Growing Succulents in your Handful garden

Succulents are full of moisture and regenerate through leaves and stem, without the need of roots. They develop roots on propagating and spread. They can be grown in the smallest pot to a very large pond. Even old toy trucks and empty tin cans can make a spacious room for a tony succulent.

Get one home or ask a friend for a leaf....you will end up with a prospering succulent in your window sill or your little balcony soon. They can handle the hottest sun but shiver on a cold day. During winters, they are better off inside, in a sunny warm spot. Forget to water them, they will not even bother to remind you....these are so generous. They can handle days of waterlessness!! Best Friends of a forgetful gardener.

Some are opting for tiny versions of these as wedding favors and wider versions of these as housewarming gifts. Aloevera can be called one, with an Air Freshening, Health Restoring  feature. Propagate one at home and give it to a friend as a tomen of love or a Thankyou gift for helping you with a Baking project or send one to your child's teacher on Teacher's Day or her Birthday...make people happy and you loose nothing....your succulent is with you and theirs' handed over. Browse the web or go to a big nursery, they will have quite some varieties for each corner of your garden, or for a potpourri on your center table.  

--pratyusha

The Concept of Onam Sadhya Welcoming the King

God’s Own Country Kerala is a delight to be in during Onam as the state comes alive with flowers, singing,play , fun. The harvest festival is celebrated in Kerala to mark the return of King Mahabali, who is a legend ruled the state once, under whom the people were equal, prosperous and happy.  This is a 10 day festival.

Onam Sadhya, a 26 dish vegetarian feast which is served on the 8 , 9 and 10th day of Onam. Sadhya in Malayalam, means a banquet. It is the elaborate vegetarian meal, traditionally served on a mat laid on the floor. The dishes are served on a plantain leaf.  The making and the eating of the Onam sadya  is a noon meal.

The biggest Sadhya is serve at  Pardasardi temple in Aramula ,   64 items is made for the Aranmula boatrace, a popular event conducted during Onam There is a popular Malayali saying, "Kanam Vittu Onam Unnanam", which means "We should have the Thiruvonam lunch even if it costs us to sell our properties". There is even a distinct order in the way the food is served on the banana leaf. Pappadumis placed on the extreme left of the leaf. On the top of the big pappadum, banana is served. Starting from the right of the papad, salt, sarakarapuratti and banana wafers are placed. Only after this, ginger lime and mango pickles are served on the leaf. On the right, 'cabbage thoran' is served. Finally avial and kuttu curry are served
 

Home Maker and Cook Ginu Vinu , who has married  psychologist  A P J Vinu and settled in kakinada, recalls here onam celebrations during here stay in kerala, specailly for cooking for ona sadya was a family team work, and we enjoy evey part of the process , i cook all the kerala varities of sadya and invite malyai and non malyalee friends for sadhya in kakianda during this 10 days of celeberations. 

“You must end the feast with curd rice and top it off with a plantain. Your stomach will settle down and digestion will be easy,”

 “I always pray before I start cooking and I ask god for good health and seek his blessings,”   which is the secret of my tasty cooking. 
     

'Payasam', a sweet and tempting porridge is one of the favourite desserts served for sadhya atleast 4 different variety of payasam/pradaman are served along with Parippu, Sambar, Rasam, Pulisseri, Kaalan, Avial, Thoran, Olan, Pachadi, Mango pickle, Naranga curry, Papadum, Banana, Curd or Buttermilk, and plantain chips.

The main dish is plain boiled rice, served along with other dishes collectively called Kootan curries, which include curries like

Kaaya varuthatha (banana chips), 

Chena varuthatha (yam chips), 

Sarkara upperi (Jaggery coated banana chips) 

lime pickle 

kaduggu maga Achar  ( mango pickle)

Olan ( a puli inji (tamarind & ginger chutney) 

Theeyal (mixed vegetable gravy), 

Erissery (mashed beans and pumpkin with coconut gravy),

Kichadi (Gourd in mildly spiced yoghurt), 

Avial  (Mixed vegetable , coconut curry)

Puliserry (yogurt based curry), 

Kootu curry (black chickpeas curry), 

Sambar

Rasam 

Bananas 

Papad 

Payasam
     

How is it Served

There is a distinct order of serving the the grand feast of Onam. Pappad or Pappadum is to be served on the extreme left. On top of the big pappadum banana is served. 

From the right pappad - salt, banana wafers, sarkarapuratti fries are served. 

After this, ginger lime and mango pickles are served. 

Next comes 'vellarika', 'pavakka', beetroot and 'ullikitchadi'. 'Kitchadi' made of pineapple and banana splits or of grapes and apple is served along with this. On the right, 'cabbage thoran' is served. Then comes a thoran made of beans and avil followed by bread and green peas mix 'thoran'. The meal will be complete with the 'avial' and 'kootu curry'.

Rice is served when the guests seat themselves and just two big spoons is considered enough. 

After this 'parippu' and ghee is poured. 

Then comes Sambhar. Desserts are to begin with adaprathaman followed by 'Kadala Payasam'. 

This colourful arrangement on the lush green banana leaf makes the food look even more tempting and irresistible .

SADYA ON BANANA LEAF

Eating food on a banana leaf is considered healthy. Placing hot food on the leaves emanates several nutrients that enrich  food. It also adds to the aroma of food and enhances the taste. Leaf is folded and closed once the meal is finished. Closing the leaf towards you (top to bottom – inward) signifies complete satisfaction with the food and closing it away from you would mean a signal to the cooks that it needs improvement.

At the end of the meal, the right corner of the leaf is slit upward to signify that the leaf has already been used. Apparently people polished all this off so spotlessly that often it was hard to make out if the leaf was used or not! And turning it toward oneself is a subtle message to the cook,  that there is room for improvement and folding it away from yourself, obviously means complete and utter satisfaction.

Avial - Real Kerala Curry  a must on onam Sadhya

No Sadhya or a festive gathering is complete without Avial.  

Avial is a delicious blend of mixed veggies in coconut and yogurt mixture. Seasoned with curry leaves and coconut oil, Avial is a nutritious as well as traditional dish in Kerala cuisine. Avial  is a complete vegetables like, cucumber, tomato,  brinjal, elephant yam, carrot, drumstick, potato, snake gourd,   beans, plantain etc as per choice. 

It is supposed to have been invented by Bhima (one of the Pandava brothers) during their exile. According to the legend, when Ballav (Bhima’s name during this time) assumed his duties as the cook in the kitchen of Virata, did not know how to cook. One of the first things he did was to chop up many different vegetables, boil them together and top the dish with grated coconut. 

Stories connected to Avail Curry 

The  mythology  story in connection with Avail curry. Bheema is said to have prepared Avial, when there were unexpected guests for King Virata and he needed to serve meals for them. There was no sufficient vegetables to cook any single recipe for side dish, so Bheema used what ever available vegetables to make a new dish, which came to know as Avial.

Written by Ginu Vinu

Cook and Home maker

vaidyangar , Ramanayyapeta,

kakinada, Andhra pradesh

ఈ అయిదు.. ఆ మూడు రోజుల కోసం

పిరియడ్స్ సమయంలో విపరీతమైన చికాకు, నీరసం, కడుపునొప్పి, తలనొప్పి వంటివి సాధారణం. అయితే మనం తీసుకునే ఆహారంలో కొన్నిటిని చేర్చడం ద్వారా ఆ ఇబ్బందుల నుంచి తప్పించుకోవచ్చుట. అవి ఏంటంటే....

1. నీరు బాగా తాగాలి
శరీరం ఫ్లూయిడ్స్‌ని కోల్పోతుంది కాబట్టి తగినంత నీరు శరీరానికి అందేలా చూసుకోవాలి. కాబట్టి మిగతా రోజుల కన్నా పిరియడ్స్ రోజులలో మంచినీరు కాస్త ఎక్కువగా తగాలి. కాఫీ, టీలని దూరంగా పెట్టడం మంచిది.

2.  ఆకు కూరలు
ఆకు కూరలలో కావలసినంత ఐరన్ వుంటుంది. పిరియడ్స్ సమయంలో శరీరానికి అందాల్సిన పోషకాలని ఈ ఆకుకూరలు అందిస్తాయి. కాబట్టి ఆకు కూరలను ఆ మూడు రోజులూ తప్పనిసరంగా ఆహారంలో చేర్చండి.

3. అరటి పండు
పిరియడ్స్ రోజులలో మూడు స్వింగ్స్ ఉంటాయన్న విషయం తెలిసిందేగా. వాటి నుంచి బయటపడటానికి అరటి పండు మంచి ఔషధం. పొటాషియం, బి6 విటమిన్‌తోపాటు అరటిపండులో వుండే ఇతర విటమిన్లు రక్తంలోని గ్లూకోజ్‌పై ప్రభావాన్ని చూపిస్తాయి. దాని వలన మూడ్ స్వింగ్స్ తగ్గి హుషారుగా వుంటారు.

4. లెగ్యూమ్స్ (గింజధాన్యాలు)
చిక్కుడు కుటుంబానికి చెందిన బీన్స్ వంటి గింజ ధాన్యాలలో ఐరన్ శాతం ఎక్కువ. వాటిని ఆహారంలో చేర్చుకోవడం ద్వారా శారీరక సమతౌల్యం త్వరగా పొందచ్చు.

5. డార్క్ చాక్లెట్
డార్క్ చాక్లెట్‌లో వుండే మెగ్నీషియం వుండటమే కాకుండా, ఫీల్‌గుడ్ కెమికల్ అయిన సెరిటోటిని కూడా రిలీజ్ చేస్తుంది కాబట్టి పిరియడ్స్ సమయంలో ఓ చిన్న డార్క్ చాక్లెట్ తింటే చికాకు పోయి హాయిగా అనిపిస్తుంది.

మొత్తానికి పిరియడ్స్ రోజులలో మెగ్నీషియం, ఐరన్, ఒమెగా-3 ఫ్యాటీ ఆసిడ్స్ కలిగిన ఆహారాన్ని తీసుకోవాలి. అంటే ఆకుకూరలు, చేపలు, నట్స్, బీన్స్, పప్పు ధాన్యాలు, పండ్లు వంటివి ఆహారంలో చేర్చడం ద్వారా ఆరోగ్యంగా వుండచ్చు. ముఖ్యంగా చదువుకునే పిల్లల ఆహారం విషయంలో అమ్మలు ఈ జాగ్రత్తలు తీసుకోవాలి.

-రమ

Tips to buy new furniture

Have you just moved into a new city for your first job? Or probably you’ve just taken up a new apartment on your own in a different part of the city. Or, have you got engaged recently and will be married in the next couple of months? Oh, so you purchased your brand new apartment in a plush gated community? Very well, indeed! We now understand why you’re looking at options to buy different pieces of furniture. Unlike our earlier generations, buying furniture has become an easy routine affair for us. All we need is a great idea and a minimum budget, and the choices are aplenty.

But before buying any piece of furniture you need to keep in mind a few things. Do you already have some furniture at home? Are you planning to keep it or dispose it off and buy everything anew? Do you only want to add a few things and juxtapose them with your existing furniture? Which rooms in your house have an urgent requirement? Are there some pieces among your choices that can wait? If you enter a furniture showroom with these kind of questions in mind, you’ll be clearer about what to buy and how to go about it. That way, you won’t get tempted or influenced by the salesperson’s impressive words! Below are some of the aspects that you need to consider before buying anything.

Lifestyle: What kind of a lifestyle do you lead right now? This is important especially if you’re single and you just need a couple of things to see you through before you contemplate marriage. Or, you’re also a workaholic and you spend most of your time, including weekends, at office. If this is the case, making choices would be easier as all you need are a mattress, a cot (optional), laptop/computer table and a few kitchen appliances.

Budget: Money, and your budget, play a very vital role in choosing furniture. If you have a limited budget, then choose your pieces and items according to the need and urgency principle. What you can’t do without will have to be bought first. Rest of the stuff can wait. Don’t buy it all together and thereby avoid unnecessary accumulation of things.

Colors: While a lot of us get instantly attracted towards brighter colors, think before you invest a hefty sum in that bright orange couch or red-and-gold sofa set. These might go well with the wall colors in your current home, but will they complement the set up equally well if you move to a different house where the furniture stands out? While it is okay to give in to temptation at times, buying something that you’ll regret selling later is not worth it. If you really want something in brighter color to light up your room, go in for a bean bag rather than a three-seater sofa set.

Time: By time we mean the amount of time you intend to keep the furniture for. If it’s something that you really really love and want to keep it for the rest of your life, then think about aspects like durability, sturdiness and longevity. Each piece of furniture will have a life of its own. While wood has a longer life because of its sturdy nature, an upholstered piece may not survive the wear and tear for long. One also needs to keep in mind the amount of time one spends on that piece of furniture. If it’s a mattress or a couch, it needs to be strong and durable. If it’s a stand for a flower vase or a center/ side table, there’s no point in spending a bomb on those – fashion keeps changing and you can always keep up with latest trends by disposing off some of the older pieces and buying new ones.

Own house or rented: This plays a very significant role in choosing your furniture. If you’re buying furniture for your rented house, then keep in mind the obligation of moving the furniture into your new apartment. Make sure your furniture is neither unwieldy nor incapable of handling the wear and tear with each move.

Cheap or expensive?: Furniture should neither be too cheap nor too overly priced. While cheap furniture may not last long, expensive furniture may not fetch you good returns if you contemplate selling it off at a later stage. Choose something that is easy on your pocket but is trendy too!

Second hand or first hand?: While it’s human nature to aspire to possess brand new stuff always, sometimes it might work out cheaper and better if you consider the option of seconds’ sale. Many websites like Quickr, Olx, Ebay and even some groups on social networking sites help you find second hand furniture in excellent to good condition for cheap. This concept might not go down well with us Indians but the idea of auctions and garage sales are very popular in the West. Sometimes you may end up hitting a jackpot or finding a treasured piece at throwaway prices. Don’t let go of chances like that.

Period furniture: The concept of Period furniture or Antique furniture is picking up fast. There are a few stores in the city that sell period furniture (which is about 50-60 year old). Pick up a chest of drawers or the wooden book shelf or that comfortable solid teak cot for less than Rs. 15,000. These hand-me-down pieces not only last long but are also considered cool.

Space, Comfort & Kid friendly: Keep in mind not just your comfort level but also make sure that your furniture is child-and-elderly-friendly. Ensure that there are no sharp edges anywhere when you buy something. Also keep in mind the space available around the furniture in each room. If you think something is too huge and unmanageable or if it occupies too much of a space in your room making your movement uncomfortable, then let go of it. It’s not worth the risk especially if you have elderly people or children at home. A minimum space-furniture ratio needs to be maintained to feel cosy – and not claustrophobic – in a room.

Of haggling, Discounts, Festive offers: Last but not the least, never let go of a chance to haggle with the salesperson/shopkeeper. It’s our money so every rupee haggled is a rupee saved. If there is a discount offer, make sure you get maximum benefit out of it. We know of people who wait for the clearance sales and festive offers to invest in their favourite piece of furniture. Also, keep checking websites like Pepperfry, Urban Ladder, and Fab Furnish for their exclusive pieces of furniture and excellent bargains.

Shanti Nanisetti

DoorMat Re-entry !

Aren't beautiful door mats so welcoming. I love those houses which showcase wonderful and interesting door mats. The owners might be unknown yet, those doormats attract our attention so much that we dont mind staring at the house and thinking of how artistic the people are, for a moment.

In hunt of a pretty bright door mat during a boring season, i ended up bringing home a sober colored door mat, which i didn't mind displaying because of its simplicity. After lying there for a while, it shouted for color. I am definitely not thinking of another one, so i bought some bright acrylic colors and painted it. There it is!! My neighbors were surprised as they see this beautiful piece greeting them, every morning. I used... My current door mat, An old tooth brush to clean the mat (I Pressure Washed it under a shower. As it is made of recycled tires, it dried quickly. ( you can brush the surface clean if washing and drying is not easy). Acrylic or Oil colors of your choice. Painting brushes of suitable size. Old papers for underlay.

- pratyusha

ప్రతి అమ్మాయికి కూడా అందరూ అబ్బాయిల యొక్క దృష్టిని తమ వైపు చూసేలా చేసుకోవడం చాలా సులభం. కానీ తనకు ఇష్టమైన అబ్బాయితో మొదటిసారిగా మాట్లాడటం ఎలాగో తెలియక కంగారు పడుతుంటారు. మీకు నచ్చిన అబ్బాయిని ఆకర్షించేలా చేయడంతో పాటు, ఇద్దరి మధ్య సంభాషణ ఎలా మొదలు పెట్టాలో కొన్ని చిన్ని ప్రయత్నాలు చూద్దామా...!

మీకు ఇష్టమైన వ్యక్తి దగ్గరకు ఆత్మ విశ్వాసంతో వెళ్ళి ‘హాయ్, మనం ఇంతకు ముందు ఎక్కడైనా కలిసామా?'' అని ఇలా పలకరించండి. అతని దగ్గర నుండి ఎటువంటి సమాధానం వచ్చినా సరే.. మీ మధ్య ఖచ్చితంగా సంభాషణ మొదలవుతుంది. దీనివల్ల మీకు ఇష్టమైన వ్యక్తితో మాట కలుపుకోవడానికి ఇది ఒక మంచి ప్రయత్నం.

ప్రపంచంలో తల్లిదండ్రులకైనా సహాయం చేస్తారో లేదో తెలియదు కానీ.. అమ్మాయిలు అడిగిన వెంటనే అబ్బాయిలు ఏ పనైనా చేయడానికి ముందుకు వస్తారు. మీకు నచ్చిన వ్యక్తి దగ్గరగా ఉంటే అతడిని ఏదైనా సహాయం అడగండి. మీరు అతన్ని అలా అడగడం వల్ల అతను లక్కీగా ఫీల్ అవుతాడు.

ఇంకా మీరేదైనా అడ్రెస్ కనుక్కోవాలనుకొన్నప్పుడు, మీ చేతిలో ఏదైనా బరువైన వస్తువు ఉన్నప్పుడు, లేదా అతను కూర్చున్న పక్కనే ప్లేస్ ఉంటే.."కుర్చోవచ్చా" అంటూ ఏదో ఒక విధంగా వారి సహాయం అడగండి. అమ్మాయిలకు హెల్ప్ చేయడం అంటే అబ్బాయిలకు చాలా ఇష్టం. సరదా. ఎప్పుడైతే అతను మీకు హెల్ప్ చేస్తారో అప్పుడు ఇక చిరునవ్వుతో థాక్స్ చెప్పండి అక్కడి నుండే మొదలవుతుంది మీ మధ్య అసలైన ముచ్చట్లు.

మీకిష్టమైన వ్యక్తితో దగ్గరగా మాట్లాడాలి అనుకుంటే... అతనికి దగ్గరగా వెళ్ళుతున్నప్పడు తెలియకుండానో లేదా పోరపాటుగానో మీ దగ్గర ఉన్న పెన్, బుక్స్, కూరగాయలు, ఖర్చిఫ్ వంటి ఏదైనా ఒక వస్తువును వదిలేయండి. దాంతో వాటిని మీకు ఖచ్చితంగా తీసి ఇస్తాడు. కానీ మీరు పడేసుకున్న వస్తువు అతనికి కనిపించేలా మాత్రమే పడేయండి. లేకపోతే అతని స్థానంలోకి మరో హీరో దిగిపోతాడు.

అతను చేసిన సహాయానికి చిరునవ్వు నవ్వి, కృతజ్ఞతలు తెలియజేయండి. ఇలా చేయడం వల్ల అప్పుడు అతను కూడా బదులిస్తాడు. దీనివల్ల మీరు ఇపుడు మాట్లాడకపోయినా మరోసారి కలిసినపుడైనా.. ఈ విషయం గుర్తు చేసి అతనితో మాట్లాడవచ్చు.

ఈ సలహాలతో ఖచ్చితంగా అబ్బాయిలు ఫ్లాట్ అయిపోతారు. ఇంకెందుకు ఆలస్యం. మీ గ్రీకువీరుడు కోసం మీ ప్రయత్నాలు మొదలుపెట్టండి మరి.

How To Dress To Attract Men

Dress to look modern and stylish and feel self confident. Most people believe that dressing up in red attract more men as compared to other clothing colors. Dress up in shades of red and see if it works for you. Select the color of your dress first along with the fits and fabrics.

Go to a different store for shopping clothes than your regular one. Try on clothes that look different from those that you usually wear. Be daring and take a risk as you may look beautiful in a style different from your normal one.

Dressing yourself does not simply mean of putting something expensive on your body to attract a man. It is more about confidence, attitude and the ability to carry a dress.

You can go in for a new hairstyle to modernize your style. A new hair color can also be wonderful, but be subtle with your color change so that your hair color looks natural and suits your skin tone.

You can also consider buying a new make-up such as a slightly lighter or darker shade of foundation, powder, lipstick or eye shadow. Many departmental stores have samples of cosmetics that you can try before purchasing so; why not give it a try.

Nicely shaped and polished nails attract men. Toenails look lovely painted in a dark shade of red, while for your fingernails, you can prefer a more natural look.

Simplicity attracts more men. You can choose to be simple rather than putting too much color to your face. Avoid too much make-up in case you are allergic to the face powder or other cosmetics else you’ll just be scratching all over your face and have a bad impression on your man.

Get a friend’s advice on how you can dress up well to attract men or anyone. A friend who is real would definitely help you with your personality.

Be yourself. You do not have to show off what men want to see in you. Simply show what you are without hesitating and you are sure to find someone who’ll like your personality. Real relationships have a strong foundation and help build strong future relationships.

Gardening is a hobby for most of the people. for house wives it's a time pass and of course its a duty too. here are few gardening tips from master gardener paul james. have a glance.

1. To remove the salt deposits that form on clay pots, combine equal parts white vinegar, rubbing alcohol and water in a spray bottle. Apply the mixture to the pot and scrub with a plastic brush. Let the pot dry before you plant anything in it.

2. To prevent accumulating dirt under your fingernails while you work in the garden, draw your fingernails across a bar of soap and you'll effectively seal the undersides of your nails so dirt can't collect beneath them. Then, after you've finished in the garden, use a nailbrush to remove the soap and your nails will be sparkling clean.

3. To prevent the line on your string trimmer from jamming or breaking, treat with a spray vegetable oil before installing it in the trimmer.

4. Turn a long-handled tool into a measuring stick! Lay a long-handled garden tool on the ground, and next to it place a tape measure. Using a permanent marker, write inch and foot marks on the handle. When you need to space plants a certain distance apart (from just an inch to several feet) you'll already have a measuring device in your hand.

5. To have garden twine handy when you need it, just stick a ball of twine in a small clay pot, pull the end of the twine through the drainage hole, and set the pot upside down in the garden. Do that, and you'll never go looking for twine again.

6. Little clay pots make great cloches for protecting young plants from sudden, overnight frosts and freezes.

7. To turn a clay pot into a hose guide, just stab a roughly one-foot length of steel reinforcing bar into the ground at the corner of a bed and slip two clay pots over it: one facing down, the other facing up. The guides will prevent damage to your plants as you drag the hose along the bed.

8. To create perfectly natural markers, write the names of plants (using a permanent marker) on the flat faces of stones of various sizes and place them at or near the base of your plants.

9. Got aphids? You can control them with a strong blast of water from the hose or with insecticidal soap. But here's another suggestion, one that's a lot more fun; get some tape! Wrap a wide strip of tape around your hand, sticky side out, and pat the leaves of plants infested with aphids. Concentrate on the undersides of leaves, because that's where the little buggers like to hide.

10. The next time you boil or steam vegetables, don't pour the water down the drain, use it to water potted patio plants, and you'll be amazed at how the plants respond to the "vegetable soup."

11. Use leftover tea and coffee grounds to acidify the soil of acid-loving plants such as azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, gardenias and even blueberries. A light sprinkling of about one-quarter of an inch applied once a month will keep the pH of the soil on the acidic side.

12. Use chamomile tea to control damping-off fungus, which often attacks young seedlings quite suddenly. Just add a spot of tea to the soil around the base of seedlings once a week or use it as a foliar spray.

13. If you need an instant table for tea service, look no farther than your collection of clay pots and saucers. Just flip a good-sized pot over, and top it off with a large saucer. And when you've had your share of tea, fill the saucer with water, and your "table" is now a birdbath.

14. The quickest way in the world to dry herbs: just lay a sheet of newspaper on the seat of your car, arrange the herbs in a single layer, then roll up the windows and close the doors. Your herbs will be quickly dried to perfection. What's more, your car will smell great.

Maternity clothes around the world have been undergoing significant changes. In both Eastern and Western cultures, there is greater demand for fashionable maternity clothes. Pregnant women in the public eye are taking the lead on maternity fashion. As a result, pregnant women are no longer trying to hide or disguise their pregnancy, instead choosing to wear garments which closely fit their new shape, often emphasizing the bust and abdominal area. High-tech fabrics such as elastane are the material of choice for maternity wear in Western cultures as they allow garments to be form-fitting while allowing the abdominal area to expand as necessary. Here are few designs of maternal clothes. Check them out.

Humans are naturally social creatures, craving connections with people, including intimacy and love. Whether you're searching for someone or striving to improve the relationship you're in, it helps to know the hallmarks of a strong relationship. The 10 signs of a healthy relationship include basic principles such as communication and appreciation, as well as tips for handling arguments and conflict.

1. Trust :

Trust is an essential element for all relationships. Each partner should have faith in the other. You should not have to wonder if your lover is telling the truth.

2. Respect :

According to Teens Health, strong relationships must include mutual respect. Your partner should never put you down, mock you or make degrading remarks about you. When your lover appreciates and loves you for who you are, he will show respect for you.

3. Communication :

Communication is the foundation of a healthy relationship. The University of Texas at Austin Counseling and Mental Health Center advises couples to set aside time to regularly check in with each other, so they can deal with any issues before they blow up or become unmanageable.

4. Flexibility :

Life is constantly changing, and healthy relationships recognize that fact. Lovers need to be flexible to adapt to changes in each others' work, home and family lives, as well as changes in the dynamics and stages of the relationship.

5. Shared Interests :

Sharing interests allows couples to bond and enjoy spending free time together. Many couples share a love of sports, movies, pets, cooking, fashion, travel, reading or art. Having at least one activity you enjoy doing together will bring you closer and offer a way to destress and reconnect during hard times.

6. Alone Time :

Just as spending time together strengthens your relationship, having time apart is important as well. Couples need to remember that they had separate lives before falling in love, and maintaining separate interests gives each person breathing room. Both partners should have some regular alone time to enjoy individual interests and recharge.

7. Friends and Family :

Healthy relationships include strong connections with friends and family. Although the beginning stages of falling in love can be intense and make you want to see no one but your lover, it's important to maintain your relationships with other people you care about with regular visits, outings and get-togethers. Strong relationships gain power from outside connections, keeping the relationship exciting and dynamic while preventing suffocation.

8. Compromise :

Compromise is necessary in any relationship, whether you're at work or with your spouse. Both partners must be willing to make concessions to reach the common good. The best relationships include an equal amount of sacrifice from each partner, so no one feels taken advantage of or ignored.

9. Arguing Fairly :

There comes a time in every relationship where arguments arise, and it is important that you both fight fair, expressing your own opinion and also listening to the other person's viewpoint. Techniques such as taking time to cool off, writing feelings in a journal and talking to a relationship therapist are all healthy ways to deal with emotional arguments.

10. Appreciation :

It is important for each person to feel appreciated in a relationship. Praise your partner, offer compliments and use creative ways to show you care. Problems can arise when you or your partner feel unappreciated and taken for granted. The point of a relationship is to feel loved, so be sure you both show you care.

Use felted wool sweaters to sew a mini felt tote adorned with felt flowers and other embellishments. Reinvent your old or damaged wool sweaters or pick some up from the thrift store for this clever sewing craft. Follow this sewing tutorial from Betz White to make a pretty mini tote for spring.

Materials :

Wool Sweater, "felted" by washing in hot water Felt scraps (either from felted wool sweaters or wool craft felt) Assorted buttons Sewing Machine (optional) Craft Glue Needle and thread

Instructions:

Make Pattern and Cut-

Using a piece of 8.5 x 11" office paper, measure a trapezoid following the measurements above. The top width of the bag will be 10", the bottom width will be 7", the height 8.5". The oval for the base should be 1" shorter in length than the width of the bottom of the bag, about 6". I made my base 3.5" wide. Using your paper pattern, cut out 2 trapezoid sides and one oval base. I lucked out and found this sweet pink sweater with a basket weave look. Any sort of texture or pattern would be adorable for this. Cables, fair isle, etc. Note that a fair isle will tend to felt more firmly due to the stranding on the back. A ribbed texture may not appear to felt at all.

Sew Sides and Base-

Right sides together, pin then sew side seams. Pin then sew oval base to bottom opening, aligning mid-points of oval to side seams. Resist the urge to zigzag your seam allowances. There is no need (the felted sweater will not ravel) and a zigzag will cause your seams to get all woopy. Trust me, I know woopy.

Hem Top Edge-

Fold down 1" around the top opening. Pin, evenly distributing the fabric. Straight stitch 7/8" from the folded edge. The bulk and the flare of the trapezoid will cause the opening to curve out slightly giving it a cute basket-y shape. At this point, you could line the bag, if you are a liner. I'm not so much a liner. I'm a "hurry and get it done-r".

Cut Straps-

For double handles, Cut 2 strips measuring approx. 2.5" x 11". Fold raw edges in toward each other. Butt edges together firmly and stitch down the center of the strap using a wide zigzag. Stitch the full length of the strap.

(for a single handle, cut a strip measuring 3" x 14". Stitch as described above. This gives the tote more of a basket look.)

Attach Handles-

Pin handles to the inside hem of the opening, making sure they are spaced equally from the side seams. Stitch along the previous stitch line to secure. Gather some bright sweater scraps together for embellishment.

Add Leaves-

I was going to make flowers all around the edge, but decided to start with leaves instead. (Why do I love pink and green?) The tote is pretty small and softly constructed. I didn't think it would hold up to a whole bouquet of flowers around the edge. Cut some simple leaves from scraps and glue into place. Pin until dry. (There will be plenty of hand sewing to come. Go ahead, glue the leaves.)

Make Flower Pieces-

For my flower, I pretty much made my standard brooch. Cut scraps into strips. To make loopy petals, cut 2" x 6" strips, fold lengthwise and sew edge (yellow and dark pink above). For straight petals, cut a strip 1" x 4" (orange). Next you'll snip the strips every 1/4" to make petals.

Roll Petal Strips-

Roll the strips up and hand stitch the base together catching all layers. Wrap with a second color strip and stitch. For the flower on this tote I cut a daisy shaped base and glued the rolled petals onto it.

Finishing Touches-

sAfter making several flowers, I chose the one I liked best for this project. I sewed my flower in place then added a few vintage buttons for an extra dash of color. I like the different textures of the fuzzy felt with the smooth buttons. Besides, it's nice to have something pretty to look at when you're sitting in church all hopped up on Easter candy.

1. One of the key things you need to do is first discover what sets you apart from the rest. Learn to accept the person you are and your unique qualities. The trouble with a lot of people hails when they fail to accept that they are different from the rest of their peers. If you will not accept your unique qualities, how can you expect the rest of the world to do so to?

2. If you want to be different from others the trick is to figure out you are really good at. Once you know what you are good at, what you really like to do and what actually makes you happy, you will see how special you are. One of the ways to different from others is by finding developing a good habit or a practice. Start at the personal or professional level and it should be unique to your personality!

3.Once you are aware of what you like to do differently, gather the courage to do them too. For example, there are tons of people who do not like watching a movie by themselves and most of them consider it to be weird too. However, if you like these forms of entertainment go ahead and be different from the majority of people. Even if you have to stop in the middle of the road to feed a beggar or a homeless child do it without bothering about the gawking onlookers!

4. Oh! People love to gossip, whether you do good or do bad, people always love to gossip. However, to be different from others, Learn not to indulge in gossiping. Some may say that it is a women's domain, but, there are guys too who have formed ‘gupshup circles'. A mindless and wasteful hour spent on gossiping is an act which renders you to be a typical example of the herd mentality. So it is better for you to stay away from it!

5. One of the best ways to be different from others is to always keep your knowledge-seeking thirst ongoing. You should keep yourself tuned to the advances in your fields of interest. Make use of any given opportunity to keep adding your skills. Keep in mind that there is never any limit to the amount you can learn.

6. Developing your own personality is one level of achievement to be different from others. The next which follows is implementing it and flaunting it. You should remember not to assert yourself, but to just be yourself at all times. If you have a style and it happens be different, flaunt nevertheless!

Red roses :

One of the most common flowers to give in a relationship is red roses. These red roses are beautiful and so is their significance. Red roses symbolize love. You can also give your partner pink roses as they signify perfect happiness.

Orchids :

These are one of the most expensive flowers you can ever give to your partner in a relationship. The orchid is beautiful and natural and would resemble your lady loves' beauty as well. Giving your partner orchids mean that you love her and adore her beauty as well.

Lillies :

These humble flowers signify the mere purity and sweetness of your relationship. If you give your partner a bouquet of lillies, you mean that she is simply sweet in nature.

Red Tulips :

To declare your love for the woman you have a crush on, buy her a bouquet of red tulips. These red tulips symbolize 'declaration of love'.

Peony :

If a guy gives you a bouquet of peonies, then you may just have a good relationship and luck coming your way. Peonies symbolize a happy life and a 'happy marriage' if you are married.

White Carnations :

These beautiful flowers are the best you can give to your lady love on any occasion. The white carnations stand for pure love and innocence. These white carnations will define your true love for her.

Lilac :

These fun and pretty flowers are loved by any girl, if you are in a new relationship. These flowers are the best to give to your partner. The lilac represent innocence. It is also the perfect flower for the 'honeymoon' stage of a relationship.

Daisy :

When it comes to loyalty, daisies is the right flower to give your partner in the relationship. The daisy stands for loyal love and your commitment to her.

Forget me not :

No matter what the name of the flower would mean, this flower is a must give in a relationship. The 'forget me not' means that you believe in true love and you will be faithful to your partner always.

Hibiscus :

The red hibiscus resembles delicate beauty. You can express the way you feel about her beauty through these flowers.

Red Camellia :

If you want to tell your lady love that she is the flame in your heart. What is stopping you? You can now say it by giving her a bunch of red camellia flowers.

Daffodil :

The daffodil is a precious flower that one can give to their partner in the relationship. The 'daffodil' means that she is the only one for you, for the rest of your life.

Honeysuckle :

To seal the bond of love, give your lady love a lovely bunch of honeysuckle flowers. She will love it!

Oleander :

when the flower is given to your partner it resembles her beauty and grace. Give her a bouquet of these beautiful bright flowers and make her happy.

Chrysanthemum :

This flowers speaks a lot when it comes to a relationship. If you are stuck in a dilemma and do not know how to confess your love, do it with these flowers. Chrysanthemum flowers tells you that your Love is reciprocated.

Usually bridal makeup is heavy as the girls want to look special, but less is more and keep it minimal.

It's a good idea for a bride to start taking care of her skin and hair a couple of months before the wedding day. With a glowing skin, the job gets much easier for a makeup artist to achieve a flawless base.

The makeup starts with primer to smoothen out the skin. After that, comes foundation.

Get the base right. Most of us want to look fairer than what we already are, which is a very bad idea as you end up looking made up. Even the pictures come out very badly. So make sure the base is applied and blended very well and matches skin tone.

Many brides go for glitter on their eyes along with heavy eye makeup. It's a complete bad idea.

"It's important to do up the eyes really well. But make sure not to use too many colours or too much glitter as it looks tacky.

Use highlighter under the brow bone.

Use eyeliner to make the eyes stand out. Eye lashes are also a good option, but it's very important to use natural lashes with real hair.

For the cheeks,coral colour looks better. as it blends well with Indian skin tone.

While doing lip makeup, apply lip liner before lipstick.

But make sure the lip line doesn't look different from the lipstick. Avoid using a gloss as it ends up bleeding and smudging the lipstick. Once the makeup is done, spray a makeup fix on the face to make it stay longer and fresh.

DEEP CLEAN FIRST :

Start your quest for fresh-smelling carpet with a clean slate that begins with deep cleaning. Rent a carpet cleaner from a home improvement store, or hire a professional cleaning company with good references. If you own a carpet cleaner, be sure that the machine itself (like the tanks) are clean and free of residue.

LOSE THE SHOES :

If you want to keep as much dirt as possible off your carpet, make sure shoes come off before anyone walks on it. Anything shoes have stepped on will stay on their bottoms rather than your nice clean carpet.

RUGS :

Keep rugs on your carpet in areas with high traffic. Places such as the front and back door areas should have a rug so that you can wipe your feet and leave your shoes there, instead of tracking mud and dirt throughout your home.

VACUUM :

To keep your carpet fresh, vacuum your home at least three times a week (every day if you have pets). This prevents the particulates from becoming airborne and creating nasty smells. Use a lightly scented carpet freshening powder, following the directions and vacuuming thoroughly afterward. Fabric refreshers can help eliminate odors harbored by your carpet, as well.

HEPA :

True HEPA vacuum cleaners (with airtight casings) remove particulates embedded in carpet fibers, preventing them from becoming airborne. If a true HEPA vacuum cleaner is not available, high-efficiency microfiltration vacuum bags will also trap very small particulates. Don't forget to clean your vacuum's filters to maintain its efficiency.

AIR FILTERS :

Changing your furnace's air filters regularly to improve the circulation of air in your home and maximize the particulate-catching efficiency of the air filter itself.

RULES OF THUMB FROM THE EXPERTS :

Rodney Brown, owner of Millicare Textile and Carpet Care in Tempe, Arizona, has two simple recommendations for maintaining the fresh smell and look of carpet:

1. Use soap-free chemicals when cleaning carpets. The soap residue acts as a magnet for dirt, just as shampoo would if you forgot to rinse it from your hair. Instead, try using water-based compounds.

2. Where possible, eliminate moisture that acts as a food source for smelly bacteria. If you have to spot clean, use a clean, white cloth dabbed in a solution of vinegar and water to blot the spot, repeating as many times as necessary until no more stain transfers to the cloth. Vacuum the carpet after the stain has been removed.

A carpet can be the main decorating element of a room, and its cleanliness can make the difference between beautiful and dingy. Use these basic maintenance tips to enjoy a fresh, clean carpet.

1. Don't be too open at first : Easing into a relationship is about ensuring that there is plenty of space for the two of you to get to know one another and trust that you're right for one another. If you try too soon to "make" something more out of your relationship than it already is, premature pushiness can scare him away and spoil what is 'there' to be a good thing. Instead, be patient and realize that it takes time to nurture a solid and enduring relationship. If you want to make it last, avoid the following things.

2. Be honest : While being honest to your guy is very important, to the point of being paramount, it is equally important that you are honest with yourself. If you overreact or make a mistake, you can acknowledge your error and apologize. If you're feeling vulnerable or upset, you can sort through your feelings and verbalize them to him in a non-accusing way.

3. Speak your mind : Don't be afraid to make your desires, needs, and opinions known, even when they may conflict with his. You don't and shouldn't exist solely to please him. Besides, showing that you are your own person with your own needs, desires, and approach to life will keep him interested in getting to know and understand you as a person. If you're comfortable with speaking your mind, then he'll be comfortable with speaking his mind, too.

4. Be yourself : Don't create a fake you just to impress him. It might be tempting if you think he'd prefer a different type of girl but usually this is just cobbling together snippets of things said or suggested and you're likely to be wrong. After all, he wants to date you, not some imagined form of perfection. And if you really feel tempted to change things about yourself because he insists that you'd be better thinner, taller, prettier, quieter, whatever, then it's a good indication that you're not compatible.

Be Supportive

1. Take an interest in his interests : Remember what he likes to do and what he likes to talk about. You don't have to act like you love his hobbies, but at least try to understand why he's such a fan. If he loves a band, try to understand why. If he just loves to be playful and immature, remember that it might just be his way of releasing stress. In learning to accept his unique way of being, you'll also be learning more about yourself and ultimately whether you could see yourself spending the rest of your life with this person.

2. Learn to work as a team : As in any healthy relationship, you'll experience your share of conflicts, some tiny, some big. Remember to be true to yourself and try to abandon any significant selfishness. A relationship is a matter of teamwork and a symbiotic relationship, not a parasitic one, where a party gives and the other one just takes without giving enough back. In a team, you have each other's back, you don't undermine one another and you openly cherish each other in front of others.

3. Complement him more than you criticize him : If everything you say around him is a criticism or an attack, he won't look forward to seeing you and he'll start reconsidering being with you. All the same, you don't always have to agree with him just because he is your boyfriend. Tactfulness is a better strategy in mature relationships and establishing boundaries and making compromises are important relationship strategies to learn and adopt.

4. Learn to compromise : If you want to be a good girlfriend, then you have to learn to compromise instead of fighting or being angry the second you don't get your way. To compromise well, you both have to be able to calmly and rationally discuss a situation while understanding the other person's perspective. Try to understand where your boyfriend is coming from instead of blindly focusing on what you think you need.

5. Give each other space : You should support your boyfriend, but you should also be able to "be there" for him in spirit when you're not actually around. If you want to be a good girlfriend, then you have to make time to do your own thing, to hang out with your girlfriends, and to see your boyfriend. He should know that you're thinking of him and rooting for him even if you're not around. If you feel insecure and doubt the strength of your relationship the second you're apart, then you have a problem.

Be Loving :

1. Be affectionate : There are various ways to show your affection, some are more obvious than others and the way you approach this will depend on how openly affectionate you like to be personally. Affection is close to but not the same as intimacy––affection is about openly displaying that you care about this person and can be shown any time of day or night, publicly or privately. Think about how you like to show affection to people you care about, such as holding hands, touching an arm, quick kisses on the cheek, a hug, stroking hair, supportive words, mentioning how great someone is in front of other people, etc.

2. Give him gifts : When you're in a relationship, it's fun to give each other small gifts. Guys love to get presents and giving him one shows that he means a lot to you. Don't overdo it -- just give him a gift when you're feeling loving and want to let him know how much he means to you. You don't want him to think you're trying to buy his affection.

3. Don't get jealous : You should be loving, but not to the point where you start seeing red the second your boyfriends talks to, or even just mentions, another girl. Nothing will turn your boyfriend off faster that a girlfriend who is so insecure that she can't stand the other thought of other women existing in the universe. Your boyfriend will appreciate you even more if you're nice to his female friends instead of talking about how ugly or annoying any girl you see is.

Practice meditation:

Entering motherhood is very hectic. Having sleepless nights and caring for the newborn leads to stress. After delivery, chances of suffering from blood pressure is very common among women. So, practice meditation. It relaxes your mind, flushes out toxins form the body and boosts up your immune system.

Healthy diet:

It is very important to follow a healthy diet during and after pregnancy. Especially after the delivery, the body becomes weak. So you need take care of the dietary intake after delivery. To stay healthy, include foods that are nutritious and filling. Spinach, broccoli, whole grains, fresh fruits and nuts are a must have. Consult your doctor before eating spicy and oily food immediately after delivery (especially after c-section).

Rest:

Be very careful if you have had a c-section delivery. This is one important tip to stay healthy in the postpartum state. As your body is weak post delivery, you need to take appropriate rest. If you have had a vaginal delivery, you just need rest for 2 weeks. However, women who go through C-section delivery have to be on bed rest at least for 1-2 months. If you walk or lie carelessly, the stitches will break and the pain will increase.

Breast feeding:

It is very important for a new mom to breastfeed the newborn. This is one of the tips to stay healthy after delivery. Many women avoid breastfeeding as it damages the shape of the breast. The first milk is very nutritious and important for the baby. If you do not give the first milk, the baby can suffer from jaundice. Even the mother can suffer from acute breast pain. Skipping breastfeeding can build lumps inside the tissues of the breast and gradually lead to breast cancer.

These are few tips to stay healthy after your delivery.

Easy changes for Life

Resolutions are difficult to keep up with...but just some changes will make you feel better rather than declaring difficult or nearly impossible tasks and ending up not doing them atall....these small changes i started liking to do might inspire you too....sametime, there are only a few of these below, inorder not to repel your idea to take up easy things.

Drink Green Tea and Water instead of Soda or Sweetened Juices

Dreamy Paper Chandelier

Making things by hand is fun and a satisfaction to someone like me...i am sure you will like this craft item because you are already reading my lines here...

Paper Chandelier, famously known as Paper Mobile among the craftsy crowd..

I used a metal ring that came with my hanging plant holder ( you can use a flour sifter ring, cut the wiring mesh or use as-is, or a foam (thermacol) ring used to make wreaths.

I used transparent fishing wire ( you can use transparent embroidery wire)
Hot glue gun for quick and stronger hold
Printed papers with design ( you can buy the thicker versions)
Thick Drawing sheets to paste the printed paper on both sides
Spray adhesive or a painting brush and glue to apply the glue to the drawing sheet
Net fabric in your choice of color

Because i couldnot find thicker printed paper, i bought the papers, Sprayed glue on both sides of the thick drawing sheet and stuck the paper to it. Once it was fully dry, i started cuttting different shapes and sizes of pieces. you can think of butterflies, hearts, circle shapes etc.

then i glued different lengths of wire pieces to the ring. and then glued the cut paper designs to the ends of the wire pieces. If you are at this step, make sure you give atleast few seconds for the glue to dry before moving to the next piece.

After glueing all the pieces, i then cut tiny bits of the net fabric and simply tied them between each wire around the ring, covering the open edges of the wire. And finally with three long ribbons cut from the same fabric, i hung the ring to a hook in the ceiling.

Voila !!! i was so happy to see my paper chandelier aka Mobile filling that void space in the room, so beautifully. People will fall for it, if you do it too. To make it easier, instead of paper, you can use felt pieces to hang.

వాటర్ బాటిల్స్ తో కలర్ ఫుల్ లైట్స్

మనం వాడేసిన వాటర్ బాటేల్స్ డస్ట్ బిన్ లో పడేయకుండా అందమైన కలర్ ఫుల్ లైట్స్ ఎలా చేసుకోవాలో క్రింద ఇచ్చిన 6 స్టెప్స్ తో చూపించాం..

కావలసినవి :

                 వాటర్ బాటేల్స్

                  అక్రోలిక్ పైంట్స్

                   కత్తెర

                   సిరియల్ లైట్స్

·    

 1. కాళీ వాటర్ బాటేల్స్ తీసుకుని మూత తీయకుండా ఫోటోలో చూపించినట్టు కొంత పార్ట్ వరకు కట్ చేసుకోవాలి.

Old Cds, Broken CDs, Cds which you don’t need now, damaged CDs – What do you do with them ???? Just throw them away in the dust bin ? Nope…. Don’t…. they can still be used….

Make non-usable CDs as your coasters…

Here is how to you can make them:-

1. Pick up the CDs which are not visibly damaged.

2. Make sure that you have an even number.

3. Make pairs out of your CDs.

4. With a hot glue gun, make a zig zag glue line on the bottom of one CD and quickly turn that CD over and glue it to the bottom of the CD you paired with it. 

5. There you are!  Use it as the coaster!

ఏకాగ్రత ఉంటే ఎంత కష్టమైన పనినైనా సాధించవచ్చు అని అందరికి తెలిసిందే. అయితే మన లక్ష్య సాధనాలే కాదు. ఆనందంగా ఉండటానికి కూడా ఏకాగ్రత దోహదపడుతుంది అంటున్నారు పరిశోధకులు. ఆశ్చర్యంగా అనిపించినా ఇది నిజం. ఏకాగ్రతతో పనిచేసేవారు ఎక్కువ ఆనందంగా ఉంటున్నట్టు ఓ అధ్యయనంలో వెల్లడైంది. ఆ మధ్య ఆనందానికీ, ఆలోచనకూ మధ్య గల సంబంధాన్ని తెలుసుకోవటానికి అమెరికాలో ఒక అధ్యయనం నిర్వహించారట. దీనిలో భాగంగా 83 దేశాలకు చెందిన వివిధ వృత్తులు, వయసుల వారిని వివిధ అంశాలపై ప్రశ్నించారు. వాటి ఆధారంగా అధ్యయన కర్తలు ఎక్కువ ఏకాగ్రతతో పనిచేసేవారు అంత ఆనందంగా ఉంటారని తేల్చారు.

83 దేశాలకు చెందిన వివిధ వృత్తులు, వివిధ వయసుల వారిని ఏ యే సమయాలలో ఎలా ఆలోచిస్తున్నారు. ఏం ఆలోచిస్తున్నారు. అప్పుడు వారి అనుభూతి వంటి, ఏ పని చేస్తున్నప్పుడు ఏ దృక్పథంతో వున్నారు వంటి అంశాల పై ప్రశ్నించి వాటిని విశ్లేషించి, పరిశీలించారు. వీరిలో చాలా మంది పనిచేస్తున్న, TV చూస్తున్నా, తింటున్నా, చివరికి షాపింగ్ చేస్తున్న ఇతర విషయాల గురించి ఎక్కువగా ఆలోచిస్తున్నట్టు గుర్తించారు. ఫలితంగా ఆ సమయంలో న్యాయంగా పొందల్సినంత ఆనందాన్ని వారు పొందలేకపోతున్నారని గుర్తించారు పరిశోధకులు.

ఏకాగ్రతతో చేసే ఏ పనైనా పూర్తి ఆనందాన్ని అందిస్తుంది అని రుజువు చేయటానికి చేసిన అధ్యయనంలో ఎప్పుడూ ఏదో ఒక విషయం గురించి ఆలోచించేవారు అనుభూతులను పూర్తిగా ఆస్వాదించలేరు అని తేలింది. నిజానికి మనం మనకి తెలియకుండానే నిరంతరం ఆలోచనల్లో మునిగి వుంటాం. అవి సంతోషాన్నిచ్చే ఆలోచనలు అయినపుడు అప్పటి మన అనుభవంతో సంబంధం లేకుండా మన మనసు సంతోషంగా వుంటుంది, అదే నెగెటివ్ ఆలోచనలు మనసులో సుడులు తిరుగుతుంటే ఆనందాన్నిచ్చే విషయాలుకి మన ప్రతిస్పందన పూర్తి స్థాయిలో వుండదు. ఏది ఏమైనా మనసు లగ్నం చేయందే ఏ పని పూర్తి ఆనందాన్ని అందించదు అని ఖచ్చితంగా చెబుతున్నారు అధ్యయకర్తలు.

మన మనసుకి బాధ కలిగించే సంఘటన ఏదైనా జరిగినపుడు ఆ ప్రభావం మన ఆలోచనలపై పడుతుంది. మన ఆలోచనలన్ని వ్యతిరేక భావంతో ఉంటాయి. ప్రతి అంశం మనకి నచ్చనట్టుగానే అనిపిస్తుంది. ఆ సమయంలో మనం వంట చేసినా, ఆఫీసు పని చేసినా ఏదైనా మన మనసు పూర్తిగా ఆ పనిపై లగ్నం కాదన్నది నిజం. దాంతో ఆ చేసేపని మనకి విసుగ్గా అనిపిస్తుంది. దాంతో ఆ పని సరిగ్గా చేయలేం, ఫలితం కూడా అలాగే ఉంటుంది. దాంతో తిరిగి మనం మరింత వ్యతిరేక భావనలో కూరుకుపోతాం. ఇది ఒక వలయంలో అలా సాగుతూనే వుంటుంది. చాలా మంది జీవితం విసుగ్గా ఉంది అనటానికి కారణం అదే. అందుకే నిరంతరం మనపై దాడిచేసే ఆలోచనల నుంచి తప్పించుకోవటం అలవాటు చేసుకోవాలి.

మన మనసుకి ఏకాగ్రత అలవాటు చేయటం కష్టం కాదు. ధ్యానం, యోగా వంటివి మనలో ఏకాగ్రత పెంచుతాయని చెబుతారు పెద్దలు. ఈ వయసులో నాకెందుకు అనుకోకుండా ప్రతిరోజూ కొంత సమయాన్ని వాటికి కేటాయిస్తే మనసుకి ఏకాగ్రత అలవాటుగా మారుతుందో ప్రతీ పనిని ఆనందించగలుగుతాం. అనుభూతులని అందుకోగలుగుతాం. కాబట్టి సఖులూ ఆనందంగా వుండాలంటే "ఏకాగ్రత" ఉండాల్సిందే.

                                                                                                      -రమ

మన దగ్గరి వ్యక్తుల మనస్తత్వాలని ఎలా అర్థం చేసుకోవచ్చో సరదాగా నేర్చుకుందామా? ఎదుటి వ్యక్తికీ నచ్చిన పండు ఏదో తెలుసుకుంటే... దాని బట్టి వారి స్వభావం గురించి అంచనా వేయచ్చట. మన ఇష్టాయిష్టాలు సహజంగా మన స్వభావం, మనస్తత్వం పై ఆధారపడే ఏర్పడతాయి అంటున్నారు నిపుణులు. కాబట్టి ఆ ఇష్టాయిష్టాలు మన స్వభావానికి అద్దం పడుతాయన్నమాట. సరే నచ్చే పండుని బట్టి వారి స్వభావాన్ని ఎలా అంచనా వేయచ్చో తెలుసుకుందాం.

ఆరెంజ్ : ఆరెంజ్ ను అమితంగా ఇష్టపడే వ్యక్తుల స్వభావం ఎలా వుంటుందో చూద్దాం. వీరు చాలా సహనంగా ఉంటారు. పట్టుదల ఎక్కువ. వీరి పనితీరు నెమ్మదిగా అనిపించినా కష్టపడే తత్వం వీరి స్వంతం. ఏ బంధంలోనైనా వంద శాతం ఇస్తారు. నమ్మకస్తులు ఎవరైనా ఈ వ్యక్తులపై పూర్తి భరోసా పెట్టవచ్చు. వీరిని ఫ్రెండ్ గా పొందని వారు అదృష్టవంతులనే చెప్పాలి.

ఆపిల్ : ఆపిల్ అంటే చాలా ఇష్టమని అన్నారనుకోండి... వాళ్ళు ది బెస్ట్ టీం లీడర్స్ అని అర్థం చేసుకోవాలి. అంటే ముందుండి ఓ టీంని నడిపించే నాయకత్వ లక్షణాలు వీరి స్వంతం. ఉన్నదున్నట్టు ఎదుట వ్యక్తి మొహంపై చెప్పేస్తారు. కాస్త పోగరుబోతుల్లా కనిపిస్తారు. కాని వీరి స్వబావం అది కాదు నిజానికి. కాని మాట కాస్త కరుకుగా ఉంటుంది. వీరిలో నాయకత్వ లక్షణాలుంటాయి కానీ, వీరి లైఫ్ ను వీరే సరిగ్గా, సమర్థవంతంగా నిర్వహించుకోవటంలో కంగారు పడతారు.

మామిడి : మామిడి పండును ఇష్టపడే వ్యక్తుల స్వభావం చాలా స్పష్టంగా ఉంటుంది. వీరి ఆలోచనలలో చాలా క్లారిటి వుంటుంది. వీరిని, వీరి ఆలోచనలని, పద్దతులని ప్రభావితం చేయటం అంత సులువు కాదు. వీరి ఇష్టాయిష్టాలు కూడా చాలా బలంగా ఉంటాయి. వీరి జీవితం ఎంతో చక్కగా సాగిపోతుంది. అయితే నచ్చిన వారి దగ్గర పిల్లల్లా మారిపోతారు.. అల్లరి చేసి ఆనందిస్తారు.

బొప్పాయి : ఈ పండును ఇష్టపడే వ్యక్తులు మన స్నేహితులయితే చాలు. మన పెదవులపై చిరునవ్వు ఎప్పుడూ విరుస్తునే వుంటుంది. మంచి హాస్య స్వభావులు నవ్వుతూ, నవ్విస్తూ ఉంటారు. ఇతరులతో ఎంతో దయగా ఉంటారు. కొత్త వ్యక్తులతో ఇట్టే కలిసిపోగలరు. సఖులూ.

ఫైనాఫిల్, అనాస : వీళ్ళు ఏ పని చేయాలన్నా నిర్ణయం తీసుకుంటే చాలు... వెంటనే మొదలు పెట్టేస్తారు. ధైర్యం ఎక్కువ తనపై తనకుండే నమ్మకమే అందుకు కారణం. వీరికి దేనినైనా సాధించటం ఎంతో తేలిక. అయినా వ్యక్తిగతంగా వీరు ఎవరితోనూ తొందరగా కలవలేరు. కాని ఒకసారి స్నేహితులయితే ఎంతో విలువనిస్తారు ఆ బంధానికి ... కాని వీరిలో బంధంలో ఉండేవారు ఒక్కటి అర్థం చేసుకోవాలి. వీరికి మనసులోని అభిమానాన్ని బయటకి చూపించటం రాదు.

నల్ల ద్రాక్ష : వీళ్ళు మృదు స్వభావులు, కాని ముక్కుపై కోపం వుంటుంది. ఎంత తొందరగా కోపం వస్తే, అంత త్వరగా చల్లారిపోతారు. వీరితో ఉండటానికి ఎవరైనా ఇష్టపడతారు. వీరికి జీవితాన్ని ఎంత అందంగా, ఆనందంగా ఉంచుకోవాలో బాగా తెలుసు. ప్రతీ క్షణాన్ని ఆనందంగా గడపడానికి ఇష్టపడతారు.

సీతాఫలం : వీళ్ళు చాలా లక్ష్యాలు కలిగి ఉంటారు. చాలా తెలివైన వారు. విజయాల కోసం కష్టపడతారు. అయితే ఎదుటి వ్యక్తుల లోని లోపాలని ఇట్టే పసిగడతారు. దాంతో వీరికి శత్రువులు కూడా ఎక్కువే. వీరు అభిమానాన్ని పైకి చూపరు. ఎదుటివారు అర్థం చేసుకోవాలి.

అరటి పండు : వీళ్ళు ఎదుటివారిపై ఎంతో ఇష్టాన్ని చూపిస్తారు. అందరితో ఎంతో మంచిగా ఉంటారు. మంచి సంబంధ బాంధవ్యాలను కలిగి ఉంటారు. అయితే తమ విషయానికి వచ్చేసరికి వారిపై వారికీ నమ్మకం తక్కువ. పక్కవారి తోడుకోసం చూస్తుంటారు. స్వభావసిద్ధంగా వీరు విజయాలకంటే వ్యక్తులకే ఎక్కువ ప్రాధాన్యతనిస్తారు.

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ఉద్యోగం చేసే చోట ఉద్యోగస్తుల్లా మెలగాలి కాని ఆడపిల్లల్లా కాదు అంటున్నారు నిపుణులు. అంటే సున్నితత్వం, లాలిత్వం ఆడవారి నైజం అయినా ఉద్యోగస్తులుగా ఉన్నప్పుడు వాటిని దూరంగా పెట్టడమే మంచిదట. అలాగే మేం ఆడవాళ్ళం అని గుర్తుచేసేలా కొన్ని పనులు అలవాటుగా చేసేస్తుంటారు కొందరు. వాటికి దూరంగా ఉండటం కూడా ఎంతో అవసరం అంటున్నారు నిపుణులు. ఆ అలవాటుల్లో ముందుగా చెప్పుకోవాల్సింది. వంటలని పంచిపెట్టడం. ఏ కొత్త స్వీటో చేసినపుడు, ఏ కొత్త వంటకాన్నో తయారు చేసినపుడు స్నేహితులకి రుచి చూపించటం తప్పు కాకపోయినా, ఆఫీసులోని కొలిగ్స్ కి కూడా ఆ రుచులను పంచాలనుకోవటం కరెక్ట్ కాదట. పూర్తి ప్రొఫెషనల్ రిలేషన్ మెయింటేన్ చేయాలంటే అలా వంటల రుచులు చూపించకపోవటమే మొదటి సూత్రం.

మన శారీరక కదలికలు, నుంచోవటం, నవ్వటం, నడవటం ఇవన్నీ మన ఆత్మవిశ్వాసాన్ని బహిర్గత పరిచేలా వుండాలి. అలా కాక నలుగురు ఉన్నచోట సర్దుకుపోవాలని ఆలోచించినపుడు మన బాడీ లాంగ్వేజ్ కూడా ఆ ఆలోచనలకి తగ్గట్టే ఉంటుంది. ఇది మిమ్మల్ని మీపై అధికారులు అంచనా వేసేటపుడు తప్పుడు సంకేతాలు అందిస్తుంది. సర్దుకుపోవటమనేది మీ ఆప్షన్ గా ఉండలే గాని, ప్రతీ విషయంలో అదే పరిష్కారం కాకుడది గుర్తుంచుకోవాలి అంటున్నారు నిపుణులు.

"లీడర్"కి ఉండాల్సిన మొదటి లక్ష్యం ఇతరులతో సమర్థవంతంగా పనిచేయించగలగటం... అన్నీ తన బాధ్యత అనుకుంటూ ఎన్నో పనులని పైన వేసుకొని ఉక్కిరి బిక్కిరి అయిపోతుంటారు. చాలా మంది తాము లేకపోతే ఆర్గనైజేషన్ నడవదన్నట్టు మాట్లాడుతుంటారు మరికొందరు. అయితే తన పని తాను చేస్తూనే, తన కిందివారు కూడా తమ పనులని సమర్థవంతంగా చేసేలా చేయటం నాయకత్వ లక్షణమని గుర్తించి అలా నడుచుకోగలిగితే తప్పకుండా ఓ మంచి లీడర్ అనిపించుకుంటారట ఆడవారు. అలాగే ఆర్డర్ చేయాల్సిన చోట రిక్వెస్టింగ్ గా చెప్పటం కూడా మిమ్మల్ని ఎదుటవారు తక్కువ అంచనా వేసేందుకు కారణమవుతుంది కాబట్టి ఇతరులతో వ్యవహరించేటపుడు స్పష్టమైన వైఖరి అవసరం అంటున్నారు నిపుణులు.

ఇతరులతో మాట్లాడేటపుడు తలవంచుకోవటం, అటు ఇటు చూడటం కాకుండా... ఎదుటి వ్యక్తితో నేరుగా చూస్తూ మాట్లాడటం మంచి పద్ధతట. అలాగే ఆఫీసు వాతావరణంలో నవ్వుల్ని ఆచితూచి వాడలట. సరదా అంటూ అతి చనువుని ప్రదర్శించే వారిని ముందే కట్టడి చేయాలట. ఆఫీసులో వారు మిమ్మల్ని ఏ విధంగా గుర్తించాలని మీరు కోరుకుంటున్నారు అన్నీ విషయాలపై మీకు ముందే అభిప్రాయం ఉండాలి. అప్పుడే మీరు అందుకు తగ్గట్టు ప్రవర్తించటం సులభమవుతుంది అంటున్నారు నిపుణులు.

ఉద్యోగ బాధ్యతల్లో భాగంగా పురుషులతో కరచాలనం చేయాల్సి వచ్చినపుడు చాలా మంది ఇబ్బంది పడతారు. మొహమాటంగా అందీ అందనట్టు చేయి ముందుకు చాపటం మనలోని ఆత్మవిశ్వాసరాహిత్యాన్ని సూచిస్తుందట. అందుకే కరచాలనం చేయాల్సి వచ్చినపుడు ఆత్మవిశ్వాసంతో నిటారుగా నిలబడి, ఎదుట వ్యక్తిని చూస్తూ చేయి కలపాలి. మన మాటలు కూడా సూటిగా, స్పష్టంగా క్లుప్తంగా ఉండేలా చూసుకోవాలి. అనవసర గాసిప్స్ కి దూరంగా ఉండాలి. ఇవన్నీ మన ఉద్యోగ బాధ్యతల్ని మనం సమర్థవంతంగా నిర్వర్తించటానికి సహాయపడే అంశాలు.

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అందమైన చేతి సంచులు

స్ట్రింగ్ డ్ పౌచ్.. లేటెస్ట గా పార్టీలలో మనందరికి కనిపిస్తూ మురిపిస్తున్న ఈ పొట్లి బ్యాగ్ ని అచ్చ తెలుగులో చెప్పాలంటే చేతి సంచి అనవచ్చు. పూర్వం మన అమ్మమ్మ,నాయనమ్మ వాడిన చేతి సంచికే కాస్త అలకారం చేస్తే ఇలా స్టైలిష్ స్ట్రింగ్ డ్ పర్స్ గా మారిపోయింది.

ఇవి ఇప్పుడు నెట్టెడ్ , వెల్వెట్ లాంటి  ఫ్యాబ్రిక్ లతోపాటు పాలిసిల్క్ అలాగే  రకరకాల కాటన్ ప్రింట్లతో పాటు సింపుల్ గ కూడా దొరుకుతున్నాయి.ఫోన్, మని, క్రెడిట్ , కార్డులు ఇందులో చక్కగా సరిపోతాయి.వీటిని అంతర్జాతీయ ఫ్యాషన్ డిజైనర్లు ,'బటువా' పర్సులని పిలుస్తారు , మరీ ఇలాంటి 'బటువా' లు మీ దగ్గర వున్నాయా . లేకపోతె వెంటనే షాపింగ్ చెయ్యండి . ఈ సారి పార్టీలో  మీ పౌచ్ తో   మెస్మరైజ్ చేయండి అందర్ని...

లైఫ్ బ్యూటిఫుల్ గా, జాయ్ ఫుల్ గా కనిపించాలన్నా లైఫ్ అంటే బోల్డంత ఇష్టం రావాలన్నా, ప్రాబ్లం ఎదురవగానే భయపడకుండా ధైర్యంగా పేస్ చేయాలన్నా న్యాయంగా ఆలోచించాలన్నా, నిర్ణయం తీసుకోవాలన్నా మంచి లైఫ్ స్టైల్ కావాలన్నా.... చివరికి హెల్తీగా ఉండాలన్నా... అన్నిటికి ఒకటే సీక్రెట్ ... "బుక్ రీడింగ్" అని చెబుతున్నారు.

బుక్ రీడింగ్ ఉపయోగాల గురించి అందరికి తెలిసిందే. అయితే మనకీ తెల్సిన ఉపయోగాలు కాకుండా ఇంకా ఎన్నో ఉపయోగాలు ఈ బుక్ రీడింగ్ హాబిట్ వల్ల కలుగుతాయని నిరూపించారు న్యూరాలజీ డాక్టర్ మార్గరేట్ బ్లేకర్. షార్ప్ బ్రెయిన్ కావాలంటే బుక్స్ చదవటం అలవాటు చేసుకోండి అంటున్నారీ డాక్టర్.

బుక్స్ చదివే అలవాటు ఉన్నవారిలో కాన్సెంట్రేషన్, సూపర్ మెమోరీ, రీసనింగ్, డెసిషన్ మేకింగ్ మాములు వ్యక్తుల కన్నా ఎక్కువగా ఎక్కువగా వుంటాయని డాక్టర్ మార్గరేట్ పరిశోధనలో తేలిందట. అలాగే రిలేషన్స్ ని పర్ఫెక్ట్ గా మెయింటైన్ చేయటానికి, ఎమోషనల్ బాలన్స్ కి కూడా బుక్ రీడింగ్ హెల్ప్ చేస్తుంది అంటున్నారు.

మెదడుకి దెబ్బ తగిలిన వ్యక్తులని కేవలం బుక్ రీడింగ్ తో హెల్తీ గా మార్చి చూపించారు డాక్టర్ మార్గరేట్ బ్లేకర్. అందుకే బ్రెయిన్ పవర్ పెరగాలంటే బుక్ రీడింగ్ కు మించిన ఆప్షన్ లేదని గట్టిగా చెబుతున్నారు. ఈయన అందమైన జీవితం కోసం హెల్తీ హాబిట్ బుక్ రీడింగ్.

-రమ

Re using and re cycling are the best ways for us to have a positive impact on the world in which we live. It is extremely important to both the natural environment and us. We must act fast as the amount of waste we create is increasing all the time.

SIMPLE THINGS, GREAT USES

There was a time when “waste not want not” was an adage followed and passed on to the next generation by the elders of the house. Proper disposal of unwanted things, re using, re cycling were taken care of easily and were never considered an effort. Today though the concept of “use and throw” rules the world, it comes with a very heavy price tag. Toxic wastes choking up the water bodies, no place in landfills, Acid rain, and the list is endless. So it now seems that in these modern times it has become all the more important that we learn to re- use and re- cycle innovatively and all by ourselves. Here, in this series, you will find that you can solve many a day to day problem quite easily, all by yourself with minimum effort and at the same time make re use and recycling a part of your daily routine. Ordinary household items lying around the house can sometimes help you save a great deal of time and money, and of course, the satisfaction of having achieved a purpose, is an added bonus. Do share your own ideas with us. We look forward your creative tips and suggestions, in addition to the ones mentioned here.
 

Aluminium Foil :

1. Prevent the edges of homemade pies from burning and getting overdone by covering them with strips of aluminium foil. Remember to take them off near the end of baking to crisp up the edges.

2. Keep your oven and pans clean by lining them with sheets of aluminium foil to catch those messy drips from gravies, cheese, tomatoes etc.

3. Sharpen your scissors: used aluminium foil can be great for sharpening scissors. Fold a used sheet before you throw it away, into several layers ( seven or eight times is good enough) and start cutting.

4. Polish your dull and tarnished silverware easily by lining a bowl with aluminium foil. Fill the bowl with cold water, add two teaspoons of salt and leave your dull silverware in this solution for five minutes. Rinse off and pat dry with a soft cloth.

5. For long term storage of clean silverware wrap each individual piece tightly in a plastic or cellophane paper and cover it with aluminium foil. This prevents tarnishing.

6. Aluminium foil can save the day if you suddenly need a funnel, a piping bag , a palette for your child’s painting project, a protective layer on your spectacles arms if you have used henna or hair dye and want to sit down to read for some time.
 

Apples :

1. Apples produce ethylene gas, a natural ripening agent, and can be affectively used to ripen raw vegetables and fruits like green tomatoes etc. Keep a ripe apple in a paper bag with green tomatoes or any other raw fruit or vegetables that might need to ripen, for a day or two.

2. Brown sugar often hardens into a lump when exposed to humidity. Solve this problem place a piece of apple in a zip pouch along with hardened sugar, Seal it tightly and leave it in a day place for a day or two. Sugar will soon be soft enough as before.

3. Absorb extra salt in soups, gravies etc. Apples, just like potatoes can absorb that extra bit of accidently added salt in your gravies and other dishes. Remember to cook the dish for a few minutes with a wedge of apple in it.

4. Running short of flowers and decorative centre pieces just when the guests are about to come? Core two apples, place candles in the centre and add a few fresh leaves around the arrangement for an impressive center piece on your dining table.

Check out this space for more unique tips.
 

- Veena Shyam Raja

Marriage is the most memorable part in ones life. Every person will dream big of their marriage. As the wedding bells are going to ring in a month, all the brides will start their preparations like saree selections, Mehandi, jewelery etc..we are here to help you out with our latest bridal fashions from clothing to jewelery.

Blouses: Fancy sarees have become part of marriages along with silk these days. An exactly designed blouse will give the saree a posh look. Blouses made with pression, semi pression stones, thread, jardosi, kundan gota and sequence will make the bride look more attractive. though the saree is cheap, the work done for blouse will give extra richness and looks eye catchy.

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If you want to place an order for the trendy blouses, Click here

The most precious item for a bride during marriage is Jewelery. If a bride can manage to wear jewels suitable to her saree, she looks extremely gorgeous. She is the only center of attraction through out the ceremony. After selecting the saree, jewelery is the most important thing that brides need to take care of. Many collections, many designs but selection matters a lot. Simple and trendy designs look better than heavy weighted ornaments these days.

Here are few designs from which you can choose the simple and best one

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If you want to place an order for the Wedding Jewellery collections, Click here

Bridal dress is the very first thing that can create very beautiful bridal look in the wedding ceremony. Everyone in the ceremony is trying to know the dress style and the designs of your Bridal Sarees that what type of Bridal Saree you are going to wear on your wedding day.

So if you are looking to have a very good-looking saree for yourself that can make your personality more impressive let’s have a look on the following saree designs which have become the trend of the current fashion industry.

If you want to place an order for the Indian Wedding Sarees,  Click here

మన సామర్థ్యాలని ఉపయోగించుకుని అందుకు తగ్గ అవకాశాలని మనం పొందలేకపోవటానికి నిజానికి మన భయాలే కారణం. కొత్తగా ఏదన్నా చేయాలంటే భయం ఓడిపోతామనో, అందరూ ఏమనుకుంటారనో, చేయగలమో లేదో అనో ఇలా రకరకాల భయాలు పట్టి వెనక్కి లాగుతుంటాయి. కానీ మనసులో మాత్రం నా శక్తి సామర్థ్యాలకు తగ్గ ప్రతిఫలం, గుర్తింపు నాకు దక్కటం లేదు. నేను ఇంకా చేయగలను. అవకాశం వస్తే అని మదన పడుతుంటాం. ఇక్కడ ఓ విషయం గుర్తించాలి. అవకాశాలు ఎక్కడి నుంచో రావు, అవి మనం సృష్టించుకోవాలి. అలాగే మనకి ఎదురొచ్చే అవకాశాలని గుర్తించాలి. అందుకు ఒక్కటే సూత్రం. "మార్పు".

"మార్పుకి సిద్ధంగా ఉండాలి"

Bangles (aka churi or Choodi) are traditional ornaments worn mostly by South Asian. It is tradition that the bride will try to wear as many small glass bangles as possible at her wedding.

The designs range from simple to intricate handmade designs, often studded with precious and semi-precious stones such as diamonds, gems and pearls. Mostly for weddings, brides are recomended to wear heavy bangles so that they give full ness to the hand. a sparkling hand with colourful bangles look beautiful and more beautiful when they are photographed.

If you want to place an order for the Indian Bridal Bangles, Click here

Nirmala Sitharaman - Andhra’s Daughter in Law 

Nirmala Sitharaman  (55) has joined the BJP led Narendra Modi’s cabinet as   Minister of State for Ministry of Commerce & Industry, as well as a Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs  will be elected to the Rajya Sabha from the State of Andhra Pradesh .  Presenting a brief profile about this gentle spokesperson of the BJP who rose in ranks in a very short time to become a Union Minister.

• Born in August 18, 1959 in Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, she is married to Dr Parakala Prabhakar a Congress party loyalist and a Media and Communication expert  from Hyderabad . Dr Prabahakar  has a PhD from the London School of Economics .They both met In JNU , New Delhi where Nirmala Sitharaman completed her MA in Economics and partly completed her PHD there.

• She moved to London after her marriage to Dr P Prabhakar where he completed his PhD and she worked with Price Water House Coopers and the BBC World Service as a Manager. She moved back to Andhra Pradesh had a daughter in Chennai and lived in Hyderabad.
• She was an educationist and was also one of the founding members  of a school called Pranava the School  and ICSE /SSC school based in Hyderabad.This school was formed as Trust by her Husbad and few other members to help underprivileged children

• She is also a former member (and one of the youngest )of National Commission for Women where she was associated with Sushma Swaraj in many developmental activities.
• She joined the BJP in 2006 even though her husband was part of the Chiranjeevi led Praja Rajyam Party and who later became a Congress Loyalist after his fall out with the PRP ideology.
• She is an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna and is fond of listening to Songs on Lord Krishna and Classical Music.

She believes that family support is much needed to balance work and life.and when asked what would be her advice be to other women   she quoted “ Always choose the middle path and try to maintain equanimity. In other words, never go to any extreme - don't be too suppliant because you will lose your dignity nor be too overconfident and aggressive or you will eventually lose your ground. Remain balanced. That way you can never fall too far.”

Sumithra Mahajan - 2nd Woman Lok Sabha Speaker

Senior BJP leader Sumitra Mahajan has the distinction of becoming the 2nd Woman Speaker of the Lok Sabha after Meira Kumar.She was unanimously elected as the Speaker of the 16th Lok Sabha. Presenting a brief fact file about the 8 time winner of the Parliamentary elections .

1.   Sumitra Mahajan was born on 12th April 1943 to Usha and Purushotam Sathe in Chiplun, Maharashtra.

2.  She  is a graduate of law (LLB) and has studied Master of Arts (MA) at Indore University.

3.  She  began her political career at the age of 39  as a Corporator in the Indore Municipal Corporation, Indore in 1982. She later became Deputy Mayor, Indore in 1984.

 4. An advocate by profession , she has been a member and headed various commissions for women empowerment , social justice , Rural development etc.

5. Her husband Late Jayant Mahajan was also an advocate and they have two sons.One of her sons Capt. Mandar Mahajan is a pilot and also active in local Indore politics.

6. She is fondly know as Tai and has always been vociferous towards the causes of women welfare and development.

 7.  Sumitra Mahajan has never lost a Lok Sabha election since she was elected from Indore in 1989. In the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections she won by a margin of 4.67 lakh votes; highest in Madhya Pradesh.

8.  Sumitra Mahajan is the longest-serving woman member in Parliament, winning the Lok Sabha elections for the record eighth time (1989, 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2004, 2009, and 2014).

9.  Sumitra Mahajan is known for her simplistic and honest approach in her political endeavours.  Sumitra boasts of a clean track record and has successfully managed to keep herself away from politically motivated vested groups.

10. Sumitra Mahajan has been a cabinet minister in the past. From 2002 to 2004, Sumitra held various portfolios such as Human Resources, Communications and Petroleum.

For Daddy’s Little Girl...

If you are dreaming of looking the best on your wedding day then wake up and start up a good pre bridal skin care routine well before two months of your big day. use some skin care tips that would help you to enhance your skin beauty and would make you the flawless, beautiful woman on your wedding day. using packs and naturals from 2 months before your wedding instead of just making up yourself on your wedding day. here are few cosmetics that can help you out to look better than what you are.

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If you want to place an order for the Bridal beauty care solutions, Click here

ఇంట్లో పనంతా చేసుకుని, పొద్దున్నే ఇల్లు వదిలి ఆఫీసులకు పరుగెడతారు ఉద్యో గినులు. మళ్లీ ఎప్పటికో ఇంటికి చేరతారు. ఈ మధ్యలో విశ్రాంతి తీసుకునే సమయం ఉండదు. ఒకవేళ ఉన్నా, ఎక్కడ విశ్రాంతి తీసుకోవాలో తెలియదు. అలాంటి వారి కోసమే ‘కాస్కా స్లీపింగ్ కేఫ్’ని ప్రారంభించారు టోక్యోలో.

అలసిపోయి కాసేపు ప్రశాంతంగా నిద్రపోవాలనుకునేవాళ్లు ఇక్కడికి వెళ్లవచ్చు. చక్కని గదిలో, మెత్తటి పరుపు మీద హాయిగా కునుకు తీయవచ్చు. పది నిమిషాల నిద్రకు 1.60 యెన్‌లు వసూలు చేస్తారు. తీరికను బట్టి గంట నుంచి ఎన్ని గంటలవరకైనా బుక్ చేసుకోవచ్చు. సమయాన్ని బట్టి చార్జ్ వసూలు చేస్తారు. కానీ ఇది ఆడవాళ్లకు మాత్రమే. ఆఫీసయ్యాక ఇళ్లకెళ్లి కూడా వాళ్లు పని చేసుకోవాలి, విశ్రాంతి తీసుకోవడానికి కుదరదు కాబట్టి ఈ ఏర్పాటు చేశారు. భలే ఐడియా!

indian weddings are bright events, engaging with rituals and celebrations,that continues for several days. these are not small affairs. for a bride, along with jewellery, accessories used are one of the most important elements. bridal accessories are important piece of art in any indian women's life. weather it is a necklace set, pendant set, bangles, rings, bracelets, earrings etc.. Adding accessories to the bridal dress takes some planning and careful matching. Here are some some to help you plan the best accessory matches.check it out.

The tradition of 'return gifts' playing a key role in ones marriage. No wedding is complete without a return gift. People who take with them valuable gifts in wedding ceremonies, engagements, birthdays and such other parties expect to receive some gift in return. People usually prefer plastic and tupper ware boxes. apart from them huge varieties of gifts available in the markets under reasonable prices. Let us now check out the items.

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If you want to place an order for the Indian Wedding Return Gifts, Click here

ఆడవాళ్ళ ఒంటరి ప్రయాణంలో తీసుకోవల్సిన జాగ్రత్తలు :

1. మీ వస్త్రధారణ :

మొట్టమొదట మీ వస్త్రధారణ బట్టి అందరి దృష్టి ఆధారపడి ఉంటుంది. బిగుతైన దుస్తులు మరియు పొట్టి స్కర్టులు ధరించటం మానేయండి. వీటిని ధరించటం వలన ఇతరుల అనవసరమైన శ్రద్ధను ఆకర్షిస్తారు. మీరు జీన్స్ మరియు కుర్తాను షాల్ తో ధరించవొచ్చు.

2. మీ వస్తువుల మీద ధ్యాస:

మీరు మీ వొస్తువులను దగ్గరగా ఉంచుకోండి. మీ కనుసన్నలలోనే మీ లగేజ్ ఉంచుకోండి. ఎప్పుడు వాటిమీద ఒక చూపు ఉంచండి. ఇది భారతదేశం. మీకు నమస్కారం చెపుతూనే వస్తువులను మాయం చేస్తారు.

3. ఎవరి వద్దనుండి ఏమి తీసుకోవొద్దు:

అపరిచితుల వద్ద నుండి ఏమి అంగీకరించకండి. ఒకవేళ ఎవరైనా బిస్కట్స్ లేదా పండ్లు కాని ఇస్తే, మర్యాదగా తిరస్కరించండి.

4. మీ డబ్బు పర్స్ జాగ్రత్త :

మీరు మీ పర్స్ ను ఎప్పుడు దగ్గరే ఉంచుకోండి. డబ్బును ఒక స్థలంలోనే కాకుండా దానిని భాగాలుగా మీ బ్యాగ్ సైడ్ పాకెట్ లలో మరియు కొంత మీ వెనుక జేబులో కాని ఉంచండి. ఒకవేళ దురదృష్టవశాత్తు ఏదైనా జరిగితే, పరిస్థితిని బట్టి డబ్బు కొంత మీ దగ్గర కాపాడబడుతుంది.

5. అపరిచితులతో మాటలలో మునిగిపోవొద్దు:

మీరు అందరితో కలిసిమెలిసి ఉండటం ఇష్టపడతారు. అవును, మేం అర్థం చేసుకోగలం. కాని మీరు ఒంటరిగా ప్రయాణం చేస్తున్నప్పుడు మాత్రం అలా ఉండకండి. ఎవరితోనూ సంభాషణలోకి దిగవొద్దు. ఒకవేళ ఎవరైనా మీతో మాటలు కలిపి సంభాషణను పొడిగిస్తే, మీరు కనీస సంభాషణ జరపండి మరియు మీ వ్యక్తిగత వివరాలను తెలియనీయవొద్దు.

6. ఒంటరిగా ఉండవద్దు:

మీరు రైలులో కాని లేదా బస్సులో కాని ఒక పురుషుడితో ఉన్నట్లుగా అనిపిస్తే, వెంటనే ఎక్కడ ఆడవారు ఉన్నారో ఆ ప్రాంతానికి వెళ్ళండి. ఒకవేళ మీకు, మీ తరువాత కూర్చున్న మనిషితో అసౌకర్యంగా అనిపిస్తే, వేరే సీట్ కోసం అభ్యర్థించి మారండి లేదా ఇతర ప్రయాణీకుల సంభాషణలలో పాల్గొనండి.

7. నమ్మకంగా ఉండండి:

మీరు ఏదైన ప్రదేశాలకు కొత్తగా..మొదటి సారి వెళుతున్నప్పుడు విశ్వసనీయంగా ఉండి. బిత్తర చూపులు చూస్తుంటే ఇతరులకు మీరు కొత్త అని తెలుసుకొని మీకు ఇబ్బంది కలిగించవచ్చు. కాబట్టి మీకు ఆ ప్రదేశం కొత్తైన సరే మీకు అన్ని తెలిసినట్లు ప్రవర్థించాలి.

8. ప్రయాణం తేలికగా చేయండి:

లగేజ్ ఎక్కువగా తీసుకెళ్లవద్దు. మీరు ఒంటరిగా వీటినన్నిటిని చూసుకోవలసి ఉంటుంది. అందువలన ఒక బాక్ పాక్ మరియు ఒక ట్రాలీ బ్యాగ్ తో ప్రయాణాన్ని తేలికగా చేయండి. ఎక్కువ మొత్తంలో డబ్బు మరియు నగలు కాని తీసుకెళ్లవొద్దు.

తనకు కాబోయే భర్త అలా ఉండాలి, ఇలా ఉండాలి అంటూ ఏవేవో కలలు కంటుంటారు. మరి నేటి అమ్మాయిలు వారికి కాబోయే మొగుడికి ఎలాంటి లక్షణాలు ఉండాలని కోరుకుంటున్నారో తెలుసుకుందామా...!

ప్రతి అమ్మాయి తన జీవిత భాగస్వామి అందంగా ఉండాలని కలలు కంటూ ఉంటుంది. అందంతోపాటు అతని చదువు, ఆదాయం, వ్యక్తిగత గుణాలు, మంచి అలవాట్లు కలిగిన వాడైతేనే ఇష్టపడుతున్నారు నేటి అమ్మాయిలు.

చాలా మంది అమ్మాయిలు తనకు కాబోయే భర్త తనకన్నా గొప్పగా చదివి వుండాలి, మంచి తెలివిపరుడై ఉండాలి. అందరికన్నా యోగ్యుడై ఉండాలని కోరుకుంటున్నారు. కనీస్ ధైర్యం అయిన ఉండాలి. తన భర్త పక్కనుంటే కొండత ధైర్యంగా ఉంటుందని భార్య అనుకునే వారినే నేటికాలం అమ్మాయిలు కోరుకుంటున్నారు.

తల్లిదండ్రుల ఆదాయంపై లేదా భార్య తెచ్చే ఆదాయంపై ఆధారపడి జీవించే అబ్బాయిలంటే అమ్మాయిలు మొహం చాటేస్తున్నారు. సొంతగా సంపాదించే అబ్బాయిలనే తమ జీవిత భాగస్వామిగా కోరుకుంటున్నారు అమ్మాయిలు.

మంచి లక్షణాలు, బాగా డబ్బున్నవారంటేనే ఇష్టపడుతున్నారు. తమ ఆలోచనలను పదిమందితో పంచుకునేవాడు, పదిమందికి ఆదర్శప్రాయుడై ఉండేవాడు,అలాగే అమ్మాయిల ఆలోచనలను గౌరవించేవారంటే మరీ ఇష్టపడుతుంటారు.

భర్తగానే కాకుండా తనకు మంచి మిత్రునిగా కూడా ఉండాలని... సుఖ దుఃఖాలలో, కష్టనష్టాలలో, సంతోషంలో తనతో పాలుపంచుకునే వాడినే తన జీవిత భాగస్వామిగా కోరుకుంటున్నారు నేటి అమ్మాయిలు.

తనంటే ప్రేమ, గౌరవం, అభిమానం పంచేవాడైతేనే అమ్మాయిలు ఇష్టపడుతున్నారు. తనని విడిచిపెట్టి విదేశాలలో ఉద్యోగాలు చేసే భర్తలను నేటి అమ్మాయిలు ఇష్టపడట్లేదు. చిన్న ఉద్యోగం చేసిన కూడా, తన కళ్ళముందే ఉంటూ, సంతోషంగా చూసుకునే అబ్బాయిలంటే ఇష్టపడుతున్నారు నేటి అమ్మాయిలు.

In the modern age and even due to limited supply of Indian Traditional Mehndi artists, usually people buy ready-made Henna cones, which are ready to use and make painting easy.

Whether used for outlining or by itself, mehendi designs beautifully imbibe the traditional with the modern, thus being trendy and classy all at the same time. It create an appealing and traditional yet modern design. Usually for weddings, design from finger tips to elbow will give fullness to hands and looks attractive. Here are few designs. Have a glance.

A return gift is something that remembers the event or a person. whatever the gigt might be, packing it beautifully matters a lot. when they see the pack, one should be eager to know what existed inside.

Gift bags have become very trendy and they're very easy to use! You can find designer bags, but you can also find inexpensive bags at warehouse. For the finishing touches, buy prepared bows and ribbons already curled. Use colored tissue paper to cover the gifts. here are few examples which can pep your ideas.

Palak Muchhal (born 30 March 1992) is a singer from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India. She and her younger brother Palaash Muchhal perform stage shows across India and abroad to raise funds for poor children who need financial assistance for the medical treatment of heart disease. As of May 2013 she has raised funds of 25 million through her charity shows which has helped to save lives of 572 children suffering from heart ailments. Muchhal has made her entry in both Guinness Book of World Records and Limca Book of World Records for great achievements in social work. Her work is also recognised by the Government of India and other public institutions through various awards and honours. Muchhal also gives her voice as Bollywood Playback singer. She was noted for her songs in Ek Tha Tiger (2012) , Aashiqui 2 (2013), Zanjeer (2013) movies.

Her decision to use her voice to help others was triggered when she saw poor children using their clothes to clean train compartments. Around the same time, teachers at Nidhi Vinay Mandir, an Indore based school, approached Muchhal and her parents with a request for a charity show to raise funds for their pupil, Lokesh, who was suffering from a congenital heart defect. His father was poor footwear shop-owner, earning 50 a day and was unable to bear the 80,000 cost of heart surgery. Muchhal and her parents agreed to arrange a show and in March 2000, she used a street vendor's cart as a stage for the event and collected 51,000 towards the cost of surgery. The attendant publicity prompted renowned Bangalore-based cardiologist, Devi Prasad Shetty, to operate on Lokesh free of charge. Muchhal's parents gave advertisement in local newspapers so that idle funds can be used for heart surgery of some needy child like Lokesh. The outcome of this was a list of 33 children in need of heart surgery.

In 2001 Muchhal raised around 1 million rupees for the victims of 2001 Gujarat Earthquake. In July 2003 Muchhal offered financial assistance through her charity funds to parents of 2-year old Pakistani girl who had hole in the heart. Muchhal's charity organisation is named as 'Palak Muchhal Heart Foundation'. By March 2006 this foundation had financially assisted 200 children to undergo heart surgery. By the end of the year 2006 Muchhal had raised 1.2 crore (equivalent to 2.5 crore or US$400,000 in 2013) for this foundation which were used to save lives of 234 children. To ensure that operations of children do not stop due to lack of money, Bhandari Hospital in Indore has allowed an overdraft of up to one million rupees to Palak Muchhal Heart Foundation. In 2006 Muchhal was one of the five heroic stories broadcast by Star Gold channel as part of its "Rang De Basanti Salaam" initiative. By June 2009 Muchhal had staged 1,460 charity shows across the world which had raised 1.71 crore (equivalent to 3.6 crore or US$570,000 in 2013) for Palak Muchhal Heart Foundation. These funds helped to save lives of 338 kids.

Doctors allow Muchhal to be present in the operating theatre. She has her own surgical gown in the hospital and when the operation takes place she chants from the Bhagavad Gita. Muchhal and her parents do not receive any financial benefits from the charity shows but she receives a doll for every child whose life she helps make better through her efforts.

Newspaper is great for making paper beads.

On it’s own, you can make nice black and off-white beads. (I say off-white because the white is never truly bright white in a newspaper.)

However, what if you want to have something a little more exciting? If you want to add custom color to your newspaper beads, you can easily color newspaper with water color paints.

To make newspaper beads colored with watercolors, start with a sheet of newspaper. I just cut out a random section. If you newspaper has color photos on it, you will want to avoid those sections because they will change the colors of your final beads. For watercolors, I just used inexpensive watercolor paints that I found at my local craft shop. I decided to use purple and yellow for this project.

Using a large paintbrush, first wet the paper down with water. Then paint one side of the paper with one color and paint the other side with your other color. The more water you add, the more translucent your paint will be. I added more water to the watercolor paints towards the center of the paper and left the edges of the paper darker.

Let your paper dry and then cut into strips for rolling into beads. In the above photo, be sure to cut cut from the top to the bottom so you get both colors in each bead. I use a paper trimmer to do this, buy you can just as easily use scissors. You’ll end up with triangles.

Roll your beads using Mod Podge and then let them dry, and you’re done! Be sure to roll carefully. I find that newspaper can be pretty fragile when I am rolling it. If it tears while rolling, just dab on a little extra glue and re-attach the torn part of the strip and finish rolling.

I really like how the colors came out with these beads.

Once they dry, you may want to seal them again with another layer of Mod Podge or with a water soluble varnish like Polycrylic.

Use your beads for your next beading project! I put my beads on an elastic cord and made a bracelet.

Enjoy!

Picture frames add personalization to photos, paintings and your children's artwork, especially when you make your own. Homemade picture frames make thoughtful gifts for friends or family members, and make your memories even more meaningful and everlasting. You can design your frame in 2D or 3D with materials from a craft store or you can draw on the frame to make your own special design.

Things You'll Need :

1. Pencil.

2. Picture.

3. 2 large poster boards.

4. Ruler.

5. Hobby knife.

6. White glue.

7. Decorative items.

8. Two-sided tape.

Instructions :

1. Place your picture face down in the center of the poster board and trace the outside of the picture with a pencil. Do the same for the second piece of poster board. Leave at least 3 inches around the picture so you have enough room to outline it for the the frame.

2. Measure 2 inches outside the perimeter of the picture outline using a straight ruler and trace those measurements with a pencil on both poster boards.

3. Cut the outer lines on both poster boards using a hobby knife and remove the excess poster board from both.

4. Cut the inner outline on the first poster board and remove the inner piece. You will then have what looks like the outline of a picture frame.

5. Design the picture frame to your liking and allow it to sit and dry for one hour. Decorate your frame with gems or beads; or, if the picture is of someone who enjoys a sport, decorate the frame with their favorite sports team.

6. Turn the picture over and dot each corner with glue to apply the picture to the undesigned second poster board. Align it so the picture fits perfectly in the center of the poster board and let it dry for 30 minutes.

7. Apply the designed frame to the second poster board with glue. Align and secure it so you can view the picture through the front and let it sit to dry for 30 minutes.

8. Attach a piece of two-sided tape to the upper back side of your designed frame to hang it on a wall.

how is the jewel? nice right? then come on why late? let's make it.

Things you'll need.

Combine your salt, flour and water to make dough! TIP: Dissolve the salt in the water first (unless you want cute little salt crystals in your jewels).

Roll out that dough and make these little bead/button things.

Bake your "buttons."

Take them out back and get your spray paint

Let them dry, add string and hit the town in your new fabulous necklace!

Optional: Add pearls.

Create a bouquet of fabric flowers that you don't even need to sew. Follow this tutorial to create the fabric flowers with a glue gun and wooden dowels. Spray paint is optional!

Materials:

1. fabric scraps

2. wooden dowels

3. hot glue gun

4. coordinating felt

5. (optional) spray paint

6. (optional) kitchen sponge

Ingredients:

Pick out the fabric color scheme you want. This project is perfect for all those fabric scraps you've been stashing away, like a pack rat (see you really do need them.)

Purchase round wooden dowels at your local craft store. You can do any size you want but mine were 3/16 in by 12 inches long. They're inexpensive. About $2 for a bag of 16.

Cut strips of fabric approximately 2x16 inches (no rules here, do whatever size you'd like. This is the size I used)

Then, with your fabric strip, wooden dowel, and glue gun....we'll make a flower.

Bunch up the beginning of the flower a bit (this will be the center of the flower). Btw, I'm right-handed and found that it's easiest to hold the flower in my left hand and work the fabric around with my right. If you're a Leftie, do the opposite.

Stick a dab of hot glue right in the center there and glue the end of the dowel to the center of the flower.

Don't worry, the tip of the dowel won't show when you're done (unless you want it to! You can push it out more and add something to the top of it for a cool center.

Then, run a few inches of glue along the next section of the fabric

Like this:

And carefully, scrunch bits of the fabric up and press it together at the bottom of the flower. It's like you're "ruffling" the fabric. Just keep doing this, bit by bit. Glue, gather, stick, etc. Until you've gone all the way around. You may try using the back of a pen to help press the glued fabric down to keep from burning your finger.

And there you go! You should have a pretty blossom like this:

But let's finish off that base....

Cut a small FELT circle (any color you'd like). Doesn't need to be a perfect circle, just eyeball it. Cut a slit in the middle, a la Mrs. Pacman, like this:

Then, glue and wrap the little felt circle around the base of the flower to disguise the messy glue and fabric: 

Wasn't that E-A-S-Y? And really, pretty cute.

Okay, let's try variations...Want to color your stems? Easy again! Grab your favorite spray paint color. Who said stems had to be green? P-sha.

You need to find something to make the dowels stand up while you spray them. Use whatever you have in the house. Nothing fancy. I grabbed a sponge from under the kitchen sink, poked tiny holes in it, and stuck the dowels down in each hole....

Okay, take your dowels to a good/ventilated "painting spot". To contain the paint even more, spray them inside of a box. These bankers boxes have come in more handy for craft projects than for moving.

And start spraying away. Make sure everything gets and even coat. Let them dry.

The tips of the painted dowels will be left unpainted, so use that part of the dowel when you glue it to the center of the flower, so it's hidden:

The orange really adds a splash of color:

To create the "scalloped" look of the two flowers above, fold your fabric strip in half a couple times:

Then cut a wavy pattern or scallops out of the one side:

And glue it around the dowel. You can also trim the edges a bit when you're done to sculpt the flower even more.

More ideas.... Add a center to your flower by bunching up a small scrap of fabric and glueing it right into the center:

Try a bright color at the base of your flower:

and finally...

మాములుగా పడుకునే సమయంలో బెడ్ లాంప్ లాంటివి ఆన్ చేసి పడుకోవడం మనం రోజు చేసే పని. ఒకవేళ మన ఇంట్లో బెడ్ లాంప్ లేకుంటే? లేదంటే మీరు వాడె బెడ్ లాంప్ మీకు నచ్చకపోతే ? షాప్ కి వెళ్లి కొత్త బెడ్ లాంప్ కొని తెచ్చుకుంటారు అంతే కదా! దీనివల్ల డబ్బులు వృధా అయినట్లే.

ఒకవేళ మీ ఇంట్లోని వస్తువులతోనే... మీకు నచ్చినట్లుగా బెడ్ లాంప్ ను డిజైన్ చేసి తయారు చేసుకుంటే ఎలా ఉంటుంది. ఒకసారి ఆలోచించండి !.

మరి ఇంకెందుకు ఆలస్యం ఈ క్రింది విధంగా బెడ్ లాంప్ ను తయారు చేసుకోండి. మరి ఈ బెడ్ లాంప్ ను ఎలా తయారు చేయాలో తెలుసుకుందామా...!

కావలసిన వస్తువులు :

ఒక మీడియం సైజ్ వాటర్ బాటిల్, ప్లాస్టిక్ చెంచాలు (స్పూన్స్), బల్బు, కట్టర్, అంటించడానికి కావలసిన వస్తువు(ఫెవికోల్, హీటర్ లాంటివి).

తయారు చేయు పధ్ధతి :

ముందుగా చెంచాల యొక్క స్టిక్ భాగాన్ని కట్ చేసుకోవాలి. అదే విధంగా బాటిల్ యొక్క కింది భాగాన్ని సమానంగా కట్ చేసుకోవాలి. ఆ తర్వాత ఒక్కొక్క చెంచాను పైన ఫోటోలో చూపించినట్లుగా హీటర్ తో అతికించుకుంటూ డెకరేట్ చేయాలి. ఇలా పూర్తిగా చేసిన తర్వాత పైన బాటిలో యొక్క మూత (క్యాప్) కు రంద్రం చేసి, దాని నుండి వైర్ ను తీసి బల్బును అమర్చుకోవాలి. ఆ తర్వాత ఆ క్యాప్ ను ఆ బాటిల్ కు బిగించేసి.. ఆ బాటిల్ ను మీకు కావలసిన ప్రదేశంలో తగిలించుకొని, బల్బు కు కరెంట్ కనెక్షన్ ఇస్తే బెడ్ లాంప్ వెలుతురుతో అదిరిపోతుంది. మరి ఇంకెందుకు ఆలస్యం మీ గదిలో ఇలాంటి బెడ్ లాంప్ ను మీరే తయారుచేసి పెట్టుకోండి.

Any pet with easy access to the garden will bring plenty of the great outdoors in on its coat and paws. Keeping your dogs and cats clean, and taking preventative measures when you know they have got especially dirty, will reduce the amount of dirt they can bring into your house.

1. Keep a clean rag by the door that your pet uses so that you’ll be more likely to remember to wipe off muddy, wet paws and claws before your beloved animal makes unsightly tracks through the whole house.

2. Once a week, take your dog outside and give its fur a good going-over with the type of brush recommended for its coat. Do this well away from the house, so that the tufts won’t tumble back inside.

3. The miracle way to lift pet hair from furniture and other surfaces is to wipe with a damp sponge or cloth. The hair will gather in clumps, and onto your cloth. An excellent alternative is a lightly-dampened rubber glove, rubbed quickly back and forth. It will pick up bundles of hair. Or you could use one of those special rubber brushes with nubs on it that is intended for grooming cats and finer-haired dogs (available at pet shops).

4. Nothing beats your vacuum cleaner for pulling pet hair out of your rugs and carpets. If you have a number of pets or an animal that sheds a great deal, it could be worth considering a vacuum cleaner which has been specially designed to deal with fur. Typically they have greater suction power for sucking up fur and special filters for trapping potential allergens.

Making of Chinese Lantern Pendants

Materials :

3/4 inch circle craft punch

1 sheet of Scrapbook paper

Silver seed bead (size 6/0)

Red glass pearl bead (6 mm)

2 bead caps (1 used 10 mm caps)

20 gauge wire (Approx 6 inches)

Thin chain link

Glue – Mod Podge, Elmers, PVA glue are all good.

A small paintbrush for applying glue

Wire cutters

Round nose pliers

Bent nose pliers

A necklace of your choice

Making :

Using the circle punch, cut out 12 circles

Fold the circles in half

Put glue onto half the back of a folded circle.

Attach to the next folded circle.

Continue until all the folded circles are attached. It looks a little like a book right now.

Glue the first circle to the last.

Set the round paper bead aside to dry.

Grab your wire, cut about 6 inches off, and make a loop at one end using your round pliers.

Cut 3 lengths of chain — each 1 inch long. Open the loop at the end of the wire. Attach the chains to the loop and close the loop with your bent nose pliers.

Thread the straight part of the wire through your beads in this order: Red bead, end cap, paper bead, end cap, silver bead.

One you have threaded all the beads, use your round pliers to make a loop at the top of the pendant.

You’re done! Either slip the pendant directly onto a necklace or attach to a necklace with jump rings. (we used a flocked velvet necklace from a craft store and attached the pendant with jump rings.)

Making Bangles with Scrap Paper

Components :

1. Scrapbook paper.

2. Newspaper.

3. Glue.

4. a soda can.

5. Paint brush.

6. Scissors or paper trimmer.

Making :

Step 1 – Cut paper

Decide on the height of the bracelet. The one shown above is 3/4 inches tall.

Using scissors or a paper trimmer, cut long strips of newspaper 3/4 inches wide.

Cut 2 strips of scrapbook paper 3/4 wide and long enough to fit around the soda can with at least an inch or 2 inches of overlap.

I wanted a contrasting color band on the outside of the bracelet, so I also cut several long strips of newspaper 1/2 inches wide. Then cut 1 strip of the the contrasting scrapbook paper 1/2 wide and long enough to fit around the can with some overlap.

Step 2 – Glue the inside of the bracelet

Pick up the scrapbook piece that will line the inside of the bracelet. Place it so that the pattern faces the soda can.

Start wrapping and add glue where the strip overlaps. (Be careful not to get glue on the can.)

Step 3 – Glue the middle layers of the bracelet

Apply glue to a newspaper strip and start wrap it around the bracelet. Start where the last paper strip ended.

Once you’ve glued several layers on, you may want to remove the paper from the can and keep wrapping. (The soda can’s a little heavy, and once you’ve gotten the initial shape of the bracelet, it’s easier to wrap the paper without having the can in the middle.)

Continue doing this until the layers of paper are about 1/8 inch thick.

Step 4 – Glue scrapbook paper to the the outside of the bracelet

Glue the 3/4 inch thick scrapbook strip around the outside of the bracelet.

Step 5 – Add the contrasting color band to the outside

Glue a couple strips of the narrower (1/2 inch) newspaper around the outside of the bracelet so that it centered.

Then glue the narrower scrapbook paper on.

Step 6 – Dry

Coat the inside and outside of the bracelet with a sealant such as ModPodge.

Let dry completely for about 24-48 hours.
 

Step 7 – Decorate

If you want to add some bling, glue on the rhinestones.

For a more finished look, sand the top and bottom edges. Paint edges with gold paint.

Finished !

Get creative and make lots of other types of bracelets!

You can use all types of decorative paper to make these bracelets. Experiment with different heights and different thicknesses.

If you don’t want to use scrapbooking paper, try using just newspaper and painting the bracelet when it’s dry.

You can also experiment with wrapping string or yarn around the outside of the bracelet to add your own style.

If you are a person who doesnot like throwing things away, then why dont you try this too !! i tried making one really interesting CONVERSATION piece, it can be used to decorate any space. Everytime i had guests, they all asked me where i bought it? Infact, i was so encouraged to make one more. A new kind of Mural...reusing-recycling starts from your own kitchen.

All we need are:

One Wooden Chopping board--tired and ready to be thrown away! White Wall Putty--in USA, its called the ALL PURPOSE JOINT COMPOUND, this should be white only, putty's are usually sold in white White Paint Spray- or an ordinary white Paint Color-- you can use any color you want, i chose the one form RUSTOLEUM--Bold colors look great! If you are using Paint Can, then we need a wide brush too A measuring scale, or a Fork. That's it!!

How we make a mural is:

Take a used-or if you don't mind, even a new wooden chopping board Clean it..i usually cant wait, but because its a vegetable chopping board, if we clean we can avoid food decay and spots after we paint the surface Now, when the board is pretty dry, start applying the putty all over the surface. One side is enough! After you feel you have applied atleast 3 layers of the putty (similar to applying 3 coats of nail polish) ;0 start making any design you like on the wet putty, you can use a fork, or a measuring scale Once you feel you have made a satisfactory design on the surface, let it dry 100%...the colour of the putty is now pure white, when it is wet it was in a cementish shade..

Now your board needs a seal...otherwise everytime you want to hold it, decorate it, the putty starts to peel off..so a seal is very important to save your effort... Carefully, place 2 layers of big plastic shopping covers, or any plastic sheet beneath layers of newspaper, and start spraying any 3 sides first, use enough paint, else the color will be light and thick, unevenly.... if you are painting the board, better you gloves, put it on a colorless shopping bag to dry, to avoid sticky papers. Once the 3 sides are dry, spray the other untouched side.....when its all dry----your ART PIECE is ready to be PROUDLY displayed.

I made one, just in case, you need an Idea!!! try it, you are just playing with a chopping board, not a Knife!

New Look in your Same Everyday Living Room:

Have you ever tried changing the look of your same old living room, i try that every 2 weeks, i can't keep seeing the same looks hanging there for long.

You dont have to spend much. you just need.

2 sets of pillow covers,

curtains if any,

you can change the decorative items on the walls and side tables, other display pieces from one room to the other in your house.

With 2 simple changes, you can change the theme of your living room, One, Change the pillow covers into a single color, it can be shades of red, maroon..and follow the same color or shade in choosing curtains too. if you dont have curtains, then make sure you dont have too many equal number of other articles of a contrast color or any third color in the room.

If you have chosen blue this week, let the pillows, curtains, other decorative pieces be in the same blue color, you can play with the shades of blue, take your freedom here. but restrict your desire and choose 1-2 contrast color decorative pieces, like something in a bright red...or orange...

Contemporary Design Trends show that patterns can be mixed and matched, stripes, cheetah prints, zari work, polka dots can be played around with. i have some pictures for an idea!!! let me know if you did something similar, i will be the first person to encourage and say WOW.

Just because women spend more time in the kitchen, doesnot mean it should feel boring in there. why dont we start planning for the weekend, right from the kitchen.

Many of us stick phone number lists, birthday calenders in the kitchen cabinets. This is a kind of new idea, i have. You might like it.

Cut a new restaurant picture from the newspaper, or an Article about a new shopping place, a new Grocery store that sells Organic items, a new park, you might try visiting this weekend or some, a beach location you like to visit some day, or your Child's exclusively for MOM-Art work..if you already have a pin board, stick 'em there, else make one with cork board and pin them, or simply tie a small rope to 2 good looking nails, use your Drying clips to hang these paper cuttings or pictures, Everytime you look at it, the very sight is relaxing!!!

Prathyusha Talluri

వినాయకుడు అనగానే పిండి వంటలు, పూజా కార్యక్రమాలు అన్నీ పద్ధతిలో చేస్తాం.
సరేమరి! ఈ వినాయక చవితి పండగ ఎందుకు చేస్తాం? ఈ పండగ "హీరో" వినాయకుడే కదా!

తన వ్యక్తిత్వం నుండి పిల్లలు ఏం గ్రహించాలో ఈ విషయాలు కూడా చెబితే పిల్లలు GANESHA MY FRIEND అంటూ గణేష్ తో ఫ్రెండ్ షిప్ చేస్తారు.

గణేష్ వ్యక్తిత్వం మనకు చెప్పేది

తన శరీరాకృతిని చూసి ముడుచుకుపోలేదు. తన ప్రతిభతో అన్నీ లోకాలకు అధిపతి అయ్యాడు. మనం ఎలా ఉన్నామని కాదు. మన ప్రతిభ ఏమిటనేది ముఖ్యంగా గ్రహించాలి అని చెబుతారు గణేశా.

Tough time లో కూడా smart గా ఆలోచించటం గణేష్ నుండి పిల్లలు గ్రహించాల్సిన మరో విషయం. అన్నీ లోకాలు చుట్టి మొదట ఎవరు వస్తే వారికే గణాధిపత్యం ఇస్తాం అని అంటే... తన ఎలుక వాహనంతో అన్ని లోకాలు చుట్టి మొదట రావటం అసాద్యం అని తెలిసి, తన తల్లిదండ్రుల చుట్టూరా ప్రదక్షిణాలు చేసి గణాధిపత్యాన్ని దక్కించుకున్నాడు. ఎలాంటి పరిస్థితుల్లోనైనా ఓటమిని అంగీకరించకుండా, గెలవాలనుకుంటే విజయం ఎదురస్తుంది అని ఈ సంఘటన మనకి చెబుతుంది.

స్నేహానికి సరిసమానులే అవసరం లేదని ఎలుకతో friendship చేసి, ఎలుకతో తనకున్న స్నేహం మనకు నేర్పిస్తుంది.

ఇక గణేష్ ఆకారాన్ని ఒకసారి చూస్తే...

పెద్ద చెవులు ఎదుటివారు చెప్పేది శ్రద్దగా వినమని చెబుతాయి. చిన్నికళ్ళు సూక్ష్మదృష్టి అవసరమని చెబుతాయి. ఇలా గణేష్ ఆకారం నుంచి వ్యక్తిత్వం దాకా ఎన్నో పిల్లలు తమ జీవితంలో నేర్చుకుతీరాల్సినా పాఠాలు కనిపిస్తుంటాయి. కేవలం దేవుడిగా పూజించి వదిలేయకుండా, మనం నేర్చుకోవాల్సిన ఇంకా బోలెడన్ని ప్రత్యేకతలు కనిపిస్తాయి వినాయకుడిలో. మరి పిల్లలకు గణేష్ గురించి తప్పకుండా చెబుతారు కదా!

వినాయక చవితి శుభాకాంక్షలు

-రమ

Your soggy clothes could become smelly ones if they're abandoned or by-chane forgotten too long.

After 8-12 hours, mildew can easily start to develop on damp fabric. it won't ruin your clothes, but it could leave a bad odour, like the one in sweaty socks.

If that happens, rewash the entire load of clothes as soon as possible using the Hottest water suggested for the fabric.

And if a musty smell continues to stay in the machine, run an empty cycle using a washing machine cleaner. They are available in the market.

- Prathyusha. T

Suresh is getting ready to go to office and Smitha is getting kids ready to send to school. They have two kids, one 10 years old boy and 8 year old girl. Kids are teasing each other and talking about school. Once they got ready Suresh took them to drop at school and then go to office from there. Smitha said bye to kids and closed the door. She just dropped tiringly on the sofa. Tears rolled down her eyes, she thought it’s been weeks since Suresh talked with her. Even whenever they talk, it’s just about kids, if something happens in the neighborhood. She has been trying to talk to him and get close to him since she got married. He seemed ok but whenever she wants to discuss about family issue, or anything he would say, ‘that’s ok I’ll take care of it.’ Lot of times she confronted him about his not opening up to her, sharing everything with her because she had her doubts, maybe he didn’t like the marriage, or he was in love with another woman etc. but he says there is nothing like that and he is not good at expressing himself from the childhood. Smitha always tried to compromise comparing him with other husbands. He doesn’t have any bad habits, he doesn’t beat, he is a good father, he is good husband, handsome etc. Of course she feels very lonely when he doesn’t show any kind of response or affection for days or he doesn’t notice whether she is happy or not. If she is not happy and looking gloomy never tries to find out the reason. He takes all the decisions, Smitha feels left out as he doesn’t consult her or include her in taking any kind of decisions and for Suresh it’s not a big issue. Maybe other women will be happy that the husband takes care of everything but Smitha believes in equal life partnership between couples. She was becoming lonely even though she was totally involved with the two kids activities, she misses that companionship which she thought will be there in the married life!

There are so many women or couples who are living like Suresh and Smitha. This is a widespread problem but in the name of family, kids, and most importantly the idea which binds them forever and that is once you got married, you have to adjust or compromise whatever life you get especially among the Indian couples they try to stay married even though they do not get along, suffering emotionally, suffocating in the name of our traditions and customs etc. This kind of life will have great effect on the health of women who learn to suppress their feelings, not supposed to share with either family or friends. If the husband is drinking, hitting, violent, demanding more dowry, harassing there is a chance of talking about these problems with others. In most cases women do not even talk about these problems too where they can get help if they are facing with any one of the problems, that’s why we read women committing suicides or in-laws killing daughter-in-laws and try to prove them as suicides.

Women who suffer with an invisible problem like communication gap between couples it is very hard for them to live adjusting with their husbands or they cannot get out of the life in which they are not at all happy. Women usually love to have husbands who are good at communication, share their feelings with them, share the responsibilities, love to spend time with wives in spite of so many responsibilities try to take some time either every day or make sure to spend some time in a week to sit down with wife, find out what’s going on with her, how is she doing, if she is working talk about her work, throughout the week they discuss about house problems, kids, in-laws etc. if husband and wife take some time to spend with each other that marriage is going to be a very happy one.

Many couples do not realize that the family starts with both of them and once the kids come their life revolves around only the kids, their total attention will be with the kids, enjoying the kids, how they are smiling, how they are growing up every single day, how beautiful they are becoming, how smart they are, taking care of their allergies, taking care of their colds, fevers, stomach aches, then the kids go to school, by this time the distance between husband and wife slowly becomes widened. They do not know what to talk anything else as they got used to talk about their kids so much, and spend so much time with them. When the kids start going to school women start feeling lonely little bit, as they feel they have so much time on their hands and do not know what to do. Everyone thinks that life is going smoothly but as the children start growing up and they become independent and don’t need parents that much that’s when the couple start feeling something is wrong or accept it as the part of life.

There are different reasons why this communication gap develops between husband and wife. Couples observing their grandparents, parents, relatives what kind of relationships they have, what kind of behavior they have with their spouses also has an effect on the couples. If the fathers treat their mothers with respect, take their opinion into consideration in all the decisions, spend time with mothers – then the children also try to follow in their fathers’ footsteps. There are some fathers who take care of the family doing everything by themselves. Mother’s duty is confined to raising kids and taking care of the family members and household. In such families the boys try to follow their fathers sometimes after they get marry unless they love their wives very much and want to give them importance in the family life then they tend to do things together, some men like to change and some do not like to change their behavior at such times the conflict arises. When wives coming from the families whose parents are open minded and has friendly relationship and they try to have same kind of relationship with their husbands but the husbands coming from families where fathers control everything it’s hard for them to change according to their wives wishes.

When two people get marry with two different personalities it’s so hard to make the relationship work out. It doesn’t matter whether it is arranged marriage or a love marriage all the issues start once they start living together. After the honeymoon phase is over it is the girl who came to a new family, leaving everyone needs to adjust with everyone, their way of living etc. As long as the girl tries to adjust and not complain about anything even though she finds some things totally different from the way she was brought up thinking everything will be fine. Problem arises when all the women cannot adjust the same way. The wives start sharing about the problems with their husbands and if the husband wants peaceful home he should take the responsibility of becoming a bridge between his parents and his wife and try to remove misunderstandings and make them understand the situation from the beginning before the situation gets worse. In most families we see that either husband takes one side, either parents or wife’s or just ignore both of them and stop communicating with wife who is supposed to be his life partner and both should share their feelings, happiness, sadness etc. If the husband does not respond to wife’s problems then she gets frustrated and irritated. The relationship starts getting into trouble. Indian couples no matter what whether they get along or not they have to make adjustments and live like a couple, have kids, raise them and act like a normal couple in front of everyone.

In some families where the parents are separated it does affect their children’ relationships or their marriage lives. In the small nuclear families or joint families if the husband happens to be evasive kind then it is hard for him to communicate, have intimacy with wife as he doesn’t think they are very important for a couple to live together. Naturally most of the wives expect friendly, romantic, communicative, intimate relationship from their husbands. The evasive husbands are those who try to avoid any kind of conflict and they have the attitude of, ‘you leave me alone and I leave you alone, you do your chores and responsibilities and I’ll do mine. What’s there to discuss, talk and take decisions together?’ Wife expects husband’s moral support, as most of the women are educated they want to participate in discussions of so many topics; they want to feel close to husbands, have fun with them. Especially when the kids grow up and they are busy in their college studies, planning for their careers etc. at that time women feel they need to spend more time with their husbands, even though they always had that longing for husband’s attention. The evasive husbands do not behave deliberately avoiding wives, what they are trying to say, try to maintain a distance than try to become close etc. they do it subconsciously, sometimes they do not know why they are behaving like that, also they don’t know that they are behavior is hurting their wives.

Wives in such families try to explain their small demands, the wish to feel close to their husbands, to do things together, in raising kids they want their husbands involvement too. Wives try as much as possible to connect with their husbands like even the physical needs, sex is not just a physical need for women it is a way of showing each other’s love and affection but for evasive husbands it’s just a physical need. These kinds of things some women try to explain to their husbands and some can’t but husbands do not even want to talk or discuss about the intimate things at all. For them it’s not a subject to talk about, especially women are not supposed to discuss all these things. So in such conditions when nothing works out it is better to look into options like marriage counseling. Husbands who do not like the idea of counseling and women who do not want to continue the same kind of life without any connection with the husbands sometimes they go for divorce and get separated. This happens mostly in western countries but after globalization even in the countries like India divorce rates are increasing.

As we noticed before in a marriage two different personality people are entering into a relationship which they agree to live together until death separates them. They do not have any experience or they do not learn how to live together when so many issues arise while living together. No body learns these things anywhere, watching parents is one way of learning but with the changing times we have to face so many challenges so that’s just not enough. Pre-marital counseling is much helpful for the couple who are going to get married. Marriage counseling helps people with different problems. When there are opportunities to fix the problems and continue as couple then they should get the help. Finding a good counselor, going to counseling regularly and following the suggestions of the counselor is more important. Some counselors ask the couples to come together, or meet few weeks separately with both of them and then meet with them together. It helps them to know each of their personalities differently and then look into what are their problems, how to pursue them, they try their best to keep the couple together. In some cases the couples go too late and in such cases after trying their best if it is not working out then counselors suggest to get separation. For some couples going to counseling living separately helps and once all the issues are resolved then they live together again. Sometimes after working hard too if there is no positive result then the counselors suggest for the divorce.

Now many researchers who are studying the relationship problems are suggesting that it will be better if the schools, colleges introduce a subject of family relationships, especially man and woman relationships from the emotional point of view then it will help lot of couples to lead a happy life and avoid break ups and divorces.

Let’s look into the tips to improve the communication between spouses and if these also don’t work out then you should definitely see a marriage counselor.

Try to set up a time to sit together and have tea or coffee together, talk about simple things like movies, or whatever you both are comfortable talking about. Do not start with serious talking and get into argument.

Try to leave notes each other before leaving to work, like ‘Thanks for nice breakfast,’ ‘You look lovely this morning,’ etc. Wife can leave notes in his office briefcase or with lunch where he can easily see them like, ‘Thanks for nice evening yesterday,’ or ‘Thanks for listening to me.’

Try to go to walks together and this way take care of health together and it also helps to open up with each other slowly. Plan a vacation without children and try to have fun together going to a nice place. Try to avoid serious discussions and arguments on your vacation.

Then slowly set up time to discuss one issue at a time. Set up some rules before you start the discussion. Listen to each other calmly, and then one after the other expresses their views. If one of you can’t agree try to explain slowly your point of view giving simple examples. The aim is to make understand the spouse without hurting his/her feelings and make sure to let him/ her know that you are not trying to hurt their feelings and how much it means to you if he or she agrees or make some changes to what you are trying to do.

Try to share the responsibilities together and help each other. The most important thing is listening to each other and try to understand each other from the other’s point of view which helps a lot.

Try to appreciate each other’s efforts. If husband does something nice to please his wife, she should appreciate it immediately by saying it, or leaving a note or by doing something special for him and vice versa.

Remember a family starts with a couple and they should keep working on their relationship by expressing their love for each other, and if something upsets and makes them sad both of them should feel free to share with their spouse and get moral support, love and affection in return. If you are able to do that with your spouse then there is good understanding, friendship and enough love for each other. Otherwise what is the point of living together if you can’t share your happiness and sadness with your life partner?

So if you have a problem with your spouse like communicating and if he is not responding whatever you may try then go and take the marriage counseling to save your marriage and also to live happily without hurting emotionally each other, suffering most of the time. This kind of stress also affects the physical and mental health. In order to avoid all this suffering, just like if you get sick you’ll definitely go to a doctor and get help in the same manner if you get some emotional problems and do not know how to handle them just go to professionals who are trained in giving counseling and help couples. Children will also be happy that the parents are trying to stay together not unhappily but happily taking help which will make the whole family very happy.

- Durga Dingari

Your Kitchen or Storage room might be having plastic containers, that are good in size, you can throw them away for recycling but if there is no recycling facility and your home has enough space for new decorative items, you can try this.

we need:

Good size Plastic Container, i used the Whey Protein Container.

A4 Size white papers.

Glue.

Copper-Gold-Bronze Acrylic Paint.

Matching Ribbons

Remove the label of the container, they can be peeled off easily.
Take as many white A4 Size papers as you could buy.

Apply glue to the container surface and start pasting the papers, one beside the other, once you cover a layer, apply glue all-over and paste the papers...we need atleast 4-5 layers to create a texture. once you are confident that the papers are smoothly pasted, without much crinkles, you can stop it there. Allow the container to dry out totally...Start applying the Copper Acrylic paint to the surface, give it coat by coat, atleast 3 layers until the paper white is not visible...you can tie any matching ribbons and decorate your space....i did it and people asked where i bought that Copper Vessel in this modern days..that was very encouraging!!

- Prathyusha Talluri

We all like to go out on Weekends! No matter how tired we are after the busy week, though we long to take rest, we still want to go out and Shop, if not Hop around the parks, malls...

Oneday we are all tired of the same city, same mall...and Need a Change...why dont we prepare a TO-DO List of Pending projects at home, some Art work thats on your mind but you dnt have time to go shop for the supplies. some new Grocery store you wanted to visit. some home organisation supplies you need help of. Make a list of everything and anything you have been thinking of doing for a longtime and couldnot do....it can be even buying a new Vegetable or Fruit you never tried. a new room freshner you saw on TV and thought of trying.....You will like it or you will hate it, Atleast it will be OFF your Mind !!! You will get rid of the thought of "Why did i forget about it?" Do this and let me know if you liked being free of pending projects!!!

By the way, it need not be a Weekend process only, we can follow it everytime we dont have an Agenda to do something out...use your vehicle's petrol for better purpose or a Double Dhamaka kind of trip which gives you Fun and fulfilment of finishing your pending job.

- Prathyusha Talluri

Most of us think Bathrooms should be clean and tidy but generally we dont bother much about decorating these spaces. Its a place where we spend not much time but people notice the fixtures, the style you follow even in decorating your bathrooms!!! be it an own house or a rented apartment, we can decorate them beyond expectations!

Choose a theme, or a color, one more contrast or supporting color that goes hand in hand with your TOP Color...example, Yellow your primary color, Grey your secondary....Red the primary, Black or White the secondary....so many colors to choose..i am NOT suggesting to paint the walls....its a bad option without even knowing if you find matching Shower curtains, Soap dispensers..other necessary items, etc....and if you live in a rental Apartment, its risky to paint the walls.....

Lets settle with the following:

Our Theme/Color,

Shower Curtains,

Bath Towels,

Bath Mats, all other necessary items...designs can be mixed and matched...i have some pictures for you..

- Prathyusha Talluri

Making Kitchen Curtain

Supplies Needed

Sewing Machine

Scissors

Thread

Fabric

Measuring Tape

Instructions :

The first and foremost thing is consider the fabric. Here, the choice of fabric will depend more upon the practicality, than your personal preference. This is because not all fabrics are suitable for sewing curtains. For instance, quilted fabrics shrink soon. Silk fades away quickly. Denim is too hard to be sewed, especially when you are a beginner. In this case, the best bet will be cotton and linen. They are light as well as user-friendly.

Now, measure the dimensions of the window, using a measuring tape. Do it systematically. First, measure the window frames from top to bottom and then side to side. You may use the existing rods as the point of reference, to measure the window from top to bottom.

Next, purchase the fabric. Buy a large quantity of the fabric, which is approximately equal to two times the height and three times the width of the window. That way, you will ensure that you do not run short of the raw material.

Before equipping yourself with a sewing machine and thread, wash and iron the fabric. Washing and ironing will avoid shrinkage of the curtain during the first wash. In addition, the fillers used for finishing the fabric (which make the fabric stiffer and shinier than it actually is) will be removed by laundering it.

Now, it is the time to start the sewing project. To begin with, cut the fabric lengthwise, using scissors. Next, fold the side seems, each measuring 2-inch in width and then stitch. Join the valance lengths into a single piece.

Fold the header seams and then stitch them.

In order to neaten the edges, fold and sew the side seams of the each curtain panel.

Make a fold over the top 4 inches of the panels by pressing them towards the inside. Make a 2 inch hem by folding under 2 inches. Press the hem and stitch it. Ensure that you have stitched the hem close to the bottom seam.

Now, hang the curtains or the valances on curtain rods. This shall be followed by pinning the bottom hems. Try to make the bottom hems as deep as possible. To do this, turn 1 inch under for a 5-inch hem. Press it, pin it and then stitch it. To give the finishing touch, add trimmings to the curtains.

If you have seen a Brand New, Bank for your Buck kind of Vacuum Cleaner in a TV Ad, give it a try!!! But only if your old vacuum cleaner is very old.. Every appliance has an age and beyond which you can think of getting rid of them.

Hair Dryer--Life Span: 1-3yrs

Vacuum Cleaner: 5-7yrs

Stand Mixer: 5-9yrs

Coffee Maker: 5-10yrs

Microwave: 7-10yrs

Washing Machine: 8-12yrs....Dryer: 10-12yrs

Refrigerator: 10-14yrs

Dish Washer: 13-15yrs

Check with the manufacturer on every other appliance not listed above, for its life span. This information is not trying to force you spend money, infact, if appliances are used beyond their maximum usage span, they tend to release toxins and fumes that are harmful for the people using them and also the environment. Suggestions like these are sometimes not just silly, they are valuable...think over!!!

- Prathyusha.T

Space organisation need not be stamped as a disturbing habit...I dont understand why some people think its a madness....how good it would be if someone helps us make spaces look tidier and crisp.

Cleverly organise your spaces with these interesting ideas, you might be shocked looking at the pictures i have for you. Can you imagine these ideas were actually followed in real life!!! ...

Use ordinary soup cans covered in decorative paper as tool, pencil holders.

Some simple shower curtain rings can be used to hang hand bags, belts in the closet.

Used and washed vegetable/seafood cans come in handy. Nestled side by side, these short containers serve as the perfect separators for small accessories and junk drawer knickknacks.

Simply adhere any clear folder or plastic sleeve for paper documents to the inside of a cabinet or pantry door...i am sure your mind must have started thinking of new ideas....would you like to post some pictures too, we all can use those ideas too!!!
 

- Prathyusha Talluri

As I absentmindedly turned another page of my life last night, a sudden thought crossed my mind. Why is it that I never stopped to bookmark some of those pages from the book of my life, at least the ones that I considered significant? There were many paragraphs that I should and would have loved to re – read. Those special moments marked in my book and specially saved for the “someday when I have lots of time”. The pages in which I had written about what I plan to be when I grow up. Also some of those (now a little frayed and yellowing) pages in which I drew the picture of my dream home. They were so painstakingly well written! In this book, I had also preserved some wonderful souvenirs, some dried flowers, colourful feathers, few dried leaves and a piece of paper that had a small hand print of my best friend. My most prized possessions!

As I grew, I often found myself wanting to erase and tear out some pages and paragraphs from the book of my life, wishing they had been never written! Unfortunately, I was unable to do so. Whenever I sat down to write a fresh new page, the blowing breeze would invariably open up and lay those annoying erstwhile pages in front of me, clouding my thoughts. So I decided to appoint a little voice inside me that would warn me. I paid, encouraged and nurtured this voice allowing it to grow. It would always help me and tell me what was right or wrong. I was happy and allowed it to dominate my thoughts, feeling and my being. Soon it began telling me what to write in my own book. I had no choice or control over it anymore. I would read each page from the past and decipher it the way this inner voice wanted me to. It had gained complete control over me! It soon started saying things I didn’t want to hear! Now not a day goes by when I don't hear that nasty, contemptuous, nagging voice saying, "You can't do anything right. You're a loser. You're not good enough. This is not your cup of tea “It had managed to make me, my own worst enemy. I wanted to shut this voice out, erase it and tear it out of me. I wanted to re- read the old pages of my book, but couldn’t. One fine day, I realised I had been reading my old pages from my life book ,with a pair of spectacles expensively bought from the “selfcritical” store . No wonder I couldn’t see much! I should have been wiser! I should have underlined those special lines and paragraphs with my red pen, the one that I had so lovingly bought from the “mark your achievement” store. I wonder where I put that pen! It used to write so beautifully. I used to give some amazing stars to myself with it as a little girl. I would use it for everything, for writing my best friend’s name, copying my favourite teacher’s signature. Why! I had even used it to draw my first picture of a rising sun! I remember being so proud of myself then! But as time passed, I started using it less and less. I was giving myself less number of stars each day, began evaluating myself critically at the end of each page. My beautiful handwriting had by now turned into scribbles. I now find myself picking up any pen that is lying around to scribble in my life book’s pages with strange things like, targets, deadlines, to do list, recipes, my family’s needs, children’s fees, doctor’s appointments, birthdays, anniversaries, due dates and bill payments, telephone numbers of grocer, plumber, electrician….. There are no doodles, drawings of a rising sun, beautiful home, and tomorrow’s dreams, no dried petals or leaves in it anymore. Sadly, I can’t even decipher my best friend’s number I had once hurriedly jotted down !!!

Do I sound familiar to you? Have you been nurturing that voice too? Does it bother you as much? Don’t worry; you and I are not the only ones doing this. Millions of us find ourselves battling a self-critic that we can never get away from. This critical inner voice makes us feel sad, hopeless and helpless. It makes us feel stuck in regret. We dwell on all of our past mistakes and think the future will be even worse. We can never get away from your own worst enemy, our own inner voice!

The good news is that we can defeat that inner voice and put it down in five simple steps.

1. Replace self-criticism with self-correction: Remember go to the right store and get yourself the right pen to write each page of your life book with.

2. Start looking for the positives: all of us have that little girl inside us who once drew a beautiful picture of a rising sun. Open up those pages again. Love them for they were indeed beautiful!

3. Be as kind to yourself as you are to others: We are often much harsher with ourselves than we are with a friend, or others. Recognize this double standard, and when you start criticizing yourself, stop and direct the kindness and compassion that you feel for your best friend toward yourself. Just as you need your friends on your side, you need yourself in your corner. Ask yourself, "If my best friend had this problem, how would I support her?" And then treat yourself as you would treat your best friend.

4. Let Yourself Be Human: All of have faults, make mistakes and are imperfect. Accept this. Think of people you know, their flaws and defects. You love them in spite of all that don’t you? Don’t spend hours moping, allowing that voice to criticize you. Love yourself regardless.

5. Focus on goals and not on the self critic voice: Move on, let the voice chatter away. Let it do its job you do yours. You will find that it will soon fade away and not bother you anymore.

- Veena ShyamRaja

Decorating Bedrooms is an Art! Not everyone can do it tastefully, but we can. I know you are interested and skillful else you wouldnot be reading this. Here are some tips we can follow to make anyone and everyone, including your own self say "WOW" looking at the staged Bedroom.

Bring a room together by repeating an element throughout. Circles play a central role and can be used in chandeliers, artwork, pillows and mirror.

Soft pastel color palettes are perfect for creating a serene environment for the bedroom.

Match furnishings or accessories on either side of the bed for a balanced space. To avoid a boring bedroom, add different textures and fabrics throughout.

Add height to a small room by hanging window treatments at the ceiling line. A simple yet elegant chandelier hangs over the bed for a romantic touch.

- Prathyusha Talluri.

Everyone likes to hang pictures, instead of saving them in an album. I have some new ideas, would you like to try?

Photographs need not be in custom frames only, they can be hung to a cord , like clothes...they can be individually framed in few...a whole wall can be used to display one beside the other. Sometimes, one below the other, sometimes all aligned in square shape, too.

Did you ever think of using an old frame to hang pictures? Attach a fence-like feature to the frame and use it to hang pictures. 11Memories flow through the whole space. No restrictions, absolutely no guidelines to display pictures. Try these new ideas. Not just you, everyone around will also appreciate.

- Prathyusha Talluri

Reading books is a Hobby! Its a good habit too wen good books are chosen. Besides improving our vocabulary, reading works as a topic to discuss when there's nothing to discuss among friends or even strangers in an Airport, Flight. etc. They also come handy in decoration.

The books we need must have some strong history, some character to discuss about, they can also be on Cooking, Interior Designing, Decorating, Gardening and relative stuff. They work as great collections. We can use a bunch of books to decorate spaces too. Dont find any interesting decorative piece, use a Book that talks about Beautiful Homes and Designs for display!!

You dont have to pretend like a Book worm...they are just Books, no ones asking you to know the story by-heart!! Do you like my idea

- Prathyusha Talluri

We never know when we suddenly need some vegetables/ fruits/ grocery items...few ideas to stock up your Refrigerator and Pantry.

I am only talking about HEALTHY ITEMS, definitely not JUNK!!!

Fridge:

Ginger,

Lemons/Limes,

Tofu, Organic Omega 3 Eggs,

Almond Milk,

Organic Skim Milk for Elders/ Organic Whole Milk for Babies/ Toddlers/ Childern until recommended by the Pediatrician,

Organic Low-fat cheese,

Apples (Organic if possible, else wash thoroughly and peel to eat),

Organic plain Curd/ Yoghurt

Kitchen Storage/ Pantry:

Brown Rice,

Pink Potatoes ( not the sweet potatoes, i am talking about Pink peel ones, as they have low cholesterol),

Onions,

Garlic cloves,

Oats ( prefer oats to Corn flakes as corn is Inflammatory food),

Extra virgin Olive oil,

Desiccated/ dried coconut,

Raw pumpkin seeds,

Coconut oil (if you use it to cook),

Vinegar,

These are just a few suggestions, dont strictlygo by this list only, you will fall in trouble. Try to add these items to your already existing items, and prefer these over others whenever possible.

- Prathyusha Talluri.

At times, we can't afford large spaces. I have some tips from Experts to make Small Bedroom spaces look Bigger!

Minimizing color distraction on the walls, floors and furnishings is one of the ways. Use just 2 colors everywhere, not too many colors.

Does your bedroom has access to outdoor space? Lucky you! Maintain the connection to the outdoors with drapery panels and window treatments that frame the view instead of distracting from it. "Use window treatments made from fabric with subtle details and texture, and make sure you can pull the panels all the way back," e. The length of the draperies should just barely touch the floor; this allows you to create an illusion that the room is spacious and as wide as the outdoors.

Strategically hanging art is one of the easiest ways to make a room look bigger. The art gives your eye something to focus on distracting from the physical perimeter of the room and has the effect of expanding space. But don't overload the walls with too many paintings or frames!

If you are blessed with high ceilings, take full advantage of them and choose a tall bed to anchor the room. "The height of the bed calls attention to the volume and height of the ceilings, again diverting ones view on the small floor space.

Pale walls and furniture that is light in scale naturally make a room seem larger, but that doesn't mean that big, bold furnishings don't have a place in small rooms too. In fact, atleast one piece in a bold color like RED, ORANGE add drama

Make sure you try to get a lot of natural light in your room which is an easy way to improve the space.

- Prathyusha Talluri.

I am writing this for MY DEAR LADIES WHO ARE EXPECTING!! Its so exciting specially when its your 1st Child...its a new expereince, you dont know how to take care of your Baby whom you cant yet see, Sametime, its not so easy to cope with the Nausea and Giddiness and also maintain the daily vitamin/mineral intake.

Its a great idea to make a chart with the vitamin/mineral dosage, and hang it against the wall in your kitchen, i say Kitchen because you will be visiting your kitchen often all these months, to keep eating every time your baby kicks!!!

I am sure you like to browse through every Baby magazine...why dont we cut some pictures and stick them to the chart we are making to make it more interesting and a beautiful sight, every time you look at those li'l, cute, sweet Baby pictures, not knowing if Your Baby will look like any of them , all the guess work you will enjoy!!!

And my dear Friends of the Expecting Mothers!! you can gift them one like this..it will be the Best Useful gift. Think!!

I just gave you an idea, i know you are more creative!!! All the Best with your project and the Baby coming!!!

- Prathyusha Talluri

Why are most topics written on Kitchens and Women? Dont mistake me, but across many countries in the World, most families have their Women cook for them. Lets think this way, women cook because they can cook with heart and soul !!!! A better feeling!!

To make this a more better feeling, why dont we create a corner in the Kitchen which makes us feel relaxing. You can make it looking more beautiful and colorful. Its YOUR kitchen, decorate it your way. Who says kitchens are far from decorations. Enjoy cooking in a beautiful kitchen today!

- Prathyusha Talluri

Fall is the time for warm, rich and cozy colors. From hues of chocolate brown and golden yellow to burnt orange and lipstick red, these season-inspired rooms will have you craving a color change.

A soft, neutral color palette is given a refreshing and fall-inspired burst of color with hues of orange, copper and dark purple. Chocolate-brown furniture and accessories complement the other pieces if you have any.

We cant buy a new Sofa/ furniture just to change the look. Adding brown pillow covers and draperies in red tones give us bank for the buck.

A fall-inspired orange accent color adds vibrancy to any room that has light brown, tan walls. Exotic patterns, colorful fabrics and sheer chocolate-brown draperies make it come to life.

A sheer gold curtain adds instant warmth and privacy to the separated living and dining rooms. A traditional fall color palette of rust, gold, brown and tan make this Asian-inspired space comfortable and soothing.

- Prathyusha Talluri

Managing to work and having a young child is not atall an easy task. Everyday starts with a thought and a worry if we can handle things in a better way today or not. Having a child who needs our attention and having kids who go to School/ College is totally different.

Every moment of our day should be well planned when handling a child simultaneosly. However, plans dont always be successful ones, however, practice makes one perfect. Slowly your child also gets used to your routine and understands that Mom cannot be disturbed always.

Working from home involves Phone calls and so many phone calls..for every big matter to be discussed, we should pick up the Phone..the Child will be irate looking at Mom always on phone calls...they start to cry, fuss and fret the moment we hold the phone, sometimes they even learn to turn off the computer or hide the phone..it is very risky when we have Important, Urgent Business calls with Clients, or someone new we need to get in business with.

Following these steps makes our life easy:

Making up our mind that we will be calm and not frustrated, today.

Arranging a play area/room for the child and a work station for you, that is not in an easy-reach zone to the Child.

Setting up a daily routine for them so that they know what to expect.

Making sure you dont get your child too used to watching TV, just to make them stay quiet.

Spending short moments with them.

Not being angry with the Child when they are sleepy/hungry or need your help.

Informing the Employer that you have a Child/ or more than one so that they oblige your short breaks of being away from the phone or computer.

Hope these tips help you have a better day!!!

- Prathyusha Talluri

I dont suggest you keep your Gold, Silver, Precious jewellery at home instead of safeguarding them at the Bank but We are actually talking about Fashion jewellery here.

Most of us shove the jewellery into a box, a purse or a draw and when time comes to wear them, we end up taking too long searching for the right piece in the bulk.

I have few ideas to not just showcase your fashion jewellery, infact these organising tips can save you a lot of time..Alleast the men will get only fewer chances to complain "Women take too long to get dressed" !!!

We can use

a Shirt Hanger,

an Egg Carton,

a simple Picture frame,

fix it with an ordinary fence to hang chains and earrings,

few curtain hooks hanging to a rod

simple small cups in a desk to organise and categorise the items...etc etc..i know you can fill these ETCs with your new thoughts, shre them with us all !!!

- Prathyusha Talluri

Stress and Work go hand in hand in the lives of most of us. Suggestions of relief come free...

Maintain good friends. When you feel the heat, sharing a laughter or two gives some relief.

Keep some pictures of your Loved ones/ family on your desk.

Stock up some low-calorie breakfast bars, dryfruits. When you are too hungry, you cant work, which might increase the strain too.

A portable Coffee maker comes handy...Caffeine if taken in limited quantities and rarely is helpful. When you feel stressed out and suffer headaches, a cup of freshly brewed coffee helps.

Keep few sachets of Green Tea in your desk or Hand Bag. Detoxify your body, relieve your stress (provided your office has a microwave or a pantry for hot water)

Clear the air between some hard minded colleagues and you if there were any misunderstandings/ arguments anyday in the past...greeting everyone with a warm smile helps us maintain a happy environment.--just reminding, you know it anyways!!

A short walk, sometimes with a good friend/ colleague and at times a lonesome one helps the rejuvenated YOU, ready to face a better, successful day!!

- Prathyusha Talluri

Gone are those years when we, Indian women thought only cooking and house keeping is our part of family responsibility. We have realised that women play a key role in earning, family welfare, and that we also have social responsibilities.

I am glad we have a medium like this to share our thoughts, let me speak for many of us who are still shying away,or hesitating to express what we want.

We want not to be commented when we drive vehicles saying "If the person driving the other car is not driving it correctly then it should be a woman.".....census says that Women are careful drivers.... We want a secured society that respects women of all ages. We still want elders to welcome a Girl-Child heartily into their families. We want encouragement to take up our interests seriously and turn them into a successful career. We want not to be questioned when we come home late after a stressful day at work. We want freedom to visit our parents' place without any restrictions after getting married!! We want our wants to be fulfilled, atleast thought of, can that be possible?

- Prathyusha Talluri

Adding our touch in decorating indoor spaces is everyones interest but outdoors are usually neglected...growing some plants is not the only thing to do on the other side of your door. Gardens, no matter how small they are, can be managed in our own style. It can be a plant or two beside your main door or a lush 20feet. The shrubs, flowers we plant depend on the climatic conditions of the country/ city we are living in but to decorate our gardens is easy. Some easy tips make our garden decorations weather proof...

Using Terracota, iron, glass, brick, vintage items reduce the maintenance time. We dont have to worry about leaving these items outdoors. Infact they improve the aesthetic look of the space.

Old milk cans can be used as planters, terracota lamp holders can be used to light up the space with LED Candles to stay accident proof.

Bring in some charm by using bold colors, for planters, lanterns, lamp posts, door bells, door mats....explore any home furnishing, garden store or a hand made artifact store, you will find many..infact few terracota items that have broken edges can also be used to grow climbers, they cover the flaws....now you have more ideas not just for indoor decoration but also to bring some life to your outdoor area too...

- Prathyusha Talluri

Your Ice cube Trays.....

Aim for 4 times a year,with hot, soapy water usually works to keep ice tasting fresh. But if ice tastes stale, presoak the trays for 10 minutes in a mix of water and a tablespoon of bleach-free cleaner and wash thoroughly.

Your Food Storage Containers....

Aim for every six months or whenever they need refilling. Wash the inside with hot, soapy water. If the container is tin, towel-dry to prevent rusting. If its glass or ceramic, simply let it air-dry.

Your Wooden Cutting Board....

Aim for a light wash after each use, and a deep scrub wash once a week or whenever you use it to cut poultry, meat or fish. After using the board to cut produce, cheese or bread, wash it with mild soap or equal parts vinegar and water, and pat-dry. Never put a wooden cutting board in a dishwasher or soak for long time, wood absorbs water and tends to crack. If you've used it for raw meat, fish or poultry, sprinkle baking soda over the board and spray it with undiluted white vinegar, wash with running water and let dry.

Every item in the kitchen needs cleaning, we definitely cant dedicate a whole day to clean everything, but instead cleaning one item a day is better and releaving.

- Prathyusha Talluri

We should always make sure our surroundings are clean and tidy but cleaning and cleaning, too much of cleaning might put us in trouble.

You can clean before guests come. As the guests start to arrive, stop cleaning, stop to bother about the pillows to be where they should be even when the guests are sitting around, the floor to be tidy always..if they find you making the bed while you are giving them a tour of your home, cleaning your kitchen counter when you are showing them your kitchen annoys people, and they might end up commenting that you are a Clean Freak. You will be a talk of the town soon. There is a delicate difference between "Your home being neat and clean" and "Your home being too clean to handle"...

Take it easy at times, dont worry too much, getting excited about cleaning the house before having guests doesnot give you any peace.

Clean at a time when you are most happy and energized. Plan ahead, do things one by one. Your house-keeping skills will be appreciated and you will not be commented for being a clean freak....Take care...

- Prathyusha Talluri

Kitchens are where the fireworks, ninja wars happen!! The fire, the sharp knives,.... a big no-no for babies, specially babies who can crawl, they start to reach every corner, they are curious about everything Mom regularly pulls out of the cabinet...they love the shiny knives, noisy pots and pans, they like playing here...but to cook peacefully, we have to make sure we baby proof our kitchen....

Your hot-water heater should be set below 49 degrees Celsius/ 120 degrees F so you won't scald your baby at bathtime( these days Babies are given a bath in the kitchen sink).

You'll need a fire extinguisher in the kitchen.

You'll also want smoke detectors and carbon-monoxide detectors(available in the market) on each floor of your home.

Be sure to place safety gates at the head and foot of your stairs, and cover electrical outlets with plastic caps if they are within the babies reach.

Make sure paint and other hazardous substances are stored in airtight containers on high shelves in a cool, dry area.

If you have cleaning supplies and detergents in low cabinets, move them to the very top ones instead.

Bottom cabinets (even if you use safety locks) should hold things that are safe for baby to find -- pots and pans, plastic containers, and paper products, for instance.

The same goes for drawers -- move plastic and paper bags (suffocation hazards) and anything sharp to high drawers, and put safe things lower.

If you use medicines/ vitamin or mineral supplements, keep them in a hard-to -reach drawer or cabinet with a safety lock -- they look like sweet candy and can poison a curious kid.

Child-resistant locks aren't foolproof; they just take a persistent toddler a little longer to open.

You may want to place choking hazards, such as magnets, up high too.

Last, unplug small appliances (toasters, coffeemakers, mixers) when not in use, but don't let the cords dangle.

Stove-knob covers, to prevent baby from turning on the burners, if available in the market, else make sure you place the stove beyond the baby's reach on the counter top.

Use nonskid kitchen mats if any.

Lets talk about Baby proofing the other rooms of the house next time we meet here.

- Prathyusha Talluri

Eating healthy food alone is not sufficient for a healthy lifestyle but also correct cooking methods are to be employed during cooking. Or else we might be killing the healthy food and make the same dangerous for our own self!

Though some of these are tough to break but for sake of our health Using Non-stick Pans at High Heat should be discontinued, at high temperatures PFC(perfluorocarbons) are released as fumes which incorporate into our bodies and damage our liver

Using Non-stick pans is a good practice but using metallic utensils is not advisable not just because it prevents scratching and it look but this scratching can lead to ingestion of PFCs. It is best to use wooden or heat-safe rubber utensils

When heating oil to smoking, destroys beneficial antioxidants and forms harmful compounds. Just heat it until it shimmers but not smokes!

Stirring the food constantly to prevent burning, the flavor of the food is boosted by letting it sit on hot pans. Constant stirring breaks food apart and makes it soggy.

Serving hot food on plastic made use-and-throw dishes is very dangerous, because hot foods melt the surface chemicals and enter into our bodies!

 While making batter for baking, we expect the ingredients to mix evenly so, we end up over mixing causes gluten to form in flour. Mix the batter gently and uniformly then put down your mixer!

 Instead of filling the pan to brim with ingredients, it is better to cook small amounts of food in batches. This ensures crispier looks, healthier and tastier foods

Every parent dreams of their child's 1st birthday, infact every birthday party counts. When its time for the Birthday Bash, themes are always overwhelming...we need ideas, more and more. I thought sharing some ideas would relieve you of atleast few tensed anxious party planning moments...

Use a rainbow-themed first birthday party idea to plan a colorful event for your little bird.

Bubbles and Balloons Party:

Arrange a bubble machine from a party supply store, they offer rentals too. And also give some bubble blowers to the kids, let them make their own bubbles, hang clear balloons not the colored ones, but let there be another small balloon inside every big clear one.

Around the World Party:

Send guests plane-ticket invitations. Use airport lingo, like arrival and departure times, seat assignments, and flight numbers.

Candy Theme:

Turn basic balloons into free standing lollipops. Wrap them in cellophane and add a wrapping paper tube stick, then position them around the room.

Hard candies are super easy to make.Tape together two plastic dinner plates, wrap them in cellophane, and cinch the ends with ribbon.

Have fun in your own party!

- Prathyusha Talluri

Most of us receive flowers as gifts and strive to take care of them. Its also an art, not everyone can display bouquets/ flower vases in the right way and beautifully.

Put flowers in water as soon as you get them home. Fill the vase with li'l warm water, add floral preservative(if you get one), and then add flowers to the vase

Cut an inch off the stems using a sharp knife, especially if the flowers will sit a while before being arranged. The fresh cut will help the stems absorb water better.

Warm water helps tightly closed flower heads, such as roses, to open fully. Leave them in water for a day or two before using them on a special occassion.

Use florist's foam to keep flowers in place and constantly hydrated so they last longer. Soak the foam for 15 minutes before cutting it to fit the container. Water the foam every couple of days.

Recut stems just before adding them to the arrangement. Strip off any leaves that fall below the water line.

Add large, heavy flowers first to the arrangement as you work to ensure even placement on all sides. Fill in with smaller, airier blooms, and leave enough space between the stems so individual flowers have room to shine. Include flowers with various shapes and stem lengths.

Make your bouquet taller than its container by about one and a half times. Also, make the width balance the height.

Mix in different textures for a monochromatic arrangement that's interesting to look at.

Save larger leaves and stems with leaves on them to fill in around the flowers. Drape some of the greenery over the container's rim.

Keep flowers away from sunlight and heating vents. Recut stems and add water often.

- Prathyusha Talluri.

- Prathyusha Talluri

Painting flower vases is common, and we think of only floral patterns, mostly. Lets try something new. Winter's arriving too..we can also think of a warm look.

Customize a plain vase by taping off a chevron pattern with painter's tape (it need not be perfect). Spray-paint the exposed area with a lighter shade of the vase color. Remove the tape when the paint is dry.

Boost the style of plain glass vessels by slipping them into something more cozy. Stretch a piece of felted sweater around the vessel, right side in. Pin for a snug fit, then remove and sew it where it was pinned. Cut the excess and turn it inside out. Make use of sweater accents such as button plackets, pockets and sleeves. Or add your own embellishments fashioned from scraps of old wool sweaters.

Add some memories to the clear vases you already have. Make sure the glass is clean inside and out and then, slip some old photographs carefully into the vase. Isn't it a new decorative statement!!

కొంత మంది విజయం చాలా మందికి ఉత్తేజాన్ని ఇస్తుంది. ఎక్కడో, ఎవరో... వాళ్ళు మనకి నేరుగా పరిచయం ఉన్నవారు కాదు.. కానీ వారి వృత్తిలో మెట్లు ఎక్కుతూ, అంతెత్తుకు చేరుతుంటే....ఏదో ఆనందం మనమే ఏదో సాధించినట్టు... ఎందుకిలా?

ఎందుకంటే అది అసాధ్యమేమీ కాదని నిరూపించారు. రేపు మనము అలా ఎదగచ్చేమో? అన్న ఆశని మనలో నింపుతారు కాబట్టి ఫార్చ్యూన్ మ్యాగజైన్... ఒక వ్యక్తి వ్యాపార, వృత్తి, సామాజిక, సాంస్కృతిక ప్రభావాలు వంటి అంశాల ఆధారంగా అంతర్జాతీయ అగ్రశ్రేణి వ్యాపారవేత్తల జాబితాను సిద్ధం చేస్తుంది. ఆ జాబితాలో మహిళా వ్యాపార వేత్తల జాబితాలో మన దేశం నుంచి నలుగురు భారతీయ మహిళలకు స్థానం దక్కింది.

ప్రపంచ వ్యాప్తంగా అత్యంత శక్తివంతమైన వ్యాపార జాబితాలో ICICI బ్యాంక్ CEO చందాకోచర్ నాలుగో స్థానంలో నిలిచారు.

అలాగే National Stock Exchange Chief చిత్రా రామకృష్ణన్ 17వ స్థానంలో ఉన్నారు.

యాక్సిస్ బ్యాంక్ శిఖాశర్మ 32వ స్థానంలో ఉన్నారు.

HSBC నైనా లాల్ కిద్వాయ్ 42వ స్థానంలో ఉన్నారు.

ప్రపంచ వ్యాప్త మహిళా వ్యాపార దిగ్గజాలతో పోటీపడుతూ... ఇలా తమకంటూ ఓ ప్రత్యేక స్థానాన్ని పొందటం అంత సులువేం కాదు. అలా అని అసాధ్యమూ కాదని నిరూపించారు. ఈ నలుగురి ప్రస్థానం.... వారి అభిరుచులు, వృత్తిపట్ల, వ్యక్తిగత జీవితం పట్ల వారి దృక్పథం... ఇవన్నీ ఎందరో మహిళలకు స్పూర్తినిచ్చే అంశాలు. వారికి అభినందనలు తెలుపుతూ, వారి స్పూర్తితో... మన లక్ష్యాలని నిర్ణయించుకుని వాటిని సాధించేందుకు ప్రయత్నిద్దాం..

- రమ
Teluguone

We never know when we feel sad, or angry..specially after a busy hectic day, it might be from any kind of work pressure, from handling too many things at home or driving home through a busy traffic, some discussion at work..anything...

You actually dont atall feel like talking to anyone, then dont talk..really, dont talk..Even if your spouse tries to initiate a discussion. If you have been married for quite some years, then he/she will understand you are irate and will be silent..If you are newly wed, then its a better and kind thought to let your spouse know you didnt have a good day and would like some silent time...that is better than you being angry with your family members, they being hurt and the silent war continues for days...

However, even if you dont want to talk, atleast give the other person a clue that you are irate, or "BE WARE OF ME" kind of a notice...If you are tight lipped, they might keep asking you the reason for your silence and you will end up being more irate...

- Prathyusha Talluri

Before starting the project, you need to make a rough sketch of the area to be screened. In addition, consider the requirements and preferences of the project. Screening plants are mostly used for dual purposes - shade and windbreak, shade and screen, security and privacy. Decide which facility you want, while choosing the screening plants.

Make use of vines and shrubs to cover the bare fence of your garden. By doing this, you will ensure that you have added a decorative element to your garden as well as protected your fences.

Plants and trees that can be used for screening your garden include Abelia, Azalea, Butterfly-bush, Camellia, Ixora, Jasmine, Plumbago, Oleander, Feijoa, Bamboo, Tinus, Dogwood, Hawthorn, Willow, Poplar, Alder and Tamarisk.

Japanese cedar is the best bet for providing partial shade to your garden. Apart from growing fast, it holds more of its lower branches, so that it can be best utilized for providing shade and privacy to your garden.

If you want a lot of shade, planting hollies is suggested. You may also go for Atlantic white cedar, if the place is chronically wet.

Although hedges require a lot of maintenance, they make very effective screens and barriers gardens. They can be grown as high as 15 feet, or lower as well. If hedges are thick, prickly and thorny, they can provide more security to your garden.

Perennials can be used to provide a wonderful screening to your garden. They can also be combined with shrubs and trees.

If you have plenty of space to plant the screening plants, then consider a tiered or a layered look for your garden. For the purpose, you may make use of a small tree with a wide top, such as Crabapple. You may plant the Crabapple in the back, with medium bushes in the front. For a low ground cover, you may plant bulbs in front of the bushes.

Another way to screen your garden is to plant tall ornamental grasses in the back, with lower grasses positioned in the front.

A combination that is quite popular in the present time is tall pine in the back with deciduous shrubs in the front of the trees, complemented by flowers in the front of the shrubs.

Evergreen plants provide continuous screening for your garden, throughout the year. You may select plants with multiple or curly stems, so that appropriate screening is provided to your garden. You may also combine evergreens with deciduous plants.

Maples, buckeyes, birches, oak and elm are perfect screening trees for a spacious garden. A combination of such trees and large shrubs such as Russian olive and lilacs often work out well for such gardens.

Small gardens can be screened with plants such as roses and cinquefoil bushes. You may also erect a couple of small trees and tall shrubs, to provide screening. Willow tree can provide a lot of screening to your garden.

We, Women like making new friends like anyone else..infact why should i say WE WOMEN, we are normal human beings. But if you have noticed, this interest of making new friends definitely reduces once you start a family, however, this is definitely not a rule. You will be more interested in doing something for the kids and the spouse...by the time you find a moment for yourself you either yearn to take some rest or call up an old friend or family member rather than trying to make friends with new people. Is it strange??!!..I dont atall feel its strange but its absolutely normal...

We dont have enough time to get introduced to new friends, invest time in the friendship, try to understand the other person..and most of the times, you dont like the new person you met,,,,you either call your old friend to tell her that this new person didnot impress you or you are very conscious of her looks or her bold personality. the other person may also feel the same about you.

It also depends many a times on the age group, common interests, how much the other person shows interest in being good friends with you, the feedback everyone else gave you about her....there is no thumb rule, you may even find a better friend now, however, your old trustworthy friend is still the Best!!! she has already seen every phase of your life, your behaviour everytime, and she is still your friend, isn't she the right one? Let her know she is precious!

- Prathyusha Talluri

Before the Wedding, he will definitely try to impress you alot, no matter how much time gap you have between getting engaged and getting married. Your friends are his good connections too, he tries to take their help in knowing about your likes and dislikes, they help him in giving you surprises.....you dont know all about this, but they are communicating well and frequently.

Now its been some time you are married, and suddenly he doesnot like you talking to your friends on phone...he wants you to spend time with his family than with your girlfriends. They are strangely hesitant to talk to him.....they were friends too but not now. You feel bad, but how to change the situation?!...

Well, its not atall a problem without a solution...once your friend is married too, introduce her spouse to yours...let them hangout, invite them for dinners, get togethers...and when you notice the Boys are getting along well, plan a trip...you will definitely like the times now....however, everything new needs to be tested...when you invite them over the first time, watch if your Guy likes the other Man's company...if you dont feel the vibes, then they are better acquaintances than Family Friends.

- Prathyusha Talluri

Stay Home Mom--this title is not heard of much, these days. Most Moms are working out of home...and to be called a Stay Home Mom/ Home Maker makes us feel as if we are not being considered by the World...infact, its the most difficult job..handling a child and a whole household is not easy,,you already know it..then why should you let others declare that you are idle at home...I really appreciate the working Moms too..they go to work, come home and the family is staring at them with all the chores..that's frustrating but Moms dont mind!!!

One really relaxing chore is to play with your child...if you have older kids, spend time with them, doing nothing else...stare at them while they do their home work, play or while they talk to you...you will recollect so much motivation...however, teaching your child early to respond kindly to you is most important here...if the child is rude, too naughty, you might even feel like running away :)...

Let the child tell you all that she/he did today while you were away..if you stay home, let them know how much you enjoyed playing with, watching them play...interaction with the innocent young ones is one thing that erases the tiresome feeling from your mind.

- Prathyusha Talluri

Your 1st Child, 2nd Child...every child is a wonderful gift from God...their first dress, first bottle, first pacifier, first pair of socks....are extremely precious, we love the tiny sizes...and every Mom stores them. But where do they end up, in the attic..you actually store them to refresh those moments, but you hardly see them...the purpose is not solved..and it adds to the clutter at home.

Before you feel they are not useful and throw them and one fine day you sit and regret for loosing them..its a better idea to get them framed. Frames available in the market come in sizes and with purposes to display items, not just pictures..they are called Shadow Boxes..

You need not hang those frames / shadow boxes in the Living room if you sentimental..let your Bedroom be the place, or your Child's Bedroom, study room be the area for those memories to be displayed..you will feel good everytime you look at them and your Child will also not feel shy when he/she grows up. They are just some items, not their baby-days' pictures.

- Prathyusha Talluri

చికాకుగా ఉందా...? ఇల్లు సర్దండి !

మీకు ఎప్పుడైనా కారణం లేకుండా చిరాకుగా అనిపిస్తే ఒక్కసారి ఇల్లు శుభ్రంగా ఉందో లేదో ఒకసారి చెక్ చేసుకోండి. అకారణంగా వచ్చే కోపం, చిరాకులకి ఇల్లు శుభ్రంగా లేకపోవటం కూడా ఒక కారణం అంటున్నారు పరిశోధకులు. ఇల్లు శుభ్రంగా పెట్టుకోకపోతే... ఎదో తెలియని చిరాకు, ఒత్తిడి వంటివి మనల్ని ఇబ్బంది పెడతాయట.

మీకు తెలుసా? ఎంత పని ఒత్తిడి ఉన్నా, దొరికిన సమయంలోనే ఇంటిని చక్కగా సర్దుకోవటం, ఎక్కడి వస్తువు అక్కడ పెట్టడం, అవసరమైన వస్తువు కనిపించేలా పెట్టుకోవడం, ఇవన్నీ మన జీవితంపై మనకున్న శ్రద్ధని చూపిస్తాయట. ఎక్కాడు వస్తువులు అక్కడ పడేస్తూ, తిరిగి సర్దుకుంటూ, మళ్ళీ పాడుచేస్తూ ఇలా ఓ పధ్ధతి లేకుండా ఉండే వాళ్ళు ఏం చెయ్యాలో చూద్దామా...!

మన జీవితం ఓ పద్ధతిలో సాగిపోవాలంటే, ముందు ఇంటి నుంచి మొదలు పెట్టమన్నారు పెద్దలు. ఎప్పుడైతే ఇంటిని పొందికగా, చక్కగా సర్దుతూ దానిని రోజు అలాగే శుభ్రంగా ఉంచుకుంటామో, ఆ క్రమశిక్షణ అనేది నెమ్మదిగా మనపై కూడా చూపుతుంది. దీనివల్ల జీవితంలో మనం చేసే అన్ని పనులలో కూడా ఈ క్రమశిక్షణ అనేది అలాగే అలవాటుగా అయిపోతుంది.

విపరీతమైన కోపం లేదా చికాకు వంటివి ఇలా మిమ్మల్ని ఇబ్బంది పెట్టే సంఘటనల నుంచి తప్పించుకోవటానికి తక్షణ మార్గం ఏంటో తెలుసా...? చీపురు పట్టుకొని ఇల్లు మొత్తం దులిపెయ్యండి. ఆ పని పూర్తయ్యేలోపు మీ మనసులోని కోపం, చికాకు వంటివి అన్నీ కూడా తొలగిపోతాయి. కాబట్టి ఈ విధంగా చేయడం వలన మీకు కోపం, చికాకులు తగ్గిపోతాయి. అదే విధంగా మీ ఇల్లు కూడా ఎప్పటికప్పుడు శుభ్రంగా, అందంగా ఉంటుంది. కాబట్టి ముందు ఇంటిని శుభ్రంగా ఉంచుకోవడం మర్చిపోవద్దు.

- రమ

ముచ్చటైన దీపాల తయారీ... మీకోసం ప్రత్యేకం

దీపావళి అనగానే ఇల్లంతా కూడా అందంగా అలంకరించుకోవడం మనకు తెలుసు. కానీ కొత్తగా, క్రియేటివ్ గా మన ఇంటికే కొత్త కళ తెచ్చేవిధంగా అలంకరించుకుంటే మన ఇంటికే మహాలక్ష్మీ వచ్చినంత సంతోషంగా ఉంటుంది కదా. మరి అలా అందంగా మన ఇంటిని ఎలా అలంకరించుకోవాలో, అసలు ఎలాంటి చిన్న చిన్న వస్తువులే మన ఇంటికి అందాన్ని రెట్టింపు చేస్తాయో ఈ వీడియో చూసి తెలుసుకుందామా...!

దీపావళి అనగానే మనకు ముందుగా గుర్తొచ్చేది కాంతివంతమైన దీపాలు, వాటి వెలుగులు. మరి అలాంటి వెలుగులను పంచె దీపాలను చిన్న చిన్న వస్తువులతో ఎంత అందంగా,కొత్తగా తయారు చేసుకోవచ్చో చూద్దాం.

దీపావళి వెలుగులు ఇలా...!

దీపావళి రోజున ఇల్లంతా కూడా కాంతివంతంగా ఉంటే ఎంత బాగుంటుందో కదా. మరి మనం ప్రతిరోజూ ఉపయోగించే ట్యూబ్ లైట్స్, బల్బ్ లాంటివి కాకుండా.. కొంచెం కొత్తగా ఈ దీపావళికి మరింత అందంగా, కాంతులతో మీ ఇంటిని వెలుగులతో ఎలా నింపాలో చూడండి.

Safety tips for Diwali

Always use under adult supervision.

Purchase only legal fireworks, available at approved stands.

Read and follow instructions given on the fireworks packs.

Always keep water and sand nearby, and a water hose pipe if possible.

Fireworks are for strict outdoor use.

Never try to make your own fireworks.

Never relight fireworks that appear to have gone out. Wait for 15 minutes, and then soak the firework in a bucket of water.

Only light one firework at a time.

Never allow small children to go near fireworks.

Store in a cool dry place.

Never lean over top of fireworks to light them.

Tie hair back, wear caps, wear safety goggles and no loose fitting clothes.

Wear cotton clothes, and cover your body as much as possible. Shoes are a must.

Sparklers should be immersed in sand or water bucket as soon as they appear out - they are still very hot and are known to cause the maximum number of accidental burns to children.

After you finish — be responsible. Make arrangement to clear up all the mess the next morning. Wash your hands and feet, and firework material can be toxic, and s bad for your health.

How to Take Care Elders during Diwali

Protect them from Pollution

Seniors face new set of challenges during Diwali. Make sure that elder people stay away from the places with high concentration of fumes. This becomes even more important if they are suffering from any respiratory problem such as asthma, pulmonary diseases, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, common cold, pneumonia and allergic bronchitis.

Talk to doctor about how to be prepared to deal with increased pollution on Diwali. Your doctor may increase medicinal intake during this period.

Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium present in firecrackers can make breathing even more cumbersome for them. Therefore keep medications, nebulizer and inhalers handy.

Pollutants and dust takes more than three days to settle down. Therefore it is equally important to take care of elderly post Diwali as well. People with problem of central nervous system, heart and lung are affected more by dust.

Protect them from Noise pollution

Noise pollution has different impact on every individual. Elder people are at high risk of health hazards linked to excessive noise pollution. The common impacts of noise pollution during Diwali include:

tiredness

headache

impaired visual acuity

loss of appetite

impact on sleep

Annoyance, hypertension and stress are some of the possible psychological consequences of noise. Have patience even if your parents and grandparents become irritable.

The above stated problems are usually temporary and weir- off with time but the elder people should take special precautions. Increased noise level trigger heart problem by elevating the blood pressure.

If you have elder person in your house then make sure that you go out of house to burst crackers. Elders must have minimum exposure to noise and pollution during and post Diwali.

పొల్యుషన్ అంటే కేవలం రోడ్ల పైనే కాదు. మన ఇంట్లో కూడా ఉంటుంది అంటే నమ్మగలరా? మన ఇంట్లో మనకి హాని చేసే ఎన్నో కాలుష్య కారకాలు ఉంటాయట. 12 రకాల భయంకరమైన రసాయన కారకాలు మన ఇంట్లోనే ఉంటాయట. ఇవి బయట పొల్యుషన్ కంటే మనకి ఎక్కువ హాని చేస్తాయి. ఎప్పుడూ తలుపు, కిటికీలు మూసేసి ఉంచే ఇళ్ళల్లో వీటి ఎఫెక్ట్ ఇంకా ఎక్కువ. మరి వాటి గురించి మరిన్ని వివరాలు తెలుసుకుందామా...

బయటకి వేసుకువెళ్ళిన చెప్పులని ఎలాంటి పరిస్తితుల్లో కూడా ఇంటి లోపలికి తీసుకురాకూడదు అంటున్నారు వైద్య నిపుణులు. వాటి నుంచి హాని కలిగించే బ్యాక్టీరియా గాలిలో కలిసి, మన ఇంటిఫ్లోర్, కార్పెట్ లలో చేరుతుందట. అక్కడి నుండి మన శరీరంలోకి చేరుతుంది. చాలా వరకు మన అనారోగ్యానికి ఇది కూడా ఒక కారణం అంటే నమ్మగలరా?

డ్రైక్లీనింగ్ నుంచి రాగానే వెంటనే బట్టలు వాడటం మంచిది కాదు. వాటిలో కూడా కొన్ని హానికరమైన క్రిములు ఉంటాయి. కాబట్టి రెండు, మూడు రోజుల తర్వాత వాడితే మంచిది. అలాగే మన ఫ్యాన్ రెక్కలకి, కిటికీ గ్రిల్స్, తలుపులు ఇవన్నీ బ్యాక్టీరియా నిల్వ ఉండే ప్రదేశాలు. కాబట్టి వీటిని ఎప్పటికప్పుడు శుభ్రం చేయటం మంచిది. అలాగే దుమ్ముని ఎప్పుడూ దులపకూడదు. కేవలం తడిబట్టతో తుడవాలి. లేకపోతే మనం పీల్చే గాలిలో చేరి, మన ఊపిరితిత్తులలోకి దుమ్ము చేరిపోతుంది. కాబట్టి మన అందమైన ఇంటిని పొల్యుషన్ లేకుండా ఉంచుకోవాలంటే ఈ జాగ్రత్తలు తప్పనిసరి.

- రమ

Cute Nut Bird

Your kids will go nuts for these cute little birds made from just a few things available in the nature.

Make It: Glue various natural or store-bought nuts together to form a bird's body and head. You can use Apricots, Hazelnuts, Betelnuts and let them dry completely after glueing. Cut wings, a beak, and feet from colored foam or cardboard and attach to the bird. Add google eyes to finish. Isn't it a cute li'l birdy...use your imagination to create other birds too...

You and your child can also make these Pinecone Birds...collect some pinecones..paste google eyes to some foam balls, twist some brushes to make their feet, paste a beak, and imagine them walking!!!

- Prathyusha Talluri

Campaign Against Bride Trafficking in India

“ Campaign Against Bride Trafficking in India,” interview with Mr. Shafiq Ur Rehman, founder of ‘Empower People Organization,’ which helps bride Trafficking and honor crimes against women by Kanakadurga.

We are moving forward and making lot of progress in the society and we thought we got rid of “Kanyasulkam,” parents of the little girl used to pay money to the old aged bridegroom to marry their daughters. After lot of struggle and hard work of so many social reformers it was eliminated from the society and stopped the social evil of Child Marriages. Now we are trying so hard to get rid of the Dowry system from our society, meanwhile other social issues like female infanticide, bride trafficking, where some people convince parents that their daughters will get married, or get jobs, or become heroines to support the family, take money from them along with the girls and they disappear. They take the girls using this method, or kidnap and sell in the villages of North Indian States where men are not getting married as the result of women ratio is getting reduced. These women are tortured, beaten, used as slaves, multiple men in the same family use them for sex, sometimes after having an heir they resell them to the men who offer more money taking the child from the mothers etc. Government is busy with its own problems so someone has to take care of these women.

So Mr. Shafiq Ur Rehman who came from the very progressive family started taking interest in this issue and as he got support from lot of people they all started “Empower People,” organization in order to help these Bride Trafficking and honor crimes against women. It has the membership of at least 10.000 Assam, Bihar, Haryana, Jharkhand, Punjab, Rajasthan, West Bengal and some linkages in Himachal Pradesh. Recently a documentary about Bride Trafficking and the problems faced by these women called “Paro,” was shown in the Rajya Sabha to show the government how it is affecting women in the above mentioned States of North India and do something about it.

I (Kanakadurga) wanted to interview him to know more about this problem, what kind of programs they are taking up to help these rescued women for the readers for Teluguone.com and he agreed to it. He is always busy in either rescuing women, attending conferences or if someone blames them for something happened in the village, he has to be there to clear their misunderstandings etc. in spite of his busy schedule he gave this exclusive interview. Let us try to know by asking him how bad the problem is and what everyone as a citizen supposed to do in order to eliminate this problem. Please read the whole interview and try to help these people.

Kanakadurga: Namaste Shafiq ji, First of all we are all so proud of the work you are doing by starting the Campaign against Bride Trafficking in India! Can you first tell us about yourself so that we will know about your background?

Shafiq Ur Rehman: Thank you so much for all kind words,

I was born and brought up in a progressive peasant family in Gaya (Bihar). I was never a proficient boy in any front. I never tried to play cricket or football or any game, I was an average student in my school. But I was extra-ordinary in organizing school events as well as community service, In 6th class I with my classmate founded a group “Shastri cadet core” (it was a parody of National cadet core) which opens a library in front of school for the drop-out friends who were not able to join any school for some reason. Our other major work was cleaning in school and neighboring areas. I joined a radical communist party in 1998 when I was student of class 8th with a mission to search a solution of suffering and discrimination and unfortunately I never attended any class after 8th class, that’s how I discontinued my education, but learned a lot by observing people, social problems, by reading lot of books.

KD: You were involved with the Marxist party before you started this campaign. Why did you come out of that party and what made you start this Campaign?

SR: Yes, I Joined a Maoist group but soon after I realized that we need a sensitive approach than a violent action, soon after I with my friends founded a group career development corner, it was daring step but we opened a total 23 schools in whole district. And finally I decided to leave the party and started my own intervention in the area. Nothing much was done by organized effort but it was a small initiative of a teenager which was supported by community as well as government.

KD: Did you first saw anyone suffering with this problem? When did you first time came across such a case was and what did you do then? What did really make you to take up this cause of bride trafficking and do something about it?

SR: In 2005 we launched EMPOWER PEOPLE in Delhi with a new idea of intervention. We organized a 300km march on foot against female foeticide in Haryana. During this march I met a woman who said that people like her who are living in a difficult situation need help. I assured her that I will meet and try to rescue her after this march. After 6 months of the march I visited her village but I couldn’t find her, when I enquired about her the villagers informed me that may be she ran away from the village but some young people shared the opinion that she might have been be sold by the family with whom she lived to some other man. They also informed me about the menace of bride trafficking and the network involved in this kind of trafficking.

KD: Can you describe what’s really happening when a woman is married brought from a different state into a family where there are 2 to 3 unmarried brothers?

Let me clear out one thing here that these are not lawful or ethical marriages, bride trafficking is simply a form of modern day slavery, and girls are being sold and resold from one person to another. These girls become sex slaves and agricultural laborers. In some parts of Haryana polyandry (Women with more than one husband) still exists not because of sex-ratio but its traditional means of marriage like polygamy (Men with more than one wife). Due to various reasons including law polyandrous marriages are performed secretly without any rituals. Trafficked brides who are known as “Molki” (lit-purchased) jugad (arrangement) or Paro (lit-stolen) are actually commodity on sale. Girls are being sold to 4 to ten times, after they have been used totally until their beauty, energy are gone then they let them settle down with some disable, widower or deserted men.

KD: What is the main cause for this problem? Does Female infanticide is contributing to this problem?

SR: Can we justify any rape only because rapist is not married and not able to find a sex partner? If so, it is but in my opinion its cruel justification coined by buyers. Three major social crimes Sex selective abortions or female infanticide, honor killings and bride trafficking are happening in the region and that indicates the situation of the women in society. The State Haryana have two Gaushalas (Animal shelters) in each block and only three women shelters home in whole state. This is real problem with the society. There are many forcing factors sex selective abortion is one of them but not the only factor. It has a long history of slave trading, traffickers are called Burdafarosh it’s a Persian term for slave traders. That indicates historical background of such trafficking. The forcing factors of Bride Trafficking can be identified as:

1. Cultural beliefs of Polyandry and karewa marriages (When a husband dies wife is forced to marry brother of the husband, sometimes it happens with the consent of women.)

2. Sex selection and declining sex ratio

3. Social Perception of Early Marriage

4. For the purpose of domestic and agricultural labor.

5. Organized trafficking network who sells girls at a very low price.

KD: What is the present ratio of men and women or boys or girls in India?

SR: As per the latest Census in the year 2011, the total female sex ratio in India is 940 per 1000 males and the female child sex ratio is 944 girl children per every 1000 boy children of the same age group. The overall female sex ratio has increased by 0.75 % in the Census 2011 as compared to the previous Census of 2001.

KD: What kind of programs have you designed to create awareness among the people about this problem?

SR: We simply believe in Empowerment of these girls, we are not victimizing them to put in a shelter home or something like traditional anti-trafficking organizations are doing. However we believe in Institutionalization of cause but it should be under leadership of survivor. Our major activities are Sensitization and engagement of community -

1. GENDER AND FEMINIST PERSPECTIVE BUILDING FOR PRI (Panchayati Raj Institution) LEADERS

2. Enabling and strengthening “Mahila Mandals” formed under state government scheme as well as domestic violence cells in districts.

3. Mainstreaming, leadership building and CBO (Community Based Organizations) formation of trafficking survivors as well as local women with a right based approach to ensure safety and community based sustainable reconciliation of outsider and locals.

4. Inclusion is essential part of whole concept and we are trying to organize other right based movements in the society.

5. Advocacy at state and national level to induct cause of bride trafficking and honor crimes in policies as priority.

6. As well as campaigns in source and transit area of trafficking

KD: Do you rescue the women who become the victims of domestic violence and treated as slaves? ) What is ‘Empower People?’ What role does it play in rescuing girls and women?

SR: Yes we rescue these girls who are in difficult situation and trying to ensure their rehabilitation as per needs and their consent. EMPOWER PEOPLE is a registered NGO which coordinates all actions and campaigns in field, it was found in 2005 by me and my friends. The Empower People is functioning as umbrella organization for Bride Trafficking survivors led by 20 community based organizations. It generates funds legal and other required supports for these Community Based Organizations. The EMPOWER PEOPLE is responsible for whole rescue operation and its follow up.

KD: How do you rescue these women and what kind of help they get?

SR: We used to rescue someone with the help of community as well as police department. And we take full responsibility of the girl’s counseling, shelter, food clothing everything is being provided by Empower People.

KD: Do you get threats from in-laws or husbands whose wives are rescued?

SR: Threats and attacks are part of our life. Every week we receive some calls and sometime our colleagues were attacked but we don’t care

KD: How do you protect yourself from such people and how do you provide protection to the women you have rescued?

SR: We believe in community engagement in every step. Protection of girl is really big challenge but people always support us and ensured the protection of these girls.

KD: Do you get grants from the government or support or encouragement for doing such a wonderful social service?

SR: Last year Union minister of women and child development informed the parliament that “Haryana Government stated that there are no forced marriages (bride trafficking) in the state and that the marriages are also being solemnized across the country breaking the barriers of caste, creed and language.” It is clear that government is not willing to accept it as a problem so they don’t give us any funds or support us. Other donors do not have clear idea of funding, they never fund for any good cause they need to know that Economic prosperity isn't always a sign of social progress. They are working in Bihar on female foeticide where sex ratio is comparatively balanced and good but only because Bihar is not economic sound, they will work on everything.

We have no institutional funding but many of our friends and concerned people are supporting us to continue our battle.

KD: Are there any cases where you have rescued women and sent to their parents back?

Yes, but it’ as bad experience, Girls who were sent to their parents were not happy as there is social stigma and many issues are involved, but in one case it worked out when we recently organized a marriage of a girl in Assam with her class-mate. She is happy with her husband. Many girls were repatriated to their native home but results are not satisfactory.

KD: What if the girls or woman do not want to return to home as they are scared of getting married again by their parents?

SR: Most of girls don’t want to return their native home we respect their opinion and induct them in our campaign. Our most of grass root workers are survivors of bride trafficking. Elected president of EMPOWER PEOPLE is also a survivor of bride trafficking. Some girls are living with their husbands who are supporting them. We all are working to curb the bride trafficking in different capacity.

KD: There is no doubt that it is a major problem or a social evil like child marriages, atrocities against women etc. How can this bride trafficking be stopped? In which states this problem is becoming more? Is it spreading to other states too?

SR: Yes, Bride trafficking is a big problem in Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, and western Uttar Pradesh while some other states are becoming source of trafficking; some states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat are becoming source as well as destination for the trafficking. We are trying to create a peoples movement to break the chain of trafficking network. We are organizing trafficked bride training to the rescued women so that they can become community leaders and work for society. But without Institutionalization of cause, trafficking would never be stopped, there is need of holistic campaign among community, sensitization in political, judicial and law enforcement system and we are trying to make it possible.

KD: What are common people are supposed to do in order to end this problem?

SR: Speak against the odd, people can speak for these angels who are kept under some devils, we as grass root workers always need support, backing and safeguard, readers of this interview are requested to write/speak about bride trafficking, they also can donate us to continue our works, they can write to donor agency that why this topic and area is neglected.

KD: Even though many people are aware that killing the girls before they are born is creating the problem of not having enough women for lot of men to get marry still they are not changing the attitude of choosing boys over the girls. What do you think about it?

SR: Violence against Women is largely prevailing because of the societal mechanism combined with patriarchal values. The cause Bride trafficking is plain and simple result of that notion which leads our society towards sex selective abortions and traditional polyandry marriages in new form. This problem is not just result of sex selection but all these problems and their root causes are parallel. We need to attack on that notion or conceptions.

KD: Can you please share some of the good and bad experiences you have faced since you have got seriously involved in this cause?

SR: Yes, there are many good and bad experiences but I would love to share a good experience, once our executive committee was planning to establish a shelter home for Bride Trafficking victims and we were discussing funds and other details suddenly one of our survivor CBO leader asked me that “Shafiq are you going to allow these girls to have sex in shelter? If no! Who are you to decide that girl doesn’t want to have sex or why you are denying her right to sex”. I was really shocked to come to this point then our executive committee decided to postpone the idea. The survivors and even victims teach us how to deal with some problem. No one can imagine that I was trained by these girls, I never know how to deal with such things but they guide me in difficult times.

Bad experiences are many and generating funds and executing the programs are really tough jobs.

KD: Don’t you get scared or frightened when doing this kind of work against the wishes of the villagers who are too orthodox and think that what they are doing is right and there is nothing wrong in it?

Yes after all I’m simple human being but working for this particular cause is like evil habit, many times they attacked on me and my friends but every work in this world is a risky job. We know there are thousands of girls who are desperately waiting for our intervention.

KD: Is everyone in your family dedicated to the cause of bride trafficking?

SR: In some way, my family is supporting me financially emotionally and more ways. They are core donors for this cause

KD: You have won Social Bravery Award, ENGO award and you have been chosen as Amazing Indian by one of the TV channels. How did you feel when you won these awards?

SR: To be frank Awards does matter for me, only because I need to be recognized. I have no mentor no donor and even no networks in the field where I’m working while our enemies have a strong network of police politicians, criminals and many powerful authorities with a huge community support. Bride trafficking network is hundred time strong than a sex tracking network. After these awards mainstream media is using word bride trafficking that’s a great advocacy. Awards and media reorganization are part of advocacy for the cause.

KD: I think you are the most courageous person who chose the hard path to help these helpless women. Did you ever regret for getting involved in this cause?

SR: Interestingly, I’m the most coward person in my team, my girls ‘n boys are really courageous they always support me in making any decision or action. In 2008 I was advised by a psychologist to leave this cause so I left it for a year but after some months she felt that I’m going to be sick, and finally she suggested to me to come back to my cause. She felt that if I don’t work on this cause I wouldn’t live. I’m proud to be working on an issue where no one is daring to work.

KD: How do you feel when you rescue women from very hard situations and when they thank you for bringing them out of darkness into light to start a new life?

SR: The moment when we rescue someone is the biggest awards from all the awards for all of us. But no girl ever says thank you to me, they simply hate every man including our team members as they have faced tough situation in the hands of their so called husbands, so it’s natural that they hate men. They think we are buying them like like others but soon after counseling and after spending some time with us they realize that we are their brothers. Whenever they use to cry we cried along with them. We all have a strong emotional bonding. We love and respect each other after all we all are fighting for freedom.

KD: If you explain taking a woman’s story how she got married, faced abuse, treated as slave and then rescued by you that will help people understand how this is happening. Can you do that please?

SR: Rupa was abducted from Asam in early 1995 at the age of 12. She was sold to a man in Haryana and after two years resold to another man. She was sold totally ten times in 13-14 years.  We found her in critical situation in September 2009. She was in mental trauma and high depression. Her new owner was 68 years old with 3 children and Rupa has 4 girl children of her own.  We rescued her with community participation (with the help of Panchayati member) in December 2009 with her girl children. After a year of counseling and therapy she expresses her wish to marry a man from another block of same district, who was widower, has two boys and willing to accept her girl children.  After the marriage they are living together happily. Rupa is an emerging community leader, now she is helping other women in getting justice as member of our paralegal team.

KD: Can you share your final thoughts about atrocities against women, your opinion about death penalty, female infanticide, bride trafficking with us?

SR: Death penalty is a patriarchal form of punishment and I dare to say that it’s another shade of rapist mentality. In this case the death penalty is nothing but an attempt to hide state-failures. I would never support death penalty but in this particular case we find many state failures.

After Nirbhaya’s case there were many honor suicides were reported where rape victims committed suicide only because of media. We need to understand the concept of honor and mentality behind it. One can ask why people killed their daughter, answer is simple they don’t want to give her extra care to save from cycle of violence including rape or dowry killing or she can bring dishonor by sexual misconduct or any misbehavior. The sex selective abortions or female foeticide, honor killings, rapes, gang rapes, trafficking, witch killings, older women hunt are parallel and result of the societal mechanism combined with patriarchal values by which women are forced into a subordinate position commodity. And the same cause is behind mentality of rape. We need to understand causes and then we can find a way to work on gender inequality as well as crime against women.

Shafiq ji thank you so much for giving us this interview in spite of your busy schedule for the readers of Teluguone.com which helps the readers to understand about the issue of bride trafficking and what Empower People Organization is doing and how you are rescuing these women and helping them. We really appreciate it very much for your efforts and all the best in your future projects. Thank you so much for your co-operation!

For more information about “Empower people,” “Campaign against Bride Trafficking,” and if anybody wants to donate for the survival of this organization you can visit their website http://www.empowerpeople.org.in/

- Kanakadurga

మీ ఇంట్లో సీసాలు ఎక్కువగా వాడనివి ఓ పక్కన పెట్టేసారా? వాటితో ఎలాంటి ఉపయోగం లేదని అనుకుంటున్నారా? అయితే అలాంటి వాటిని బయటకు తియ్యండి. వాటితోనే మీ ఇంటికి వాతావరణాన్ని మార్చే విధంగా తయారుచేసుకోవచ్చు.

మనం మాములుగా మొక్కలను మట్టి కుండల్లో పెంచుతాం. దీనివల్ల మన ఇంటికి కాస్త అందం వస్తుంది. కానీ ఈ సీసా గాజుపాత్రలలో మొక్కలను పెంచడం వల్ల మన ఇంటికి మరింత అందం వస్తుంది. అయితే ఈ గాజు పాత్రలకు చిన్న ఇటుక ముక్కలు, బొగ్గు పొడి , మట్టి తీసుకొని, వీటిని ఒకదాని తర్వాత ఒకటిగా పొరల్లాగా వెయ్యాలి. తర్వాత మనం ఎంచుకున్న మొక్కలను పెట్టుకోవాలి. అదనపు ఆకర్షణ కోసం ఈ గాజుపాత్రలో రంగుల గులక రాళ్ళు, గావ్వల్లాంటివి అలంకరించుకోవచ్చు. ఈ విధంగా చేయడం వలన మన ఇంటి అందం మరింత రెట్టింపు అవుతుంది. అదే విధంగా గాజు పాత్రలు కూడా వృధా కాకుండా పోతున్నాయి.

వంటసోడాతో నమ్మలేని ఉపయోగాలు...!

మాములుగా మనం వంటసోడాను వంటల్లో వాడుతుంటాం. కానీ వంట సోడా వలన అసలు ఇంకా ఎన్ని ఉపయోగాలు ఉన్నాయో మీకు తెలుసా? మరింకెందుకు ఆలస్యం వంటసోడా ఉపయోగాలు ఒకసారి చూద్దామా...!

* ఆమ్లెట్ ఉబ్బినట్లుగా రావాలంటే గుడ్డుసొనలో చిటికెడు వంటసోడా కలపాలి. అలాగే కేక్ తయారీలోనూ ఉపయోగించవచ్చు.

* బజ్జీలు,పకోడీలు లాంటివి కరకరలాడాలంటే, వాటి తయారీలో చిటికెడు వంటసోడా కలిపితే సరిపోతుంది.

* స్నానాల గదిలో అద్దాలపైన పడిన నీటి మరకలను తొలగించాలంటే... వంటసోడా సోడాలో నీళ్ళు కలిపి పేస్ట్ లా చేసి దూదితో అద్దాన్ని తుడవాలి. తరువాత పొడి వస్త్రంతో తుడిస్తే సరిపోతుంది.

* బకెట్ నీళ్ళలో చెంచా వంటసోడా వేసుకుని స్నానం చేస్తే చర్మ సమస్యలు దూరమవుతాయి.

* ఫ్లవర్ వాజ్ లో పూలు ఎక్కువ రోజులు తాజాగా వుండాలంటే నీళ్ళల్లో చిటికెడు వంటసోడా కలపాలి.

* సాక్సుల దుర్వాసన దూరం చెయ్యాలంటే వంటసోడా కలిపిన నీటితో వాటిని నానబెటట్టి, వాటిని ఉతకాలి.

* చెక్క ఫర్నిచర్ పై పడిన పదార్దాల మరకలు పోగొట్టాలంటే ... ఒక మగ్గు నీటిలో చెంచా వంటసోడా వేసి, మరకలు పడిన చోట ఈ నీటితో తుడిస్తే సరిపోతుంది.

* చెమట వాసన దూరం కావాలంటే.. కొన్ని నీటిలో పావు చెంచా వంటసోడా కలిపి చల్లుకోండి. చెమట దుర్వాసన దూరమవుతుంది.

* దంతాలు పచ్చగా ఉంటే టూత్ పేస్ట్ పై చిటికెడు వంటసోడా వేసుకుని తోముకోండి. దంతాలు మిలమిలా మెరుస్తాయి.

* నోటి దుర్వాసన ఇబ్బంది పెడితే... గ్లాసు నీటిలో రెండు చెంచాల వంటసోడా కలిపి పుక్కిలించాలి. దీనివల్ల నోరు రోజంతా తాజాగా వుంటుంది.

*వస్త్రాలను శుభ్రం చేయడానికి వంటసోడా బాగా ఉపయోగపడుతుంది. గ్రీజు మరకలైతే ఆ ప్రాంతంలో వంటసోడా చల్లి రుద్ది చూడండి. క్షణాల్లో మరక మాయం.

STRANGE JOBS WOMEN IN THE WORLD TAKE UP

The two highest IQ’s ever recorded (on a standard test) both belong to women.

Given a piece of land and the same level of help, Women were found to be more efficient than men, and produced bigger harvests.

Women are ready to take up any challenge and come out Winners. There are always the standard career choices—doctor, lawyer, teacher—but there are plenty of other options no one ever hears about. Few women have taken up such jobs which are called WIERD,,,however, they are all for a Living!

Odor Tester: Employees at a Perfumery/ Homecare products Company test the efficacy of deodorants and antiperspirants by sniffing subjects’ armpits..it is not fun, its a job for them.

Wrinkle Chaser: At shoe companies, it’s a wrinkle chaser’s job to use a special iron to ensure shoes are smooth as glass when they leave the factory.

Furniture Tester: Loungers actually get paid to test furniture for companies by sitting on it. They have to wriggle around, rock, lean back, lean forward and assess the overall level of comfort. Somedays furniture testers try out 200 different pieces.

Pet Food Taster: They are appointed to taste pet foods for the texture. Its not tasty for humans atall, and the very fact, its pet food.

Vomit Cleaner: The roller coaster rides, remind us of people messing up. Some theme parks employ cleaners specifically designated to mop up puke.

Professional Sleep Agents: Professional sleepers doze off as part of sleep research projects, to help scientists and doctors figure out the mysteries behind sleep disorders.

Resort Waterslide Tester: to check the height, speed, water quantity and landing as well as all safety aspects of the theme park rides.

- Prathyusha Talluri

CANS AND CRAFT

We generally throw away tins/ cans after emptying their contents. There are simple tips and few easily available items to give an ordinary tin can, a new interesting look and a useful new life.

After you empty the contents of the tin, peel off the wrapper. Some wrappers peel off easily, some need to be soaked in water and removed. Let the can dry completely to avoid rusting.

Buy Adhesive paper with an interesting design that either matches your other decorative items or the one with a bold/ beautiful design you like.

If Adhesive paper is not available in the market, you can take a bigger size thick white paper and paint it with colors/design you like. Measure the height of the Tin and cut the paper accordingly. Now, apply Extra-hold glue like Elmer's All-Purpose Glue to the Tin surface and start sticking the painted thick white paper. Stick it well without air gaps on the surface.

You can use it as a Single Flower vase, as i dont think it can handle the weight of many flowers and water together....use it as a Pencil Holder, Plastic Spoon Holder for parties etc..

- Prathyusha Talluri

More articles from this author.....

http://teluguone.com/vanitha/content/cute-nut-bird-944-24955.html

Cup Cakes- Paper Flowers

Baking doesnot come easy to all. But making paper flowers with cupcake liners is so easy.

To make one flower we will need 6 cupcake liners, a glue stick, a button/jewel and a thick drink straw/ pipe cleaner/sticks.

Fold each liner, stick 3 liner that are folded using a strong glue, hide the middle joining zone with a colorful button.

Make the same kind of flower with the other 3 liners.

Take the 2 flowers, insert the straw/ stick as a sandwich and the flower is ready.

- Prathyusha Talluri

More articles from this author.....

http://teluguone.com/vanitha/content/cute-nut-bird-944-24955.html

http://teluguone.com/vanitha/content/tin-can-crafts-944-25254.html#.Uo790CfQtQA

వంటగదిలో మీకు తెలియని కొత్త షెల్ఫ్ ప్రదేశాలు...!

పనికిరాని వస్తువులన్నిటిని కూడా స్టోర్ రూమ్ లోపెట్టేస్తుంటాం. ఎందుకంటే ఈ పనికిరాని వస్తువులను తీసేయడం వలన కాస్త ఖాళీ స్థలం దొరుకుతుంది. అదే ఒకవేళ వంటగదిలో అనేక వస్తువులను పెట్టుకోవాల్సి ఉంటుంది. కానీ వాటికోసం మరో స్థలాన్నివెతుక్కోకుండా వంటగదిలోనే మనకు నచ్చినట్లుగా ఎలా అందంగా మార్చుకోవచ్చో కొన్ని సూచనల ద్వారా తెలుసుకుందామా...!

వంటగది చిన్నగా ఉందనుకోండి.. అందులో మళ్ళీ షెల్ఫ్ లు అంటూ చేస్తే అది ఇంకా ఇరుకుగా మారిపోతుంది. అలాంటప్పుడు సింక్ క్రింది స్థలాన్ని వాడుకొని మన వస్తువులను అమర్చుకోవచ్చు. మరి సింక్ కింది భాగాన్ని ఎలా వాడుకోవచ్చో చూద్దామా...!

సింక్ కింది భాగంలో షెల్ఫ్ లాంటివి అమర్చుకోవడం వలన మీకు అవసరమయ్యే వస్తువులను అక్కడే పెట్టుకోవచ్చు. అలా చేయడం వలన అందంగా ఉండటంతో పాటు స్థలం కూడా మనకు ఉపయోగపడుతుంది.

పైగా శాశ్వతంగా అక్కడే ఉండే షెల్ఫ్ లను మీరు ఎంచుకోవలసిన అవసరం లేదు. ఎందుకంటే ఎప్పుడైన రిపెర్లకు ప్లంబర్ వస్తే ఈ మొత్తం క్యాబినెట్ నే తొలగించాల్సి కూడా రావచ్చు. అందుకే అటూఇటూ కదల్చడానికి వీలైన ఎన్నో అండర్ సింక్ షెల్ఫ్ లు ఇప్పుడు మార్కెట్లో లభిస్తున్నాయి.

టూ టైర్, త్రీ టైర్ ఫుల్ అవుట్ బాస్కెట్లు ఇప్పుడు మార్కెట్లో అందుబాటు ధరలలోనే లభిస్తున్నాయి. అనువైన దానిని ఎంచుకుని సింక్ కింద అమర్చండి.

అందులో డిటర్జెంట్లు, లిక్విడ్ సోప్ బాటిల్స్, బ్లీచింగ్ పౌడర్ డబ్బాలు, బ్రష్ లు, చివరకు హ్యాండ్ టవల్స్ తో సహా చక్కగా సర్దుకోవచ్చు. చిన్న చిన్న బాటిల్స్ లాంటివి ఉంటే వాటన్నింటిని ఒకే ట్రే లో సర్దుకోవచ్చు. మీరు ఈ షెల్ఫ్ లను ఎప్పటికప్పుడు శుభ్రంగా కడిగి పెట్టుకోవచ్చు.

మరకలు పోగొట్టేద్దాం... మెరిపించేద్దాం...!

మనం నచ్చిన బట్టల పైన కానీ, ఏదైనా వస్తువుల పైన కానీ మరకలు పడిన లేదా జిడ్డుగా మారి దుర్వాసన వచ్చేలా అయితే మనకు చాలా బాధగా ఉంటుంది కదా! మరి అలాంటపుడు ఆ మరకల నుండి, దుర్వాసనల నుండి మన వస్తువులను ఎలా కాపాడుకోవాలో ఒకసారి చూద్దామా...!

చెమట మరకలు : చెమట మూలంగా షర్టులు, బ్లౌజులు మరకలతో దారుణంగా తయారవుతాయి. చూడడానికి కూడా ఎంతో అసహ్యంగా ఉంటాయి. అందువల్ల ముందుగా ఆ మరకల వద్ద లిక్విడ్ డిటర్జెంట్ సబ్బుతో రుద్ది, ఆ తర్వాతే సబ్బుతో ఉతికి చూడండి. మరీ మొండి చెమట మరకలైతే మాత్రం వెనిగర్ తో కేవలం ఆ ప్రాంతాన్నిమాత్రమే రుద్ది, ఆ తర్వాత మాములుగా సబ్బుతో కడిగేయవచ్చు. వెనిగర్ లేకుండా గోరువెచ్చని నీటిలో నాలుగు ఆస్పరిన్ బిళ్ళలు వేసి, ఆ నీటిలో దుస్తులు నానబెట్టి ఉతికేయండి. మరకలు మాయమైతాయి. తెల్లని దుస్తులైతే మాత్రం కాస్త హైడ్రోజెన్ పెరాక్సైడ్ ను మరకలపై కొద్దిగా రాసి అయిదు నిముషాల తర్వాత ఉతకండి.

లిప్ స్టిక్ బాల్ పెన్ మార్క్స్ : ముందుగా మరకపడిన బట్టను ఓ పాత టవల్ పై ఉంచండి. మరకపైకి వచ్చేలా ఉంచి ఓ చిన్న పాత గుడ్డను ఆల్కాహాలులో ముంచి దాన్ని మరకపై తట్టినట్టుగా పదేపదే చేయండి. ఆ తర్వాత వాష్ చేయండి. మరకలు మరీ జిడ్డుగా అంటుకున్నట్లుగా అనిపిస్తే కిరోసిన్ తీసుకుని మరకపై పూసి అయిదు నిముషాల తర్వాత శెనగపిండితో గట్టిగా రుద్ది కడిగేయండి.

కార్పెట్ పై క్యాండిల్ చుక్కలు : అందమైన, ఖరీదైన కార్పెట్ పై క్యాండిల్ చుక్కలు పడితే... అందుకే ఓ స్టీలు గిన్నెలో ఐసుముక్కలు వేసి దాన్ని ఈ క్యాండిల్ చుక్కలపై కాసేపు ఉంచండి. చల్లదనానికి ఈ క్యాండిల్ వ్యాక్స్ మరింతగా గట్టిగా మారుతుంది. అప్పుడు ఏదైనా స్పూన్ మొనతో దానిని చెక్కేసి బ్రష్ తో శుభ్రంగా తొలగిస్తే సరిపోతుంది.

డిన్నర్ ప్లేట్ లపై పసుపు రంగు : ప్లాస్టిక్ ప్లేట్లపై పసుపు మరకలు తొలగించాలంటే ప్లేట్లను గోధుమ పిండితో గట్టిగా రుద్ది కడిగేయండి చాలు. నిత్యం వాడే బకెట్లు మగ్ లపై ఉండే జిడ్డు మరకలు పోవాలంటే ముందుగా వాటిని కిరోసిన్ లో తడిపిన గుడ్డతో గట్టిగ తుడిచి, ఆ తర్వాత సబ్బుతో కడగాలి.

ప్లాస్కు దుర్వాసన: ప్లాస్కు లో దుర్వాసన పోవాలంటే నాలుగైదు కోడిగుడ్డు పెంకులను చిన్న చిన్న ముక్కలుగా చేసుకుని వాటిని ప్లాస్కులో వెయ్యాలి. దానిపై వేడినీటిని పోసి మూతపెట్టాలి. మధ్యమధ్యలో బాగా కదిలిస్తూ ఓ గంటన్నర పాటు ఉంచండి. ఆ తర్వాత సబ్బుతో కడిగేయండి. ఇక పొడిగా ఉండేలా తుడుచుకున్న తర్వాత ఓ చెంచాడు పంచదార అందులో వేసి మూతపెట్టి దాచుకోండి. దుర్వాసన రాకుండా తాజాగా ఉంటుంది.

Five  herbs which you can grow in your apartment block

If you can think out of the box, then even a small apartment can be
used to grow some essential herbs!

Lemongrass:

Whenever you buy a stalk of lemongrass at the local
market, you can choose pick a stem with firm base. Just trim the top
of this herb and place it water but see that you don’t submerge it.
The stalk produces roots and news shoots within few days.

Mint:

Compared to spearmint and peppermint, this is a relatively
easier option since this herb shares a tendency to grow like a weed.
Simply spread the mint seeds in a small pot filled with soil and keep
it under slight shade and sun.

Curry leaf:

A rich flavored herb with a beautiful aroma, curry leaves
are common in most South Indian homes. You can plant this sapling in a
flower pot and provide support it with a stick for vertical growth.
See that there is enough sunlight and you should water the plant at
least once every day.

Rosemary:

There is no need for frequent watering and therefore this
can maintained easily in an apartment. Out of the different varieties
of this herb, you can pick the one which grows upright, that makes it
easier for growth in compact spaces.

Indian Basil (Tulsi):

Most of the Indian homes will have the Indian
basil which doesn’t require much care and also grows well if kept near
the windows. Make sure that the soil remains moist.

 

- Kalamdhari

WHITE VINEGAR TALKS

If your Vinegar could talk....it will shout to Help you!!

Dont Boil Eggs without me:

To keep eggs from cracking, add 2 tablespoons of White Vinegar per Litre of Water before you boil. Your cooked eggs will stay intact and be easy to peel.

I'll hunt that Fish Smell in the Kitchen:

Next time you's searing fish or cooking something equally pungent, like Cabbage, place a small bowl of vinegar next to the stove to absorb the odor.

I've never met a Sink/Bath Tub Drain i couldn't unclog:

The fizzing combo of vinegar and baking soda is a great way to clear out gunk. First pour half a cup of baking soda in the drain, then follow with the mixture of one cup of white vinegar and one cup of hot water. Immediately plug/cover the drain with a rag/ cleaning cloth to keep the bubbles contained for 10minutes. Rinse by pouring a kettle of boiling-hot water down the drain.

I can get rid of Sticky Stuff:

When you have to remove the sticker from a bottle, to get rid of the sticky glue, dab the spot with vinegar.

Try me on a Manicure:

Before applying nail polish, wipe your nails with a cotton ball dipped in white vinegar. It removes the coat of natural oils, allowing the nail polish to stay longer and it prevents chipping too.

Dont use me to do these:

Cleaning Marble/ Granite countertops.

Cleaning waxed Wood surfaces/furniture.

Remove grease from Cast iron/ Aluminium pans.

Scrub Ceramic tiles.

- Prathyusha Talluri

More articles from this author.....

Cup Cakes- Paper Flowers

Cute Nut Bird

CANS AND CRAFT

DRAINAGE NO-NOs

Putting the wrong things down the drain can damage the sewer system, result in sewer backups in your home, and harm to the environment. Anyone who uses the city sewer system should be responsible for what they flush or pour down drains.

Don't Flush This

Basically, the only thing you should ever flush down a toilet is human waste and toilet paper (in Western countries). Here is a list of some things to keep out of the toilet.

disposable diapers

Teeth floss

condoms

cleaning wipes/paper napkins of any kind, except the toilet tissue

bandages and bandage wrappings

Automotive fluids

Paint, solvents, sealants and thinners

Poisons and hazardous waste

tampons and tampon applicators

cotton balls and swabs

Unused Medications

Do not flush unusued medications down the toilet. You can safely dispose of medications in the garbage, or take medications to an approved prescription drug take-back site or event.

Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG)

Grease in sewer pipes causes sewer maintenance problems for property owners and the city. Never pour grease in your sink drain and try to use your garbage disposal ( in the Western countries) less.

- Prathyusha Talluri

More articles from this author.....

WHITE VINEGAR TALKS

పిల్లలను ఆకర్షించే పెన్సిల్ బాక్స్ తయారీ

ఎన్ని పెన్సిల్స్, పెన్నులు కొన్నిచ్చినా కూడా మీ పిల్లలు వాటిని ఎక్కడో పాడేసుకొని, మిమ్మల్ని ప్రతిరోజూ పెన్సిల్ కొన్నివ్వమని విసిగిస్తున్నారా? అయితే వారికీ పెన్సిల్స్, పెన్నులు పెట్టుకోవడానికి కంపాక్స్ బాక్సులు అందరి దగ్గర ఉంటాయి. అవి స్కూల్ వరకు మాత్రమే జాగ్రత్తగా ఉంచేలా చేస్తాయి. కానీ ఇంట్లో ఐతే అలా కాదు కదా. వారికీ నచ్చినట్లుగా అక్కడ, ఇక్కడ పడేస్తుంటారు.

మరి అలా పిల్లలు వారి పెన్సిల్స్, పెన్స్ లను ఎక్కడ పడితే అక్కడ పడేయకుండా ఉండాలంటే.. ఆ వస్తువులను పెట్టుకొనే బాక్స్ వారిని ఆకర్షించేలా ఉండాలి. మరి అలాంటి వస్తువును ఎలా తయారు చేయాలో ఇపుడు ఈ వీడియో ద్వారా చూసి, మనం కూడా అలాగే చేద్దాం...!

YOUR OWN WRAPPING PAPER

Everytime we have to pack a gift, we realise often that we are running short of wrapping paper or we have totally forgotten to buy a roll.

Here is my idea to design your own gift wrapping paper.

Things we need:

White paper or any color thick paper, long enough to wrap your gift

Along 2 Sided tape, ( instead you can use Vinyl Foam Weather Seal available in USA and cut them in pieces)

A wide paint brush

A wooden scale or a scrap wooden bar

Acrylic Color of your choice

Cut the 2-sided tape into shapes of your choice, stick them to the wooden scale/bar. Pour the desired amount of color onto a flat plate, apply the color with a paint brush to the 2-sided tape pieces on the scale. When the color is wet, impress onto the paper you chose. Let it dry and your gift wrapper is ready.

Create the designs of your choice on your favourite color paper.

- Prathyusha Talluri

More articles from this author.....

Cup Cakes- Paper Flowers

CANS AND CRAFT

WEDDING RETURNS

Wedding season again!

People who have enough time in hands, can plan for what not....return gifts are hot these days. Think of giving these Pretty Little Packages with sweets or your chosen gifts like Silverware, some like giving silver kumkum boxes, lamp holders etc....

Musical Memories

A CD with a custom label that includes the bride and groom’s initials is a wonderful favor. Include songs from Sangeeth or the wedding and reception as a reminder of the special day. Sangeeth is no more an only North Indian tradition.

Fruits not flowers

Use artificial fruits to decorate the Mandap or the reception stage, not just flowers. It can be comparatively affordable.

HandMade

Using handmade paper bags or jute bags from a cottage industry will not only look elegant but also support those labourers and the organisation running the business. Sametime those bags can be reused too.

- Prathyusha Talluri

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YOUR OWN WRAPPING PAPER

COFFEE FILTER COCOON

I was decorating my Guest Bath and the color theme turned out to be Red, White, Black and Grey. I found a beautiful shower curtain, thats where the story started, i had to buy everything else to match it! I found the bath accessories, towels, mats but the wall was empty...i searched and searched, i couldnot find anything in red that would be bright on my white wall. One sudden idea and now my guest bath decoration is done..

THINGS I HAD:

Paper coffee filters (mostly used in USA in electric coffee makers), an empty photo frame, a thick drawing sheet, necessary red color, glue, a grey color printed paper, all already at home.

I DID THIS:

I cut the drawing sheet in the size that fits my photo frame.

I started folding each coffee filter cup into half and pasted the papers one after the other to the sheet, starting from center. Towards the edge, i folded the papers short and adjusted the shape.

Once the papers were stuck well and dried, i painted the edges with Red color and used a printed Grey paper to stick some stem like pieces.....similar to the design on the shower curtain.

I started with a design in mind, people said it looks like a cocoon!! My wall looks so beautiful and the guests are surprised too, with the story behind !!

- Prathyusha Talluri

More articles from this author.....

WEDDING RETURNS

YOUR OWN WRAPPING PAPER

NO EMPTY VASES

Decorations need not be spent on.

I had some expired pasta spaghetti at home, i ddnt want to throw them. I found an empty flower vase so decided to stash the spaghetti in it and Lo, people asked me where i got that idea from. I might have found it some day on TV or a Magazine, today my Kitchen has this statement piece. I switch the vases, presently my idle water pitcher is busy holding the spaghetti.

One summer afternoon, i found an interesting grain like weed at a beach shore...i plucked a few strands and my another flower vase is full now. These ideas are so inexpensive!! Think and try...

- Prathyusha Talluri

More articles from this author.....

COFFEE FILTER COCOON

WEDDING RETURNS

POWERLESS BULBS

Save power, and reuse bulbs!!...today, we are using bulbs that are no longer useful to light-up as decorations. People who like decorating their homes with Christmas trees can use these bulbs as ornaments, if not on trees, they always dazzle up your space.

We need:

Used Bulbs, except the Spiral CFL bulbs, they are difficult to paint.

Colorful adhesive tapes

Oil colors in tubes

Paint brushes

One tough Glue

Glitter powder, or glitter chips

Long Satin ribbon or a decorative thread, enough to make a beautiful simple bow for hanging.

Steps to make these ornaments:

Take the bulb and clean the surface with a damp cloth, let dry. Now if you have colorful adhesive tapes, start sticking them as per your design.

Or start painting the surface with oil paints, dont use paint thinners, the paint should not drip. use oil paints that come in tubes instead. Let the paint dry and now take a satin ribbon, make a bow and stick it to the holder with a hot glue or a strong glue.

To only make a shimmery bulb, apply glue all-over the bulb, shower the shimmer onto the bulb, let dry and your shiny bulb is ready.

- Prathyusha Talluri

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NO EMPTY VASES

WEDDING RETURNS

JARS AND DECOR

We buy tins and jars often. They keep coming into our kitchens regularly. However, some old designs/ models of glass jars dont come these days. Your Mom might have sent one with a pickle, it reminds you of her love or if the Childhood days' Horlicks/ Boost bottles are still with you, they need not be hidden in the Kitchen cabinets, bring them out and use to decorate. Here are some ideas. Even i have a set of jars lined up for winter decoration.

We dont have to buy Fish bowls anymore, if there is a bigger size, strong glass jar, let your fish stay happy.

Make an artificial Aquarium or a water Zoo for a School project. We dont need experts to create ideas

- Prathyusha Talluri

More articles from this author.....

POWERLESS BULBS

NO EMPTY VASES

మీ పిల్లలనే గిఫ్ట్ గా ఇవ్వాలనుకుంటున్నారా...?

ఈ సారీ మీ పాపకి బర్త్ డేకీ అచ్చంగా మీ పాపలా వుండే బొమ్మని గిఫ్ట్ గా ఇస్తే ? తను ఎంతో హ్యాపీగా ఫీల్ అవుతుంది కదా "My twinn" పేరుతో ఇలాంటి బొమ్మలు తయారు చేస్తోంది ఓ అమెరికన్ కంపెని.

"My twinn" బొమ్మ అచ్చుగుద్దినట్టు, మన పాపాయిలానే వుంటుంది. దానికి చేయాల్సినదల్లా మన పాప ఫోటో ఇవ్వటమే. ఆ ఫోటోలోని పాప లాంటి బొమ్మని చేసి మనకిస్తారు. అదే రకం డ్రెస్,హెయిర్ స్టైల్, కలర్.. ఇలా ప్రతిది కూడా మీరు పంపిన ఫోటోలాగే ఉంటుంది. ట్విన్ డాల్ కావాలి అని అనుకుంటే ఒక్క డ్రెస్ ఏం సరిపోతుంది.అందుకే మన పాపాయి డ్రెస్సెస్ లని ఫోటో తీసి పంపిస్తే అలాగే డ్రెస్సెస్ తయారు చేసి ఇస్తారు.షుస్ లాంటి యాక్ససరీస్ కూడా వీళ్ళే సప్లై చేస్తారు. ఎప్పటికప్పుడు పాపాయి డ్రెస్ తో పాటు ట్విన్ డాల్ డ్రెస్సెస్ కూడా ఆర్డర్ చేయవచ్చు.

మన పాపాయికి బుల్లి రూపంలో కనిపించే బొమ్మ మీద కూడా పెడతారు. ఆర్డర్ చేయాలన్న ఇంకా వివరాలు కావాలంటే www.mytwinn.com లోకి లాగిన్ అవ్వండి. మీ పాప ఫోటో వివరాలు పంపిస్తే 3 వారాల్లో మీ పాపను పోలిన ట్విన్ డాల్ మీకు అందుతుంది.

- రమ

PAPER WORK

We like reading the newspaper, and feel happy when the junk sells for few rupees atleast....but meanwhile if the papers are stacking up, then i have a better idea to use them and also an art project for you.

We need:

A plastic/ tin container

Few old newspapers

Long pencils/ something even long and similar in shape to roll Glue

Water/Acrylic/Oil colors of your choice

Pair of Scissors

To Make:

Take the container, and decide the length of paper rolls you need to cover the surface.

Start rolling the pencil onto the paper and stick it with glue once rolled, slowly slide the pencil out. Make as many rolls as you need.

They will dry out soon, Meanwhile, apply glue to the container's surface and start sticking the rolls, without any gap.

Adjust the thickness of the last roll, if there is not enough space or if more space accordingly, to cover the gap.

Let it dry. Then the next day, start painting the whole surface with 2-3 coats of color, after each coat dries off.

Decorate it as you like.

I completed mine, and here are the pictures. I used a soft plastic oil can, it was easy to cut the top and make it as a basket. Earlier, i used tins to make hair clip/ pencil holders. I used this as a flower vase, my friend used it as a decorate waste paper bin in her office!!!

- Prathyusha Talluri

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JARS AND DECOR

POWERLESS BULBS

GREEN BATHROOM

Our suggestions to turn your Bathroom into the Cleanest, Greenest room in your home. I am not suggesting you to color the bathroom, here i mean to make it a more eco-friendly and non-toxic environment.

Clear the Air:

Excess humidity causes mold, which can spur allergies, asthma and other breathing troubles. Since, bathroom is the most humid area in the house, ventilating it is a good idea. Install exhaust vents, as the existing ventilators are very narrow and small. Decorate the area with oxygen-producing plants, they will not only reduce humidity, but also absorb a variety of indoor air pollutants. Plants that don't need direct sunlight are better here.

Conserve Water:

Controlling the usage of tap water while brushing teeth and taking showers instead of baths can save upto 240 gallons/ 888 liters a month. Installing low-flow shower heads save upto 80% of water consumption. Fixing leaks can save upto 3000 gallons/ 11100 liters a year.

Replace or Retrofit your toilet:

Replace the flush by installing a controllable flush handle. Put a sealed soda bottle or few pebbles in the tank to instantly reduce water consumption. :

Low flow toilets are high-efficiency ones, replace the old models with them.

Pick Green products:

Use Vinegar to clean the bathroom, instead of the toxic bleach cleaners, Saves you money and harm from toxicity. Using Ceramic tiles is also good as they are not easily damaged due to moisture and they are made in a low-impact process without putting any labourer's life at risk.

- Prathyusha Talluri

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NO EMPTY VASES

JARS AND DECOR

SEETHAKOKA CHILUKALA MUGGU

ఆశల్ని అలాగే మిగలనివ్వకండి...

మనసుకు నచ్చిన పని చేసినప్పుడు లభించే తృప్తి అంతా ఇంతా కాదు. ఆ తృప్తి, ఆ ఆనందం ముందు ఏవీ సరిరావు. కానీ ఎక్కువసార్లు మన మనసుకి నచ్చిన పని చేయటానికి మనకు అవకాశం దొరకదు. మనుషులో, పరిస్థితులో, కాలమో ఏదో ఒకటి అడ్డుపడుతూనే ఉంటాయి. ఒకటి రెండుసార్లు పట్టుదలగా ప్రయత్నిస్తాం. కుదరటం లేదంటూ ముడోసారికి ఆ ప్రయత్నం విరమించుకుంటాం. అందులోనూ ఆడవారి విషయంలో ఆ ఆటంకాలకి కొదవే వుండదు, పెళ్ళి, పిల్లల నుంచి మరెన్నో బాధ్యతలు కాళ్ళకి బంధం వేసి ముందుకు అడుగు వేయనివ్వవు. దాంతో ఏదో చేయాలన్న తపన కాస్తా మరుగున పడిపోతుంది. అసంతృప్తి తోడుగా మనతో ముందుకు అడుగేస్తుంది. అలా కాదు నేను నా మనసుకు నచ్చిన పని చేసి తీరాలంటూ వయసుతో సంబంధం లేకుండా కాలేజీకి వెళ్ళిన ఒకామె గురించి ఈ మధ్య చదివాను.

ఇల్లు, పిల్లలు, బాధ్యతలు అంటూ కొన్ని సంవత్సరాల పాటు తమని తాము మర్చిపోతారు ఆడవారు. బాధ్యతలు అన్నీ తీరి కాస్త సమయం దొరికింది అన్నప్పుడు క్షణాలు గంటల్లా మారిపోతాయి. కాలం కదలదు. ఏమీ చేయటానికి ఉండదు. ఇక నిరుత్సాహం, నిర్లిప్తత మేమున్నామంటూ హాయ్ చెబుతాయి. అలా తన బాధ్యతలన్నీ తీరిపోయక... హమ్మయ్య కావల్సినంత సమయం దొరికిందంటూ సంతోషించింది. అంతేనా... ఎప్పట్నుంచో తన మనసులో వున్న కోరిక తీర్చుకునే దిశగా అడుగులు వేసింది ఆమె. బాగా చదువుకోవాలన్నది ఆమె కోరికట. కానీ చదువు మధ్యలోనే పెళ్ళయిపోవటం ఆ తర్వాత బాధ్యతల మధ్య చదువు ముందుకు సాగలేదు. 60 సంవత్సరాల దగ్గరగా వచ్చేసింది వయసు. పిల్లలందరూ దూరంగా వున్నారు. కావలసినంత సమయం. అంతే చక్కగా కాలేజీలో చేరిపోయింది. డిగ్రీ మొదటి సంవత్సరం క్లాసులోకి ఈమె అడుగు పెడుతుంటే లెక్చరరు అనుకుని స్టూడెంట్స్ అంతా విష్ చేశారుట మొదటి రోజు. ఆ తర్వాత ఈమె కూడా చదువుకోవటానికి వచ్చిందని తెలుసుకుని నవ్వుకున్నారట.

కాలేజీ జీవితంమంటే సరదా, సంతోషాల కలయిక. వయసు, ఉత్సాహం ఉరకలు వేస్తుంటాయి. అలా ఉరకలు వేసే కాలేజీ స్టూడెంట్స్ కి క్లాసులో ఈ పెద్దావిడని చూస్తే మొదట్లో చిరాకుగా అనిపించేదిట. ఆవిడ అందరితో సరదాగా మాట్లాడుతూ, వాళ్ళతో పాటు క్యాంటిన్‌కి, సినిమాకి వెంట వస్తుంటే విసుగ్గా ఉండేదిట. కానీ బయటికి ఏమీ అనలేక ఆమెని తప్పించుకు తిరిగేవారు స్టూడెంట్స్. ఇలా కొంత కాలం గడిచింది. ఈ మధ్య కాలంలో తెలియకుండానే ఆమెతో మంచి అనుబంధం ఏర్పడిపోయింది. ఒక్కరోజు ఆమె రాకపోయినా తోచేదికాదు స్టూడెంట్స్‌కి.

కేవలం ఆటపాటలు, సరదా, సంతోషాలలోనే కాదు చదువులోనూ టీనేజర్స్‌తో నేను పోటీపడగలనంటూ ముందుండేవారుట ఆమె. దాంతో కాలేజీలో ఆమె అందరికీ ఎంతో ఇష్టమైన వ్యక్తిగా మారిపోయింరు.  సంవత్సరం ఆఖరి పరీక్షలలో మంచి మార్కులతో పాసయిన ఆమెని చూచి అందరూ ఆనందపడతారు. అలా మూడు సంవత్సరాలు గడచిపోతాయి. మూడేళ్ళు మూడు క్షణాలుగా గడచిపోతాయి ఆమెకి. కావల్సినన్ని జ్ఞాపకాలు స్వంతమయ్యాయి. ఫేర్‌వెల్ రోజున ఆడిపాడి ఆఖరుగా తమ తమ మనసులో మాటలు చెబుతారు ఒకొక్కరు. ఆమె వంతు వస్తుంది. అప్పుడు తనసలు కాలేజీలో ఎందుకు చేరిందో, చదువంటే తనకెంత ఇష్టమో, ఇన్ని సంవత్సరాల జీవితం తనకెన్ని ఆటుపోట్లని ఇచ్చిందో అన్ని వివరిస్తుంది. ఆఖరుగా ఈ మూడేళ్ళు నా ఇన్నేళ్ళ జీవితంలో ప్రతేకమైనవి అని చెబుతూ అందుకు అందరికీ థాంక్స్ కూడా చెబుతుంది. అందరూ భారమైన మనసులతో విడిపోతారు.

రిజల్ట్స్ వస్తాయి ఆమె యూనివర్సిటీ ఫస్ట్ వస్తుంది. అందరూ ఎంతో సంతోషిస్తారు. ఒకరితో ఒకరు మాట్లాడుకుని సర్ ప్రైజ్‌గా ఆమె ఇంటికి వెళతారు. స్టూడెంట్స్, లెక్చరర్లు ఒకసారిగా ఆమె ఇంటికి వస్తారు. లోపలికి వెళ్ళి పూలమాలతో అభినందించాలనుకున్న వాళ్ళకి మంచంపై రిజల్టుపేపరుని గుండెలపై పెట్టుకొని ప్రశాంతంగా నిద్రపోతున్న ఆమె కనిపిస్తుంది. కదిపి చూస్తే చలనం ఉండదు. అందరూ నిర్ఘాంతపోతారు. ఆమె కేన్సర్ ఆఖరి రోజులని తెలిసీ తన చిరకాల కోరిక తీర్చుకునేందుకు కాలేజీకి వచ్చింది. చదువుకుంది. ఆ తృప్తితో ప్రాణాలు విడిచింది. ఈ నిజం తెలుసుకున్న అక్కడి వారంతా బాధతో ఆమెకి వీడ్కోలు చెబుతారు. ఆశ మనిషిని బ్రతికిస్తుంది. తీరని ఆశ మనిషిని, మనసుని బాధిస్తుంది. ఆలోచించండి.

- రమ ఇరగవరపు

How to Make Christmas Decoration Items With Color Papers

How to make pretty paper Christmas accessories for your home and Christmas tree.how to make amazing christmas decoration.

Easy Mehendi Designs Class 05

Learn to Simple and Easy Mehendi Designs By Anusha Mehendi Artist.

Easy Gift Tags

Season of Weddings, Engagements, New Year Parties and Celebrations....and Gifts are obvious !!!

We spend our precious time thinking of the item to buy, spend enough time selecting the best gift, pack it well, but forget to mention our name on the gift...you may not be wanting to announce to all that you gave it, but the host or the guest deserves to know who it is and you deserve to see your name on that warm-hearty gift for the interest and care you took.

After all the preparation, you might forget to buy a gift tag but making a few and keeping them ready, few in the car, your money purse and a few at home would be useful and handy in emergencies. Here are some ideas,,,

You dont need much, just a good thick drawing board, pair of scissors, strong glue, sketch pens, acrylic or water colors, silk-colorful threads for tags.

- Prathyusha Talluri

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WEDDING RETURNS

YOUR OWN WRAPPING PAPER

ECO-ALTERNATIVES

Every product we use has a lifecycle, and a life span. Not most companies are offering to recycle their products once used. Smart, sustainable design in product manufacturing is not a norm yet, so We have to monitor our own consumption and waste habits to try limiting our support of polluting industries and contribution to ever-growing landfills.

The Green Design Institute at Carnegie Mellon University has created a chart, with comparisons between most commonly used products, their recycling rates and suggested alternative options.

Prathyusha Talluri

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NO EMPTY VASES

COFFEE FILTER COCOON

MONEY and YOUR CHILD

Ask Daddy and he will get you whatever you want!!!! Mom has lots of money in her purse!! Are these supposed to be discussed with children? Never. Children dont have to know that parents have loads of money or its so easy to earn money.

Buying whatever they ask for is something not to be done. if both parents work and feel they are not spending enough time with their children, there are all possibilities that they feel guilty and buy whatever their children ask for, which might result in stubborn nature in the young ones.

Children these days are watching parents go to ATMs to withdraw money instantly, pay through credit/debit cards easily to buy anything which is forcing an EASY MONEY thought into their minds. They dont want to know how much parents struggle to earn for the family. Parents have to explain to their children that one has to earn a job or a business and work sincerely to earn livelihood and that money is precious. It is a good idea to encourage children to work hard, and if they do something good, appreciating them with small useful gifts encourages them, however, boasting is definitely not good. Children should not get used to praising either.

Encourage them to share everything with you, be their friends too. They should be able to tell you where and how they spent their pocket money. Saving money should be practised at home.

You may be busy and not buy them something as promised, the child should not make a mess out of it. Patience and waiting should be one of their characteristics, learnt well from parents.

Encouraging them to help others is good, however, thinking and planning before helping is a better action learnt. Social service at a young age is an excellent virtue!!

- Prathyusha Talluri

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SHOPPING WITH KIDS

ECO-ALTERNATIVES

How to Make a Mask with Paper

Children will love making and wearing this funny accessiories, and parents will too..With this creative activity, kids can make their own handprint masks.

EASY DECOR

These decoration tips are easy and with things you generally, already have.

Poster Display

Skip the frame and use a wooden pants hanger to display a poster instead. This technique works well with smaller posters that are just slightly wider than the hanger itself. Wider posters may flap over at the corners.

Display Your Finds

Incorporate mementos from vacations or special occasions into your decor. The move will integrate your personality and life experiences into the spaces, where they can be admired by guests and family. Whether it's a collection of shells from a beach vacation or a framed wedding invitation or birth announcement, even the simplest of items become display-worthy when they recall a special memory.

Kid's Art

Kids bring home a plethora of finger paintings, construction paper creations, and carefully colored drawings. Instead of stowing away these masterpieces, put them on display in pretty frames. Plus, with the ongoing influx of artwork, you have a constant resource for changing up the gallery.

- Prathyusha Talluri

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JARS AND DECOR

NO EMPTY VASES

EASY WALL DECOR

Empty Walls are good but not always....if you are living in a space that is already spacious, empty walls look boring and dull. Usually wall decor is expensive, but if you are ready to spend few minutes and your interest, its so easy.

Get some dry branches from a small tree, hook them to a beautiful frame and done...you might not be able to hang it but you can rest it against a wall.

Take some cup cake paper, stick them to a canvas board, you can also use bright dress buttons in the center of each flower...fill the canvas as you like.

Cut a silk, bright saree piece from your old collection if you dont want to use it, or buy a piece from the market, frame it, or stick it to the canvas carefully and done!

- Prathyusha Talluri

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EASY DECOR

JARS AND DECOR

 Is Sleeping with Makeup on A Scare for your Skin??

Stats say that women sleep with make up on at least twice a week; either are too lazy or tired to remove it before going to bed. Once in a while letting it go is fine, but it should not become a habit. As a known fact make-up makes you look gorgeous, if left overnight it has an adverse opposite effect!

 By leaving the make-up overnight, you clog the pores and oil glands of your skin. Due the impact of the make up the pores get stretched besides being blocked. The pore not only aid in sweating, detoxification but also secrete sebum which lubricates, remove dead cells and irritants, and moisturize the skin, as these pores are blocked the sebum collects beneath and result in acne.

 Once these pores get stretched under the influence of overnight make-up, it is hard for them to bounce back to their original shape and size. Moreover, we age making it all the more difficult to get back to normal. By skipping the night time face wash, we are also inviting the free radical generation and lead to collagen break down. Collagen is a wonder protein which keeps our skin firm, taut and glowing. All these factors lead to faster aging of the skin!

 It’s best to get rid of this habit as soon as possible. To avoid waking up with disastrous skin, you must remove your make-up each night before going to bed. A make-up remover, facial cleanser, cold cream or toner can be used to clean your skin to avoid allergic reactions!

Take Care!! Stay Gorgeous!!

- Sri

Organise your MakeUp

Makeup is interesting! We dont have time always to leisurely apply make up, in such times of hurry, an organised makeup setup is very helpful, it saves lot of our time.

Here are some pictures showcasing a few makeup organising tips.

We can use the regular glass jars, lay them flat and fill in. Bring home office organisers and fill them. One can also use desk organisers that are actually made to hold pencils and office supplies. We can use 2-3 tier fruit/cupcake holder to organise makeup.

- Prathyusha

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తొలిసారి నేషనల్ పోలీస్ అకాడమీ డైరెక్టర్ గా అరుణా బహుగుణ

జాతీయ పోలీస్ అకాడమీ డైరెక్టర్ గా తొలిసారి ఓ మహిళా నియమితులయ్యారు. సీనియర్ పోలీస్ అధికారిణి అరుణా బహుగుణను అకాడమీ డైరెక్టర్ గా నియమించి ఉత్తర్వులు జారీ చేసింది రాష్ట్ర ప్రభుత్వం. 65 సంవత్సరాల సుధీర్గ చరిత్ర కలిగిన ఈ అకాడమీకి తొలి మహిళా డైరెక్టర్ గా నియమితులైన అరుణా బహుగుణ 1979 బ్యాచ్ కి చెందిన ఆంధ్ర ప్రదేశ్ కేడర్ ఐపిఏస్ అధికారిణి. పోలీస్ అకాడమీకి ఒక మహిళా డైరెక్టర్ కావడం ఇదే మొట్టమొదటి అవడం విశేషం. 2017 ఫిబ్రవరి వరకు ఆమె ఎన్ పిఏ డైరెక్టర్ గా కొనసాగుతారని కేంద్ర హోంశాఖ ఉత్తర్వుల్లో పేర్కొంది.

గతంలో ఆమె ఆంధ్రప్రదేశ్ లో ఉన్నప్పుడు పోలీస్ గృహ నిర్మాణ సంస్థ చైర్మన్ గా, అగ్నిమాపక శాఖ, జైళ్ళ శాఖ, ప్రింటింగ్ మరియు స్టేషనరి డైరెక్టర్ జనరల్ గా పనిచేసారు. విధి నిర్వహణలో ప్రతిభ కనబరిచినందుకుగాను ఆమెకు 1995 లో భారతీయ పోలీస్ పథకం, 2005 లో రాష్ట్రపతి పోలీస్ పతకాలను అందజేసారు.

ఒక మహిళగా అరుణా బహుగుణ సాధించినటువంటి విజయాలను దృష్టిలో పెట్టుకొని... సమాజంలో జరుగుతున్న అఘత్యలకు భయపడకుండా ధైర్యంగా ఏదుర్కోవాలి. మనల్ని మనం తక్కువుగా చూసుకోకుండా ధైర్యంగా ముందుకు వెళ్ళాలి. ఒక మహిళగా పుట్టినందుకు గర్వపడలి. మనం ఒక ఎతైన స్థాయికి వెళ్ళడానికి ఎవరు నిన్ను ప్రోత్సహించకపోతే నిన్ను నువ్వు ప్రోత్సహించుకొని ఒక అరుణా బహుగుణల అవ్వాలి .

-వై .లిల్లీ నిర్మల శాంతి

LEFT OUT WRAPPING PAPER

We all mostly have pieces of wrapping paper left out, or we store the wrapping paper from someone's gift and cant reuse as they are foldings here and there.

Wrap candle jars with the strip of wrapping paper, and give them a new look.

Dress up an already wrapped bouquet. It looks so much prettier than the plain paper most stores use.

Use as a shelf liner in the bookshelf or closet, or an armoir.

Use it to cover ceramic or glassware in a box along with a bubble wrap when giving gifts to others, the old foldings dont matter.

Cut the paper into crinkles by folding the paper multiple times and using a crinklecut sciccors and use the pieces to fill jars to decorate or to fill balloons to burst on birthdays or fill boxes for storing glassware.

Make a patchwork poster with different wrapping paper designs and an artpiece is ready.

Turn it into a bunting for Birthday decorations or a party look.

- Prathyusha

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Design Your Own Jewellery

You can make beautiful jewelry using simple techniques. A string of pearls is an ornament of timeless beauty.To make a string of pearls, you will need approximately 50 pre-drilled pearls with a diameter of 6-millimeters, a length of about 2 yards of size E silk thread, a thin needle, two clamshell tips, one jump ring, and a lobster clasp. Small scissors and jewelery cement are also needed.

Thread the silk string through the needle, and move the needle to the middle of the string. Make a knot to tie the loose ends. Put the threaded needle through one clamshell tip and pull the thread until the knot is on the cupped side of the clamshell. Add a drop of glue, trim the remaining silk and close the clamshell. Start threading the pearls, and make an overhand knot with the doubled silk string between each pearl.Pull each knot tight against each pearl by sliding your fingernail. Link the clamshell tips to the lobster clasp and the jump ring.apply a tiny drop of glue at the end of the clamshell to keep the tip from opening.Once the clasp and jump ring have been added, the pearl string is complete.

COLORFUL HANGING LAMPSHADES

- Prathyusha Talluri

Who says beautiful hanging lampshades are only sold in the Decorative stores. If you have the desire, and interest, and few necessary items,,you can hang one each in all your rooms and also start giving as gifts. 

Apply the glue to the yarn and start wrapping it around the inflated balloon as close or as desired in weave. Leave a small area, just wide enough to slide the bulb holder at the top or bottom. Give the yarn a night’s time to dry out and use clear spray shellac to finish it. Now once the yarn is dry, blow the balloon flat, pull out the balloon slowly out of the sphere. The lampshade is ready to decorate your space and on its own a warm and fuzzy conversation piece.

TOP OFF THE FUEL TANK?

Resist the urge to round up the nearest dollar/rupee when you are at the fuel station filling on your own or even if there is a helper.

The more fuel you force into your tank beyond its capacity, the more fuel vapors you force out----either into the atmosphere as pollutants, or into your vehicle's vapor-collection system, which could become overloaded.

That's not the only drawback. The nozzle shuts off when the tank is full, so those last few drops you're paying for could remain in the fuel hose. Once you hang up the nozzle, the gas drains right back into the station's reservoir. its may be pennies or very few rupees, but still what a waste of money!!!

- Prathyusha

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Cleaning winter coats

"To not bother much about our Winter coats is not a big thing, but not anymore.

Though the coats we use to shield us from the cold and rain don't need as much cleaning as our socks do, coats also need cleaning once a while. Most insulated jackets are made of fabric that's meant to protect us from cold and rain, and if it becomes grimy, it will lose some ability to repel water.

Even coats that appear spotless should be cleaned once a year to keep them smelling and looking fresh. It's easy to do: while there are some exceptions( as mentioned in the tag inside for washing directions), many insulated jackets can be washed in a machine using warm water and a gentle cycle. To dry, zip the coat and close it, turn it inside out, and tumble dry on low. Then shake out the jacket and puff it up.

- Prathyusha

MOM-IN-LAW and LOVE

When it comes to a helping hand, two Grandmothers are better than just one. I am not writing this so that you will impress your Mom-in-law to only get her help to handle your children, but also that you will have a better and happy family life.

A new Australian study proves that Women who had better contacts with thier own mothers and mother-in-laws have much higher satisfaction in life and overall well-being. You can't under-estimate two sources of maternal support.

Infact, grievances and silent wars with ones Mother-in-law never help. Its always good to say HELLO and stay in touch with His Mom, it makes him feel good about you and his Mom will not feel bad about you...there will not be any resentful feelings in the marriage if strong relationships are maintained with both sides of the family.

Stay Happy!!!

- Prathyusha

TISSUE POM POMS

Tissue papers can be very handy and inexpensive decoration materials for a Birthday/Party.

Materials Needed:

colorful tissue paper, scissors, florist wire, ribbon.

Procedure:

Layer six to 10 sheets of standard-sized tissue paper on a flat surface. Fold width wise in an accordion-fold pattern.

Use sharp scissors to cut both ends of the folded tissue paper into a point.

Bind the center of the tissue with florist wire. Tie a ribbon onto the wire so the finished pom-pom can be suspended.

Gently pull apart layers of tissue and fluff them to form a sphere. Alternate between pink, lime green and white tissue to create a striped effect or choose paper in varying shades of the same color for a floral effect.

- Prathyusha

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COLOR PSYCHOLOGY

Every color has its own personality and also reflects a characteristic. These color concepts are keenly followed in Interior design to make a space turn successfully beautiful.

Yellow is often associated with happiness and optimism because it can activate memory, stimulate the nervous system and promote creativity. Pair up yellow with white for a better combination. If a bright yellow isn't your style, try a neutral pale shade. The added bonus: the earthy shade gives the appearance of a larger room.

Red immediately evokes a passionate, romantic feel in any room. It can add drama when used generously or just a simple touch can warm up a space. Use small doses of red if you want to spice things up without completely committing to the bold hue.

Pink isn't just for little girls' rooms anymore. Pink adds that youthful feel to any space.

A deep orange, or terra-cotta shade, is a great option for a home office — it's energizing by day and cozy by night. Go with a lighter shade of orange, such as apricot, if you want a more energetic yet relaxing look.

Green reminds us of life and renewal since it's associated with nature. It's one of the most versatile colors — it can be dramatic, refreshing or inviting depending on how you use it. Lighter shades of green, such as sea green and celery green, bring a light and airy look. A light-green shade can add sophistication and crispness in harmony.

Any homeowners turn to blue when painting a room because they want a comfortable, inviting feel in their home. For a serene environment, mix a glacier blue with chrome accents. For a completely different mood, choose a darker shade of blue, such as sapphire. This shade will bring a powerful punch to any room, but it isn't for the faint of heart. For a less dramatic approach, bring in touches of yellow.

Purple correlates with royalty and creativity, and it can completely refresh your home's interior. If you have a simple space you want to spruce up, try adding multiple shades of purple. Sometimes all you need are accents of color to change the mood of a room,purple pillows to a gray living room bring in an energetic vibe.

Designers love to use gray as a backdrop or neutral shade because of its ability to allow other colors to shine. Its sophistication comes off as too serious sometimes. A lighter shade of gray brings a romantic, sophisticated and inviting look.

Brown is one of the most comforting colors, so it's a top choice for living rooms and kitchens. The soft brown wood tones for cabinets make a room feel inviting and pleasant. Using brown is a great way to highlight bold colors while anchoring the space.

- Prathyusha

FIRST STEP OF THE SEVEN

'Saptapadi'. They say Seven steps but marriage is more than just steps, there are voyages, barriers, distances, and finally a successful journey.

Every girl who is happy about her marriage being arranged is not only happy but also tensed. Her life is about to change, she has no clue how much it would change. Everyone around her says, it will change, it will be different, it will be good, she will be happy. However, there is not much time to worry, she has to shop around, get ready...and then finally the Big Day. The first few days are super busy, and once things start to settle down, slowly she realises its a new house, new people, new voices......

The people whom she grew up with are no longer around her, every morning she wakes up, its not her Mom's voice thats heard first. Her Dad's love not easily available, the siblings' hugs are far off.......these are the times when a newly married Girl seeks her Husband's affection, she looks for her maternal family's love in him, she is suddenly very emotional, suddenly there are tears filling her eyes...Some men understand this state of a woman and they try to comfort and soothe, but few don't and can't even understand why a girl cries when she bids farewell to her parents after the wedding.

Girls, attention!!! Its not a guy's fault, they need not be blamed for such a non-understanding behaviour. Its just their nature. Even the most loving men, can't sometimes be so sensitive. Please don't judge your man right away. If he can't understand your state of mind, keep quiet, call your parents and tell them you miss them, but don't cry and cry. You don't want to act or demand sympathy from him. don't be so weak....nothing went wrong, you just got married...even your Mom got married few years ago, but she is happy now..your better guide could be your Mom.

Some more relief coming your way!!

- Prathyusha

PILLOW BASICS

Make your bedroom look magazine worthy with these tips for arranging bed pillows.

1) Stack four white pillows at the head of the bed for a clean simple look.

2) For another look, place normal size pillows against the head board and then a pair of big size pillows (shams) covering them. Build upon this basic look by adding accent pillows. Place two identical accent pillows in front of the shams. Cram the look with another printed accent pillow. Asymmetrical arrangement like this creates a traditional, more formal look.

3) For a more relaxed look, start with standard pillows in patterned pillow covers and add plain colored big size pillows (shams). Then add in a few accent pillows. They don't need to be perfectly arranged and can overlap at casual angles.

To dress up a Sofa with Pillows:

1) Ditch the pillows that came with your sofa in favor of a more personal arrangement. Pair a large square plain colored solid pillow with along small patterned pillow for an ensemble without fuss. Place another pillow and throw for balance. Varied shapes and patterns keeps it look interesting and simple.

2) Create the same arrangement on both sides of the sofa for a traditional look, layering in large pillows with small pillows in front. Play with different shapes, textures and patterns to create a look that's fresh and relaxed. Mixing in at least one pair of pillows in the arrangement pulls it all together.

- Prathyusha

UPPER HAND

- Prathyusha Talluri

GOD gave us 2 hands, not Upper hand and lower hand...Marriage is a balance, any imbalance would definitely cause problems. In a dominant relationship, either the wife or the Husband might stay calm, but they know they are not happy with the dominant partner. Ofcourse, there are people who dont mind being dominated, their love for the other person is such. It doesnot mean, a partner who dislikes to be dominated is not loving the wife/ husband perfectly. 

Times were such in past generations where wives never bothered much if her husband ddn't care for her. There were even wives who dominated badly. I wonder who started it, but there is a fear of being dominated in marriage. Arranged marriages tend to initiate this fear as the partners don't know eachother well. We never know, some Love-marriages change too. But my question is...Why should one dominate, can't there be love and trust ?...We see so many wives complaining even in these times, so many husbands frustrated...their partners don't spare them even in parties and public places, they think it adds weight to their power but that behaviour kills the persons public respect, and the whole family's image.

EXPAND THE BATHROOM

SOFT COLORS

Pale colors on the walls and floor tend to give the illusion of space. Avoid using strong colors except on accessories, towels and decorations.

BRING IN GLASS

Get rid of the shower curtain or frosted-glass shower doors and replace them with clear glass. It will open up the shower area, making it a part of the entire room and giving the appearance of more space.

FLOAT THE SINK:

Use a pedestal or wall-mount sink. While the additional floor space won't exactly be usable, it will trick the eye into believing the room is larger.

LIGHT UP

If the bathroom doesn't have natural light, try recessed lighting. It is unobtrusive and won't "bring the ceiling down" and make the room feel shorter, plus it can be placed anywhere and focused onto any task area.

RAISE HIGH

To expand a small room, add to the ceiling. A light fixture with a ceiling medallion will draw the eye up, as will crown molding. Just make sure the molding is not too large for the space. Other architectural features like chair rail and wainscoting can also help visually expand a small space.

- Prathyusha

Tips to remove stains from cotton fabric

As summers are already here and everyone would love to wear cotton so I decided to first compile few stain removal tips for cotton fabric:

1) To remove coffee or tea stains from the fabric sponge the stain with water as soon as possible and then apply salt over it. Once the stain has dried soak the fabric in cold water for atleast 30 minutes and then wash it as usual.

2) In case of sweat stains rub table salt over it and then let it dry out in the sun. Wash as usual.

3) Ink stains can be removed by applying hairspray or alcohol on it.

4) To remove oil stain rub cornstarch or talcum powder over the stain and let it sit for 20 minutes then brush it off with a soft cloth or brush.

5) Dilute the dishwashing liquid with water and dab the makeup of lipstick stains with this solution.

6) To remove chewing gum from clothes apply ice over it and then scrape it off from the garment.

7) Tea and coffee stains can also be removed by applying glycerine over it.

8) To remove curry stains mix the equal amounts of water and glycerine together and then apply it on the stain from the reverse side. Wash as usual.

9) Apply alcohol with a soft cotton cloth over the grass stains and then wash as usual.

10) To remove wine or fruit stains rub the fresh stains with a mixture of salt and lemon juice.

11) To remove tannin stains wash the garment in hot water but do not use bar soaps as they can make the stains permanent.

12) Rust stains can be removed by applying salt and lemon juice on it. Sprinkle salt and squeeze lemon juice on it. Allow it to dry in the sun and then wash it as usual.

FASHION FOR HOMES

Who says Fashion is only for Humans....even Houses deserve the tag..."Fashionable" and the best Brands, Designer names. Some people like to buy the La-z-Boy Sofas, some buy furniture from the name brand stores.

Some like to flaunt drapery from a famous store and a few love to show off the expensive decor.

In India, home owners are more interested in showcasing their collections in their craftmen made wooden cabinets, or in the current times, the custom ordered cabinets too. Discussions on who crafted them, how long it took, how much they spent are common when guests arrive, and the next time you see the same craftmen making another whole house's wood work on recommendation.

People spend their money and interest in building and buying homes, they dream of decorating them so well that their homes shape into the fashionable ones.

- Prathyusha

EARNING HAND

Should a Woman work?

The answer only they know, only they have the right to answer....why should someone else answer on her behalf? If she wants to work and earn a living, its her decision. There are families that need both wife and husband to earn, but there are also families that can survive on a single earning, still the wife works to earn. If she works by interest, the life is happy. However, if she is forced to earn, the family might be happy, what about her? Is anyone thinking of her happiness? She is tired, she is missing her children, if there are no children yet, then she is working with no interest.

Once women have children, it becomes very difficult to handle children and job. However, if there is someone to help, she can handle but if there is no one to care for the kids during the day, and mom has to go to job, then both mom and kids suffer. It is a common thing in the society but there is lot of suffering involved. They are the growing years of the children and Dad will anyways miss, Dads may not feel so bad, but for a Mom to miss watching the children grow up, achieve the initial milestones is so tough.

Due to better salaries, if they are forced to take up any other jobs than their interested ones, it is so difficult and demotivating to continue. Can't they do something they excel or interested in, if it pays less? As the society shouts, there is a Man to run the family anyways, who holds a higher paying job anyways!!!

I feel women should be allowed to make decisions about their career on their own. Whether they want to continue working, take a break when kids are born and when they are growing up, and get back to job if still interested, or pursue a career of interest should be some decisions to be made on their own, instead of the husband or parents deciding or manipulating.

- Prathyusha

India’s example for Today’s Woman

TECH CLEANING

The regular glass cleaner spray is good for Windows, Glass Tabletops but definitely not for Computer screens. Many computers have monitors covered in plastic, not glass, which can become damaged or dulled if repeatedly cleaned with glass cleaner sprays. The ammonia in these sprays have a damaging affect on plastic and leave behind traces of minerals which may not show up on window glass but look like residue on computer screens. 

Instead clean your computer screens with Isopropyl Alcohol. mix it with equal amount of water--distilled water ideally., spray it on a microfiber cloth, and wipe your screen in small circular motions. Its cheap and easy and it will help us get rid of most gunk on the screens. 

-Prathyusha

Sarojini Naidu - The Nightingale of India

Today is Sarojini Naidu’s 135th birthday and we had the Google doodle in its homepage to remind us of this exemplary lady who was freedom fighter, women’s activist , poet, first Lady Governor of a state after Independence, First Woman President of Indian National Congress. And more details you check the Wikipedia .We could like to share a few excerpts from a letter written to her daughter when she was in Europe which gives an insight into this lady’s mindset which every progressive Indian mother would feel towards her daughter.

A very relevant letter to every Indian girl child and woman even today!

'My temperament and ideas are different --from what the world accepts and understands'

Le Grand

Hotel Marseille

4 March 1921

My beloved little child,

This is my last night in Europe, in this great foreign, arrogant continent where through my song and speech and struggle I have won a place for India. Now I am glad to set my face homewards once more to serve India with speech and song and struggle: the one poignant regret I have is that I leave you behind - alone. You - with your brave, beautiful, rebellious, ignorant youth; you - with your passionate, implacable temperament, so audaciously sure of itself, its aims, its innocence, its lofty ideals and lively desires and dreams, and yet so threatened with perils and pitfalls, all the more to be feared because you are so fearless, so impatient to tender counsel born of bitter experience...

My little girl, how I have tried to shield and guard you, to save you from the suffering and disillusion arising out of your own too eager, too exacting demands upon friendships and affections and understandings, unused and unable to endure the strain of such fury and insistent demands... When you have resented what you thought was an attempt to curb and control and hamper you, I assure you my darling there was nothing but the purest, most deepest comprehending mother-love, trying to safeguard you from the results of your own impetuous and vivid nature and impulses - so harshly misjudged and misconstrued by even those who seemed to you most of necessity to understand an appreciate... It is because I want to protect you from suffering such as I had to endure in my youth because my temperament and ideas were different - they are different - from what the world accepts and understands - that I tried to guide you... But as the French poet said, "A chacun son infini" - and you must find and realise your own soul in the infinity of its own loneliness, my child.

Only remember that you are an Indian girl and that puts upon you a heavier burden than if you were an English girl born to a heritage of freedom. Remember that you have to help India to be free and the children of tomorrow to be free-born citizens of a free land therefore - if you are true to your country's need you must recognise the responsibility of your Indian womanhood. Nothing in your speech or action should cause the progress of Indian women to suffer, nothing in yourself should give room for wretched reactionary slave - minds to say "This comes of giving too much education and freedom to our women." Think over it my darling. You are not free - one is - in the sense of being a law unto yourself in defiance of all existing tradition in our country - for freedom is the heaviest bondage in one sense - since it entails duties, responsibilities and opportunities from which slaves are immune... Noblesse oblige! and the ampler the liberty the narrower the right to do as one pleases.

And you my friend of delight... you must shine as a foremost gem in the crown of India's freedom... You have in you all the seeds of true greatness: be great my little child, fulfill yourself nobly in accordance with all the profound and beautiful impulses and ideals of your nature... but always remembering that you are the symbol of India. And may God prosper you in all things. I love you my baby. You will never know how dearly, and with what anxious and yearning tenderness...

Such a carnival is impossible in sombre and splendid London! Paris is the source of gaiety, something in the air makes one young and adventurous and full of joie de vivre. How you would have loved the Mt Carmel and how glad I am to have had that brief, happy interlude before I take upon myself the grave problems and perplexities that await me in India.

Well, goodnight my little Papi and good bye!

You are the guardian of my Jewel of Delight... Beware! Be faithful to your trust and keep the treasure of your soul incorruptible.

Your,

Mother

My boat sails at noon tomorrow.

This letter was written to Leelaamani Naidu, her daughter

HANGING CLOTHES

Prathyusha

Wire hangers may be cheap and space saving but not a good option to hang clothes. They can actually damage your clothes. The T-Shirt and shirts can hang better on wire hangers but the knits that are heavy tend to sag down due to their weight and the wire can't give enough support to hold them well, result, the neck line or shoulders become shapeless after a while. 

The also pose hazards to children because of the sharp and metal edges.