Colour Your Way Through Life! For February 2016

Colour Stories

Bring back the crayon boxes we adored as children, not just for nostalgia, but for therapeutic reasons!

Remember those amazing crayon boxes we revered as kids? Those 12 sticks would make us the happiest as we churned our imagination onto paper. But as we grew up, we left behind the magic colour sticks that had the ability to lift up our emotions. Those colouring books are now part of our nostalgia trunk. But what if we told you that there are adult colouring books now available for you to relive those fun days? Wouldn't you like to get your hands on it? We sure would.

Going by Amazon's sales numbers, colouring books for adults top the bestsellers list. And why not? Colouring as an activity is blissful and its joys should not be limited just to children. Colours help us express ourselves in the best possible way. Just like cooking, colouring can be therapeutic too. It's not just a fun way to unwind but it also helps us focus. Many of us have also tried our hand at children's colouring books as we are still unaware about the availability of adult colouring books. While this trend is quite a rage abroad, India is still catching up. Books like 'The Mindfulness Colouring Book' by Emma Farrarons are a hit globally.

So, the inventors of adult colouring books say that the idea is deeply rooted in nostalgia. They saw a potential in how colouring as an art form is simple and doable, even by the not-so-creative. Also, being a solitary activity, it hardly requires a lot of effort. As people who find it extremely difficult to sit in one place and concentrate on breathing, can pick up their favourite colours and start creating. Immersing yourself in one activity at a time is almost like forgetting everything else and meditating. Bankers, architects and analysts dealing with hard-core numbers all day can indulge in these colourful books to keep their creative side alive.

The popularity of these books is a trend that's here to stay. You can find many such books online and give it a try. Catching up on the trend, there are also apps offering adult colouring patterns. There is an entire range of subjects to paint – from illustrations to animal faces to motifs, take your pick and have fun. You can later use your artworks as calendars, print them as wall décor frames, and so much more, the list is endless. Get your hands on them and colour your way through life!

Colour Trivia

Colour Facts For February 2016

1. Misbehaving Thai police have to wear big bright pink Hello Kitty armbands with their dull grey uniform as a part of punishment for committing trivial offenses, such as showing up late, parking illegally, and getting in fights with other officers! This new approach is expected to produce a feeling of fault and discourage them from committing the offence. Wearing these armbands would act as deterrent and stop officials from indulging in such activities, thought the policy makers. Who would have imagined that a famous Japanese pop culture icon could be used to discipline Thai cops!
2. In medieval times, Ohaguro was a custom of dyeing one's teeth black in Japan. The Japanese used to dye their teeth and the practice was popular in Japan until the Meiji era. A similar custom is also common in the south-eastern parts of China, Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia. In Japanese culture, this was a common practice for over a century as black was seen as beautiful back then. Things that were pitch black, such as glaze-like lacquer, were considered beautiful. Mainly married women would indulge in this practice but men did it occasionally as well. Medically, it would prevent tooth decay, and was believed to be an equivalent of modern day dental sealants.
3. What came first? Orange, the colour or orange or the fruit? The fruit came before the colour. The word 'orange' originates from the Arabic 'naranj' and arrived in English as 'narange', slowly losing the initial "n". This continuous wrong usage of the word has also left us with the word apron (from 'naperon') and umpire (from 'noumpere'). Orange as a colour was first used in 1542. That leaves us with a question, what colour is the fruit then? Oranges are a hybrid of tangerines and Chinese grapefruit (pale green or yellow), and were first grown in south-east Asia. They weren't actually orange in colour, but green.

Colour Quotes For February 2016

• "In our life there is a single colour, as on an artist’s palette, which provides the meaning of life and art. It is the colour of love."

  - Marc Chagall

• "Colour does not add a pleasant quality to design — it reinforces it."

  - Pierre Bonnard

• "The purest and most thoughtful minds are those which love colour the most."

  - John Ruskin

Colour Tips For February 2016

1. When you paint dirty or oily areas, the paint will chip off easily. So, it's a must to first clean the dirty areas with a powerful cleanser meant for pre-paint cleaning. This technique works well on clean painted, varnished surfaces to improve the bond of the new paint so it lasts longer. These cleansers are perfect for clearing greasy or oily areas like kitchen and bathroom walls and dirt around light switches and knobs. Take the cleaner and wipe in a circular motion using a cotton cloth or rough pad. Start from the bottom and work it up. Once the surface is clean, fill in any marks or cracks, then sand them before painting. These cleansers can be bought from available paint stores or utility shops.
2. When painting a home, what is the ideal order one must follow? This may seem obvious, but it's important to paint in a sequential manner. Professional painters also experience some amount of drops, splash and spills. So, make sure you follow this order while painting. Start with the ceilings first. Begin by painting the strip on the ceiling where it collides with the wall. Use a roller with an extension pole, start with one corner and work across to maintain a wet edge. Next, paint the walls. Paint sections of the walls one by one. Use a roller for creating a clean, uniform look. Once the walls are done, continue with woodwork and paint all spaces around doors, windows, ceilings and floor.
3. You've just finished painting your walls and you are proud of the work you've done. Extend the life of your walls by using these nifty cleaning habits. For basic cleaning, wait till 2 weeks after painting. Use a soft cloth dipped in mild soapy water and wipe in a circular motion, gently. Then, rinse with a clean, damp cloth. Remember, leaving it wet will attract dust and too much water can ruin the paint itself. In case of spots, use a home remedy of baking soda and water. It works wonderfully well. Rub the solution over the spot, rinse with a sponge and dry with a cloth.

World Of Colours

Colours & Emotion For February 2016

1. The colour blue represents our throat chakra, the focus of our creativity and individualism. And colour experts believe that you should wear blue while making an important public speech — it helps us remember better, helps ease anxiety and fear. The ancient Egyptians also used lapis lazuli to signify heaven and blue is also believed to be the colour of the spirit. It's also considered the colour of inspiration, sincerity and spirituality. In advertising, it is used to convey a personality that is trustworthy and dependable. If you are looking for balance in your life, meditating on blue stones such as turquoise, celestite, blue quartz, lapis lazuli, sodalite, and blue topaz is a good idea.
2. Many scientific studies have been conducted to find out the effect colours have on our emotions and memories. We tend to respond to colours very well and it has now become an integral part of our evolution. Our base chakra, the root of who we are as individuals is red, so it is interesting to see what effect the colour red has on us. Research shows that red not only induces emotional reactions, it can also move us bodily by raising the rate of breathing and blood pressure. The phrase 'seeing red' stands for being angry, however, the physical implication is from the red flush of cheeks, a natural physical reaction to anger.

Colours & Fashion For February 2016

Fashion and colours go hand in hand. Colour palettes change season after season in the fashion industry and colour trends play a huge role in fashion. Some colours have stayed in the limelight; some have gone into hibernation, while a few others have come back stronger than ever! Meanwhile, the meanings of certain colours have undergone drastic changes over a passage of time. Black, which was once worn only during funerals, was embraced by fashion designers like 'Coco' Chanel and Hubert de Givenchy, making it sexy and elegant. The meaning of colours has been redefined in the industry and we will have to wait to see the changes it will go through in the future.

Colours & Gems For February 2016

1. Kunzite is a gorgeous pink gemstone, but can lose its colour due to prolonged exposure to sun light. Even though the colour fading is minimal and not visible to the naked eye, many people prefer wearing the gemstone in the evening. Therefore, kunzite is often viewed as an evening stone. Its deposits are wide and yield large amounts of this gemstone, making it very reasonable. Kunzite is found in large crystals which can yield flawless gemstones. It is a soft and delicate gemstone that can get chipped off easily with a knock. Therefore, its usage is limited to jewellery.
2. Orthoclase is a rare transparent yellowish variety of the mineral Sanidine found in Madagascar. It has a very pleasant yellow colour with tinges of brown in it. A darker yellow shade has a huge demand and the champagne shades are popular as well. Apple green is a newly discovered variety but its production is limited. The colour of Orthoclase gemstones is natural and is not treated or enhanced by heat. They are mostly found in Africa and also Myanmar (Burma), Tanzania and Brazil.

Colours & Nature For February 2016

1. What colour is the Sun? You may wonder, 'what tomfoolery is this'? But contrary to popular belief, the sun is actually white! Yes, you read it right. It looks yellow because of the atmosphere that we live in. Photons of light from across the visible spectrum reach the Earth's atmosphere but extra energetic (and shorter wavelength) photons are scattered away by particles in the atmosphere. So, we don't see blue and violet colours from the Sun as they're scattered across the sky. This is the same reason the sky appears blue to us. Atoms with longer wavelengths, yellow, orange and red (the longest) have a better chance of making it through the atmosphere without being scattered. For most of the day, the Sun's light is passing through enough of the atmosphere that the yellow region of the spectrum is most represented.
2. Back in 2012, beekeepers near the town of Ribeauville, in the north-eastern region of Alsace, France, complained their bees were producing blue honey - the reason being a biogas plant that processed waste from an M&M's factory. The bees picked up the sugary waste from the plant operated some 2.5 miles away from their apiaries. The plant managers reported that they would clean the containers and store waste in airtight containers to prevent the incident from happening again. However, bees are clever enough to suspect the best resources of sugar. This meant losses for honey producers as they couldn't put the tainted honey bottles on shelves as it no longer tasted or looked like honey.

Décor

Beautify With Bricks!

Transform the overall appeal of your living space with the underutilized brick!

Are you one of those who love the texture of an exposed brick wall? Does it evoke an old-world charm, reminding you of the Victorian or Gothic period? You'll be glad to know that you can now easily spruce up the walls of your home with exposed bricks. Decorate the modern interiors of your home with classic brick walls, blending the past and present beautifully. Brick walls have a timeless and universal appeal, and come in several colours and patterns, ranging from vintage to contemporary. Having gained popularity in the late 1900s, they are less expensive today and are a wonderful way to replace damaged plasterwork. They have the power to transform the overall appeal of your living space.

Real brick walls add architectural interest and you can use them as a backdrop to display your artwork, photographs or a decorative mirror. With the right décor, lighting and accessories, you can make your brick walls a true showstopper.

To achieve the right look, you need to have balance and discipline to avoid making a mess and creating a clutter. You can use the rich raw texture of an exposed brick wall near your staircase. You can also use them to add beauty to your hallways, kitchens, dining room or bathroom. For a soothing effect, choose light-coloured bricks or paint it white. To make a bold statement, play with contrasting textures and dark brick walls.

If your brick wall already has lots of colours, the safest bet is to team it with neutrals. Brick walls are the perfect amalgamation of beauty and functionality. You can make it the focal point of your home by mixing it with the right colours. For small homes where every bit of living space counts, adding brick walls are a great idea as they transform the look and feel of the entire space. You can also add a live element like a plant to create an inviting look.

The solidity and comfort that brick walls provide make them a welcome addition to any home, big or small. Even without any other decorative pieces, brick walls can make a room look interesting. You could go quirky with a combination of an exposed brick wall and a painted wall. Brick walls have stood the test of time and they add an unconventional touch to modern interiors. Let your creative juices flow while planning your next home makeover and see the magic of brick walls!

Jazz Up Your Bathroom!

We spend a significant amount of time in our bathrooms, however, they’re almost always boring white! Add exciting colours and themes to your bathroom that speak of your personality!

When it comes to decorating our bathrooms, we somehow choose plain vanilla colours like white and beige. While bathrooms as a space are all about personal indulgence, one place we go to hide, relax and rejuvenate. So why stick to boring? Why not add exciting colours and themes to our bathroom that speak of our personality? There is a whole range of colours, from calming blues to eclectic reds, so let colours evoke your emotions. Check out some interesting tips on how you can add colour to your bathrooms:

1. Surf's Up:
   Let blue be the dominant theme. You can choose the floor to set a theme of ocean tides. Paint them tidal blue. The walls could be in white with one accent shower wall, mosaic blue shades. And voila... your surfer theme bathroom is ready.
2. Get Gold:
   Choose a plush marble white cut basin that stands against ornate, dramatic gold walls. Choose a floral golden wallpaper with a black background for that extra touch of elegance.
3. Rustic Charms:
   Add charming coloured wallpaper to your powder room to lend this small space a big personality.
4. Stripe It Up:
   Stripes look fun and add instant colour without being too overpowering, choose from candy coloured strips to blue and white. The choice of colours depends on your personality. It provides for a cabana kind of look, right in your home!
5. Pretty Pastels:
   An often ignored choice for bathrooms is pastels. It adds a feminine charm to the space, making bath time special for the ladies.
6. Intense Green:
   Now that you've decided to go colourful, why not choose green? Add interesting tiles to the walls in bright contrast colours and give it a Turkish bath look.
7. Dramatic Black:
   Go dramatic and bold with a black lacquered bathroom. Nothing spells sophistication better than classy black walls. Add metallic accents and green plants.
8. Vintage Mood:
   Create a vintage looking bathroom with interesting tiles and a black vanity trunk.
9. Subdued Tones:
   Get a royal Jodhpur palace like look with nature inspired blue and green wallpapers. Feel like royalty every time you bathe.
10. Chocolate Fantasy:
    Colour your walls chocolate along with contrast white flooring. Add in some yellow lights and you have a chic bathroom ready for yourself.

So next time, when redoing your bathroom, don't forget these tips and choose one that suits your personality and have fun.

Relax And Entertain In Style!

Everyone needs some ‘chill’ time, here are our tips that encourage you to let your hair down and entertain in style!

Having a beautiful and cosy pad is what we all dream of. Our idea of a perfect abode is to have a place to hang out with friends on a Friday night, or simply to relax after a hard day’s work. But while decorating, space often comes in our way of achieving this. This article helps you solve the space issue. Turn your small balconies into hip and cosy hang out spots for friends and family. Follow these simple tips to achieve a chilled out space. Relax and entertain in style. A perfect retreat in your own house!

1. If you stay in chilly places, a portable fireplace will add perfect charm of a cosy and romantic feel. Nothing like a fireplace to mark your den, isn't it?
2. Go green; decorate with small plants and creepers. Use the walls to save some floor space. The greenery will provide a feel of the outdoors, while breathing in new life to the space.
3. Outdoor furniture that is small and multifunctional should be used to utilize the limited space. Randomize the furniture for that quirky look.
4. Have your own wall hangings, quotes and frames to decorate the walls. Personalize the space with colourful elements that make you happy.
5. Lighting is another crucial aspect of decorating small balconies; use small lamps, LED fairy lights and candles, they all look great and are functional as well.
6. Garden décor accessories and pretty vintage elements add warmth to small balconies. Fill up the space with small charms and wind chimes. Be careful when doing this, as it shouldn't appear like a cluttered mess.
7. Striking accents, brave decorations and bright colours look great in small spaces. Try adding interesting details to a small balcony – vases in different shapes, Moroccan lanterns and traditional Tuscan decorations bring in a unique theme to the whole place, making it look vibrant.
8. Add beautiful wall panels, shelves, decorative frames and textile art for wall decoration. Mats or floor rugs are a fun way of decorating outdoor rooms. Designed for outdoor living spaces, these decor accessories make balcony designs feel like home interiors.

Make your home a big hit with these ideas. Make sure to keep it simple, class and cozy to be able to enjoy the outdoors to the fullest.

Colours & Ancient Sciences

Feng Shui For February 2016

All of us would love a green world full of positive energy and happy vibes; well, we can at least start with our own homes. Follow these Feng Shui tips to attract positivity!

Feng Shui Tips for Positive Vibes!

Traditionally, Feng Shui is the art of placing objects in a way that help the good energy flow around your home. Feng Shui takes care of the five main elements; water, wood, fire, earth and metal. Every element has the capability to flow in a different direction, carrying the dynamic energy along, changing its neighbouring environment. Therefore, it's all about filling the place with positive energy. And what better way than having plants and flowers that help generate vital energy by inducing oxygen into the air. Here are some tips that will help you energize your home with the power of plants and flowers:

1) In Feng Shui, plants are considered to bring good fortune. Besides looking good, plants also have their own special benefits. It is always good to have plants in the house, especially wooden plants, as the wood element stands for spring, new beginnings, growth and prosperity.

2) Fresh flowers are a great way to tell someone you care. They also bring good luck and fortune. Keep fresh flowers in your living room or office. However, once they die, throw them out as they give out Shar Chi (negative energy)!

3) In a way, plants are a metaphor for life itself. Human beings on earth wouldn't have been possible without them. However, if you are a married couple wanting to have your own kids, avoid placing flowers in the bedroom. Create energy for romance by keeping a basket of fruits. Fruits are a symbol of fertility.

4) When having plants in the house, choose their placement carefully. Avoid plants with thorns, including cactus and spider plants, as they release negative energy. Especially, avoid placing them near the front door. You can use them for the balcony.

5) Who doesn't love Bonsai? But did you know that these plants represent underdeveloped growth? Hence, they are not good for the home. Maintain your plants well. Do not plant them and ignore them as this creates negative energy.

Here's an extra tip – You can also bring in some green in your office space as well. It will help you concentrate better and flourish with your goals. You can opt for soft plants to create good energy. Plants help businesses grow too as well as liven up any work space. For best results, keep your plants in the east, south or southeast corners of your office.

Reiki For February 2016

Resolutions are made to be broken, but it would be great if we could keep them! Here are some Reiki tips to help you.

Be Your Best with Reiki!

It's that time of year… when most of our resolutions are staring at our face and asking us, what next? Yes, we started off pretty well but somehow in the second month, work and other priorities seem to be taking over. One day at a time, we are missing out on gym day, meditation practice, etc. and we are already nervous. But the key here is to keep at it. And restart - because every new day presents the same opportunities of a new year.

We are all looking for health and happiness but somehow forget to devote enough time for it. Reclaim this time from your life. Start off with just 10 minutes from your schedule and you will notice how your productivity goes up, how you become more focused, it almost works like magic on you and your loved ones. Sure, there are a plethora of distractions but staying grounded for your own good is the most important. Staying grounded helps you stay calmer and help others more easily. It helps you meditate better as well.

Meditating, including Reiki, is the key to achieving wisdom. It is only through meditation we find our best selves, and the energy and inspiration to be the best version of ourselves. Reiki helps you in the same way as yoga or meditation. It frees your mind and you experience sudden bursts of energy to get by the toughest days. It is to the mind what gym is to the body.

You don't have to go to an ashram and dedicate your entire life to learn meditation. All you have to do is sit in one place and be present. You can concentrate on your breathing and keep returning to it. Thoughts are naturally there but keep coming back to your breathing and you will see how your focus changes. When you wake up in the morning, your mind starts planning the day, appointments, meetings, children and so and so forth. Mornings are a great time to just sit and meditate. Think of where you are staying, your present, your surroundings and nothing else. This way, you will be living in the present. It may take a bit of time but trust us, it will make your life more successful and you will feel the satisfaction.

Vaastu For February 2016

In this article, we address the negative concerns and myths around south facing and what to do if you live in one.

Vaastu in a New House!

Vaastu Shastra or any other ancient science is meant to improve lives rather than complicate it further. And so, in this article we will address the negative concerns and myths around south facing houses.

If you are planning to buy a new house or are aware of the real estate market, you would have noticed how south facing properties are priced a little lower compared to the others. This is because very few people prefer a south facing home or office. Let us clarify this from a Vaastu angle, this is purely a myth! In fact, south facing property can bring prosperity when Vaastu Shastra rules are applied.

In order to claim a successful home, do a proper analysis and understand the location of the main door, as no direction is inauspicious. There are many homes facing south that are prosperous and healthy. The solution is to locate a door at an auspicious block of the south zone.

Here are some pointers to keep in mind when you have a south facing home:

1. The main door plays the most important role. Even doors in other directions can prove to be negative when placed at an inauspicious block of the Vaastu grid. A main door location is key to attracting positive energy home. All you have to do is divide the south zone in nine equal parts, fourth part from the east is a most auspicious for the main door.

2. Set up your kitchen in the south east corner, which is a fire region. This will bring wealth into your home.

3. Prayer area, water storage, study area with windows in the north-east region promises peace and health.

4. Children's bedrooms, toilet and bathroom should be in the north-west to bring in harmony.

5. Have your master bedroom in the south-west zone, this will give you more strength and command over the family.

6. Make sure your toilet is not in the north-east or south-west zone as it may come in the way of your family's health.

7. Keep in mind that a toilet, kitchen or pillar should not be placed in the centre of the house.

Align your south facing house with these specifications and it will bring you good energy and prosperity for life.