The Colourful World Of Contact Lenses For March 2019

Colour Stories

Did you know that contact lenses have a remarkable history that goes back more than 500 years? This is an interesting topic to discuss, especially for those who use them. So, without further ado, read on…

It seems that people have always wished to see clearly without having to depend on spectacles. If you are interested in knowing the history of coloured contact lenses, you need to trace the history of contact lenses in general first.

To begin with, Leonardo Da Vinci is credited with having conceived the first-ever contact lens in his book, “Codex of the Eye”. In his manuscript, he considered the possibility that immersing one’s head in a glass bowl of water could rectify some vision ailments. He went on to create a glass lens with a big funnel on one side to pour water into it. This method proved to be extremely impractical, and later it was realized that it was too far ahead of its time.

However, it was not until 1887 that a German glassblower known as F.E. Muller developed an eye covering that could be worn. Adolf Eugen Fick, a German physiologist created the first wearable contact lens within a year. However, it could only be worn a few hours at a time.

In 1949, the first ‘corneal’ contact lenses were developed, which could be worn sixteen hours at a time. PMMA corneal lenses started causing a stir by the 1960's as people with poor eyesight were able to experience what it was like not to wear spectacles. Unfortunately, PMMA corneal lenses did not allow any oxygen through the lens to the cornea and conjunctiva. ‘RGP’ lenses (rigid gas permeable) were developed as a solution but were quite uncomfortable for those wearing it.

Otto Wichterle, a Czech chemist developed the first soft contact lens, which was approved by the FDA in 1971. This was a game changer and fancied by the general public.

Today, a wide variety of coloured contact lenses are available called Plano, or zero-power contacts. Each colour has its own beauty, and coloured contact lenses make it possible for people to experiment with different looks.

At present, the best contact lenses are comfortable, breathable and durable, and scientists are still on a hunt for new lens improvements. Contact lenses have come a long way, with one having to stick their head in a bowl of water to near-invisible flexible discs of silicone. We cannot wait to see what kind of vision enhancements lie in store for us in the future!

Colour Trivia

Colour Facts For March 2019

1. Brighter colours (white, pink, red, yellow, blue, purple and green) elicit more positive responses than darker colours. Many of us spend our lives in black, brown, navy and grey, but by choosing safe shades instead of the brighter colours, we could be missing out on the health benefits implicit in colour. The health implicit and positive response has been classified as four categories: happy, excited, relaxed and positive. Negative responses have been classified as: anxious, boring, sad or negative. Warm bright colours like red or pink can improve our mood; Blue, on the other hand, can make you feel calm.
2. In colorimetry, there's a system called Munsell that defines colours based on three dimensions: hue, value (or lightness) and chroma; in short HVC. Hue is what we know as the actual colour and is represented by letter codes, i.e. Red (R), Yellow-Red (YR), Green (G), and Green-Yellow (GY) and so on. Value relates to how light or dark it is (think tints and shades, or how much white or black there is) and is indicated with a number 2, 4, 6 and so on. Chroma points to the colour's purity, intensity or saturation. Chroma scale runs horizontally and moves from weak to strong (left to right), in ascending order, so a 2 is going to be weaker than a 6.
3. Why is yellow the most popular highlighter colour? Because, even though yellow might not be your favorite colour, your eyes naturally see the colour yellow much more easily than, say, blue or red. Also a yellow highlighter does not leave a shadow when photocopied. Our eyes are most sensitive to yellow and green, so they’re the easiest colours for us to see, even when we’re not looking directly at them. And even people with red-green colour blindness can still see yellow. That’s why it’s the most popular colour for highlighters. Stock up on yellow if you have a habit of highlighting things while reading papers or books.

Colour Quotes For March 2019

• "Colour is the fruit of life."

  - Guillaume Apollinaire

• "With the brush we merely tint, while the imagination alone produces colour."

  - Theodore Gericault

• "Colour is, on the evidence of language alone, very bound up with the feelings."

  - Marion Milner

Colour Tips For March 2019

1. The quickest, easiest makeover you can do is - Painting your front door in a bright colour.

   a. Go sunny with a cheery yellow, demure with a dove gray, or bold with a true red.
   b. Paint the front door in this midnight blue to give it a rich statement.
   c. For something not too dark and not too light, go for Aqua Chiffon.
   d. Paint your door ocean blue, a colour that carries through the house.
   e. Go for teal and give your home a Moroccan-style front door.

   After all, your front door is your home's first impression. Make it a good one.

2. Get the summer feel at home, year round. Transform your home with pastel paint, floral accents and fresh patterns inspired by our lightest and brightest designer spaces. One of the most important aspect is that you clean up a little before you put out your seasonal décor, and make your home feel really fresh. So take a few moments to tidy up your clutter before you put out just a few summery items. Bring in bright aqua curtains and adorn your living room with cushions. The leafy greens are great because they bring an almost tropical vibe to a room instantly. How about an aquarium too?
3. Make a simple wall a little more exciting with oversized artwork. Choose large-scale photography or something abstract and vibrant to really make a statement. Photography is such a great option for statement art. If you’re a photographer yourself, blow up one of your favorite pictures of your family or a nature scene. That being said, a statement art doesn’t have to be a framed picture or a canvas. Think outside the box by hanging large objects in place of a square. An antique fan, a large round basket, any large object you can attach to the wall will become an art piece.

World Of Colours

Colours & Emotion For March 2019

1. Colours contain certain unique psychological properties that have a powerful impact on our feelings. Red is viewed as a powerful colour, masculine in nature that can raise the pulse. It also carries with it negative links to aggression and defiance. The colour blue, on the other hand is viewed as the colour of the mind, representing coolness, comfort, efficiency and logic. Studies show that for all sports, the winning team or winners sport red than blue. Studies have shown that the win rate could be reflective on an innate response to perceive red as a signal of dominance. Isn’t this fascinating to read?
2. Studies conducted by psychologists have found a number of connections between colour and memory. People seem to have more trouble remembering facts presented in black and white than they do facts shown in colour. For example, lecture notes in coloured pen are more helpful than notes in black ink, while a scene in colour is easier to remember than a black-and-white film scene. The reason being that colour, excluding black and white have a stronger effect on the senses that are essential to form a memory. Interesting, isn’t it?

Colours & Fashion For March 2019

Oxidized jewellery offers a fresh look into the world of gold and silver jewellery. It is no surprise why oxidized jewellery is fancied by most. Not only does it have a unique look but is also versatile unlike gold and silver. It comes in myriad patterns like delicate carving, stone work and enamelling, to name a few. It has an old world charm and a traditional appeal, complementing ethnic outfits. Pieces with coloured stones stand out and make for stunning, stand-alone accessory. Love it, hate it, you can’t ignore it!

Colours & Gems For March 2019

1. Bloodstone
   Here’s a beautiful gemstone called Bloodstone. It is a dark green variety of jasper that flaunts splashes of red colour. It is interesting to read how this gemstone got its name. It is known to remind people of blood, which gives it its name. It has been a popular gem for several thousand years. Apart from its visual appeal, it also has healing powers. It is believed to purify and detoxify the body. It is also known at grounding negative energy and cleansing the body. Fascinating, isn’t it?
2. Boulder opal
   Feast your eyes on this fascinating stone, which goes by the name of Boulder opal! It is mined from large ironstone boulders under the ground and that is why is given the name. It displays precious opal within its surrounding rock matrix. This stone represents purity and intensity. It is believed to aid in emotional and mental balance, calming the inner soul of an individual. It is known as an excellent stone for progress, expansion and development. It is a good idea to wear this stone if you are going through a lot of stress or going through obstacles in your life. It is also known to help you move on after heartbreak. Interesting, isn’t it?

Colours & Nature For March 2019

1. What if we told you that there exists a forest on this planet with trees that have multicoloured trunks? Fascinating, right? This is a place called the Painted Forest on the road to Hana, Maui, which is saturated with eucalyptus trees that flaunt multicoloured trunks that look straight out of a fantasy film! If you are wondering how the trunks possess such colours, it is because of the bark peeling off the trees to reveal the new bark beneath, which transforms from a gorgeous shade of green into blue, purple, orange, yellow and maroon. These wonderful rainbow eucalyptus trees can be found along the hikes in Kauai, too. Get your backpacks ready if you are interested in exploring this exciting place!
2. Take a look at the Vinicunca Mountain. It is also known as the Montaña de Siete Colores (Mountain of Seven Colors). It is located in the Peruvian Andes. This nature’s wonder was discovered some years ago and is a popular destination for tourists today. If you wish to explore this place, here’s a word of caution – the path to this place is infamously daunting. It is an extremely arduous hike with an uncomfortably high altitude, but you are guaranteed a breathtaking view from the top. The sight looks like an oil painting with thick rainbow stripes that look painted into the mountainside, which is actually a result of mineral deposits from over millions of years.

Décor

Tips For Cleaning Your Painted Walls

You have painted your walls in your favourite colours. But it doesn’t end there. What about maintaining them? Read to know how to keep your walls spotless…

Dust The Walls Before Cleaning

Once you are done with wall painting, it is important to take care of the walls. Dust the walls before you start cleaning them. It is best to use a duster or a microfiber cloth to get rid of debris and residue from the walls and also the corners of your walls. Remember not to wet the walls until you have dusted them.

Lay Drop Cloth Or Towels To Catch Debris And Cleaning Solutions

Lay down drop cloth or towels near the wall that you are cleaning to catch any debris or cleaning solutions that falls from the wall onto the ground. Don’t be lazy! This will help to reduce the mess you make while cleaning and protect your flooring as well.

Clean The Wall With Mild Cleaners

Once you have laid the drop cloths or towels on the ground, you are ready to clean the walls. Start by cleaning the wall with a soft cloth or sponge dipped in warm water and a mild liquid dish detergent. It is a good idea to start from the top and work your way down. If there are areas on your wall that are extremely dirty that soap does not remove the stain or spot, you can turn to vinegar, baking soda or diluted ammonia to clean that area. However, this should only be done as needed. Don’t ever use abrasive scrubbing brushes on the wall, as it can cause the paint to peel. Berger Easy Clean Fresh is a washable paint, which gives a rich luxurious finish backed up by Cross-Linking Polymers, ensuring that even stubborn stains can be cleaned easily from the wall. You can use Berger’s Express Painting for a faster, cleaner and better result and try this washable paint on your walls.

Dry the Wall Thoroughly After Each Wall or Section

Finally, take a dry towel and pat dry the section of the wall you are done with. This will prevent any excess water from damaging your wall paint.

That’s it! Follow these steps to keep your walls clean and fresh!

Protect Your Home’s Exterior Paint

When you give your home’s exterior a makeover with a fresh coat of paint, you expect it to be long-lasting. Wish to protect the exterior walls of your home from the harsh elements? Read on...

Elements such as dust, wind, rain and storm can do serious damage to your paintwork. By regularly inspecting, you can decide if any work needs to be done to eliminate any risks. You also need to check for dull or cracked paintwork that may deteriorate further. While inspecting the paintwork, ensure that you check for termites on wood panels. Get in touch with a professional service if you encounter the problem of these pests in your house.

Choosing the right tools for the job will keep your exterior paintwork looking fresh and clean without doing more harm than good. When it comes to washing your home’s exterior walls, clean dirt away but use the right tools for the job to keep it looking spotless. Stick to soft cloths and avoid usage of harsh chemicals.

If you wish to have peace of mind post home painting of the exterior walls of your home , choose an exterior wall paint like Berger’s WeatherCoat All Guard, WeatherCoat Long Life, WeatherCoat Anti Dustt, WeatherCoat Smooth or Walmasta that is designed for different weather conditions. This exterior emulsion range serves as a long-term investment and is ideal for Indian homes. You don’t have to worry about maintaining the exterior walls after painting because it does its job well. It is visually appealing, thereby enhancing the beauty of the house and also provides complete protection from the harsh elements of nature.

If you are planning to repaint the exterior walls of your home, it would be a wise decision to explore the range of products from Berger Paints India and choose what suits your needs the most. You can get in touch with the experts for professional advice or walk into the paint store for a face-to-face consultation and advice.

Common Exterior Painting Mistakes

Thinking of painting the exterior walls of your home? You need to take into account the most common mistakes that people do in this painting process before you plunge into this task. Read on…

Poor Preparation

The most important thing besides getting the right exterior paint is preparing the home for painting. You can’t be lazy! Ask anyone and they will tell you that preparation contributes to atleast 80% towards the total result.

You have to take the effort to get rid of all the paint chips and flakes by going over every area meticulously. Once all the loose paint is removed, it is important to smooth the edges of the remaining paint by sanding it. The new paint will flow evenly across the surface if sanding is done well.

Ensure that dirt, dust and debris are removed before you begin painting. Remember never to paint over wet wood.

Prime the Wood

Any bare wood that is found must be sealed and primed for painting. If the wood has never been painted before, or is weathered wood or is wood that has been stripped of paint, you will need to apply a primer unless you want the paint being soaked up like a sponge by the wood.

Painting at the Right Time

You want your paint to last for years to come, isn’t it? You will need to choose the time of painting carefully. Don’t start your painting work if the weather is cloudy with the possibility of rains. Don’t even start painting immediately after rains when the surface is still damp. Avoid painting when it is too hot or too cold.

Be Sure to Use the Right Paint

It’s easy to choose the wrong paint when thinking of painting the home’s exterior. You can’t use a paint that is not meant for exterior use. Make sure to use only those paints that can endure the harsh elements of nature and last for years.

It may be expensive at the outset but you need to think about the durability as well. It will surely be worth the money you spend.

Now that you are aware of the common mistakes that people make while painting the wall exteriors of their home, keep in mind and make sure not to make them! If you wish to enjoy fast painting, get in touch with Berger’s Express Painting service! The team will ensure faster, cleaner and better painting results. If you want some inspiration for exterior paint design, browse through the website of Berger Paints India.

Colours & Ancient Sciences

Feng Shui For March 2019

Did you know that the dining room is an important part of Feng Shui? Read on know all about it...

Dining Room Feng Shui Placements

The dining room is a vital part of Feng Shui because it is the perfect venue for merging social conversation and relationship bonds. Hence, this is the room that generates abundance for the entire family. There are objects that are auspicious when placed in a dining room, while some are inauspicious like a wall clock or electronic device or broken cookware. The presence of a clock in a dining room means you could run out of abundance. Without distractions like an electronic device, the family will be able to increase their quality time talking to each other.

Here we have listed down auspicious items to be placed in your dining room:

Dining Table: Round or oval wooden dining tables are the best shapes since chi energy moves constantly around them. This signifies equality (there is no ‘head’ of a round table) and stability.

Chair: These chairs need to be comfortable. This means they will likely have arm rests and supportive backs.

Dinner Bell: This is considered very auspicious. Ringing it three times before a meal attracts positive energies of abundance. You can simply set the bell on a nearby table, or on the dining table.

Crystal Chandelier: Set this reflective decoration to attract abundant and prosperous luck energies. Hang them directly over the dining table for best results.

Soft Wall Scones: The soft light is directed upward, visually helping to add height to the dining room itself and also these lights can aid in inviting Feng Shui atmosphere.

Mirrors: This will be an excellent addition as it doubles the abundance that the dining table represents. It should be placed in a way that it reflects the dining table.

Centerpieces: Enhance the abundance of a dining table with your choice of table centerpieces. Some possible centerpieces are fresh fruits, fresh flowers, a table runner or a bowl of garlic.

Artwork: Decorate your dining area with appetizing artwork. Those that are mouthwatering are going to stimulate the appetite, which is a successful side effect of Feng Shui décor in the dining room.

There is something about the combination of food, time to dine, and an inviting setting that bonds families and brings them together.

Reiki For March 2019

Reiki can help children in their lives. Read on to know how it works and learn about its benefits...

Reiki for children

Children have a unique ability of seeing the world in an uncomplicated way. They have curious minds and tend to be more open to accepting concepts that can’t be answered in a logical manner like what adults do.

How can the calming practice of Reiki benefit children?

Reiki promotes relaxation and confidence. Practicing Reiki at a young age promotes a healthy way of living throughout their lives, helping children make better choices and create balance. They are less likely to show signs of depression. Reiki improves concentration and promotes balance. It also enhances relaxation, self-awareness and self-esteem.

Why is Reiki important for kids?

Kids also deal with anxieties, fears, peer pressures and educational pressures. Since Reiki works on all levels of the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual, the body will be able to use the energy to find balance in its own way. It will adjust to the moment and the needs of the individual. Because Reiki is balancing, it can be of benefit regardless of the type of issues/disorder and can provide soothing moments for parents and kids alike.

How can Reiki be practiced on kids?

It depends from one practitioner to another. Some practitioners spend time with the child, playing or colouring; letting the child take the lead in that session. As the child gets comfortable and as the energy begins to work, changes can be made on how the child receives Reiki. Conducting a Reiki session for a young child is similar to treating an adult, with some distinguishing differences. The major difference is the time allotted. Children take in the balancing energies, as they generally do not have emotional defenses inside them that adults do. 10-15 minutes is all that will be needed. Don't be surprised if they fall asleep during the session. Reiki and nap time complement one another.

Vaastu For March 2019

You can make your bedroom the perfect haven for a sound sleep by following some Vaastu tips. Read to know about it...

Simple Vaastu tips for your bedroom

#DidYouKnow rearranging your bedroom can enhance positive energy and even bring couples closer to each other.

How?

You can do it with simple changes to your bedroom.

As we all know, health is wealth! You cannot be healthy without a good night’s sleep. The bedroom should be arranged according to the rules of Vaastu listed below:

• A bedroom at south-west will bring in good health and prosperity for the home and enhance longevity.
• There should be less furniture in your bedroom and the colour of the walls should be soothing; ideally off-white, baby pink or cream.
• Keep the bedroom clutter-free and also well-lit with natural lights during the day.
• Keep the windows open for at least 20 minutes each day to let the fresh air flow into the room.
• Do not keep unused things like clocks, watches, electronic equipment, broken artefacts or machinery, in your bedroom.
• Make sure your room smells fresh by having aromatic candles, diffusers or potpourri in your bedroom.
• Avoid having a mirror in front of your bed. The reflection of one’s sleeping body in a mirror is inauspicious.
• If it is the room of a couple, keep a single mattress instead of double. It is the symbol of togetherness.
• Avoid a round or oval-shaped bed and avoid putting them in a corner or pushed along the wall.
• The bed needs to have a bed rest and should be placed with the head towards the east or south.
• Never keep a window open behind your head when sleeping.
• Mop the floor at least once a week with sea salt added to the water as it removes negative energy.

Avoid anything that disturbs the calm of the bedroom, like mobile phones, laptops and TVs. If you must have them in your room, make sure it is placed at a reasonable distance from your bed.