May - June 2016
A BRIGHT LIFESTYLE
Distributed with
World premiere of
‘Reflect Your Light with Kutnu’ The Latest Beauty Products Launches
JEWELLERY
Cannes Film Festival 2016
All That Glitters On The Red Carpet
ACCESSORIES
Christian Louboutin
at Bridal Fashion Week Spring 2017
HAIR CARE
Detox Your Scalp with a Natural Hair Mask
TRENDS FASHION
S/S 2016 WEDDING DRESSES BY
CHRYSTELLE ATALLAH
Haute Bohème.. A Strong Theme For This Season
FA S H I O N
KADI’S Enchanting Spring 4 RAMI with May Blossom Capsule
If you have days, weeks, months, or even years when your confidence is low, please know you’re not alone. Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit. Don’t wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what! Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more selfconfident and more and more successful. With our versatile Bloom topics you have the support to move confidently forwared .
Published by
Managing Editor:
Hanan Ghazwani Editors:
Faten Khalaf Maria Carbungco Design:
Ravindranath Koonath
B R I DA L W E A R
S/S 2016 WEDDING DRESSES BY CHRYSTELLE ATALLAH
For contributions and advertisements please contact: Tel: 4000 2156 (Editorial) 4000 2155 (Sales) Email: bloom@qimqatar.com
Office address:
P.O. Box: 22345, Barwa Commercial Avenue, Safwa Block, Landmark 6, Abu Hamour, Doha, Qatar
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TRENDS
HAUTE BOHÈME..
A Strong Theme For This Season
M E N FA S H I O N
THE LATEST NEWS in Men's Style & Fashion
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J E W E L L E RY
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COSMETICS
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AC C E S S O R I E S
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P S YC H O LO G Y
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NUTRITION
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CARS & DRIVING
Sales & Marketing:
Zuhaib Siddiqui Sanaa Saghir
inside
Hello Confidence..
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CANNES FILM FESTIVAL 2016 : All That Glitters On The Red Carpet
The Latest Launches In The Beauty Industry
Baret | The Bag A New Must Have Bag From Carolina Herrera
SOCIAL MEDIA’S EFFECT on Your Stress
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NUTRITIONISTS REVEAL WHAT TO EAT AT LUNCHTIME TO LOSE WEIGHT
HOW TO SPOT BAD VIBES: EXPERT LISTS PERILS OF TIRED SHOCK ABSORBERS LITTLE STYLE C H AT
HOW TO SPARK JOY IN YOUR LIFE
BABY DIOR:
SPRIING-SUMMER 2016
FASHION
Rami Kadi’s Enchanting Spring with
May Blossom Capsule Fashion connoisseurs have seen a lot during the week of Haute Couture, but Rami Kadi’s captivating spring collection might just have heightened the fashion bar. Look closely at Kadi’s collection, and you will see the bed of spring, the mesmerizing beading and embellishments of a sun dazed line that is the remarkable designer’s Couture Spring Summer Collection 2016.
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INTERVIEW
Aiming to deliver the message of Peaceful Existence in Unity WORLD PREMIERE OF ‘REFLECT YOUR LIGHT WITH KUTNU’ collection started from Doha, Qatar Hanan Ghazwani Photo: Yasser Zakaria ‘Reflect Your Light with Kutnu’ project, organized under the patronage of Dr. Sare Davutoğlu, Spouse of Prime Minister of Turkey, Mr. Ahmet Davutoğlu invites the world to unite for peace. Rabia Yalçın’s previous designs have already led her to be on the list of The Most Innovative Fashion Designer’ in New York Haute Couture Fashion Week and among “The 500 Most Influential Muslims” due to her donations that she has earned from her artistic work. She first launched her collection in 1996 and has been spreading this creativity ever since. We had the pleasure of seeing her exhibition and fashion show where we say her creative designs on contemporary wear.
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What can you tell us about ‘Reflect Your Light with Kutnu’ project? Reflect Your Light with Kutnu project aims to reintroduce historical Kutnu fabric to the world through its unique story and with peace mission which comes along from the Silk Road. This project is being realized with Turkish Exporters Assembly’s Turkey-Discover the Potential vision. Kutnu has been woven in the hand looms of the respectful craftsmen of Gaziantep, Turkey since the 16th century and is the early example of the art of textile printing. It is also the most symbolic products of the historical Silk Road. Our aim from ‘Reflect Your Light with Kutnu’ project is to Emphasize on the importance of living peacefully and in unity with tolerance and global understanding. Do you think fashion can deliver a message of peace and coexistence in a tense world? Fashion is also a universal language just like music. Fashion is visual communication tool. It creates great awareness. Kutnu fabric is the embodiment of unique values of a powerful history. It conveys the marks of the Silk Road which is symbolically the road of peaceful unity and interaction of different cultures without racial, religious, lingual discrimination. What we wanted to do is to remind and communicate this mission to the world through Kutnu. Instead of speaking of peace, we wanted to symbolize it. As artists we should deliver positive messages to our audiences through fashion, music, painting and other forms of art. What is The distinctive feature of ‘Reflect Your Light with Kutnu’ collection The collection has 45 looks can be
What kind of woman do you design for? I design for a powerful feminine woman. Women who want to exist with their charecteristics, feminity, and courage can carry my designs. seen as an intercultural bridge between the past and the future , I combined Kutnu with leather, chiffon, and silk. I also used hand-made embroideries from the past century. Moreover I used different cuts and the 7 colours of the rainbow. Everything is in perfect harmony, in peaceful unity just like Kutnu’s story. Where do you go for inspiration? I get inspired by my heart, nature, culture, İstanbul and also cool fabrics. Ideas can come from anywhere, they just need to be seen and caught . I keep myself up to date, but like to create unique designs.
The project started from Qatar, what are the next destinations? We have started our ‘journey for peace’ from Qatar because Qatar has undertaken an important role to promote peace in the Middle East. Moreover the good relationship between two brother countries is a valuable model for both the region and the world. The collection will be taken to various cities around the globe to carry out our peace message but the itinerary is not set yet. Our next stop will be London and after that we plan to move to Hong Kong or Tokyo , New York and we might go back to Dubai.
BRIDAL WEAR
S/S 2016 WEDDING DRESSES BY
CHRYSTELLE ATALLAH
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If you want to feel like a fairy tale princess on your wedding day, this is the collection for you. There are magnificent ball gowns and voluminous A-lines in lace, silk tulle, silk crepe and gazar, all lavishly decorated with exquisite detailing like delicate beading and soft embroideries. To top it all off, each gown features a stunning back design and train.
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MEN FASHION
Cristiano Ronaldo presents his debut fragrance
‘Cristiano Ronaldo Legacy’ Cristiano Ronaldo unveiled his debut fragrance Cristiano Ronaldo Legacy, as part of a longstanding ambition to create his own personal scent. Dominated by a mixture of lavender, apple and cinnamon, Cristiano Ronaldo Legacy blends luxurious and exotic notes for a seductive scent that embodies Ronaldo’s masculinity and timeless appeal. Internationally revered for his stamina on-pitch, the same principles apply to his uniquely blended fragrance which is designed to last all day, leaving a legacy from day to night.
Fendi S/S 2016 The essence of Fendi is illusion. Silvia Venturini Fendi has often counseled that nothing is what it seems with the stuff her family's business makes: the fur that looks like fabric, the fabric that looks like something else.
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Gorgeous luxury leather in Tod’s new collection
In three seasons Andrea Incontri has insinuated something of himself into the output of Tod's—which is an achievement considering that this is a brand that has always been so powerfully authored by its owner. Incontri has pulled off this feat by making sure to pay assiduous fealty to the codes and tone of the house. A pilot jacket is still an alpha-male proposition, for instance. But that monotone masculinity has been subjected to a subtle eddying via over-dye and a sunset bleeding at the seams of acrylic color—a technique that ran throughout this collection and worked well off leather too.
The Next Apple Watch Sounds Awesome If the rumors are true, you won’t need an iPhone for it to work After a year dominating the smartwatch category, the brilliant team of engineers and designers at Apple are reportedly doing what they do best: figuring out how to make good products even better. Future generations of the Apple Watch may be able to connect directly to your mobile service provider without having to tether to an iPhone. While Apple won't confirm whether it's working on this functionality, it would be a smart move for them to implement it. Not only would it improve the Watch's performance, it would also make selling Watches to people who insist on using Android products a whole lot easier. 11
TRENDS
Haute Bohème..
a strong theme for this season
The expression “Haute Bohème” described how eccentric bourgeois and aristocrats were fascinated by the bohemian way of life, aesthetically and philosophically, at the beginning of the twentieth century.
The Haute Bohème trend gave us such masterpieces as La Bohème (1896) by Giacomo Puccini. It was also the idea of the song interpreted in 1965 by Charles Aznavour. More recently, the movie Moulin Rouge! by Baz Luhrmann (2001) with Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor depicted this trend where the high society went slumming at the cabaret to see a Bohème-themed play. 12
Flowy ruffle dresses give an air of aristocratic nonchalence. A lot of sensuality showed in Roberto Cavalli’s skin tone, one shouldered long dress and Alberta Ferretti’s false rag-feel camel dress with a transparency that sheds light on a lingerie element.
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JEWELLERY
Cannes Film Festival 2016 :
All that Glitters on the Red Carpet
What can be a big turn on when it comes to film festivals and award functions? It’s not just the fabric, attire and the accessories worn, it’s the jewelery of the social celebs that catches the eye most. The red carpet of Cannes 2016 is one such occasion where female stars have been spotted with red carpet jewelry. The designer jewelry on Cannes film festival has been anywhere between diamond chokers, solitaires, and statement palm necklaces.
Eva Herzigova in Chopard earrings
Adriana Lima wearing emerald and diamond High Jewellery earrings by Chopard at the premiere of Julieta in Cannes. 14
Rosie Huntington: Whiteley in Signature Surpiquée and Lion Vénitien earrings and bracelets .
Cindy Bruna wearing white gold, titanium, rubellite tourmaline, amethyst and paraiba tourmaline earrings from the Chopard Kate Moss wearing diamond High Jewellery earrings by Chopard
Petra Nemcova wearing High Jewellery earrings in white gold with marquise-cut beryls and marquise-cut diamonds
The epitome of glamour, Jessica Chastain, Piaget international brand ambassador, with an audacious necklace in white gold set with diamond.
Araya A Hargate wearing a white gold, diamond and conch pearl necklace from the Chopard
Chinese star Gong Li, chooses to wear a radiant necklace in white gold set with a central blue sapphire and diamonds as well as earrings set with blue sapphires and diamonds from the new High Jewellery collection Sunny Side of Life
Sonam Kapoor wearing a High Jewellery necklace by Bulgari
Toni Garrn wearing diamond jewellery by Boucheron
Svetlana Khodchenkova wearing a High Jewellery necklace by Bulgari 15
COSMETICS
An exclusive look at the latest launches in the beauty industry
MAC Soft Serve Collection
Feast on servings of new M∙A∙C Soft Serve Shadow featuring a unique, bouncy texture, and Dare Hue! Brow Pencil. Delectable Soft Serve shades each layer smoothly onto the lid with buildable colour that’s long-wearing, non-creasing and simple delicious.
Dior Summer 2016 Color Collection
Introducing Leg Makeup From Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs For years, Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Spray has been a cult favorite among makeup artists and beauty lovers. An innovative take on a bare leg must-have. From celebrities to real women, the beauty savvy know that the signature spray leaves legs looking smooth and even in short-shorts and micro-minis.
Inspired by the iconic Dior polka dot pattern, Peter Philips, Creative and Image Director for Dior Makeup, created vibrant color palettes comprised of energetic shades balanced by soft, milky hues. Delicate pinks are paired with audacious Mediterranean blues and bold melon for a confident, eye-catching look.
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Just smooth on and blend in for soft, seamless, water and transfer-resistant coverage that lasts all day. Exfoliate skin first for best results.
Blush Up with Wow by Wojooh! The Wow by Wojooh Blush Up Cooling Color Sticks come in 3 must-have colors for the summer: A beautiful peach in 535 Papaya Popsicle, a yummy pink in 335 Strawberry Sorbet, and an essential bronze in 635 Bunduq Bouza.
An invitation to discover this fantasy world
Lancome Summer Bliss 2016 Collection
Giorgio Armani Eccentrico Mascara and Eye Tint Smoky Neutrals Giorgio Armani introduces a new collection of Eye Tint Smoky Neutrals but also the new Eccentrico Mascara. The six neutral shades of Eye Tint Smoky Neutrals are absolutely lovely
PRADA Les Infusions de Prada
Lancôme Summer Bliss 2016 Collection is so colorful and joyful. The new Lancome summer 2016 bronzer are absolutely gorgeous, with this jungle inspired pattern of leaves and flowers, but the summer eyeshadow palette is also appealing and I’m happy to see that finally Lancome has put the blue shades behind.
An infusion is a transformative encounter from which the unexpected emerges, the new and the familiar. Resisting feminine and masculine stereotypes and looking beyond current perfume trends, Les Infusions de Prada are the culmination of a reverence for the past, an understanding of our place in the present and the foward looking point of view of Prada.”
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ACCESSORIES
THE BARET
A new must have bag from
CAROLINA HERRERA
Carolina Herrera introduces a new must have bag for Spring created for the global woman of today. The Baret bag was inspired by the 18th century explorer Jeanne Baret and her first voyage around the world. The Baret collection embodies her adventuresome spirit and was created for the woman who appreciates effortless style and transcends the trends. Featuring a variety of sizes and styles, the Baret collection introduces a frontal flap that not only adds to the clean and refined lines of the design but also secures its closure. With its structural silhouette, the bag includes two oversized stylish straps, one of them interchangeable, making it an adventurous ac-
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cessory for the modern globetrotter. To personalize the Baret Collection, the oversized straps range from matte smooth leathers to embellished ornate fabrics, making each bag a unique statement of style. The exterior’s sleek face is complemented by an unfinished, linen interior for a seamless yet contrasting effect. Fine craftsmanship, combined with three unique exterior textures exclusive to this collection, creates a modern and timeless feel. Hues vary from earthy crème tones, bright reds, yellows to deep blues with minimalist metal detailing. This collection allows transformation of style with this charming element through a design infused with fun and creativity.
Christian Louboutin at Bridal Fashion Week Spring 2017 This weekend at Bridal Fashion Week Spring 2017, Christian Louboutin shoes again accompanied the collections of designers Jenny Packham and Naeem Khan. Naeem Khan's 2017 Bridal Collection brought the fanciful bride an elevated look and updated colours and silhouettes, including elegantly embroidered leggings, capes, and jumpsuits. Custom Christian Louboutin Cross Me platforms topped off the look put the collection on a pedestal.
Mulberry Launches The First Capsule Collection By Creative Director Johnny Coca Mulberry has launched the first capsule collection designed by Creative Director Johnny Coca. The capsule collection includes the Clifton bag: a new compact, cross body style that cleverly camouflages an organiser's paradise underneath its neat exterior. Three zipped internal pockets provide ample room for essentials, and the chain strap can be adjusted from cross body to shoulder for additional versatility. The Clifton is available in Scarlet Calf Leather and Black or Burgundy Polished Croc Embossed Leather from ÂŁ595.
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HAIR CARE
BALAYAGE
A Hair Colorin g Techn That’s ique Curren tly Tre nding Balayage is an old hair coloring technique, that’s currently trend and making its way back into the world of hair coloring. It’s a French word for paint or sweep. What is so special about balayage? It's a hair coloring technique that will give you a natural hair color look. It creates a soft and light effect to your hair, so it won’t look tacky. Balayage has been the choice of celebrities for years now, and the masters of hair coloring have been using it for that flawless natural hairstyle look. The great thing about Balayage other than the natural look, is that it helps your hair grow without worrying about the color of your roots. It flows softly and naturally, that it allows brunettes to color their hair every two or three years. However, blondes they have to do it every eight to twelve weeks.
Detox Your Scalp with a Natural Hair Mask What You Will Need: • 1 Tsp of baking soda • 2 Tbsp of olive oil • 1/2 Tsp of cinnamon (powder)
Every now and then, you need to detox your scalp. Using shampoo and hair products regularly leads to the build up of chemicals on your scalp, which clogs the pores. When the pores in your scalp get clogged, this leads to greasy hair and slow hair growth. Bloom will tell you how to detox your scalp with a natural hair mask, to leave your hair clean and fresh.
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Steps: 1. Basically all you need to do is mix the ingredients together in one bowl. 2. Part your hair into small sections, to apply the mixture on your scalp. 3. Massage your scalp with your fingers in circular motions, making sure the scalp absorbs as much as possible. 4. Rub some of the mixture onto your hair ends too, as the olive oil is actually a very good boost for the health and growth of your hair. 5. Tie your hair into a bun and cover it with a shower cap for 20-30 minutes. 6. Wash your hair thoroughly with shampoo and conditioner after you’re done with the detox mask for your scalp.
SKIN CARE
PEOPLE WITH SMALL MOLES ON THEIR SKIN CAN HIDE THEM WITH BLEACHING CREAMS TO STOP THE BROWN PIGMENTATION GETTING DARKER
When a mole is not a beauty spot: cosmetician recommends bleaching People with small moles on their skin can hide them with bleaching creams, says Elena Helfenbein, a leading Berlin cosmetician, who explains that the creams stop the brown pigmentation getting darker. The special creams limit the melanin-producing enzymes of the skin and therefore lessen hyperpigmentation – or the darkening of the skin caused by too much melanin. Dermatologists are sometimes wary of such creams, saying only a doctor can ultimately advise on one is actually safe for you. The Professional Association of German Dermatologists (BVDD) recommends a three-part treatment for the pigmented spots: applying hydroquinone, tretinoin and a steroid creme to
the spots. But even this can also cause irritation for those with more sensitive skin. A milder, but also less effective, alternative would be to use azelaic acid, according to the BVDD. But dermatologists agree the best way to prevent moles getting darker is careful sun protection, either using lotion or staying in shade. Vitiligo, small white spots, on the other hand, are places where the body does not produce enough melanin, a symptom known as hypopigmentation. Moles are often genetic, but can also develop as a reaction to hormones. Some medications increase the skin's light sensitivity and can thereby foster pigment spots, according to the BVDD. Our skin naturally become blotchier with increasing age, leading to more spots.
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HEALTH
To find relief from lower-back pain,
use this expert advice
I
t is all too common: nagging lower-back pain. And to make matters worse, there is a lot of confusion surrounding how to best treat the pain when it strikes, said Tanja Cordes from the Campaign for Healthier Backs. Here’s what experts have to say about relieving back pain when it hits. The first rule? If pain persists for more than a week, you shouldn’t hesitate to go to the doctor, Cordes said. This also applies to pain that extends into the arms and legs, or if you suffer paralysis of one or more muscles.
Painkillers - Take immediately or save for later? If the pain is bearable, avoid immediately reaching for painkillers. "Pain is basically a warning sign that something in the body is wrong," said René Gräber, an alternative practitioner. Although pain medicine helps initially, it doesn’t treat the cause of the pain. "The first thing a person with back pain should do is think about possible causes," explained Michael Preibsch, vice-chairman of the German Association of Physiotherapy. Back pain is often caused by tension or carrying weight unevenly.
Apply heat or ice?
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As a rule, applying heat helps with tension-related back pain. Bandages impregnated with pepper extracts bring more constant heat than hot-water bottles. "The ideal therapeutic heat is 40 degrees Celsius," explained Cordes. However, not everyone tolerates heat well when they are suffering from back pain; others swear by ice to provide relief at the effected area. "There isn’t a general recommendation as to whether you should treat with heat or cold," said Preibsch. "However, a heat treatment is definitely counterproductive if the back pain is due to inflammation," said Graves. As opposed to pain from a strained muscle.
What about massages for back pain? If muscle tension is the cause of pain, a massage can help, said Preibsch. A skilled massage therapist will
know how to use different pressures and grips to loosen muscle tissue. It is also recommended that patients who can tolerate heat shine an infrared lamp on it or apply a mud pack before going in for the massage. "After heat is applied, a masseur can use his fingers to better penetrate the strained areas," Graves said.
What other types of movements are useful? If the back pain is non-specific, meaning there is no clear cause, it is important to remain mobile. "You can’t hope that the symptoms will disappear by staying seated or lying down," Preibsch said. Going on walks, stretching and strengthening exercises are helpful. The German Society for Sports Medicine and Prevention includes walking, jogging, targeted spinal gymnastics, swimming and fitness training on their list of back-friendly exercises.
Which relaxation techniques are helpful? "Jacobson muscle relaxation is an excellent, proven relaxation method for back pain," Cordes said. Progressive muscle relaxation techniques focus on relieving tension in targeted areas and relaxing individual muscle groups. Some people benefit from participating in anti-stress programmes after realizing their back pain is stress induced.
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LITTLE STYLE
Spring-Summer 2016 The Baby Dior spring-summer 2016 collection transports us to a place of luxury and refinement that was particularly close to Christian Dior’s heart, and today still remains closely connected to the House: the Palace of Versailles.
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For summer, the Baby Dior wardrobe explores an intimate Versailles – that of Marie-Antoinette and the Petit Trianon, her private domain. The romantic and bucolic world of the young queen comes through in brightly-colored chiffon dresses, while the prints on other pieces reference the decorative motifs of Japanese flowers that adorned her apartments.
EXAM TIME CAN BE DRAINING AND STRESSFUL, ESPECIALLY WHEN CHILDREN ARE FIRST INTRODUCED TO THEM AT SCHOOL. TO HELP YOU AND YOUR CHILD KEEP EXAM TENSION IN CHECK, USE THESE HELPFUL STRATEGIES…
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Help plan a study schedule well in advance, explaining that it’s best to have a clear, realistic plan of what needs to be covered in each study session, where work is broken down into smaller chunks.
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If they don’t have a desk in their room, help find somewhere quiet where they’re not likely to be disturbed, and away from distractions.
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Encourage them to find out exactly what the exam involves. If they can get his hands on past papers to look at, just being familiar with the format could make them less anxious. They should make a list of things they’re unsure of in advance to ask the teacher.
Help make ‘mind maps’ to collect ideas and summarise thoughts. Using bright colours will help recall important links. Rhymes and associations can also help.
Taking frequent rest breaks will help keep their mind awake.
Offer to help by listening or practising with them sometimes.
Sticking to a routine of going to bed early, eating regularly to maintain a stable blood sugar, drinking lots of water to remain hydrated, and making time to have some fun and exercise, will stand your child in good stead. Fizzy drinks or drinks with caffeine should be avoided or kept to a minimum as these stimulants can increase agitation
Avoid fast food as far as possible – the resulting crash in blood sugar could leave them feeling tired and flat.
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PARENTING
ways to help
ease exam stress
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Over exam time reduce added family commitments and try not to nag as they’ll be feeling pressured already.
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NUTRITION
Nutritionists Reveal What to Eat at Lunchtime to Lose Weight Lunchtime! You know scarfing down a burger and fries isn't the best choice if you're trying to slim down, but how do you know what is? We've enlisted the expertise of two nutritionists - Stephanie Clarke, RD, and Willow Jarosh, RD, of C&J Nutrition - to share the perfect equation for how to make a delicious and satisfying lunch that will help you lose weight.
CALORIES
If you're trying to lose weight, aim for the 400-to-450 range. If you're trying to maintain your weight, especially if you work out, aim closer to 500 calories.
CARBS
Yes, you need to eat carbs! Go for 50 to 65 grams, which is 45 to 55 percent of your lunch calories. Carbs offer your brain and your body energy, so skimping can leave you feeling sluggish. Overdoing it can also have the same affect, so stick to this range. Avoid refined carbs, like foods made with white flour and white sugar, and go for whole grains, whole grain breads and pastas, and starchy veggies and fruits.
PROTEIN
Go for the gold and get 20 to 30 grams of protein, which is about 17 to 25 percent of your lunch calories. A healthy dose of midday protein will help prevent the dreaded afternoon slump and will keep you feeling satisfied postlunch so you're less likely to reach for sugary pick-me-ups.
FATS
Including healthy fats in your lunch makes your meal more satisfying, so strive for 13 to 18 grams, which is 30 to 35 percent of your total lunch calories. Including health-
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ful sources like nuts, seeds, oils, avocado, and olives can help beat sugar cravings later.
FIBER
Shoot for at least eight grams of fiber, which is 30 percent of the daily recommended total of 25 grams per day. Including fiber-rich carbohydrates (whole grains, starchy veggies, and fruit) and fiber-containing fats (nuts and seeds) will help you reach your fiber goals.
SUGARS
Healthy lunches should have four grams of sugar or fewer, but if you enjoy foods that contain natural sugars (like grapes or dried cranberries in your salad, sweet potato or squash in soups, whole pieces of fruit, or natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey in sauces or dressings), then aim for fewer than 20 grams of sugar. Be mindful of the hidden sugars in certain products like sandwich bread; read labels, and choose those without added sugars.
TIMING
Enjoy your lunch about one to three hours after your morning snack. If you eat breakfast around 7:30 and your morning snack around 10, aim to eat lunch around 12. Or if you like to exercise at noon, enjoy your lunch when you get back around 1.
Snack Mistakes to Avoid • Waiting until you're famished: Busy schedules can make hitting that midday meal tough, but avoid heading to lunch when you're starving. Not only will you inhale your lunch quickly and reach for more food because your body hasn't had time to register that it's full, but also, it can also throw off your natural hunger and fullness cues for the rest of the afternoon, which can lead to eating more later in the day. • Eating out: Do you know how many calories are in that soup and salad you ordered from the cafe? It seems like a healthy lunch, but hidden high-calorie ingredients could make your lunch well over 600 calories. Pack lunch from home so you know exactly how much you're eating. • Not taking a break: When you mindlessly gobble down your lunch while doing something else like working or watching TV, your mind will be too distracted to be able to fully register each bite, so you'll tend to take in or crave more calories. Get away from your desk, get outside, or eat lunch with a friend.
FITNESS
5
ways swimming will improve your life
D
o you want to swim more? Of course you do; just 30 minutes of swimming is the equivalent to an hour’s land-based exercise. But why should you be swimming for fitness? What does the pool have that pilates or the gym can’t give you? Read on for five well-being benefits you’ll get by taking the plunge.
IT’S GOOD FOR YOUR HEART While all strenuous exercises that raise your heart rate can claim the same, swimming has an edge over your morning jog; your infrequent breaths during lengths teach your body to use oxygen more efficiently, as there’s less of it being pumped round the body. A healthier heart and lungs mean a longer life, confirmed by University of South Carolina researchers who studied swimmers over the course of 30 years. Published in the journal Human Kinetics, the researchers concluded that swimmers were 50% more likely to live longer lives than runners, walkers and those who did no exercise at all.
IT TONES MUSCLE AND BURNS FAT Swimming is tough on your heart, but your cardio isn’t the only reason to dive in. Water is 800% denser than air, so swimming acts as resistance training, developing and toning underworked muscles like your deltoids and arms while your tensed core keeps you horizontal. Add the endurance training aspect of frequent lengths, and it’s easy to see why swimming is among the best full-body workouts around.
IT HELPS YOU RECOVER Whether you’re easing yourself back into training with sore muscles or you’ve got a bum joint and fear losing your edge, swimming is one of the best ways to stay on top of your game. Despite weight training being the undisputed queen of boosting bone strength, swimming ups bone density with no impact on the joint at all, according to the American Physiological Society. It’ll also get you back to training even fitter than before; the International Journal of Sports Medicine shows swimming
boosts performance in race events after being used for active recovery.
IT IMPROVES THE REST OF YOUR CARDIO If you want to improve your running technique, logic dictates you put on your trainers, but that’s no reason not to supplement the pavement with the pool. As well as constant kicking toning your glutes, quads and hamstrings, by only taking a few breaths per length you’re drastically increasing your body’s endurance capacity.
IT’S A MOOD-BOOSTER All exercise contributes to the release of endorphins which are a guaranteed spirit-lifter, but swimming is especially cathartic. Whether it’s due to the regulated breathing or a change in environment, swimming is such a stellar stress-beater that the People’s Journal of Scientific Research claimed it was comparable to yoga in reduction of anxiety over 12 weeks. Make your leisure centre visits a weekly workout for a more spiritual swim.
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DECOR
How the web changes interior design: Affordable bespoke furniture
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small revolution is under way in the furniture industry, with manufacturers offering furniture that is more like modern clothing: relatively cheap and easy to mix and match in new ways. One example is the German design collective llot llov, which offers both expensive furniture and products that cost only about 50 dollars. The new bespoke furniture concept is not just about offering the customer a finished product in the conventional sense, but possible solutions for the design problems they face in homes. Llot llov co-founder Jacob Brinck says the idea is to interact with customers. "Every one of our customers can create their own design with our objects." Llot llov created the Hank, which is a system for hanging mirrors, and Hold, a wall mount for a single light bulb. Depend-
ing on how the Hold is attached to a wall, you can create an artistic-looking light installation. "We don't see ourselves as designers but rather as experimenters, because we are trying to invent new typologies," explains Brinck. Customers also have to get involved when buying Luca Nichetto's hanging lamp, Alphabeta, from the Scandinavian design label Hem. "I was inspired by the alphabet. I wanted to develop a system that would allow a person to combine different lampshades," says Nichetto. The collection comprises colourful lampshades in different shapes and colours. Customers use an online application to blend their own lamp from a choice of over 10 billion possible combinations. As a result, the customer has more say in the final product when pressing the "buy" button than the designer. The internet is one of the most important driving factors behind bespoke designs. Internet users have become accustomed to creating their own content on blogs and social media, wo why. Many programmers work according to open source practices - they make their source code public so everyone with the right knowledge can adapt it. The same principle guides the designers, who allow customers to decide how the product will look. This concept of mix and matching before ordering furniture is bringing radical change to the
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design industry. "We have a big plan for the furniture industry: We want to digitalize it and revolutionize it," explains the website of Polish design firm Tylko. Just like Hem, Tylko also cooperates with top designers including Ives Behar who created a table called Hub that can be made from different woods, colours and finishes. The table's legs come in the form of stacked spheres, cones or conventional tapers. Size, colour and materials are chosen by the end customer. Hub can be supplied to order as a conference table, a dining table, a writing table or for the kitchen. Similar to the Alphabeta lamp, Hub customers design their own table online. With the aid of a smartphone app the design can also be montaged into a home photo so the customer can get an idea of what their design looks like in their own rooms. "Now everyone can mix and match details, shapes and colours to suit their taste until they get the ideal furniture they want," says Behar. "That's a truly new form of design." Integrating customers into design can be used to create any type of home furnishing. Along with its Stauraum shelving system, design firm Cubit has a complete range of furniture that can be individually designed in the same way as Ives Behar's table or Luca Nichetto's lamp. "When we are furnishing our homes, we spend a lot of time shopping for well-designed, timeless furniture and often find we cannot afford what we discover and like," comments architect Mikolaj Molenda, co-founder of Tylko. Until now the mid-price-range furniture segment offered customers little customization, but furniture makers are now adapting. By totalling overhauling the supply process, and doing without expensive inner city showrooms, the concept of bespoke furniture becomes more affordable and lets people copy upscale designs. Bespoke furniture is made using the latest technology and is totally automated. That too helps to push costs down and pass savings on to customers.
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CUISINE
Nothing refreshes during the hot summer days like a fruit smoothie. Enjoy these Healthy recipes, that are full of the nutrients and protein you need.
Tropical Summer Jellies
Watermelon and Berry Slushy
Ingredients • 500g watermelon, diced and frozen • 200g strawberries, sliced + extra • Handful mint Method • Blitz the watermelon and strawberries until very smooth and slushy. Serve with mint and extra strawberries.
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Ingredients • 20ml powdered gelatine • 2 x 115g tins granadilla pulp • 250ml orange juice • 30ml sugar • 410g tin tropical fruit, drained • Pineapple chips, • Mint, cream and fresh • Granadilla, to serve Method • Add 45ml water to the gelatine and set aside. Spray 4 small dariole moulds or tea cups with cooking spray. • Combine the granadilla pulp, orange juice and sugar on medium heat. Stir to dissolve the sugar. Just before the mixture starts to boil, remove from heat. Add gelatine to the mixture and whisk until dissolved. • Pour ½ cm layer of jelly into each mould. Place in the fridge for about 20 minutes or until set. • Fill the moulds with tropical fruit, leaving ½ cm space at the top. Fill each mould with the remaining jelly mixture. Place in the fridge for 1-2 hours or until completely set. • Unmould the jellies by swirling the mould in boiling water for 1 second. Gently press the sides of the jelly to remove. Serve with pineapple chips, mint and fresh granadilla.
The best consistency for a fruit smoothie usually comes from using two-thirds frozen ingredients
5 Min Strawberry Yoghurt Ice Cream Ingredients • 1kg frozen strawberries • Xylitol or honey, to taste • 125ml plain low-fat yoghurt Method • Blitz all the ingredients for about 3 minutes or until creamy. Serve immediately or transfer to an airtight contain-
er and store in the freezer for up to 1 month. • Remove from the freezer at least 20 minutes before serving to soften. VARIATION • Make a smoothie by thinning the ice cream with a little milk.
Luscious Blueberry Cinnamon Smoothie Ingredients • 1/2 cup frozen organic blueberries • 1/4 cup fresh organic raspberries • 1/2 cup coconut milk • 1/4 cup coconut water (I found this wonderful coconut water with probiotic in it at wholefoods) • 1~2 teaspoon cinnamon (Cinnamon is so good for you :: controls blood sugar, anti viral, reduced body fat, helps digestion, increase memory and you will feel less fatigue. So next time, instead of grabbing ‘5-hour energy’, make this luscious smoothie~~!! ) • 1 Tablespoon silken tofu • 1 teaspoon chia seeds • 1 medjool date (pitted) • 1/2 banana Method • Add all the ingredients in a blender and blend away. Feel free to adjust coconut milk/coconut water amount depending on how thick you want your smoothie to be.
Apple Blueberry Smoothie Ingredients • ½ cup plain yogurt (1% M.F) 125 mL • 1 ripe banana 1 • 1 apple, cored, peeled and chopped 1 • ½ cup fresh or frozen blueberries 125 mL • ¼ cup 100% orange juice 60 mL Method • For a cool treat simply use frozen blueberries and a frozen banana in the recipe. • Use tart apples like Granny Smith or Northern Spy for a refreshing tangy flavour or try Royal Gala or Honey Crisp apples for a sweeter version.
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TECHNOLOGY
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Shaky hands could ruin your most majestic panorama photos
he principle is simple but effective: stitch many digital photos together to make a spectacular panorama.
The software technique makes for an impressive image, whether it's of a landscape or a group of people and it’s readily employable by anyone, provided you keep a few precautionary tips in mind. A panorama is "recommended for themes that are too wide or too high for a single shot," explains Moritz Wanke from magazine Chip Foto-Video. It could be a skyscraper, a cliff or a dinner party. You don't even need to shoot the images with a fancy camera or lens, since it's the post-processing on your computer that does the clever work of stitching them together seamlessly. But first the pictures have to be taken. The ideal is to move the camera slowly in a horizontal (or vertical in the case of a vertical panorama) direction across the area to be photographed while you go click, click, click taking pictures. The photographer should never
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change position while they take the photos.
elsewhere that you really wanted," warns the German magazine's Wanke.
If you want to create a so-called 360-by-180-degree panorama with practically everything that is visible from a single standpoint, you should use a fisheye lens for the individual photos, says Hamburg photographer Florian Busch.
The solution is to use a tripod to hold the camera steady while it turns - this needs to have a smooth rotating mount to allow the camera to sweep horizontally.
Normal panoramas can generally be shot without using a tripod, but it’s important that "the camera is held steady over the entire pan," says Jan-Markus Rupprecht of German online magazine Digitalkamera.de. By preventing the camera from moving up and down, you’ll be avoiding any potential vertical misalignment of the frames. Achieving an overlap of at least 25 per cent between each photo will also make the process of overlaying them easier, Rupprecht advises. But even the steadiest hand wobbles a little. "That means one shot may be out of alignment and the whole panorama will have to be cropped in the post-processing to compensate, possibly losing parts of the image
Once the photos have been taken, there is plenty of software that can automatically stitch them together into one panorama. Popular options include the Photomerge function in Adobe Photoshop, the freeware programme Hugin and the professional solution Autopano from Kolor, Wanke says. "For 360-by-180-degree panoramas, special software like PTGui is used," says Florian Busch. "This does a lot automatically, but some fine-tuning at the end is still possible." Taking panoramic photos is almost a standard feature in smartphones now. One advantage is that the numerous sensors detect wobbles and work to ameliorate them. "However, when taking a panorama you should take your time and not pan too quickly - otherwise the sensors will barely help," Wanke warns.
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CARS & DRIVING
How to spot bad vibes: Expert lists perils of tired shock absorbers
Shock absorbers are one of the most under-rated car components, yet motorists who avoid the tell-tale signs of wear in them are courting disaster. To avoid accidents and worse, experts from Germany's ADAC motoring club advise motorists to have the shocks inspected once a year or once every 20,000 kilometres. Having worn shock absorbers on your vehicle can increase the vehicle's stopping distance by up
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to 20 per cent. The defect can even be lethal, causing a car to swerve under braking or veer in side winds. "Wear and tear on the shock absorbers is not something you necessarily notice," said the ADAC's Heiko Wolframm. When the car tyres have plenty of tread left, but fail to make proper contact with the road, it can be too late
Watch out for the following signs which show your shocks need replacing:
STOPPING PROBLEMS As travelling speed increases so does the distance it takes for a vehicle to completely stop.
DIPPING AND DIVING If the bonnet of your car dips down when you brake or slow down, or your vehicle swerves when the brakes, it could well be a shock-absorber problem. This can decrease control over the car, which can be very dangerous in wet weather.
BAD VIBES . Vibrations through the steering wheel can be a sign that shocks are not working properly. The dampers need to keep your tyres in optimal contact with the road and there should not be any vibrations.
SHAKING AND RATTLING If your car rocks and rolls over bumps in the road, railway tracks or on uneven surfaces, it is time to get those shock absorbers checked. The motion will put unwanted pressure on other car components and should be looked at as soon as possible.
UNEVEN TYRE WEAR Check tyres for uneven wear and particularly if there are bald patches, the shock absorbers are likely to be the culprits. Do not postpone a repair to make sure you keep all the grip and control available.
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CHAT
t a e b o t s k c i r t s s e ln u f d n i m three b o j r u o y stress in
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he to-do tasks are piling up, the e-mails keep flooding in, and while you're doing one thing you're already thinking about the next.
A lot of people are under permanent stress on the job, which can lead to overload and even burnout, warns a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) trainer, who suggests three simple exercises to help. "The amount of stimuli has never been as overwhelming and unlimited as it is today," remarked Guenter Hudasch, chairman of the Berlin-based MBSRMBCT Association. MBCT stands for "mindfulness-based cognitive therapy." Some stress is of our own making when we let our brain operate as if on autopilot, Hudasch said, but added: "You can learn to consciously direct your attention to very specific things." This, he said, clears your mind and helps you to differentiate between problems. It can make it easier to unwind after work, because the technique has a calming effect and enables you to clearly recognize the physical stress you're currently under, he explained. Regularly taking a few minutes of time for yourself can substantially reduce stress, said Hudasch, who recommends three exercises that can be easily integrated into your daily routine.
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Eat consciously: How does your lunch taste, smell and
look? Many working people don't really know, since they keep grabbing the smartphone beside their plate or talk shop with co-workers while eating. This, Hudasch said, is quite natural. "The mind is constantly looking for stimuli," he remarked. "You've got to practice consciously channelling it" by fully concentrating on your food - perceiving its warmth, texture and taste - and relaxing while doing so. "You thereby return to your body - and take a real break."
Do a body scan: Though this sounds like high-tech
medicine, all it means is to consciously perceive your own body. For example, you can close your eyes and deliberately in- and exhale 10 times. This exercise blocks out your surroundings. "You then notice how you feel at that moment - whether you're tired or have a headache," Hudasch said. Armed with this knowledge, you can act appropriately. Do you have strength enough to work some more, or is it time to take a break?
Concentrate on the act of going home: Absurd
though this may sound after many hours of hard work, it's effective. The trick is to be aware of every step - the pressure on the soles of your feet, rolling from heel to toes, lifting your feet. "The point is to leave work mindfully," Hudasch said. "This lets you gently push aside thoughts of your job." You return to yourself and the present moment, he added, and consciously start your evening after work.
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ith so many phone hands-free kits to choose from, how do you decide which is best for everyday use?
One popular type is the mono headset, which from a distance can look like a USB stick. They also come as in-ear headphones, which sit in the ear and may have a headband for a better grip. Then there are on-ear headphones, which just cover the ear, and over-ear headphones that completely enclose the ear. The microphone is usually fixed to the connection cable. If you mainly use your smartphone to listen to music and want a full sound, an over-ear headset may be the one for you. "These simply are the best in that regard," says Falko Hansen from German telecoms portal teltarif.de. You may even be able to do without an extra microphone. In emergencies, you can use the microphone of the smartphone instead, and listen to the other person's voice in the headphones. If you use headphones to listen to music all day, the batteries of wireless
bluetooth sets can empty relatively quickly. Some stop working after just 3 hours, better models last 5 hours, and only a few last longer than 8 hours, says Gerald Himmelein from specialist magazine c't. "If you mainly listen to music, wired headphones are your best bet." The cable solutions with their 3.5-millimetre mini jacks usually work in any smartphone. But some devices may need an adapter for trouble-free transmission, says Timm Lutter from German IT association Bitkom. While on-ear headphones can be great for music lovers, mono headsets are not suited for listening to tunes. But if you often make phone calls on the go and want your hands to be free, mono headsets are ideal. "For simply making phone calls, mono headsets are the best solution," says Falko Hansen. The integrated batteries can usually be quickly recharged via mini or micro USB. If you like to listen to music while jogging, but don’t want to completely shut yourself off from your surroundings, you’d be well advised to avoid the heavy over-ear or even mono headsets and go for in-ear headphones.
BLOG
Music lover's headset may be impractical for jogger or phone gossiper
These are often also available as sports models, with a rubber covering on the earpieces to keep sweat off the sensitive technology and allow for a better hold in the ear. Headbands to hold the earpieces behind the ear also help with stability. "The in-ears are basically the all-rounders of headsets," says Hansen. These also come as wired and wireless models – some even have inbuilt sensors to measure your pulse. When it comes to the controls, headsets fall into roughly three groups. The wireless headphones often have the controls placed on the earpiece. Other headsets have one or more control buttons attached to the connection cable. Here, commands are given by pressing the button in a specific combination. Press once to stop the song, press twice to continue playing. Gerald Himmelein is not a fan of these "Morse code" buttons. He recommends the third type of controller: models with several buttons. Here, alongside selection buttons, you also have volume control and sometimes also buttons to control music playback.
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TRAVEL
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Travel around the world with an empty wallet
BE FLEXIBLE WITH YOUR FLIGHT DATES.
There’s a lot of chatter around which days are cheapest to fly. Rumor has it that Tuesdays might win out, but there are so many variables that it’s hard to say. “It’s worth noting that because airfares change minute by minute and day by day, anointing one particular day of the week is not necessarily the best predictor of a ‘good-deal’ fare,” says Expedia’s 2015 Air Travel Trends report. A better strategy may be to give yourself a few days’ buffer when researching flights. Sites like Kayak allow you to add three days before and after your ideal travel dates. That way you can keep the Tuesday/ Wednesday/Saturday advice in mind, but you’re not automatically excluding flights that are more affordable on other days. SIGN UP FOR FLIGHT ALERTS
It’s the easiest way to keep tabs on
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Genius Ways To Save Money On Travel In 2016
prices that can turn visiting your dream destination into a reality. Try sites like Kayak and AirFareWatchdog, which can deliver deals straight to your inbox. You can even download Hopper, a free app on iOs and Google Play, that monitors flight prices in real-time and pings you when it makes good financial sense to buy. EVALUATE YOUR PHONE PLAN.
Many of them charge beaucoup bucks for conversations you have away from home. You can download Whatsapp, a free instant messaging program, and call your current service provider to find out what they offer for data and phone calls. Not sure about switching carriers? Another way to score more data is purchasing data-only SIM cards in other countries, which can work in your phone as long as you get your carrier to “unlock” it. (Make sure to keep your original SIM card somewhere safe!) Call your service provider to find out
how they handle unlocking, since it varies from brand to another, and research which foreign SIM card is best for where you’re going and where to buy it. They’re often in large airports, but sometimes you may have to venture elsewhere to find them. DO THE MATH BEFORE BOOKING A BUDGET AIRLINE.
Getting a dirt-cheap flight on a budget can seem like a steal, but again, the fine print is key. Budget airlines sometimes make you pay for everything from carry-on luggage (in addition to checked) to your seat assignment to a cup of water on the flight. Depending on how much you’d be saving, it might not be worth it in the end. BECOME A RUTHLESS PACKER
Whether you go by train or by plane, the company you choose to travel with may charge based on how much lug-
If you’ve got a serious case of wanderlust but think traveling is way too expensive, you’re only partially right. While exploring new places certainly isn’t free, there are so many ways to cut back on travel costs that with a little ingenuity, you can make your trips that much more affordable. these tips will inspire you to start planning a life-changing vacation.
gage you’re bringing along. Saving 100 Qrs here or 200 QRs there might not seem like a lot, but wouldn’t it be nicer spent on a good meal or cool new adventure than transporting a bunch of clothes you probably won’t even need? TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FREE MUSEUM NIGHTS AND TOURS
Before you make a beeline for major cultural hubs when you arrive, do some research to see whether museums and other tourist attractions offer free hours. Chances are at least a few do if you’re in a well-traveled spot, meaning you can soak up enlightenment without breaking the bank. Same goes for cool tours that show you around—they can quickly add up, so doing some digging for similar tours that are free, or at least less expensive, can give your wallet a break. SKIP PRIVATE CABS AND UBERS FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Especially if you’re in a place where
the exchange rate doesn’t favor the U.S. dollar. Sure, private transportation is inherently more expensive, but there’s also the fact that people might take advantage of you being a tourist by either using a longer route, overcharging you, or both. Taking public transportation negates a lot of those issues, plus you have a way better chance of actually meeting local people and getting a feel for the place! Just be sure to read up on the public transit situation before you get there, so you know the rules of the rails. STAY AWAY FROM CULINARY TOURIST TRAPS
Serendipity is wonderful, but so is saving money. If you head out without a clue of where to go for meals except the heavily-trafficked areas, you’ll probably spend unnecessary cash and not get as much of an authentic experience. Doing a bit of research beforehand can lead you to a restaurant that’s a little more out-of-the-way, a lot nicer to your wallet, and more memorable to boot.
DO A “SPONGE TOUR”
As in, sponge off people you know who live in the locales you’re visiting. Technology makes this incredibly easy nowadays: post your travel plans to Facebook, and ask anyone who has a place to stay or knows someone who might to get in touch! (Be general about when you’ll be traveling until you’re chatting one-on-one. Stealing from people who have made a social media announcement that they’ll be away has unfortunately happened before.) You’ll be surprised how many people will open their doors to you for a few days in exchange for you treating them to a meal. That will still cost you less than separate lodging would, and they can introduce you to local food. Win-win. GO FOR HOSTELS INSTEAD OF HOTELS
If a sponge tour is out of the question, hostels can be a cheaper alternative to steep hotels. If the word “hostel” conjures up less-than-flattering feelings (perhaps due to a horror franchise of the same name), good news! Depending on where you go, the hostels can easily be almost as nice as hotels for a fraction of the cost. Even better, if you’re hoping to make a few travel buddies, a hostel is a great place to start. Read reviews on Yelp or TripAdvisor to make sure it’s up to par.
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ADVICE
How to spark joy in your life Happiness is not a place to get to, it's a way of a travelling and enjoying the journey. Often you promise yourself that you will stop and smell the roses, but you never do. You always live in the ‘not now’, which is a chief cause of unhappiness. Happiness is where you are now.
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Listen to your heart’s desires and notice what inspires you Go for ‘real happiness’ If you think money will buy you happiness, you will go shopping for the rest of your life and never be satisfied. Make a list of everything in your life that doesn’t cost money, but is priceless, like friendship, meditation, air, kindness and the stars at night.
Forgive Everyone knows what it is like to experience disappointment or betrayal. But you can’t keep carrying a grievance and hope to be happy. Forgiving others and yourself releases you from the past and changes your future.
Choose happiness Some people chase happiness and other people choose it. It all depends how much time you want to save. Set a positive goal to let today be even more enjoyable than you thought it was going to be.
Laugh One of my favorite sayings is: ‘blessed are they who are able to laugh at themselves, for they will never cease to be amused.’ There is something great about not taking ourselves too seriously.
Be grateful Say out loud three things you are grateful for every day. Gratitude is often referred to as the shortcut to happiness. The more grateful you are, the happier you feel.
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