How to Apply Makeup to Achieve a Natural Look

Things You'll Need:

• Blush
• Blush Brush
• Eye Shadow
• Eyeliners
• Face Powder
  
• Foundation
• Lip Gloss
• Lipstick
• Makeup Brushes
• Mascara
• Foundation
• Lipstick

Instructions

1. Understand that a 'natural' look is one that uses colors that are right for your skin tone. How much you use, and where, depends on your personal style.

2. Make sure your concealer is yellow in tone since it mutes imperfections without adding color, giving your skin a natural look.

3. Apply foundation that matches your skin tone. The right foundation will seem to disappear on your face. If you are African-American, it's a good idea to have light, medium and dark shades of your foundation to allow for different gradations of color on different parts of your face.

4. Apply eye makeup in earthy tones'beige, brown, gold or plum for shadows and brown and charcoal gray for liner and mascara. Skip liner or shadow entirely if you want to keep makeup light.

5. Choose a blush color that is close to the color of your cheeks after you've exercised.

Home Facial in just half an hour - Homemade Facial

How many times should one do the Facial?

• The number of times a home facial should be done depends upon your age and the nature of skin. For those who are in the age-group of fourteen to twenty-five and who have normal skin or at least do not have a very dry skin, doing facial once a month is sufficient but for those who have dry or dull skin facial twice a month is necessary. For those who are older, facial once a week is a must so that age does not show on the face.

  Given below is the method to do a half-hour home facial

  • Tie your hair tightly towards backside.
  • Clean the face with a cleanser so that the makeup and the dust particles, if any, are removed. Use tissue-paper or soap and water to clean your face. It is necessary to clean your neck also along with face.
  • Use cotton wool to apply freshner on the face and neck so that the last traces of cleanser are removed.
  • Put moisturizer in dots (bindis) on your temples, cheeks and chin and then let the skin absorb it.
  • Now wash the face with clean warm water.
  • Make homemade face pack according to the nature of your skin, and apply it on your face and throat, leaving the area around the eyes. Soak the cotton wool in rose water and place it on your eyes. You can use unboiled milk or alcohol free freshner also, instead of rose water.
  • Now lie down and allow the face-pack to dry for about twenty minutes.
  • Remove all the remains of face-pack. Dry your face and neck by patting with a soft towel and apply

Click to Lose weight

When you finally get five minutes to yourself, updating your Facebook status is way more tempting than looking up calorie counts, right? The good news is that tech-loving moms everywhere can log on and slim down at the same time -- for free! Check out our favorite apps and websites that make dropping pounds easier than ever.

If you're an iPhone lover
Try: Loseit.com
How it works: This app calculates how many calories you're taking in and burning off daily. Every time you eat something -- from a carrot to a mocha -- enter the name of the food and the portion size to see how much of your daily calorie budget's left.

If you're a web-surfing whiz
Try: 50millionpounds.com
How it works: Snag some 'net inspiration from the 50 Million Pound Challenge hosted by Ian Smith, M.D. (don't worry -- that's how much he wants the whole country to lose!). Joining gets you a 30-day meal plan, complete with shopping lists, healthy snack ideas, and even videos of the hot doc himself.

If you're an online chatterbox
Try: Livestrong.com
How it works: Biking champ and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong created this site to inspire people to achieve healthy goals -- from weight loss to quitting smoking. You'll find exercise videos and a supportive community who cheers you on as you tackle challenges like "Do 100 pushups by 2010" or "Eat fewer carbs."

If you're a Facebook fanatic
Try: Tickerfactory.com
How it works: While you're catching up with your junior-prom date and playing Scramble, you can also track your fitness goals by adding a cute ticker to your home page. Upload a design to your Facebook page; plug in your workout regimen or weight-loss goals, and update it anytime for an instant reminder of how far you've come.

Mums have a soft spot for first borns

Younger siblings’ suspicions have been confirmed: Parents, especially mothers, favour their ‘Precious First Borns’ (PFBs) over the children they have later, concludes a new study.

Among examples of attention lavished on the PFBs, mothers admit to rubbing shampoo into their own eyes to test it doesn’t sting, pulling prams backwards for miles to avoid direct sunlight and even sterilising the steriliser, reports The Telegraph. Others change their newborns so regularly they go through 150 nappies a week, while some spend half an hour bathing just their baby’s head.

But ‘NSCs’ - Neglected Subsequent Children - are regularly left to scream for attention, play with toys that the dog has licked and stew in their own juices until their parents are ready to deal with them. The term PFB and NSCs were coined by members of the parenting website Mumsnet.

Justine Roberts, co-founder of Mumsnet, told the Daily Mail that most mums agree that they treat the first child differently to later children. "Precious First Born syndrome is something we can all relate to – most mums will confess to having checked on their sound asleep firstborns several times a night, whilst Neglected Subsequent Children are liable to bawl for an age before we even notice," she said.

Tips for Proper caring of Gold Ornaments

Gold is a soft metal. Contact with hard surfaces can scratch it and reduce it’s luster.

Store gold jewellery, wrapped in a soft cloth, and ensure it does not get tangled.

Keep your gold away from dust, make-up, perspiration and moisture. Wash hands after applying make-up, before you wear gold jewellery.

If you bathe without removing your gold jewellery, soap and water may form a thin film on it, making it look dull and drab.
Remove gold jewellery before you swim. The chlorine in the water can harm gold jewellery.
Cleaning solution, especially recommended for cleaning jewellery, is the best way to keep your jewellery clean.

Gold jewellery can also be rinsed in a mild detergent diluted in warm water. After cleaning, it should be dried and polished with a soft cloth.

A soft bristled brush can also be used to clean intricately crafted jewellery pieces.

Periodically look for loose clasps or links and get a reputed jeweller to set things right, before you lose the piece.

Store gold jewellery in small, individual pouches or boxes. If you are storing more than one piece together, make sure each piece is individually wrapped in tissue paper.

Get your jewellery professionally cleaned once a year

Some of Antique Desgin jewelllery

Hi all , we are posting some of antique jewellery sets photos for your viewing , hope it gives those of you who are planning to buy such antique jewelleries, some idea .

Some more tea?

Everywhere there is a talk about green tea and many people want to know the health benefits of green tea. Green tea comes from the leaf of camellia sinensis plant. The youngest two leaves and bud plucked from the plant, are used for preparing green tea. China is the first country to know the merits of green tea and started using it. Now, in India, green tea is very popular. Why green tea is special? It contains epigallo catechin gallate which serves as an antioxidant and prevents the growth of cancer cells. Not only cancer, it protects us from many other diseases and gives us energy in day to day life.

How to prepare green tea?
To get full benefits of green tea, it should be processed properly. The leaves are to be steamed briefly, to prevent oxidization of epigallo catechin gallate. After steaming, the leaves are to be taken out and the liquid in slight green color is green tea. The sliced ginger, honey and lemon can be added and hot green tea can be served. The green tea may be made as a cool drink by allowing it to cool and adding fruit juice and ice. The green tea should be taken regularly and some fruits rich in lycopene, such as watermelon, papaya, tomato and guava are to be included in our food daily, to protect our health. The green tea gives us the energy to perform physical exercises

Benefitsof green tea:
It is believed that green tea prevents many diseases like cancer, high cholesterol and heart diseases. Green tea helps for skin care and dental care. The green tea burns more calories and thus helps for weight reduction. The green tea which is rich in polyphenols helps to fight against heart diseases. It lowers the risk of death due to heart problems. After meals if we take green tea, the fat is converted into triglyceride, which helps to keep away from heart disease. The catechin prevents blood clotting also.

Women can save themselves from breast cancer and ovarian cancer by drinking green tea. To keep healthy habits we can drink at least 3 cups of green tea daily. Those who had heart attack already,can make it a practice of drinking green tea to safeguard their health. The green tea ensures speedy recovery of organs from damage. The blood pressure is controlled by drinking green tea. The epigallo catechin gallate in green tea performs anti cancer actions. As the cancer cells divide and spread, green tea makes the cancer cells to self-destruct. The risk of getting stones in gallbladder and gallbladder cancer is reduced. The green tea fights against lung cancer also. The green tea attacks cancer cells only, leaving the healthy cells.

Other health benefits of green tea:
The green tea helps to prevent diabetes by increasing insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. The green tea saves us from kidney diseases, damages to the liver. It helps to increase bone-mineral density. The green tea helps for fat loss and the persons suffering from obesity can drink green tea. The green tea catechins protects nerves also and save us from the risk of damage to brain cells. The iron accumulation and protein called amyloid beta in brain causes Parkinson and Alzheimer's diseases. The green tea removes excess deposit of iron and helps to decrease free radical damage and reduces the formation of protein called amyloid beta. The memory, concentration and attention while performing an activity is increased.

If you have not tasted green tea, please start tasting it from today. The green tea makes us mentally sharp. The green tea keeps us alert and well-being. The green tea helps for relaxation and maintaining body balance. The pregnant women and breastfeeding women have to consult doctors, as green tea contains caffeine, tannic acid and catechin. Still research is going on to analyse the benefits and side effects of green tea.

Traditional indian dresses

It does not come as a surprise to see different Indian attires getting worldwide popularity. Few of the distinctly Indian dresses have been seen to be worn by famous celebrities and renowned personalities. Indian fashion world never had it so good. There have been instances of Indian dresses being shown in Hollywood movies. Even the fashion week being organized in India witnesses some well known designers and models flaunting Indian dresses.

Despite the modern fashion sense and rising popularity of western clothing, traditional Indian dresses have continued to retain their charm. The basic dresses worn by Indian men and women are still in place. Indian men are very fond of attires like dhoti, kurta, pyjamas and lungis. These are basic clothes of Indian men especially rural people. Depending upon the regions, colors and religions more variety can be seen across India. Indian men are also very fond of shirts and trousers that are more of western clothing pieces.

Among the most popular and seen basic Indian clothes, sari definitely holds the edge over other clothes. The best part about sari is that it is not made for a particular size. It is not even tailored. Known as one of the most graceful attires, sari gives a particular aura to the wearer. It is symbolic of factors like status, region, age, religion and occupation of a woman. Sari is accompanied by blouse or choli. It is believed that choli first came into existence around the tenth century AD and since then it has continued to evolve. Salwar-kameez is a popular attire normally associated with Indian women. Originated in Jammu and Punjab region, it is considered as a very comfortable and stylish piece of cloth. Salwar-kameez has several varieties along with appealing textures and beautiful designs. Like sari, it is used across India. Churidar is quite similar to salwar except for the fact that it is slightly tighter. Churidar is often used with kurta.

How to dress better?

While there are no hard-and-fast rules of fashion, most style authorities agree on a few basic principles. These hold true, no matter how cheap and tacky your clothes are. In other words, these are the 5 commandments of the fashion Bible:

1. Always look neat and clean.

2. Make sure your clothes fit.

3. Don't overdo trends.

4. Keep ultra-bright colors away from the face.

5. Ignore lame clichs
   

1. 
   Always Look Neat and Clean
   
   This just makes sense. Unless you're going for the just-rolled-out-of-bed rocker look, it's best to keep your jeans unfrayed, your shirt unstained and your shoes unscuffed. Grunge is over, so live with it. Take good care of your clothes, making sure you follow directions like, "dry clean only" and "wash with like colors." Polish your boots. De-fuzz your sweaters. Even if you can't transform yourself into the world's snappiest dresser, you can always improve your appearance by looking well-kept. Go on, make your mama proud.
   
   Make Sure Your Clothes Fit
   
   It's known as the "quadruple breast" syndrome, and we hear it's highly contagious. Never heard of it? It occurs when a woman chooses to wear a bra that is at least one size too small, resulting in cups that, well runneth over. Ill-fitting clothes are a fashion no-no, whether it's pants that are too long, skirts that are too tight or jackets that are too short. Resist the temptation to forgo buying one size larger simply because it's not the size you "usually" wear. Sizes vary from designer to designer, so stick to what lays nicely on your body. Repeat it like a mantra: Smooth lines, smooth lines, smooth lines. . .
   
   Don't Overdo Trends
   
   Let's say leopard print is "in." In an effort to look oh-so chic, you go out and buy a hat, blouse, skirt, bag and shoes-all in leopard print. Bad move. Experimenting with fads is fun, but head-to-toe isn't the way to go. Similarly, don't saturate your wardrobe with any single style or silhouette. Cargo pants are cool, but not if they're the only kind of pants you own. Moderation is key.
   
   Keep Ultra-Bright Colors Away From the Face
   
   No matter what your skin tone, you won't look good (trust us) in a neon green sweater. This doesn't mean that you have to skip the loud hues all together. Simply incorporate bright items into your look as low on the body as possible. Remember: Florescent yellow shoes, not a florescent yellow top. A hot pink clutch, not a hot pink scarf. Let your face star in its own show.
   
   Ignore Lame Clichs
   
   Chances are, you've heard them all: "Don't wear white after Labor Day." "Make sure your shoes match your bag." "Never pair stripes with plaid." Well, we're here to say that it's all a bunch of hogwash. In today's "anything goes" fashion arena, it's important to be creative and open to new ideas. If this means ignoring old adages and overstepping traditional bounds, so be it.
   
   Now we're going to directly contradict ourselves: Even though we just told you to avoid clichs, there are some fashion mistakes that are always wrong. Take our word for it.
   
   * Never wear head-to-toe denim. (Silly, maybe, but true nonetheless. You'll look like a convict or a cowboy.)
   * Never wear sneakers with hose.
   * Never wear pleated jeans.
   * Never match your makeup with your outfit.
   * Never wear black velvet in the summertime.
   * Never overdose on a single fabric (don't wear nylon bottoms with a nylon top). Never wear large costume jewelry.
   * Never let your panty lines show.

World eBook fair is back

Hey book lovers! Here's something to feast your senses.

Download from 2 million e- books for the month of July or get many of them on your cellphone.
Visit here for the lovely collection.

This is the 4th World ebook fair.

These are the statistics.

100,000 from Project Gutenberg
500,000 from The World Public Library
1,385,000 from The Internet Archive
250,000 from eBooks About Everything
17,000 from IMSLP's Music eLibrary
=========
2,252,000 Grand Total

You will find all the information here.

Travellers Restaurant on I-84

"FOOD and BOOKS" says the giant sign outside The Traveler Restaurant in Union, Connecticut. Union, which has a population of about 700 residents, is the state's smallest town, and you might not even know you're passing through as you leave Connecticut driving eastbound on I-84. You can't, however, miss the bold sign that touts this unique restaurant, where 100,000 books are given away every year!We saw it on our trip from NJ to Boston.

I'll take you inside the restaurant and tell you more about its unique book giveaway program, but first, here are all of the details you'll need if you want to visit this roadside restaurant.

The Traveler Restaurant
1257 Buckley Highway, Union, CT
860-684-4920
Located off I-84 eastbound or westbound at exit 74 in Connecticut, just west of the Massachusetts state line.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

If you love books, you'll feel right at home the moment you step inside The Traveler Restaurant. Shelves of books surround the main floor dining room, and all of the volumes you see are available for free with the purchase of a meal.

Keep in mind, now, that you won't exactly find the latest bestseller among the 5,000 or so selections available at any given time. The Traveler Restaurant obtains its books from library discard sales, auctions, flea markets, book fairs and other used book sources. The menu says: "Our hope is that each and every one of our guests finds a book on our shelves," and if you're patient and spend some time browsing, it's almost guaranteed that a volume or two will catch your eye.

When the price is "free," the quest for the perfect choice becomes a bit of a game. You'll find that the time spent waiting for your meal to arrive flies by as you wander the restaurant in search of a book to call your own.

Marty Doyle, the original owner of The Traveler Restaurant, was a book collector who came up with the restaurant's unique marketing concept because he wanted to thin out his own collection. The current owners have continued the free book tradition, and they give away an estimated 50 tons of books each year.

Lovers of literature will enjoy perusing not only the restaurant's shelves but its walls, which are decorated with literary memorabilia including photos autographed by well known authors such as New England's own Dr. Seuss.

If you're a book collector or even just an avid reader, you'll also want to venture downstairs to the Book Cellar. The 20,000 old books on the cellar's shelves aren't free, but they're priced reasonably, and you just might find a volume you'll treasure among the stacks.

It's easy forget that this cozy roadside spot is first and foremost a full-service restaurant. Don't get so lost among the bookshelves that you allow your meal to get cold!

The Traveler Restaurant offers a diverse menu with something for everyone, from steaks and seafood to salads and sandwiches. We had crab cake dinner and an omelette. They were good. Turkey is cooked fresh every day and served several different ways. Vegetarian items are available, and there's a kids' menu, too. Solo diners will find this a friendly and comfortable place to dine and browse.

"Green" Tea

Did you know that when tea was first discovered, it was mainly used for medicinal purposes? Over time tea became better known as a daily beverage (it’s second only to water). In India, we drink tea a lot. We took some time investigating teas, sampling different blends and here’s what we’ve learned…

Tea,

• Helps prevent gum disease, plaque buildup, bad breath & cavities (tea contains fluoride)
• Boosts the immune system, resists infections
• Reduces risk of breast cancer & prevents other cancers
• Lowers the risk of heart disease
• Lowers bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol (HDL) plus prevents the oxidation of LDL cholesterol (reduce the buildup of plaque in arteries)
• Helps with weight loss, raises the metabolic rate, burns calories and speeds up fat oxidation
• Helps fight against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
• A great way to stay hydrated and meet the daily water intake requirements

Tea isn’t meant to replace fruits or vegetables, but tea leaves contain more antioxidants than many antioxidant rich produce. The antioxidant activity in two cups of tea is equal to seven glasses of orange juice, five medium-sized onions or four medium-sized apples.

There are plenty of studies done that suggest many more benefits of drinking green tea daily, you can do some research online for more information.

The plant Camellia sinensis is where tea comes from and it’s made into four different kinds of tea: Black Tea, Oolong Tea, Green Tea and White Tea. Although they all come from the same plant, each tea is different in flavor, aroma and color. This is mainly due to how the leaves are prepared.

Black Tea (fermented)

• Yields a hearty and more pronounced flavor of tea
• Has higher caffeine content
• This is the most popular type of tea and one that you’re probably most familiar with
• Black tea is a reddish-orange color

Oolong Tea (semi-fermented)

• This tea is pronounced as “woolong”
• The flavor and caffeine content is between the black tea and the green tea
• Oolong tea is a light brown tea with delicate flavor

Green Tea (unfermented)

• Goes through less processing than the other varieties of tea above, therefore it has more health benefits
• Produces a tea that is pale greenish or yellow in color

White Tea (unfermented)

• This is the purest form of tea since it undergoes the least amount of processing
• Contains the most amount of anti-oxidants
• Contains the least amount of caffeine
• This tea is handpicked in early spring, making it limited in quantity

Each of the four types of teas are separated by leaf quality, region they were grown in, how it’s harvested and may be flavored with oils or herbal blends–each giving a different taste experience. That’s why you’ll find many different varieties of Green Tea, White Tea, Oolong and Black Tea. It’s quite an adventure to sample all the different teas available!

Herbal teas are an infusion made from ingredients other than the Camellia sinensis plant. They’re made from herbs and plants (such as mint or chamomile). Although the benefits of drinking herbal teas are different than green teas, you’ll still find drinking herbal tea a good choice.

Rooibos Tea

Rooibos tea is gaining in popularity as a beneficial beverage with health qualities compared to green tea, but it’s not a true tea since it doesn’t use leaves from the Camellia consensus plant and comes from the South African shrub Aspalathus linearis.

• Is reported to dissolve and prevent cholesterol buildup (preventing heart disease)
• High in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants
• Contains no caffeine
• Is favored as both a hot and cold drink
• Low in tannin
• Is pronounced as “RoyBoss”

Home remedies for hair fall

As humidity touches level Zenith, our hair is the first to drop. And our comb keeps ending up in clusters of hair and the entire process becomes heart. Well here are some home remedies to take care of your hair, which we have collected over the years and some of which has been tried out by us and tell u it really works , if done regularly.

• Add the 6-8 drops of lemon juice to an egg. Beat well and apply on your hair followed by washing with a herbal shampoo/shikakai powder made at home.
• Use a mild herbal shampoo and condition your hair at least twice a week. Make sure to rinse out the conditioner thoroughly.
• Amla shikakai powder mixed with curd is a good conditioner and can be made use of.
• Massaging with olive oil once a week reduces hair fall and makes them soft and silky.
• Mix curd ,lemon and mustard oil apply gently on hair and wash your head after about 1/2 hour.
• The oil from the amla , prepared by boiling dried pieces amla in coconut oil, is a hair tonic for enriching hair growth and prevent it's loss.
• Soak 2-3 tbsps of fenugreek in water overnight and the next day make it in a blender to make a paste and apply it on the scalp for 1/2 an hour and rinse thoroughly.

Travel tips for women going on trips

Following these simple travel tips can help make your trip safer and more rewarding. Since the number of women travelling alone or taking trips abroad is in the increase, thought that the tips would be of timely help for those who are planning to go on solo trips.

Tips for passport and Visas:
Make sure your passport is still valid and if not apply for a new one three or four months before you plan to travel. Make sure you have any other necessary travel documents/ visas for the countries you plan to visit.

Tips on what to leave behind:
Leave the following at home with a friend /relative.

• Your detailed itinerary,,including names, address's, telephone numbers of every place you will be staying.
• Photocopies of your passport identification page.
• your flight and ticket information

Tips on not to carry valuables:

Leave all valuables such as extra credit cards, jewellery, at home. Even costume jewellery pose threat to you. So carry minimal ones.

Tips on health insurance:

Make sure you have adequate health insurance coverage for your trip abroad. That your coverage includes medical evacuations. If your policy does not cover your overseas, you may need to purchase supplemental traveler's insurance.

Tips for Medication:

If you take prescription drugs make sure you have enough to last the length of your trip, take along with you extra medication , which may come handy if your trip is delayed. Don't forget to take the prescription slip along with you, in case you need to purchase there. Also some countries have strict laws about drug trafficking.

Tips for Safety and Security:

Stay always alert, use your commonsense and be aware of your surroundings. If you feel that you are being followed immediately step into a store or safer place and see if the person passes by. Don't be embarrassed to ask help to any one. if you are still doubtful, call the hotel for assistance.

Be confident:

Look,, act and move as though you know where you are going and what you are doing. this will prevent you from looking like an easy target and may help you avoid potential danger.

Ask for directions:

Before you leave the hotel, ask the help desk or hotel staff for directions of the places you plan to visit each day. this will help you to avoid unsafe areas and also prevent you from looking confused and vulnerable. If you are lost, ask directions from a family or a lady with children.

Hotel safety:

Choose a hotel where security is good and public transportation's and taxis are readily available and close by.Once in your room, check all the windows and doors have proper locks and are in working conditions. If you feel e. ask t he hotel security to escort you to and from the parking to your room during night. Always use your peep hole before opening the door.

Tips for clothing:

It is always best to dress conservatively while travelling. since your make up , dress, jewellery may at times attract danger. so dress sensibly.

5 Homemade Foot Soak Ideas

Who doesn’t enjoy a nice, soothing foot soak? Ahhhhhh…A foot soak and a massage are two things we are crazy about but hardly have the time...

Recipe Directions:

Unless otherwise noted, mix together all ingredients thoroughly then store in an airtight container.

• Use 2 to 3 tablespoons per gallon of water used in soak.

Water temperature is at personal preference, but I find the hottest water my feet will comfortably tolerate gives the most relief and comfort.

Recipe #1

1 part Epsom salts
1 part Baking soda
drops of choice essential oils (optional)

Chamomile Tea Foot Soak – Recipe #2

4 bags chamomile tea
1/8 cup dried parsley
4 drops essential oil of choice

• Steep ingredients in 1 gallon of hot water for 10 minutes before soaking feet.

Recipe #3

2 cups Kosher salt
1 cup Epsom salts
drops essential oil of choice (optional)

Recipe #4

1 1/4 cups Epsom salts
1 1/4 cups Kosher salt
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup cornstarch

Recipe #5

1 cup lemon juice
3 TBS olive oil
1/4 cup milk

• Mix together well in a small bowl then add to 1 gallon of water and soak feet

Tips:

Single Ingredient Ideas:

• 1 cup honey per gallon of water
• 1/2 cup Epsom salts per gallon of water
• 2 cups brewed coffee per gallon of water

Essential Oil Ideas: peppermint, lavender, lemon, orange, eucalyptus, mint

You can also add marbles to the bottom of the basin to rub your feet over while soaking, quite soothing!

When your garden is in full bloom, add as many flower petals as you like to your favorite recipe for a special, pampered experience.

How to wash a feather duster

Many of us are using feather duster to clean everyday dust. They become so messy after sometime we have to throw them away. But regularly washing of the dirt from them helps them stay great longer.

• Fill a bucket or sink with lukewarm water and a little bit of gentle liquid dish detergent or baby shampoo. You want the water level to be deep enough to cover the feathers easily.
• Lay the feather duster in the water, completely immersing it. Pick it up by the handle (keep the feathers in the water) then twist the duster fairly quickly left to right so that the moving water will swish through the feathers and push out dust, dirt and any grime buildup. Do this for a minute or two being careful not to break the feathers.
• If you have a double sink, fill the other sink with clear lukewarm water, or empty the sink/bucket and fill with clear water. Submerge the soapy feathers into the water and dunk it up and down a few times, trying to remove as much soap as possible. Do a final rinse under running water until the water runs clear and there is no more soap.
• Gently tap out the duster so excess water sprays into the sink. Then take the duster outside and forcefully shake the duster into the air several times to remove as much water as possible.
• Next, set the duster into a clean pop bottle (large), handle down so that the feathers stick out above the bottle. The pop bottle will hold the duster and allow the feathers to air dry. When the feathers are still damp (several hours later or overnight), take a hair dryer and blow them completely dry. The hair dryer will soften the feathers.

Calorie Calculator

Need an online calorie calculate for your homemade recipes? You have it here CALORIE CALCULATOR

Enter your ingredients and amount and then calculate the calories.

Herbs - a gift from nature

Herbs are useful in more than just cooking. They are good for our health. Below are the effects of some herbs on moods. Human moods rule the world. So to keep a check on the, the following herbs are useful.

I have a chamomile lavender massage oil that really does wonders.

Basil----------Love or Hate
Bay------------Victory or reward
Borage---------Courage
Burnet------Merry Heart
Calendula------Grief
Caraway--------Retention
Chamomile-----Patience
Fennel---------Praise
Horehound------Health
Lavender-------Acknowledgement
Lemon Balm-----Sociability, Sympathy
Lemon Verbena--Delicacy of feelings
Marjoram-------Happiness
Mints----------Virtue, wisdom
Rosemary-------Rememberence
Rue------------Distain
Sage-----------Esteem, Long Life
Tansy----------Hostility
Thyme----------Activity, Bravery
Wormwood-------Absence, Displeasure
Yarrow---------To sooth a headache

21 days to brighter skin

This 21 day tutorial is given by CLINIQUE. The steps are online and pretty simple. Follow them and hats off to a brighter and smoother skin.

These tutorial are free...get a look at them at BRIGHTER SKIN.

Diet Downfall - Reasons?

Many of us are concerned about our weight, especially after pregnancy. We try hard, sweat ourselves out but still haven't lost more than a meager pound. We came across an article and found the following making sense. Probably we are making a few mistakes. Let get them in check and become chick.

1. You follow the plan that worked for a friend.

2. You eat a small breakfast. Aim for a breakfast of 50 calories.

3. You're clueless to calorie counting. Every bite and swallow counts.

4. You skip meals.

5. You load up on superfoods. Even do good foods add calories if consumed too much.

6. You are canceling out the effects of working out. An hour long run doesn't entitle you to an extra slice of pizza.

7. You watch what you eat from only Monday to Friday.

8. You don't plan for stress.

Picks and Tricks

Have you got lots of used dryer sheets when you throw out the trash? Used dryer sheets are great dirt picker uppers due to their texture. They are great with window sills, ceiling fans, book shelves etc. It is a greener way to save cash and also you can save on paper towels.

Those who might feel your hands are becoming rough because of washing dishes everyday can try this. Before putting on the rubber gloves slather on your moisturizer. The heat from the water helps the cream penetrate into the skin. When the gloves come off the hands will feel supersoft and smooth. Come on ladies, you deserve a little pampering.

Coffee maketh thee...what are you?

Coffee used to be maligned as stress-inducing and spiking blood pressure. However, recent studies have hailed coffee as a good source of anti-oxidants. It boosts mood, memory, and focus; for most regular coffee drinkers there is no hike in blood pressure. Some researchers claim that coffee drinkers are less likely to get gallstones, Parkinson’s, type 2 diabetes and colon cancer.Coffee is a social thing and can mellow you out by generating positivism- a great de-stressor.

You don’t need to read tea leaves to figure out who you are. There are coffee personalities; many of us don’t know who we are or what we want out of life. The coffee we like can provide a much-needed clue. The body doesn’t lie while the mind can rationalize anything.

According to Alan Hirsch, MD the Director of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, “Today the type of coffee someone prefers really makes a social statement. With so many choices, it’s like we now have a coffee Rorschach test to gain insight into an individual’s personality.”

• Black coffee - This is for the ambitious, focused and goal-driven person who needs to get the job done.
• Cappuccino - This is for the aesthetic, witty and classy drinker.
• Steamed Latte – This is for the nurturer and often drunk by moms....
• Espresso – This is for the ultimate coffee drinker using a special cup conveying sophisticated power. Drinking espresso is a sensory experience and often follows a special meal.
• Iced coffee- This is for the laid back, spontaneous and flirty person.
• Frappachino – This is for an ice-cream lover who pretends to drink coffee - adventurous, flouts authority and is ready to enjoy.

Let us decode your date with the kind of coffee they order.

If Your Date Orders a Black Coffee…
These basic cup o’ joe types tend to be responsible, ambitious, and aggressive. Fiercely independent, these individuals require you to work at coaxing out their romantic side in a relationship.

Most compatible with: Chai tea latte drinkers

If Your Date Orders a Café au Lait…
Café au lait drinkers are veeery laid back. These tradition-seekers also find comfort in typical male/female dating roles (i.e., the man gets the check and opens the door).

Most compatible with: Mocha-flavored coffee drinkers

If Your Date Orders a Mocha-Flavored Coffee…
Mocha-flavored coffee drinkers are universal romantics who love to be in love. Keep in mind, though, that they can be moody and aren’t the most reliable bunch. Still, they can more than make up for it with their wonderful lovey-dovey gestures.

Most compatible with: Everyone!

If Your Date Orders an Iced Mocha…
These spontaneous, seductive flirts make very captivating dates. But if a long-term relationship is what you seek, keep in mind that their idea of “future” is probably five minutes from now.

Most compatible with: Other iced mocha drinkers

If Your Date Orders a Chai Tea Latte…
Often stressed and anxious, chai tea latte drinkers tend to be shy in relationships. So know that the first move might have to be yours for the making.

Most compatible with: Black coffee drinkers.

If Your Date Orders a Coffee-Based Frappuccino…
Loaded with ambition, these energetic optimists give their all to everything—including dating. The only downside: They’re often guilty of over-committing themselves, and appreciate a level-headed partner who’ll remind them when to put on the brakes.

Most compatible with: Café au lait drinkers

If Your Date Orders a Tea/Fruit-Based Frappuccino…
These non-coffee Frappuccino drinkers are more often followers than leaders. Relationship-wise, this translates to an incredibly supportive partner who approaches life, love and work in a serious and thoughtful way.

Most compatible with: Iced mocha drinkers

Kimberly Dawn Neumann is a New York City-based writer and a grande skim 6-pump extra-hot chai latte drinker who doesn’t think she’s stressed out… just over-caffeinated.

Don't forget one things. Love beats it all.

We take coffee with cream...What about you?

Watering the Bonsai Tree

We thought of having our first post dedicated to nature. Lots of us love gardening and bonsai plants are a favourite as they they less space and cute little things. The most important challenge is in watering these plants. We are claiming to be experts in this area. We are just writing down whatever instructions that we came across from our friends and family.

This is the crux of the art of bonsai. Most trees that die (I prefer the phrase “permanent dormancy”) are lost to dehydration, either from lack of watering or from being kept in a low humidity environment (indoors) too long.

Different soils dry at different rates, trees differ from species to species in water requirements and even different styles of pots dry out at varying rates, so each pot must be checked regularly until you become more familiar with the plant in question. The other end of the spectrum, over-watering can damage plants nearly as quickly; it is in finding the proper balance of soil, water and air that you will develop a healthy root system and thus a healthy bonsai.

Watering accomplishes three things for your bonsai.

• First, and most obviously, it provides H²O for your tree.
• Secondly, the water that flows through the soil carries nutrients your plant needs and washes out the excess salts that might otherwise build up.
• Third, and least obvious, the flow of water pushes out the old, spent gasses in the soil and pulls in new, fresh atmosphere.

People are conditioned to believe all the plants transpiration takes place in the leaves, but if that was true, how would a plant that was totally cut down spring back from the roots? The first few inches of soil are crucial to all of a plant’s functions; even a mighty oak does most of its feeding and drinking and much of it’s “breathing” in the top foot of soil. It is this reliance on a shallow soil profile that allows us to grow trees in such shallow pots in the first place. The porous quality of bonsai soil allows for quicker water flows and better gas exchange; this is why bonsai soil is so granular; it helps develop a dense mat of roots to support a dense mass of foliage.

Bonsai watering basics
Some quick watering tips:

The old Japanese adage is to water three times; once for the pot, once for the soil, and once for the tree. By going back and forth over your collection three times it allows the water to soak into the soil and the pot and leave water for the tree to take in.

Don’t just water the soil. All parts of a plant absorb water to some degree; 35% of the water intake for a plant doesn’t involve the root system at all. Washing off the foliage also keeps dust and pollutants from clogging stomata or breathing holes in the plant’s leaves.

Sure it’s raining, but is it enough to get good flow-through? Better safe than sorry; water anyway. Been raining all week? Prop up one end of the pot a few inches to increase drainage.

Using the hose to water? Too much water pressure can blast soil out of pots; be sure to get an adjustable spray nozzle to allow for different needs (Get one with a mist setting; it’s great for occasional wash downs of the foliage). Keep in mind that if that hose has been lying in the sun for a few days, that first blast can boil a tree (literally!).

Once a week or so, water by totally immersing the pot in water until the bubble trail quits. This assures top to bottom watering and lets the pot and soil soak up their maximum holding capacity, making it easier to keep them watered during the rest of the week. (I think this is the best tip in here, especially for novices)

Water early in the day. If you must, water late in the day, but be aware that leaves your plants more vulnerable to fungus and slugs. Plants don’t transpirate (breathe) above 85°, so when you water in midday, you temporarily cool the leaf enough to start transpiration, which allows the moisture inside the leaf to escape in the “exhalation”; kind of counterproductive. AND the water sitting on a leaf in the midday sun can act as a lens, burning leaves. So watering early AM beats all these problems and gives you a few uninterrupted minutes with your trees, and that can be a real stress beater!

If you have flowering bonsai, don’t water the flowers; it’ll make them pass almost instantly…

This is the most important part of bonsai care. Watering is a learned skill; in Japan an apprentice is given pruning shears on his first day but he won’t touch a watering can for another four years!