Exploring The Colours Of Nature For October 2014

Colour Stories

Explore some of the most visually alluring places of the world and soak in the colours of nature.

All of us need some colours in our life to keep the mundane from getting to us. It seems that nature knew the vital importance of colours in our lives much before humans could comprehend the importance of colours in our lives. If we stop by and look around at the fare that nature has dished out around us, we would be amazed at the simplicity and beauty inherent in nature.

There are many places around the world which have an abundance of colours to enhance their beauty and put them in the list of one of the most beautiful places on earth. The beauty of such places lies in the combination of extraordinary and eye catching colours, which add to the fascinating visual experience.

We get caught up with our daily lives and forget to enjoy the beauty which nature has presented us with. So, pack your bags today and try to visit some of the following naturally stunning places:

• The 240 meter long cave system of Guilin in China has been its most popular attraction for over 1200 years now. The main attraction of the place is its beautiful pillars which were created by water erosion and are highlighted by multi coloured lights, which create an out of this world experience for the viewer.
• The Grand Prismatic Hot Spring is a vividly coloured largest hot spring of the United States of America. The Hot Spring derives its colours from pigmented microbes which grow around the edge of the mineral rich water and give the spring its rich colours.
• The Antelope Canyon of Arizona was formed millions of years ago by the flow of water which carved out a deep and narrow crevice. And because of the crevice being narrow, much light does not enter the deeper lengths of the canyon making its walls appear in variety of different colours. The experience of seeing this canyon is surreal and will leave you dazed for quite some time!
• The Deadvlei of Namibia is a dead valley where trees are standing against the background of the highest sand dunes in the world. It once was a lively forest but the fast approaching desert has uprooted all life from here. Oddly, this strangely phenomenon has made it a picture perfect painting that is worth a visit in a lifetime.

We have listed some places for you to explore. But if you have your own colourful list waiting to be undertaken, then we suggest you go ahead and take the plunge without wasting any more time!

Share line: If you don’t yet have a list of naturally breath-taking places to visit, let us provide you with one!

Colour Trivia

Colour Facts For October 2014

1. Ladies are known to fret over choosing that perfect shade of red for over hours and men can only fume over this habit of females. But research proves that it is not the lovely ladies who are to be blamed. According to researchers from Arizona State University, the “red seeing gene” is apparently present only in the X chromosome. Since, men have only one X chromosome, while females have two, it makes sense that women have a full understanding of the red spectrum. While the men only have half the ability to detect the red spectrum because of the way their basic DNA is configured.
2. We are well aware of the disease of colour blindness but what many do not know is that almost 7-8% of human males are selectively or entirely colour blind. Colour blindness is not limited to humans and is also widely found in mammals like mice, rabbits, rats, cats, dogs, foxes, owls and many more. The similarity between the colour blinded humans and mammals with poor colour vision is that they are not capable of differentiating between reds and greens. They can only see the colours blue, yellow and green and their world is a blur of only these three colours.
3. Blue as an eye colour is supposed to be one of the most beautiful eye colours. But a surprising fact about blue eyed people is that there are more babies with blue eyes than adults with blue eyes. The mystery seems to be about what happens to the eye colour of the child when it grows up, how does it change? Well, the answer is pretty simple, the melanin level present changes over time as humans grow and the colour of the eye also changes, along with the increasing level of melanin present in the human body.

Colour Quotes For October 2014

• If you change the way you tell your own story, you can change the colour and create a life in technicolour.

  - Isabel Allende

• You've always got to have the right blend of colour. You'd be silly to match a yellow t-shirt with a light green pair of trousers, you know? You can wear different colours at the same time, and as long as they blend with each other then it works. That's what I like.

  - Olly Murs

• No things could seem further apart than the doubt of grey and the decision of scarlet. Yet grey and red can mingle, as they do in the morning clouds.

  - G.K. Chesterton

Colour Tips For October 2014

1. To add a dimension of large space for those who have a foyer or hall, paint it with a dark colour easing into lighter shades in the living room, which will make it feel more spacious by comparison and add a stylish contrast to the living area.
2. For those who want to paint their houses themselves, but do not have the time or energy to do so at one go, can let a sigh of relief as we bring you a very handy tip! Avoid washing the paint brush or roller. Just wrap your painting brush or roller in an aluminium foil, put it in a plastic bag, tie it and place it in the freezer. Here, it can be stored for weeks or even months until the next time you will paint again.
3. We know what a pain it can be to try to close paint cans when paint is stuck in the grooves of the rim of the can. However, a smart and simple way to get rid of this obstacle does exist! To remove paint from the grooves of the rim of a paint can, wipe the rim with a screwdriver wrapped in a rag which will wipe off all the excess paint allowing you to seal the can tightly.

World Of Colours

Colours & Emotion For October 2014

1. It is a very well-known fact that light and colour when used in harmony with water can have a positive effect on both the body and the soul. A very soothing and relaxing ambience can be created in the bathroom by using colours like blue, minty green and lavender. These colours are considered cool colours and have a calming effect on the mind. Cool colours like blue are known to lower blood pressure and reduce anxiety levels, leading to a feeling of relaxation. Lavender and light blue are also known to ease agitation and calm the mind making one forget the daily stresses of life.

   Share line: Brighten your bathroom with these colours to relieve your mind of daily stress.

2. Colours are a powerful tool of communication and are known to influence moods and even incite psychological reactions. With time, researchers have also found out that colours can successfully aid in therapy and are being used widely by therapists. Colours can majorly help people with brain disorders because of their ability to cause psychological reactions and influence moods. Therapists are using colours like blue which can calm and lower respiration and blood pressure. While green being a soothing colour is used to relax emotionally disturbed people suffering from anxiety and depression. Yellow is also used in the cure of depression while violet is believed to help in migraine and cases of cellulitis caused by sluggishness after eating or disorders of the spleen, bladder and kidney.

   Share line: Colour up your bathroom to relieve your mind of the daily stress and challenges.

Colours & Fashion For October 2014

The New York Fashion Week in Manhattan has broken forth in a burst of colours literally. The Spring Collection of 2015 seems to be all about a wild explosion of vivid colours and patterns of bright reds, blues and yellows, and a wide variety of textures, from mesh to viscose wool. Especially Donna Karan of DKNY, who has dedicated her spring collection to the city of New York, its streets, people, art, energy and modernity of the city. It’s fun and celebrates all cultures and all walks of life. It focuses on New York Street chic and acknowledges the need to have fun with fashion.

Share line: The New York Fashion Week, a small glimpse.

Colours & Gems For October 2014

1. For those of you who are facing difficulties with regards to gaining clear focus and stability of thoughts, there is an easy cure at hand. The answer to your troubles lies in the colour brown. This colour is inherently associated with soil and fertility and is also considered to help in creating stability as it is the colour of the earth element. So, brown gemstones are believed to give practical energy as well as help in adding mental focus energies. Thus, in order to promote clear thinking one can wear brown gemstones like cat’s eye, zircon, topaz, amber, etc.
2. Men seem to be taking their love for black to a whole new level. The fact that men’s market for jewellery is getting bigger by the day is nothing new but what may came as news to many of you is that the black onyx has seen a phenomenal rise in consumer purchase, as far as men’s jewellery is concerned. The reasons could vary from the fact that this black stone looks very trendy and fashionable on the wearer to the fact that black symbolizes stability and power. So, the wearer of black feels a sense of powerful restfulness, while remaining inconspicuous and mysterious. Whatever be the reasons, the ladies sure aren’t complaining!

Colours & Nature For October 2014

1. If we have traffic signals and other similar signs using colours, nature too is not far behind and has some particularly interesting signs. One of the most interesting sign is how colouration acts as a signal to predators as a warning colour to keep away. These warning colours are usually two contrasting colours like yellow and black, present in stripes or blobs for maximum effect. This is generally used as an alert to indicate that the species is poisonous or is very bad in taste. Another interesting fact is that nature has its fair share of cheaters too! This strategy to keep away predators is so useful that other organisms which are absolutely safe to eat also try to keep away predators with bright colours and eye spot patterns!

2. How many times have you used the phrase, ‘you are the sunshine of my life’ for a loved one? The aforementioned statement is a very common term of endearment used by all for their near and dear. In nature, the colour yellow is associated with warmth, happiness, joy, energy, spring and sunshine, which is the source of life on earth. So, when someone brings these attributes to our lives and fills it with happiness, optimism, affection and positive energies, we naturally end up thinking of them as the sunshine of our lives!

   Share Line: Know more about the sunshine and the sunshine of your life!

Decor

Your Bedroom,Your Heaven!

Make your bedroom your personal heaven on earth!

Bedrooms are no more only meant for sleeping, they are also your go-to zone for some lounging and snuggling, which makes it important to have a cosy and comfortable bedroom. It is commonly seen that many people leave a lot of space unutilized in their bedroom and that is set to change today!

With our tips, you can incorporate some trendy items into the décor of your room in such a way that it lends a warm and cosy vibe to your personal space. The first element that you need to incorporate into your bedroom is a feeling of hush and calm, such that entering your bedroom becomes a soothing and calming experience. This can be done by adding some depth to your room by the means of placing a few antiques here and there. Another method to add some pristine quality to your bedroom is to have warm wood walls covered with diluted wash and use natural muted shades like white, light grey, blue and shades of pale pink in the fabrics used in the room. The use of white bed linen can add that extra crispness to your bedroom and bring out the contrast of wooden walls the best.

Another twist that you can add to your bedroom is to use curtains that are quilted. This may sound a little bizarre to few but have some faith and use them to adorn the windows of your bedroom. This will not only look prettier and be more durable than an average curtain but will also look so cosy that you will feel like snuggling up to them. Last but not the least, if you have a sunny alcove tucked in a corner of your bedroom, then add a pretty antique armchair to the corner.

These complementing colour tones will make your bedroom seem warm and enveloping, while also acting as a dramatic contrast to each other. Now, take a look around your room, it seems to be ready to wrap you up in its embrace!

Share Line: Use these simple ideas to make your bedroom more cosy and inviting.

Trends To Rock Your Home In 2015

Rock your home with the latest trends of the coming year! Use these tips and tricks to turn your home into a stylish one that makes heads turn!

The coming year is almost knocking on the door and yet again we are left wondering how this year just passed by! Retrospections are good for the soul but the more pressing need for many of you right now is how to remodel your ‘home sweet home’ this New Year. The trends in home décor for the upcoming year seem to focus more on colours than anything else.

The trick seems to be to opt for vivid colours and add some drama to your house. The designer trend of home décor is leaning towards chic combinations of bright patterns. There are a couple of hues which are going to help you set your house apart if only you are brave enough to embrace them.

The rich blue of the Mediterranean when paired with grey or pink can transfer your interiors from drab to fabulous in no time. Bright and lively combinations like orange and olive are also to die for as they lend a new life to the walls. Even if you don’t want to do your walls, you can start small with furnishings and rugs around the house. For the slightly adventurous, there is this particular combination of vibrant classic blue and green, lending your interiors a fresh bold look.

There is no hard and fast rule here and all these shades can be played around with, as per your choice and tastes, as long as you can get the combinations right. Another set of colours which can be used are for the lesser bold ones amongst us. For you, there are the pastel shades of orange and purple sunsets, green palm trees, aqua pools and pink flamingos. It is a majorly neutral palette but with shocking neon thrown in between to brighten things up.

And here comes the winner of all shades, grey. Many might dismiss it as a boring neutral but it is undeniably the hottest colour. It provides the perfect backdrop to almost any setting. Combine grey combinations of green, plums, pale blue, beige and white and see the transformation yourself.

So, go out there indulge in some bold colour mixing of warm tones like rust, olive, mint, aubergine with pinks, purples and vivid greens to give your house a dynamic and vibrant vibe along with giving it a modern twist.

It is Time to Adorn your Kitchen!

Turn your boring kitchen into a warm and cosy corner that you love spending time in.

A kitchen was traditionally defined as a place where food is prepared and cooked but fortunately gone are those days. Kitchens have now taken on the role of warm corners where the family gathers for quick snacks or a peaceful area for couples to whip up a meal together. If you have not hopped on to the designer kitchen bandwagon yet, awaken the dormant designer in you and get ready for this fun exercise!

The first step you can take towards getting a glamorous kitchen is to add some stainless steel detailing to it in the form of some metal shelving, which can be used for keeping small spice boxes, tea, mugs and other knick knacks.

It is show time now, so take out those fine crockery collections and make use of the space between cabinets in front of a window by adding simple shelves. Use these to display your collection and let them adorn your kitchen. You can also adopt another innovative idea to display your dishware. Make your upper cabinets open, that is without doors, this will make your kitchen seem spacious and will also allow for a proper display space. You need not restrict this creative idea for bigger upper cabinets and can apply these to even smaller cabinets located below. The twist that you can add is instead of just keeping them open, put fitted baskets, bins and pretty glass storage containers, which will make your kitchen look trendy.

A plate rack is an idea we would like to steal from traditional cottage style kitchens. They help in breaking the monotony of cabinets and are perfect for displaying your pretty dishware. You can also add a pop of colour in the form of hanging some colourful and vintage aprons in your kitchen, which can instantly brighten up the mood. Apply these small changes to your kitchen and see the huge difference they make to your kitchen.

Share Line: Your kitchen should be an extension of your trendy self.

Colours & Ancient Sciences

Feng Shui For October 2014

Choose the best wall colour for your bedroom with the aid of Feng Shui.

In today’s time, when people barely have any time to dedicate to their relationships, it is important to ensure smooth sailing of your relationships by taking a little extra care. One of the easiest ways to ensure stable and harmonious relationships is turning to Feng Shui and using its colours to shift positive energy around your house. The ancient science of Feng Shui stresses upon the importance of choosing the right colours for your bedroom, as it is here that you spend most of your time. According to Feng Shui, colour is a very easy way to add some positive energy to your home. This is because colour is needed by all of us for our wellbeing.

In Feng Shui, the earth element is focused upon for strong and stable relations and this element also helps in balancing good health and inner balance. The major earth element colours are light yellow, beige and other sandy colours. It is important to use these Feng Shui colours in a subtle and visually pleasing way such that they look aesthetic.

One of the easiest ways to bring in the Feng Shui element of earth colours is to paint your walls in earthy colours. It is most effective to paint the southwest part of your house in warm sandy colours. For your living room, you can opt for luscious coffee coloured walls and do up your bedroom in a terracotta shade for a rich look. It is advised that the bedroom is painted with various shades of brown because they are able to create energy which is earthy in nature, meaning it provides a nourishing energy needed by all of us. Further, the brown tones also include in them all shades of skin tones, which gives the wall colour the quality of an embrace, which is very good Feng Shui according to experts.

Share Line: Let your walls provide you with the nourishing care you need.

Reiki For October 2014

Find out your positive qualities with an aura reading from an expert.

The power of colours was widely believed in during the ancient times, thereby leading to their usage in most of the methods of ancient sciences. But what has remained consistent through the ages is the use of colour for various healing purposes. There is even evidence that in ancient Egypt, houses were built with coloured panes of glass roof so that sunlight could filter through the glass roof and treat the patient inside. On the other hand, the Chinese associate each organ with a colour and use this for treatment, which is quite similar to the practice employed by Reiki for healing.

According to Reiki, there are seven main chakras in our body which are essentially spiritual centres that are located along the spinal column and each centre is associated with a colour. These colours may become imbalanced and lead to physical or mental diseases, which can be cured by using the appropriate colour for its treatment.

This restoration of balance is done by Reiki practitioners through a variety of methods of which aura reading is one of the main ones. The practice of Reiki believes that the human body is surrounded by electromagnetic fields which vibrate at a particular speed to produce specific colours or auras. These colours or auras are produced depending on the person’s health and state of mind. Here, it is interesting to note that Reiki does not consider any aura to be good or bad as each of them have their negative and positive qualities which affect a person. So, the practitioner only focuses on helping find the positive aspects of their aura and restore the balance.

Share Line: Get your share of benefits through the practice of Reiki

Vaastu For October 2014

The best minds are those that love colours but are you in love with the right colours?

Colours can have a deep influence over our mind, body and behaviour and are very important for the science of Vaastu Shastra. Vaastu talks of how a specific colour can activate or control human glands, thereby influencing different bodily functions. Colours can exert absolute effect on our minds and this is used by Vaastu to bring out positive energies.

Vaastu recommends the usage of the colour red for the benefit of low pressure patients, to increase their appetite as well as to give them some extra needed energy. On the other hand, for those with overeating disorders, it recommends a cooler colour like light blue, which also helps in soothing and calming the mind. Green is often used in hospitals because of its association with nature, growth and fertility. So, green is used here for the quick recovery of patients and is not a random colour choice.

Some other colours highly recommended for your house by Vaastu are orange, pink and yellow. Orange is believed to stimulate the appetite and energize the digestive system. It is also helpful for chronic asthma patients, as well as for those suffering from inflammation of kidneys, epilepsy and cholera. While pink can be used to combat tension, soothe and calm down aggression and also works as an appetite suppressant. Yellow also is a highly beneficial colour in relieving depression and bringing in cheer, brightness and happiness.

The above mentioned colours, if utilized properly in the décor or colour scheme of your house, can definitely help by bringing in positive energies. Vaastu also emphasizes on the importance of choosing some colours which the occupants are fond of and incorporate it in their houses for a pleasing effect on the minds of the occupants.

Share Line: Discover how some colours can help you in ways you never imagined!