Entertaining at home used to be considered a casual alternative to a night on the town. If you wanted a low-key, easy way to catch up with friends and relax, you would get them over to your place and either order takeout or cook a cheap and quick meal. Restaurants and bars were reserved for special occasions only – but these days things are quite different. Home entertaining has not only become more common in everyday society, but it has also become much fancier. People go all-out to impress with both their hosting and their cooking skills. After all, many of us have a natural need to nurture, and providing entertainment and quality food to those you care about can be a rewarding experience. There’s also no denying that it can be a bit of an ego-boost when people enjoy something you have done for them! So, if you’ve persuaded your loved ones to come round to your place instead of going out, you’re going to want to pull something off that truly makes it worth it for them. Here are a few ideas to help you add that extra bit of sparkle to your dinner party.
Appetizers
Nothing screams ‘posh event’ quite like a selection of canapes and appetizers – so why not try making some of your own? Typical practice for home entertaining is to throw some potato chips in a bowl and be done with it, but hand-making some pre-dinner treats shows that you’ve gone the extra mile. They can be quite fiddly to make if you’ve never done them before, so don’t try anything too ambitious just yet. There are plenty of flavorful yet simple combinations that won’t take a lot of time to make, but will still whet your guest’s appetite.
Quality alcohol
‘Bring a bottle’ is the usual protocol when it comes to having a meal with friends at home. However, if you want to treat your guests, ask them to leave the bottles at home – and YOU will provide the alcohol. This way, you can meticulously match the wines (or beers) to the food you are going to serve. Plus, you may want to invest in something a little harder for later in the evening, such as kikori whiskey. The spirits market has seen a huge resurgence in Japanese whiskey recently, so if you want to impress your guests, being knowledgeable about the most fashionable spirit around will certainly make your party one to remember.
A show-stopper dessert
Even if you don’t have much of a sweet tooth yourself, simply bringing out a beautiful dessert can be enough to take your dinner party to the next level. Thanks to shows like Cake Boss, and across the pond, The Great British Bake Off, desserts have become more and more outlandish in recent years. Think of your dessert as a centerpiece as well as a sugary way to finish off the meal – there are some amazing designs you can use as inspiration if you’re not sure where to start.
Stress is something that we all go through at one time or another. It is that uncomfortable feeling of being under pressure and not knowing whether you will be able to come through and achieve what you want. Unfortunately, stress is an ever-present part of modern life, and this doesn’t look as if it’s going to change anytime soon. However, there are some things that we can do to manage our stress in the here and now. Read on to find out what they are.
Meditation
Meditation is a great way to manage stress. This is because it is all about focusing in the now. The point is to just experience what is happening right at the time without controlling it, something which can help alleviate stress. By just letting it be you give it the chance to work itself out, and pass, instead of clamping down on it and making it stay for longer.
Meditation can also help you slow down and listen to your own thoughts. This is useful as you can make calm decisions even if you are feeling stressed. Something that can help you get a positive outcome no matter what your internal state is.
Exercise
Exercise is also a good quick remedy for stress. When we are under pressure our bodies often coil and constrict as if they are ready to pounce into action. This is because stress stimulates the old fight, fight, or freeze response that comes from our lower brain.
Exercise can help alleviate this, as it provides somewhere for all of that nervous energy to go. So next time you are feeling stressed take a walk, or head to the gym and work out some of the symptoms physically. You will be surprised by how good it can make you feel.
Water
Drinking lots of fluids can also help you beat stress. This is because your brain is 85% water, and if it’s not properly hydrated it’s not going to work right. Also when we are stressed the body releases a hormone called cortisol. By drinking lots of water, we can keep this diluted in our bodies; negating some of the effects.
But what sort of fluids should we drink? The answer is and always will be water. Why? Well, water is the most natural fluid. As well as the purest, especially if you use a system like this Everpure water filter to remove any contaminants from the stuff you get out of your taps.
It’s also easier on the body because you actually have to use more fluid to expel caffeinated drinks than you gain from drinking them. Something that often leads to dehydration.
Therapy
Lastly, if stress is a constant issue in your life, you may want to consider some counseling or therapy. This is because many people suffer from what are known as cognitive distortions, or a skewed way of looking at the world.
This can cause them to interpret situations as stressful when they are not. However, by learning to recognize these issues, you can have a more balanced reaction to them, decreasing your stress.
Being a grown-up isn’t as fun as we thought it would be when we were kids. Back in the day, we had other people (i.e. our parents!) who were basically pushing us along and making us do all these things that are good for us. They made sure we went to the doctor when we were ill, they made sure we went to the dentist… but once you’re an adult, you end up neglecting to do a bunch of things you should be doing.
It’s not so much laziness, of course; a lot of us know that there are a bunch of things we need to stop putting off. Life just tends to get in the way. The following things feel like chores, and that’s really the last thing with which we want to concern ourselves during our time off.
We’re going to take a quick look at a bunch of unfun,uncomfortable, yet important things you’ve probably been putting off for quite some time.
Writing a will
We might as well get the most unfun one out of the way first, right? No-one really wants to sit there and write a will. Speaking practically and in a business-like manner about what will happen when you die? No, thank you. But the problem is that this is one of the most important responsibilities adults have. You can read more about writing one at nolo.com. If you die without a will, then the state basically gets to decide what happens to your assets – and they’ll often take a healthy portion for themselves.
Going to your doctor and getting a physical is hardly the most comfortable thing ever, but it’s something you should definitely be doing at least once a year or two. Perhaps the most common reason people avoid it is cost, but a lot of people are simply avoiding it because… well, who likes going to the doctor and getting inspected so thoroughly? But, as emedicinehealth.com highlights, a checkup can help catch any problems as early as possible. Just remember not to go overboard; more than once a year is probably too much!
Seeing the dentist
The dentist is as close to a classic “not-yet-but-soon” activity as you’re going to get. Why do people put off going to the dentist so often? There are a couple of reasons. It could be that they simply don’t like their dentist very much. This is why you need to ensure that you explore all your options. There are plenty of dental practices out there that have a reputation for friendliness; you can read more over at dentistryofboulder.com. Another reason is that people tend to underestimate how important oral health is. Remember: there’s a strong link between oral health and heart health. This is precisely why you’re flossing every day. You are flossing every day, right?
Finally, exercising more seems to be on a lot of people’s to-do list, but they’re forever putting it off. Maybe they don’t have the time, or they’re not getting enough sleep and so feel lethargic all the time, or they’re simply underestimating the importance of daily exercise. Whatever your excuse is, it probably isn’t good enough. Get out there and get that blood pumping!
Baaya Design has launched the ‘Anantaya’ concept studio, Jaipur based décor brand in Mumbai. Anantaya Décor products will now be available exclusively at Baaya Design Store, Lower Parel. ‘Anantaya’ fuses the art of master artisans with the keen eye of award- winning designers. The final effect is a timeless masterpiece that beautifies any space it adorns. An institution of global repute, ‘Anantaya’ is committed to the development of ideas, and understands the importance of preservation of traditional crafts as well as the need to innovate. Using unusual yet traditional materials and processes, the designers present a fresh twist to design with an array of cutting edge artefacts, accessories, textiles, lighting solutions, furniture and many more utility products.
Representing Indian sensibilities in a contemporary context, Anantaya products appeals to the discerning, quality conscious minds that like to make a statement. Working with crafts people and artisans from Rajasthan, ‘Anantaya’ supports local craft traditions and technologies by providing capital, technology and design and marketing interventions, which at the same time showcase the uniqueness of the state and its crafts people.
Lift Top Lau Diya Br Oil Lamps:
Lau, (the flame), a double walled oil lamp made in copper and brass by the Thathera artisans of Jaipur, is an exquisite utilitarian object. Designed by Ayush Kasliwal, the first version of this lamp is gilded with gold and silver leaf. This version of the Lau Diya is simplified with the top detachable. Lau Diya has been awarded with the UNESCO Seal of Excellence for its’ innovative sustainable design. Available in three sizes, it is to be lit using liquid paraffin lamp oil only such as Amaya Luminessences. Before lighting, ensure that the wick is trimmed and not more than 1 mm above the wickholder. It is natural for the products to have subtle variations from piece to piece. Due to the nature of the materials used, there may be some tarnishing or aging of the material. This is a natural process and may require you to clean or polish the material.
Trinetra 10 Set of 3
An elegant trio of hand-hammered brass bowls inspired by Shiva’s third eye of enlightenment are a modern twist to the Thathera craft of Jaipur. These appear like mystical eyes, with lit marble tea light holders- an “eyeball” reflecting Lord Shiva’s inner light and spirit. Use all three pods strung together with hanging rods, in multiples as an installation or use them individually as vases, bowls. Trinetra is the artistic vision of the designer Ayush Kasliwal, a visionary Indian industrial designer who is keeping the traditional skills of local craftsmen alive with the creation of modern objects having a global impact. It is the winner of the UNESCO Seal of Excellence.An elegant trio of hand-hammered brass bowls inspired by Shiva’s third eye of enlightenment, are a modern twist to the Thathera craft of Jaipur.
Crescent Thaali Set Full
The Crescent Thaali Set inspired by classic pearl earrings from Deccan is wonderfully versatile. Configured as a crescent moon nestling a full moon with a built in carrying handle, this set is a piece of art. Made of sturdy brass hand hammered by the Thathera metal artisans, with traditional ‘kalai’ hand-tinning for food safety, this thaali set will serve directly from the kitchen, become an intriguing welcoming tray, or a presentation of delectable appetizers for your guests.
Shiva Jug
Shiva, the Auspicious One, has the water of the Ganges flowing from his dreadlocks. And so, healthful water will flow from this brilliantly designed handmade copper pitcher with an elegant balanced lid. Like the ‘Khamandalam’ a Yogi’s copperAyurveda water vessel, copper has healing properties contributing to longevity and restorative health. To complete this experience, an elegant copper tray is paired with copper glasses offset from their round bases to hug the form of the Shiva Jug. To clean, scrub with sponge and liquid detergent
Kalam Table- Maharaja
Kalam or pen is one of the tools used by the miniature painter who decorated this multifunctional reinterpretation of the wooden lacquer trays used in traditional Indian kitchens. In this painted table tray a Bhisthi is watering the garden while the Maharaja and his advisor look on. This example of functional art can be detached and used as a colorful food safe tray to present guests with dry delicacies. The table collapses for easy transport across the globe.
Ayush Kasliwal Furniture Design
Rumi Tea Light holder
Like the Sufi whirling dervishes.. the Rumi range is remniscent of the inner light and spiritual oneness…12 varieties of designs span the arches and motifs across the silk route. Can hold tealight candles too.
About Baaya Design:
‘Baaya’ in a local Indian language refers to the weaver bird that weaves its nest in a rather unique way. The store brings you the best in Indian Tribal art and craft which combines paintings with textiles and other craft forms to make each piece unique. Baaya Design aims to showcase the natural beauty and workmanship in Tribal Art by presenting them in contemporary colors, style and form. By doing so, it offers original art that all of us can relate to. And with every painting that is purchased, you can bring income to a highly deserving individual – the artisan of India. The store provides customized design and implementation of traditional murals for interior and exteriors of homes and corporate offices.
Baaya Design studio offers a completely unique range of customized, Folk & Cultural Art, Art Installations, Murals, Lights, Accessories and Furniture that can transform any space into energized, living environments. The studio offers expertise to residences, commercial spaces and the hospitality industry. Designer Shibani Jain works with architects and interior designers to create optimized and aesthetic solutions for interiors. Faced with the challenge of customizing Indian Folk art in modern lifestyle spaces, Baaya Design has evolved numerous methodologies and processes to innovate and bring in the versatile skills into urban interiors.
Food is a huge part of life; not only does it provide us with sustenance to live but for most people, it can be a very social thing too. We all know the importance of teaching our children to make healthy decisions, but did you know that it’s not just what’s on their plate that matters? Experts suggest that eating dinner as a family is highly beneficial too. Not only does this help us to teach our children good habits with food but it keeps families close and bonded as well. Plus children who eat with the family tend to consume healthier foods with more vegetables and less salt, sugar and saturated fat. If family meals have fallen by the wayside, here are a few tips for getting back on track.
Keep The Atmosphere Light and Friendly
Try to keep heated debates and discussions away from the dinner table. Keeping the vibe light and friendly will make family dinner times much more enjoyable, rather than something the family shies away from. If you have any serious topics to discuss with your kids or partner, call a family meeting rather than doing it over dinner. Switch off the tv, and instead put some music on low if you want a bit of background noise. Make a rule that there are no phones or tablets at the dinner table, it should be a place without distractions where you can chat and enjoy your food.
Aim To Eat At Least One Meal Together on Most Days
When everyone is busy and has different schedules, eating together every day probably isn’t going to be practical. But you should aim to eat together most days, whether that’s in the morning or the evening. It doesn’t have to be anything too fancy, for a weekday breakfast a couple of cereal options and a bowl of fresh chopped fruit everyone can spoon on top should do the trick. Or a few slices of toast with some tea and juice. The act of getting everyone together to enjoy this time is beneficial, it doesn’t have to be over a feast each day.
Dine Out Together
Dining out as a family is a wonderful treat. Tasty food served with no dishes to tackle afterward- bliss! While it can be expensive, it’s so nice to do every once in a while. If you look at online menu prices before deciding on a venue, you can work out roughly how much it’s going to cost. As you can see from Dave and Busters menu, there are some lower cost dishes as well as more expensive options, so it all depends on what you’re looking to spend. Just about everyone enjoys a meal out, so the perfect way to treat the family and get some all-important bonding time in.
Younger children will usually be more open to foods they have helped to prepare. When time allows it, you could have them help you wash vegetables or do a couple of simple tasks in the kitchen. Different family members could take it in turns to set the table or pour drinks. It helps to teach responsibility and helps you to all get into a routine when it comes to mealtimes.
Donating blood is not only a noble act but also a necessary one. How many times we see various posts and requests about the need for donors of blood in times of emergencies, but blood that matches the receiver’s blood group and which is safe to be used is difficult to find easily in hours of emergency. To promote this noble cause we celebrate 14th June as World Blood Donors Day.
On this day we express our gratitude towards the individuals who donate their blood with the hope of saving a precious life. To further support this cause a new app, named Life is also available on the Google Play Store. This app helps you locate donors and recipients in nearby places easily in hours of need. These donors are verified, and hence safe, so please download this app today and as a gratitude to all those life savers, become a life saver yourself. The link for app download is
https://goo.gl/oVMcwS
Donating blood does not only let you save a life, but also lets you share your life with someone in need. It is an act of passing on something precious to someone who needs it more. So, let us all pledge to donate towards saving precious lives, and contribute towards making the world a better place. #SharingLife
…we salute you! Every woman has a few moments in their life that they will remember forever, and the day we get engaged is one of them. While we’ve all dreamt about our perfect wedding day, the moment we get engaged is the key event that sets the wheels in motion, so it’s important to not mess it up! This is for all those who are thinking about saying those four simple words, what to do, what not to do, and why it’s never a good idea to do it in front of a huge crowd…
The Best Time…
You’ll know when it’s the best time. You know her well enough that you will be able to navigate through a stressful period in life, or do you? Be sure to cater to her tastes. If she is coy and reserved, it’s unlikely she’ll appreciate being asked in front of 16,000 people at a ball game. Likewise, popping the question in front of family and friends can be a bit too clichéd for many people. A nice, quiet walk along the beach is an understated option, and besides, if she wants to share it with the world, social media is merely a click away.
The Ring…
This can be a massive struggle for a lot of people. You need the ring to match their personality, so if she is a classical and demure type of person, you should go for something understated and elegant. While you have your choice of diamond engagement rings to choose from, you can always go for something personalized, and the best way to really find out is to look at the jewelry your bride to be has. Are they showy, or are they mainly plain bands? As a rule, the ring should cost around three months’ salary, so make of that what you will. But, if you are one of the lucky ones, the ring has already been picked out for you, and numerous hints have been dropped!
Congratulations! Now What?
This is where life gets really interesting! It’s either time for a long engagement, and a lot of people don’t really see the point in that. Unless you are really struggling with your finances, you may wish to start saving up money before doing any wedding planning, but if you’re able to do it in a short timeframe, it is possible. That special someone in your life will have so many ideas on their perfect wedding day you could very easily sit back and let the plans form themselves! But if you have close family, they will be willing to help in whatever way they can. So you could be very lucky and get a lot of financial help from the in-laws!
If the proposal is perfect, it will make the rest of the preparation so much easier. And while it’s so stressful to get right, the moment she says “yes” will make it all so worthwhile. And you will be the happiest, albeit broke, person in the world.
If you are suffering from chronic pain and you haven’t been able to find much relief from medication, or if the medication has helped, but you don’t like the side effects, why not try out some alternative pain management techniques?
They don’t work for everyone, and you might have to try a few different methods before you see any results, but there is nothing to lose by at least trying some of the following alternative treatments for back pain, so what are you waiting for?
Acupuncture
Opinion is still divided on acupuncture’s ability to manage chronic pain, but many people who suffered from conditions like chronic back pain, fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis swear by the ancient Chinese practice of having needles inserted under the skin, and if something works, you don’t really question the how’s and the whys, you just get on with it. So, give it a try and see how you feel.
I understand completely that exercising is often the last thing that you want to do when you’re suffering from intense pain, but there is good evidence to suggest that physical activity can have a positive impact on chronic pain levels. This is thought to be because to the endorphins that are released when we exercise, but it could also, in some cases, be that exercising the affected area (carefully) can help to minimize pain.
Chiropractic Treatment
Many people with chronic pain swear by their chiropractors and see them regularly, despite the fact that some quarters have expressed skepticism over chiropractic manipulation. People suffering from lower back pain, in particular, have found great relief from the simple adjustments made by their chiropractors. So, if you’re suffering from back pain, it has to be worth a try.
Numerous studies have found evidence that adding fish oil to the diet can reduce the pain that is caused by swelling and many more have found that capsaicin – an ingredient found in hot chilies – when applied to the chronic pain caused by back issues, arthritis and other chronic pains can reduce symptoms. However, you should never take a supplement without first okaying it with your doctor.
Therapy
Most people think that therapy is only useful for mental illnesses and emotional problems, but there is some evidence to suggest that it can be beneficial to people who are living with chronic pain. You see, it’s natural for people who have chronic pain to develop depression and depression can reduce one’s tolerance for pain, so by dealing with the depression, you can also reduce pain symptoms, at least a little.
There is an increasing amount of evidence to suggest, that when practiced correctly and in a suitable way for your particular illness, yoga can and does help to reduce chronic pain. The gentles stretching of the body and the relaxation of the mind is a boon to people who are in pain, and it can be practiced any time anywhere with a little instruction from an expert.
Do you suffer from chronic pain? Have you found any unusual ways of managing your symptoms?
In an ideal world, every trip will go as smooth as can be. There will be no problems, and we travel with complete confidence and no hiccups. Unfortunately, we don’t live in an ideal world, and things go wrong all the time.
So, here’s my list of the top travel troubles and how you can cope with them:
When your flights get cancelled, it can ruin your travels. It prevents you from getting somewhere on time and can cause a great deal of stress. Especially if it’s your flight home, as you end up lost in a foreign country with no way of getting home.
It’s hard to cope with this travel trouble, but there are some things you can do. Mainly, try and have a plan B wherever possible. This doesn’t mean you should book multiple flights, but more that you should prepare for the worst. For example, reserve a room at a hotel near the airport for the day of your flight. Then, if your flight gets cancelled, you have somewhere to stay for the night. If your flight isn’t cancelled, you can cancel the reservation free of charge (check with the hotel that you can do this, most allow you to, but some don’t).
Losing your luggage is one of the worst travel troubles out there. When an airline loses your stuff, it can put you in a really bad position. All of your clothes and precious belongings have gone, leaving you stranded with nothing.
Thankfully, you can cope with this problem in two ways. Firstly, you can prevent it from happening by avoiding paying for hold luggage. Try and only use hand luggage, and you can keep your bags with you at all times. This may be hard for some people, but you can always pay for extra hand luggage too if you can’t keep it all in one bag. The second idea is to help you cope with the aftermath of some lost luggage. What you should do is buy travel insurance to protect you when this happens. There are loads of places like GoBear that compare travel insurance so you can find the best one. Once you’ve done this, you’ll be protected if any of your luggage goes missing or gets damaged. You can claim compensation and get replacements or money for anything you lost.
Most of us like bringing foreign money with us when we travel. This is because it can cost a lot to use our cards, and our banks may see activity in a foreign country and block our account as a security measure. This leads to a long phone conversation as you prove who you are and get the account unblocked. So, we use cash, but what happens when we run out? It can cause a big problem for us, particularly if we didn’t bring our card at all.
Well, coping with this issue is easy. First, always bring more than you need, just in case! Secondly, get a travelcard and load it up with money. You can use this card at ATMs to withdraw cash without being charged fees!
There you have it, three travel troubles complete with ideas on how to cope with them. Now, you can travel with confidence this summer.
Whilst the thought of improving your appearance drastically always sounds like a pipe dream, that’s just the negative voice in your head getting you down. We’re programmed to criticize ourselves; don’t ask me why, but it’s the way things are. Still, you don’t need to put up with that. You don’t need to look in the mirror and sigh as you dream of the way in which you wish you’d look.
Healthiness and happiness should be the motivator to change your appearance and your life in general, so you need to push away vain thoughts. Wanting to look good for shallow reasons is never a good motivator because the negative voice in your head will always find something to say to put you down. You need to change your look for you, and it needs to be for the right reasons. Here are 4 steps to get you on the right track.
Your body is probably your worst enemy, as it is for most women. Our heads are filled with so many conflicting ideas as to what constitutes the perfect body. Some people say we should be as skinny as a rake, but other people say we should have voluptuous curves. It’s an absolute headache, and it’s all rubbish.
You don’t “have to” look any particular way when it comes to your body other than the way you want to look. In fact, to be more exact, you should look the way that makes you feel comfortable. Don’t starve yourself, and don’t over-eat. A healthy body should be your priority because there is no ideal size. If you eat a consistent diet and keep active on a daily basis then you’re doing everything right.
Your face.
Another aspect of your appearance that you want to keep healthy in a practical sense as well as in terms of its appearance on the surface is your face. Frequent moisturizing is crucial to avoid dry, cracked skin, and a clean face is absolutely essential when it comes to avoiding acne and other blemishes. There’s nothing wrong with a little make-up, of course, but try not to let your face become too oily during the day.
Mental health also affects appearance, so through practicing positive thoughts about your appearance you’ll reduce your stress and, in turn, your acne; it’s a positive cycle. You should also be looking after your dental health; your teeth shouldn’t just look white but actually be healthy. Look after your gums, in particular, by flossing and ensure that you brush your teeth two or perhaps even three times a day.
Your fashion.
Ah, fashion. It’s a love-hate relationship. We love pretty clothes, but we hate it when they don’t fit us or we think they don’t look quite right on us. If you’re lacking in confidence with regards to the fashion department then you could go on a shopping spree with your pals so as to have a team of advisors on what looks good or bad. You could also browse through online sites offering sleek and modern dresses for women because you might be selling yourself a bit short with your current wardrobe.
Again, don’t put yourself down; a good fashion sense isn’t some elusive concept that you can’t quite grasp. What’s most likely is that you never had the confidence to wear the pretty dresses or outfits you saw in shops or on other people; you need to rid yourself of these doubts and take a risk. Self-esteem is absolutely the key to changing your overall appearance, as we’ll discuss in the final step…
Your confidence.
This is the final step to looking good. Whether you want to try parting your hair on the other side or completely changing the color of your hair altogether, everything will come together if you just work it. People pick up on positive energy and confidence. You look more attractive when you feel more attractive, so you should be making yourself look the way you want to look; that way, you’ll be happier about your appearance, and this will make you look more attractive to others.
