is that you live longer

You’ll live to see so many golden sunsets together!

No kidding! Numerous studies have found that married men live longer than men who never married or those whose marriages ended. And it doesn’t stop there, they also tend to have better lifestyles and fitness levels. Just think about all the good those 15 minutes can do for ya!

3. You also get rich!

One of the benefits of being in a romantic relationship is that you accumulate more wealth over time

Good for your heart…and your credit card ;)

And we are backed by research here, which shows that married people accumulate more wealth over time compared to singles or divorced people. Good news for you and your credit card, huh?

4. One of the benefits of being in a romantic relationship = less stress

One of the benefits of being in a romantic relationship is less stress

You and your heart are in very good (and stress free) hands!

Guess what? Having a special someone in your life has an overall calming effect that’s good for you. One of the benefits of being in a romantic relationship is lower cortisol levels (or the stress hormone) which can protect you from the harmful effects of stress.

5. You get to max your free time

One of the benefits of being in a romantic relationship is that you get to have a go to partner in your free time always by your side

Chill out…with someone special, always by your side

You may enjoy your alone time, but let’s face it, it’s so much more fun to be around someone you love during your spare time. Whether it’s fun, leisure, hobbies or just plain ‘ol hanging out, being in a romantic relationship means you have a 24/7 go-to partner for whatever it is you want to do in your free time!

6. You have an in-built emotional support system

One of the benefits of being in a romantic relationship is that you have an in built emotional support system

An emotional support system like no other

While women are more likely to have numerous people they can turn to for emotional support, men tend to rely more solely on their partners. Which is why being in a romantic relationship can mean an awesome emotional support system, in turn boosting psychological health benefits.

7. You have fewer mental health issues

One of the benefits of being in a romantic relationship is that you have fewer mental health issues

Holding your hand through sickness and health…

Yeah, we know what you’re thinking. You wife drives you crazy sometimes! But on a serious note, one of the benefits of being in a romantic relationship is significantly fewer mental health problems like depression, anxiety and mood disorders. That would be fifteen minutes well worth the effort, eh? 😉

8. Being in a romantic relationship means less pain…

One of the benefits of being in a romantic relationship is less pain

Love hurts? Quite the opposite in fact!

Does love hurt? That may be the popular notion, but in reality one of the benefits of being in a romantic relationship is being better able to cope with physical pain as well as faster healing, as proven by numerous research studies.

9….and long term happiness

One of the benefits of being in a romantic relationship is long term happiness

Raise a toast to happiness…forever!

Romantic relationships can be a lot like wine, in that they get better as you age:) There is evidence that being in a romantic relationship, especially one that is long term is a big happiness booster and promotes feelings of contentment and emotional security.

10. Another one of those surprising benefits of being in a romantic relationship? It lowers your BP!

One of the benefits of being in a long term relationship is it's good for your blood pressure

Know what else? It’s good for your BP!

The evidence is out there; being in a romantic relationship is good for your blood pressure! It has to be a happy, committed relationship to make the cut, but of course.

11. You get fewer colds

One of the benefits of being in a romantic relationship is better immunity to colds and flus

Even better than adrak chai ;)

Think we’re crazy? Listen to this: being in a romantic relationship can reduce stress, anxiety and depression and up positive emotions, giving your immune system a natural boost and leaving you fighting fit to battle those nasty cold viruses. Nothing to sneeze at!

12. It is great for your self perception!

One of the benefits of being in a romantic relationship is it's great for your self perception

No need for an ego boost, you’ve got it made!

It’s simple, being with someone who loves you, makes you feel good about yourself. And over a period of time you internalize your partner’s positive judgements of you.

13. You pick up on each other’s good habits

One of the benefits of being in a romantic relationship is you pick up on each others good habits

You can piggyback on each others good habits!

The company you keep can also be good for your health:) Being in a romantic relationship translates into picking up each other’s good habits, whether it’s being more conscientious about money or visiting the dentist regularly.

14. You build a lifetime memory bank

One of the benefits of being in a romantic relationship is a lifetime of shared memories

A lifetime of memories to cherish…together

One of the great parts of building a life together is the wonderful memories and shared experiences you can look back on together with time. These not just promote happiness but can also act as tools for personal and relationship growth.

15. You have a personal cheerleader!

One of the benefits of being in a romantic relationship is you have someone constantly cheering you on and catching you when you fall

You get to have your very own cheerleader!

Someone who constantly reassures you, knows you intimately, can be a best friend-guide-cum critic and not just that, can correct your mistakes and biases as a result of knowing you over a period of time. As the song goes, it cannot get better than this!

So there you have it! 15 great reasons to invest those 15 minutes each day. So even if we don’t hear from you (but we’d really, really like to!) we’re hoping you do invest that time to get the most out of your relationship with your partner.

5 Life Skills You Learn When You Have an Elder Brother

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They can be incredibly sweet…and shockingly sour; heartbreakingly cute…and irritatingly sticky! Yup, elder brothers are a lot like candy! But whether they’re making you go ‘awwwww’ and turning you into a pile of mush (in a good way!) or making you tear your hair out in frustration (like literally!); one thing you gotta admit, you do end up learning a lot thanks to them. Its Bhai Dooj week and we’ve been musing about the unique bond between sisters and their big brothers One thing’s for sure, there are a few inevitable life skills you will learn (whether you like it or not!) if you have an elder brother:

Life skill you learn when you have an elder brother #1: How to grow a verrry thick skin

“Girls are disgusting…and you’re the worst of the lot!” “You’re $#@#$$ (insert choice of adjective: ugly/ stinky/ fat/ a pile of poop)!” If you have an elder brother, you’ve been there, heard that. From being teased mercilessly, to being picked on endlessly, the favourite butt of all his (totally crass) jokes is you!

A life skill you will learn with an elder brother is how to take all sorts of teasing in your stride

You’re his FAVOURITE! The favourite butt of his jokes that is ;)

What this teaches you is priceless: how to grow a very thick skin and get on with the program. Sensitive cry baby you certainly are not and you got big bro to thank for that; as a bonus you also develop a very high threshold for tolerating terrible jokes!

Life skill you learn when you have an elder brother #2: How to be a tough cookie

Those wrestling matches that were an integral part of your childhood? The ones you always lost because big bro was well, bigger and stronger? They may have ended in tears at the time but they’ve gone a long way in making you toughen up. You learn to stay strong and won’t give up easily; well not without a fight at least!

An elder brother will teach you how to be physically stronger even if it is the hard way

He’s gonna toughen you up!

And hey, all that wrestling did teach you how to pull a few punches, both literally and figuratively!

Life skill you learn when you have an elder brother #3: How to skate (or dance) circles around bosses and bullies

Elder brothers are bossy. And bullies. Period. Okay, so they may not always be bossy or bullying the daylights out of you but more often than not they will. It’s ingrained in their DNA. Elder brother, remember? With elder being the operative word. And boy, do they take that seriously!

An elder brother will teach you how to handle bullying and bossing later in life as well

A different kind of Big Boss!

So what’re you gonna do? You’ll just have to learn how to live with it! And that’s going to come in incredibly handy later in life when you have to deal with bullies, which you will.

Life skill you learn when you have an elder brother #4: You’ll have a better understanding of them creatures from Mars 😉

Yeah, even your stinky brother is going to grow up into a real (pun intended) man someday. And since you have no choice but to grow up together, spending all that time with him is going to teach you some invaluable life lessons about men in general.

An elder brother will teach you how to understand men better

Big Bro 101: A lifelong understanding of men

Like how they get less gross with time (or at least learn how to cover it up better), the best ways to communicate with them (even with a TV and video games competing with you) and how they can sometimes really get you. Mucho helpful when you deal with men later in life, trust us!

Life skill you learn when you have an elder brother #5: You learn that no matter what, someone always has your back

He might hold his nose when you walk past, always make fun of your hair and you’ll never be cool enough to hang out with him and his friends. But at the end of the day, this guy loves you (he does, he does!) and you know that no matter what he will always have your back– just watch out for that kick he’s aiming at your butt!

An elder brother will be there for you no matter what

He’ll always have your back!

When push comes to shove, you can depend on him and he will bail you out. Just be prepared to endure the never ending lecture about ‘how he told you so’ for the rest of your life!

Got any stories about your infuriating, crazy, yet totally endearing big bro? Tell us! And don’t forget to pick out a bro bouquet for him this Bhai Dooj, coz like they say, in the cookies of life, brothers are the chocolate chips

5 Diwali Dessert Recipes With A Twist!

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Who doesn’t love a good twist in the tale? From Bollywod fusion hip hop to a little Mexican fusion in our Indian khaana, we want something hatke (a little like us 😉 after all we are all about unique and quirky gift ideas)! So can Diwali dessert recipes be far behind? “We’re bored of the same old laddoos and barfis every year!” is a common complaint come Diwali; leading to a spate of traditional Diwali recipes getting all sorts of funky makeovers. The result is melt in your mouth Diwali delights; your traditional Diwali dessert recipes in a never seen before avatar! We decided to make your Diwali preps a little easier this year by putting some of these awesome Diwali dessert recipes for you in one easy to find place! Think of it as our Diwali gift to you 😉

Drool-worthy Diwali Dessert Recipes: Rangoli Macarons!

Step aside French macarons; our desi version of Rangoli Macarons are so much more drool worthy! These buttery little bites of perfection will transport you straight to a lazy Parisian afternoon. Whip up these delicate velvety pastries with this easy basic French macaron recipe and go for gold with some creative gold decoration on the macarons for that added festive touch!

Traditional Diwali dessert recipe with a twist Rangoli Macarons with gold decoration

Go for gold with these Rangoli Macarons! Image Credit: bubbleandsweet.blogspot.in

Get some golden piping inspiration here to pipe it right! These delights will not just go splendidly with your afternoon chai, they also make for a fabulous (and very unique) Diwali gift!

Biscuit Barfi: Diwali Dessert Recipes for the bachhas!

Diwali calls for something traditional like barfi but the kids prefer Oreo pops! Never the twain shall meet? Well, never say never is our motto! Presenting a finger licking biscuit barfi recipe that will have not just the kids, but the grown ups licking their fingers too!

Traditional Diwali dessert recipes with a twist Diwali Biscuit Barfi

Charm kids and adults alike with this delightful Diwali Biscuit Barfi

We love using this recipe with Oreos (satisfy that totally legit Oreo craving while you’re at it 😉 and oh! watch this space for the scrummilicious Oreo Pops we’re going to be dishing out soon at Con Affetto) and having some fun with the toppings as well- think coconut sprinkles or candy melts! This is one recipe the kids can help you with too.

Decorated Diwali Dessert Recipes: Colourful Cookies!

It’s the festive season and if you’re like us and lurrrve mehndi, here’s a fun way to have your mehndi and eat it too! Yes, you heard that right! Mehndi is not just for the hands as you’ll see with these fantabulous henna inspired sugar cookies.

Diwali dessert recipes mehndi or henna inspired cookies

Get some mehndi…on your cookies! Image Credit: HennaLounge.com

All you’ll need is a batch of freshly baked sugar cookies (mmmm bliss!), some royal icing and then let your henna themed dreams take over the decoration! And when you can’t get enough of the diyas and the phooljhadis– ice them! Let your imagination run riot as you conjure up some delicious Diwali themed cookies!

Traditional Diwali dessert recipes with a twist Diwali themed sugar cookies

The Con Affetto version of pretty diyas and sparkly phooljhadis

Little girls will adore this Diwali dessert recipe…the making and the eating!

Diwali Dessert Recipe for a festive Diwali breakfast…

Diwali morning…the colourful hues of rangoli, the fragrance of ubtan, the preparation for Diwali pooja….but what’s for breakfast? The last thing you want to rack your brains over is wondering what to cook! But at the same time…its Diwali! How about a sumptous Diwali breakfast fit for kings and with the perfect festive touch too! Presenting a boondi and rabdi stuffed pancakes Diwali breakfast (brought to you by the Masterchef Sanjeev Kapoor, no less!).

Traditional Diwali dessert recipes with a twist boondi and rabdi stuffed pancakes

A Diwali breakfast fit for royalty!

Just don’t blame us if you’re too stuffed to do much else for the rest of Diwali day after gorging on this treat 😉

Decadent Diwali Dessert Recipes: Cupcakes with a twist!

So the kids are going all Marie Antoinette on you and clamouring for cake? But cakes are for Christmas, who eats cake for Diwali?! You will, with these perfect for Diwali Gulkand Cupcakes with a delicate hint of cardamom! Let the kids eat cake and give a rose-alicious nod to tradition while you’re at it! Don’t forget to watch this space for some rosy treats coming your way- our paan gulkand cake truffles are launching soon!

Traditional Diwali dessert recipes with a twist Gulkand cupcakes

Rose-alicious! Gulkand Cupcakes at Diwali

Drooling already? Here’s to loads of blissful baking ahead! And if you have any funky Diwali dessert recipes you’d like to share with us, write in! A really hatke recipe may even get featured on our blog!

Con Affetto’s 21 Day Challenge to Romance Your Wife

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Okay, we KNOW what you’re thinking! You’ve taken one look at the title and you think this is one of those smarmy articles magazines spew at you ever so often. Romance your wife with flowers, chocolates, take her out on a date yada yada yada… Hey, don’t you know us better by now? We’re all about the fun and the funky here, we’d never give you that boring tripe 😉 But we do have romance on our minds coz its Karva Chauth today, the day to honour the love and commitment between you and your lady love.

Romance your wife with Con Affetto's 21 Day Romance Your Wife Challenge

We’ve got romance on our minds!

What better way to celebrate your beautiful bond than by committing to amplify the romance in your relationship? Because lets face it, when you’ve been together a while, its easy to get jaded. There are a gazillion thing to take care of in all our turbo charged lives and romance is typically the first thing to fall by the wayside, no? NO! We’re here to change all that with our 21 Day Challenge to Romance Your Wife (just call us the Love Gurus, guys 😉 )! Think you’re up for it? Read on!

Step 1: Set up a meeting

Yes we’re still talking about you and your wife, we’re not going all heavy duty office on you here! Confused? Don’t be! Just set aside fifteen minutes every day, whatever time works for you, to sit down with your wife and talk. Ask her how her day was, what’s new, what was the best thing that happened to her all day. Focus on the conversation and on really listening to her. Just fifteen minutes everyday. So go on and schedule your meeting!

Romance your wife by taking time out to talk to her everyday

All you need are 15 minutes everyday

Step 2: Go tech free

Ok, this one is a toughie. Remember that fifteen minute meeting we told you about just now? Well, in case you were thinking you could talk to your wife while texting your boss, checking all the latest goss on your FB account with the TV droning on in the background…NADA. You gotta switch all of that OFF. Make it a totally tech free zone, and once you’ve gotten used to all of the peace and quiet, go sit with your wife. And leave your phone behind!

Romance your wife with tech free time spent with her daily

Mobile phones NOT allowed!

Step 3: Focus

That razor sharp focus you are renowned for at work? Your wife needs some of that too! No, that doesn’t mean you start giving her appraisals, we just need you to focus on her and ONLY her for the fifteen minutes you’re going to be spending together. So if you have kids, maids, pets and any other unidentified objects floating around the house, capable of distracting you, make sure they’re all out of the way. Also, tell your wife about your meeting well in advance so she’s free too. Hey, its only fifteen minutes– you CAN do it!

Romance your wife by really focusing on her and listening to her

When she talks, LISTEN

Step 4: Keep it a conflict free zone

Um, yeah, so just in case you were planning on telling her how you hated last night’s dinner, so could she please just fire that cook already; or how you think the kids really could do with some extra Math coaching…sorry! This is NOT the time and place for that. Yeah, we did say you were to set aside fifteen minutes to talk with your wife but we did NOT mean all the usual nitty gritties. Quick- read post title! Remember the woman you feel in love with? These fifteen minutes are to romance your wife and fall in love with her all over again. Which means you laugh and smile, stay positive and talk about fun, interesting stuff. Um, also run this past your wife, ok? So she doesn’t bring up how you really need to hit the gym (ouch!).

Romance your wife by spending fifteen pure fun happy minutes talking to her alone

Stay positive and don’t forget to smile!

Step 5: Seal it with a kiss

Okay, this is the fun part At the end of your 15 minutes, reach out and hug your wife, look deep into her eyes (for heaven’s sake STOP thinking about the missed calls on your phone), smile and tell her that you love her. Sounds too corny to believe? Just trust us and do it! It will be totally worth it when you see the look in her eyes.

Romance your wife by holding her close and telling her how much you love her

Seal it with a kiss!

Okay, so that’s it. Easy right? And we did not bring up flowers or candles or chocolates even once and you don’t even have to step out of your house (though it might be a good idea to do just that once in a while!). So, all set for your 21 Day Challenge that is totally going to transform your relationship?

Here’s what you need to do:

Read our blog post
Sign up for the challenge! All you need to do is drop us a line in the comments below, with your email, that says “I’m in!”
Follow us on Facebook & Twitter to stay motivated for the duration of the challenge !
On Day 21 check back with us on the blog; we’ll have a special post for you! In the comments section, write in and tell us about your 21 day experience- the good, the bad, the ever-so-romantic 😉
The quirkiest, most, fun, lovable comments will get an ultra romantic Con Affetto bouquet specially delivered to your wife from YOU! And that’s not all! You and your wife get a chance to be featured on our blog as the Con Affetto Cutest Couple Ever!

Are you still reading this? What are you waiting for? The Con Affetto 21 Day Romance Your Wife Challenge is calling! Sign up now!

Psst…wives, if you’re reading this, send it to them hubsters already!

Um…some rules!

*Only comments on the Con Affetto blog will qualify

**Contest restricted to Delhi, NCR only

***All decisions regarding contest rules, regulations and winner taken by Con Affetto will be considered as final

Con Affetto’s Last Minute Diwali Gifting Ideas

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It’s that time of the year again! Diwali is within fragrant halwa sniffing distance and if you’re like us, you’re probably also looking forward to some Diwali chutti 😉 But wait… is the thought of the upcoming Diwali season sending you into a frenzy of panic instead of ecstasy? Last minute Diwali gift shopping giving you the jitters, huh? Well, worry not, coz you’ve come to the right place! For starters, take a quick look at our snazzy gifting guide that tells you everything that you need to know about the art of gifting. Then, read on for our funky last minute Diwali gift ideas that will make you the toast of this Diwali gifting season. And no one will even guess about all that last minute Diwali shopping!

The last minute Diwali gift bucket

If you’ve been reading our blog regularly (good on you!), you know that one of the key tenets to a good gift is to make it personal. Well, our Diwali gift bucket, does just that and what’s more it’s perfect for the festival of lights too! Get one of these quirky lanterns and fill them up with thoughtful and personal gifts you know the recipient will love.

Fill up a festive lantern with little gifts for your very own Diwali Gift Bucket

Add some extra sparkle with a Diwali Gift Bucket!

Add in a few of our delightful cake truffles and this will be one gift even Santa’s Christmas sock will find hard to beat!

The last minute Diwali movie gift package

Everyone loves a good flick, right? But gifting someone a bunch of DVD’s is ever so BORING! But hey, what if you gift them the whole magical movie watching experience instead? And they don’t even have to leave the comfort of their (Diwali lit) home! Yup, we’re talking about a Diwali movie gift package.

A unique Diwali gifting idea is to create a movie package by gifting everything one would need for a complete movie watching experience

Rock the Diwali gifting scene with a Diwali movie package!

Fill it up with everything you need for the perfect movie night: popcorn, drinks, some comfy cushions or a throw, a bunch of scented candles for that special festive touch and a DVD (or two!) of their favourite movie/s. The perfect last minute Diwali gift for just about anybody– all you need to do is figure out their fave movie!

The last minute Diwali gift for your 3am buddy…

This is your go-to pal come hail or fine weather. They’ve not just been there for you through thick and thin, you’ve also been there, done that together. You’re probably even going to be spending Diwali evening with them. Want to get them something special but are running out of time and ideas? Hot chocolate is what you need! And we’re not just talking any old hot chocolate, but Adult Hot Chocolate!

A unique Diwali gifting idea is to make your friends some Adult Hot Chocolate

Spike up your Diwali gifts with some Adult Hot Chocolate ;)

Make up a (large) batch to have or go, team it up with some of our special sunshine and you’re set for a festive Diwali season! It’s the least you can do to make up for those 3am calls you’ve subjected your friend to!

The last minute Diwali gift for the person who has everything…

Okay, so this is probably your better half; your sis/bro; your pal whose birthday just got over or someone whom you simply cannot think what to gift for the life of you! What then? These super cool printable ‘breakfast in bed’ tickets! Or personalized business cards for those who really want to make a unique style statement. Get creative with your thoughts and get printing!

A unique Diwali gifting idea is to gift fun printable coupons tickets or business cards

Get personal and creative this Diwali with these fun printables

The last minute Diwali gift that keeps on giving!

Nope we’re not talking about creating a secret Santa for Diwali (would be a fun idea though!). We’re talking about something unique and thoughtful that will help you spread the spirit of giving not just at Diwali but beyond: gifting a charitable donation. Identify a charity or a cause that is close to the recipient’s heart and gift a donation in their name. A wonderful way of starting something new this Diwali that will truly spread the spirit of the festival of lights.

A unique gifting idea is to gift a charitable donation

Spread the true spirit of the festival of lights by gifting a charitable donation

So now that we’ve taken all of that Diwali gifting stress away, just sit back, relax and get ready to Diwali gift with our easy peasy ideas! And hey, you know we like hearing from you, right? Write in and tell us if YOU have any suggestions for last minute Diwali gifting ideas that helped you steal the scene!

All About Mummyji!

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Sometimes sweet, sometimes bitter

Shades of sepia, a touch of glitter…

We’re talking about a lady you can either love..or hate…but if you have her in your life, you sure as hell can’t ignore her! Yup, you guessed it right, it’s the Mother in Law, also known more fondly (or not! 😉 ) as Mummyji! Did you know that 25th October also happens to be Mother in Law Day? A fun occasion to show the Mummyji in your life some love; or give her a pre Diwali special something. Here’s a fun take on the different types of Mummyjis that abound in our lives and what YOU can gift yours this festive season!

1. The GH Mummyji

Her home is straight out of the pages of a design magazine and she has an avid interest in a variety of subjects pertaining to the home…she’s your Good Housekeeping Mummyji! Stylish and refined, she runs her home like a well oiled ship and is terribly house proud.

A house proud mother in law or Mummyji will like a home decor gift

Something for the home for the GH Mummyji

Gift her something to scatter around with style, with these silk brocade cushions with shimmering marigold or scent up her space with this elegant Ratnakara aromatherapy set.

2. Masterchef Mummyji

She can debate endlessly on the benefits of serving pineapple raita over boondi raita; her eyes light up at the mention of a new paneer recipe and she’ll be the first to try out that new fusion dish or that tough to bake cake. Say hello to Masterchef Mummyji! Passionate about food and all things cooking, this Masterchef in the making can cook up a storm and love every minute of it.

A mother in law or Mummyji who likes cooking will appreciate a cooking related gift

Charm her Masterchef Mummyji soul with a thoughtful gift

Charm her chef-fy soul with this awesome table top pizza oven or add some warmth to her favourite space- the kitchen!- with this ‘birdy’ tea pot set.

3. Have visa, will travel Mummyji

When in doubt, travel, is this Mummyji’s motto. Her suitcase is always packed and on standby, just waiting for that next exciting trip round the corner. From domestic destinations to Burkina Faso and Bora Bora, she’s been there, done that. And when she’s not travelling, she’s planning her next trip!

A mother in law or Mummyji who likes travel will love a thoughtful travel gift

Let her travel to see her newest sunset with a fab overnighter gift case

Get her really looking forward to her upcoming vacay with this hip overnighter travel case– she may just plan her next trip all around it!

4. Slightly bored and ‘I’m retired now beta’ Mummyji

Once passionate about her career and after working for many years in a job she loved, this Mummyji is retired now and at a bit of a loss. Her kids have flown the nest, and without a burning passion in her life, her days now seem to stretch on endlessly.

A mother in law or Mummyji who is retired may appreciate a new craft project gift

Help her discover a new passion!

This Mummyji needs a project! Help her get started with one with a crafting starter kit. Scrapbooking, card making, decoupage, wood carving…there’s a bunch of eclectic options out there, and you may just put her on to the next love of her life!

5. I’m too sexy to be called Mummyji!

Okay, so this Mummyji probably comes to your yoga class. Super fit, toned and with looks that defy her age, she might even pass off as your elder sister. She’s the fitness conscious Mummyji, well groomed, immaculate and terribly particular about her health and nutrition to boot.

A fitness conscious mother in law or Mummyji may like fitness related gifts

Super fit Mummyji? We have just the thing for her!

Let her go bonkers over these cool little nut cases; perfect for toting around that post workout snack! Or give her breakfast a little extra health boost with this Missisippy Muesli in fun flavours.

6. World’s Best Grandma Mummyji

She’s right there beside you cheering your kids on for their special days, events, school functions…even mundane occasions like playdate drop-offs or sit-by-the-sidelines-at-tennis-coaching. She understands your little one almost as much as you do, loves them to bits and sometimes, when they’re driving you up the wall, saves the day with her years of experience and wisdom. Yeah, she’s the World’s Best Grandma alright, and believe it or not, you and the kids are lucky to have her.

If your mother in law or Mummyji is a doting grandmother, give her a gift for the world's best grandmother

The world’s best granny needs the world’s best gift :)

The child in her will love this cheery mug– and it will remind her of her (and your) favourite little people even when they’re not around.

7. Busy Bee Mummyji

Business calls, urgent meetings, a full social calendar, a million and three lunches to attend; this is one busy Mummyji. Whatever her life stage or calling, she sure knows how to keep her days full. And if you want to spend any one on one time with her, you may just need an appointment!

A mother in law or Mummyji who is terribly busy will love a gift that helps her stay organized

Busy bee Mummyji will love something that helps her stay busy AND organized!

This Dino memo holder is purr-fect for the Busybee Mummyji to organize all her to-do lists! She may even pencil you in for some exclusive time with her 😉

What’s your Mummyji type? And have you picked out that perfect Diwali gift for her yet? We hope our gifting ideas helped! Until next time, happy Mummyji gift hunting

5 Ultra Romantic Gift Ideas for Karva Chauth

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Moonlight…candles….romance…and….the grumbling in her tummy 😉 Yes, Karva Chauth is round the corner and while it is undoubtedly one of the most romantic festivals, it’s also one of the toughest- just ask the hungry gal who’s been fasting for you all day! Why not make her Karva Chauth extra special this year with some delectably romantic gift ideas? As SRK would say, this Karva Chauth….come, make her fall in love with you all over again!

1. Let her experience bliss…

A romantic gift idea for Karva Chauth would be to gift her a spa session

Get her mind off the hunger pangs with some spa style bliss!

…at the spa! Karva Chauth is on a Friday this year, so after a long week, a trip to the spa is just what the (love) doctor would recommend! What better way to get her mind off those hunger pangs than with some exotic massages which will take her to instant bliss! Whisk her away from work (or wherever she is) a little earlier and drive her to the spa where you’ve pre-booked a romantic special just for her. Scented candles, music, dim lights…you get the drift! Even better, join her for a couples spa session; a fab way to amp up the bonding and the romance.

2. Cook her a meal

A romantic gift idea for Karva Chauth is to cook her a romantic dinner

The way to HER heart can be through her tummy too- specially after a full day of fasting!

Sounds clichéd? Dude, this is THE single most romantic thing you can do for your ladylove. And you’ll have her eating out of your hands- quite literally! If you are a good cook anyway (lucky her!), use those skills to whip up a culinary storm that will have her floored. Can’t even boil an egg, forget about cooking? Check out these incredibly romantic dinners anyone can cook. If you’re still feeling overwhelmed, hop over to your nearest gourmet store and pick up a ready-to-cook meal kit. Now all you need to do is follow some very basic instructions and bring on the romance! We can’t think of a better way to show her how much she means to you-can you?

3. Check in…

A romantic gift idea this Karva Chauth is to take a mini hotel getaway in your city

Getaway for a day of decadence!

Take a day out of your busy schedules and check into a day of decadence …in your very own city! Several city hotels offer romantic gift packages; options tailored for a quick getaway without having to plan an elaborate vacation. Spring it on her as a surprise; pack her things (and yours!) and drive her to your destination without letting her in on the plan till you get there. There’s nothing more romantic- or fun- than an unexpected mini vacay! And we did mention that Karva Chauth is on a Friday didn’t we? All the more reason to extend your getaway into a weekend of romance!

4. Follow the clock….

A romantic gift idea this Karva Chauth is to give her a gift every hour all day long

Fill her day with love…and gifts!

….tick tock, tick tock….Um, no, we didn’t mean gifting her a watch (duh! BORING!). We were talking about another one of our super romantic gift ideas (ahem!); give her a gift EVERY hour, hour on hour, for the ENTIRE day! Let her awaken to a room filled with her favorite music (or balloons!), followed by a personalized pamper kit just as she heads into the shower (we’re thinking some delicious scented Cocoa Body Butter from the Body Shop, her favourite perfume, a peppermint foot scrub….sigh), a love jar hand delivered to her with romantic little scribbles from you, an essential oil aroma dispenser to scent up the rest of her day, a bundle of joy which is so gorgeous looking, she can feast her eyes on it all day- and share with you after dinner ;), a relaxing foot massage (home delivered!) when the long day is just beginning to get to her….and all the other creative options you can think of for in between!

5. Get someone to shoot her…

A romantic gift idea this Karva Chauth is to gift her a professional couples photo shoot

Shoot the hunger! With a couples photo shoot of course ;)

….a photographer, we mean! First, pre-book a care package at her favourite salon. Then, just when she’s looking and feeling her best and thinking this is the most romantic gift idea ever, spring the real deal on her- a romantic photo shoot for the two of you with a professional photographer! Then cozy up and… click click!

We’re feeling so moony-eyed we’re hoping our significant others read this too and get inspired! If YOU liked our ideas, spread some love and share or tweet this to your friends; you might just make someone’s Karva Chauth a li’l extra special