Most Romantic Getaways in Australia

There is hardly anything as romantic as sharing great experiences together, as a couple. This adds quality to the relationship and it builds it into a stronger, better and more beautiful thing. Traveling together, especially to visit some of the breath-taking sites all over the world ranks very high on the list of things that a couple can do for themselves. The glorious Land Down Under has a lot to offer to such a couple. Therefore, make sure that you check out these remarkable getaways of the Australian continent.

The Shadowy Place – Uluru

Uluru is the rock formation that attracts a lot of tourists. This place is regarded as a sacred place by the Aboriginals. Once you see how sun changes the way it looks during the different parts of the day – you will be keen on believing that there is some divine energy present there. You can even observe this from a nice outdoor diner that will be served to you and your loved one in the Ayers Rock reserve. You can sip wine and enjoy the view of the sun playing with the colors of Uluru.

Glamping for Two at Sal Salis

There is hardly anything as romantic and cozy as the tent for two. Some may find this tempting but still be turned off by the idea of the lack of comfort in a tent. However, glamping is what brings luxury and coziness together. It stands short of glamorous camping and Sal Salis is the place to do it. You get all the luxury of a five star hotel, but in a tent.

Whitsunday Island Picnic

There is hardly a place on this Earth that looks like a universe of its own as much as Whitsunday Island does. White sandy beaches and the world’s biggest rainforest that grows on the sand are just two of the reasons why you want to grab a bottle of wine, your lover’s hand and head to this place. If you hire a catamaran to take you there, and that is one of the options – even better.

Secluded Beaches near the Busy Sydney

Who would have thought that you can find such serenity and peace near such a world metropolis as Sydney? However, it is possible, as there are many hidden gems that the local people know about and keep a little bit of a secret. Some of them are so romantic that they make amazing beach wedding venues in Sydney area. Long Reef, Milk Beach, Fishermen Beach are just some of them.

Bushwalking in Daintree

Australians love their bushwalking. Therefore, it will be very easy to find a perfect guide for you two. They will take you deep into the Daintree rainforest and show you the jaw-dropping waterfalls and stunningly diverse flora and fauna. You will be able to get some rest at one of the wonderful tree houses. When you see them, you will definitely want to spend the night in them.

Camping at the Lake on the Fraser Island

The ocean surrounds the Fraser Island, but in the middle of it is a lovely lake. That makes the environment from your dreams. Spending a day in this amazing place simply is not enough. You need to bring the gear, set up your tent near the lake and enjoy this unique place night and day. There are many rules and regulations that people who decide to camp here must follow. They are the reason the nature is still perfect at the Fraser Island.

The only more romantic thing in Australia is the sky. There are many balloon rides and sea plane tours, but they are more tailored to the wishes of those couples that love a shot of adrenaline on their date.

from http://monalisaofblogging.com/most-romantic-getaways-in-australia

Retirement Life Communities

Retirement homes are communities designed for seniors who want to maintain as much independence as possible but may need light to medium support with their daily living activities. Canada has some of the best retirement homes in the world. Today, most retirement homes enable residents to live in an environment with others around the same age and share similar interests. Today’s retirement life communities offer much to encourage senior creativity, mobility, spirituality, and social activity. There are retirement homes with luxury amenities such as golf greens, and there are retirement communities that may have not have luxuries but the amenities and services provided make senior retirement enjoyable and fulfilling.

Independent Retirement Life Communities

There are retirement communities designed for seniors who are cognitively and physically able to live on their own terms and do not require assistance with daily activities. They have their own fully equipped units or apartments and have complete freedom to live life as they choose. There is often an assistance staff who can be contacted if any issues or problems arise. Independent living is often chosen by 55+ baby boomers. It is ideal for active, healthy seniors embarking on retirement life who want accommodations and amenities in a secure environment with a community of their peers. These retirement life communities are restricted to seniors.

Assisted Living: Retirement Life Communities

There are retirement care communities that focus on the assistive care needs of their residents. These homes offer residents some care options which is often referred to as assisted living. This does not make these communities nursing homes, but retirement life communities that provide some care to residents who may have some imitations with mobility or limitations resulting from an illness. Personal caregivers can help them with meal preparation, housekeeping, bathing,  dressing, hygiene, mobility, medication management and support etc. They live in units equipped to meet their needs and there are 24/7 on-call emergency buttons in each room. There is 24/7 care provided. The focus of these homes is to give residents as much independence as possible.

Nursing Homes

Nursing homes are also included in retirement life communities. These homes provide full personal and medical need services by registered nurses, personal care workers, and physicians either on-site or close by the nursing home. Quality nursing homes provide excellent care for residents with a wide range of medical and physical ailments. Nursing homes are long term care homes that are Intended for seniors requiring access to 24/7 care and daily support services for  cognitive and physical conditions. There are wide range of care and different levels of service, including units for dementia and Alzheimer’s residents.

In retirement life communities, the various types of retirement homes offer a wide spectrum of amenities, services, and support. For instance, these homes can include lovely dining rooms, fitness centers, lounges, recreation rooms, and entertainment areas. Other services you may find, depending on the type of care home, include: medical services which includes transportation to hospitals or medical centers, health and wellness services, nursing care, healthy dietary meal plans, and laundry and housekeeping. All of the services offered are done in a safe and secure environment.

Make The Most Of Your Retirement Life

Retirement communities are designed to offer safe, secure, and comfortable environments that reflect a home life not a facility. Seniors can select a retirement home based on how much they can do for themselves, how much assistance they will require, and their medical and physical needs. Retirement life communities offer many advantages to seniors. These advantages can include: developing friendships in a community of peers and participating in that community, freedom from maintaining a home, enjoying privacy while having peace of mind knowing a caregiver is there for assistance if required, and living in a secure and safe environment that can address varying levels of mobility and changing care needs.

With a variety of different retirement home choices  offering different levels of care, and each home offering different suites or units, amenities and services, seniors today have the ability to find the right retirement community life that will cater to their needs and preferences, ensuring they make the most of their retirement life.

from http://monalisaofblogging.com/retirement-life-communities

The History of Saree Gown

You have probably seen or worn a Saree gown yourself before. It is the traditional Indian dress for women and one of the oldest in existence. The Saree is 5000+ years old. The evidence of this is through its mention in Vedas as the oldest surviving literature written. The patterns of dressing have changed over the years around the world but the Saree gown continued to exist because it’s the key dress code for the women in rural India. Today, Sarees are worn the same as shorts, flowing gowns trousers or even a convenient skirt without any stitch.

The size of Saree

The Saree comes in lengths varying between 5 to 9.5 yards usually tied loosely, plated and folded. The Saree could even be turned to a work dress or worn for special events using manual skill alone. Today many women wear Sarees varying between 5-6 yards when doing household chores.

Elegant and embroidered designs

The level of elegance of the Saree was determined by the kind of embellishments, embroidery, design and length (up to 9 yards). Women used gold silver or cloth belts to keep the pallu, or the upper cover, pleats and folds intact. The queens of Jhansi, Laxmibai, Belawadi Millamma and Kittur Chennamma all fought enemies on horseback wearing Sarees while tucking the front pleats in the back. This was referred to as the soldiers tick or Veeragacche.

Saree and dhoti

The Saree was a dress for women while the dhoti was adorned by men though the two were quite similar. This is because the men also wore the colorful fabrics with brocaded borders. Sometimes, the outfit could be interchanged only that the men never wore the upper part that covers the chest and shoulders.

Different styles

The Sarees is worn in as many as 15 different styles in various parts of India although they all have common characteristics. Wearing the nine yard Saree without the long underskirt was common in the Maharashtra and north Karnataka region of India. Women would even swim the Kali river while wearing their Sarees.

Greek or roman toga

There has been a lot of confusion about the influence of the Greek or Roman Toga on the Saree as seen on ancient statues. However, this is not true because the Indian Saree was design to suit the local climate and conditions. Cotton was cultivated in India long before and the Saree was a wonder to the Greeks.

Old Sarees

Old and worn out Sarees were not disposed of. Grandmothers made quilts from the worn out Sarees to keep the children warm. They were used as bed covers or cradle blankets. The folds in the Sarees were also used by women as bags to carry groceries or even their babies. Sometimes the Saree was used to make a stand-by cradle while the women were working in the fields by tying the ends to a nearby tree.

Today, although the Saree has become quite westernized and you can even buy a Saree gown online, it is still the reigning dress of choice of rural India as well as for traditional rituals and ceremonies.

from http://monalisaofblogging.com/the-history-of-saree-gown

Christmas Gift Ideas For Tech-Savvy Kids

The holidays are here, and with Christmas only a short step away, you might want to start thinking about presents for your kids. Choosing the right gift is always hard, but if your children have a passion for all things technological, your choice will be easier than first anticipated. There are ingenious, awesome, fun toys, that any tech-savvy kid can enjoy.

Digital Camera

If your little techy child also has a passion and feel for photography, maybe it is time to get them their first camera. Kids will adore their colorful camera, and run around taking pictures of their world. Not only will this be a great way to follow their need to capture interesting things that catch their eye and their daily events, but they will want to share it with you, so you will have a better insight into what your child finds amusing. It is important to remember, some of the best cameras for kids have to be age appropriate and are rugged and not easily damaged, so that their new favorite toy satisfies their need to have fun.

The Techy Doll vs. Robot

All kids love to play with dolls, unless you have a genius on your hands. Then, this Christmas you might want to give them a toy that will satisfy their technological appetite. Consider upgrading their favorite doll into a robot that they will love playing with. There are great robots on the market that kids will adore playing with. Amazing presents for both girls and boys, most of them are controlled via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, making play time a fun and interactive experience on the go. And with such a variety, from the Parrot Drone to Sphero 2.0, kids will have a chance to get acquainted with programming, and may be become the next Isaac Asimov.

DIY Introduction Into Engineering

Kids can acquire and refine delicate motor skills, hand-eye coordination and increase creative and mental capacities through crafts. Unless your child is a tech-crazed kid who just doesn’t get enough stimulation from the usual play-dough, magic markers, paper and scissors. If that’s the case you might look into getting them an engineering DIY tech-kit. For that digital engineer there is littleBits Electronics Kits that let them create electronics, such as synthesizers and switches. On the other hand for that ultimate computer engineer, Kano’s DIY Computer Kit let’s kids make their own computer from the ground up and then program them, making it interesting to parents as well.

Tech Music Toys

Your kids like technology, but they also love music. Then you will have no trouble getting them a gift this Christmas, since there are a lot of fun toys that incorporate the two. To awaken the future rock star in your kid, YouRock Midi guitar will be perfect, since it teaches them to play the guitar, and can be used as a controller for Rock Band or Guitar Hero. Or for the lead singer iKaraoke will let them sing more than just under the shower, as the gadget silences vocals from songs and let’s your child sing their favorite tune. However, if they just like listening to music while they explore the world, a great wireless speaker will enable them to listen to music wherever they are.

Online Game Membership

Children love playing computer and video games. If your child is among them you might consider buying them their favorite game. There are always great titles released ahead of Christmas, just remember that they are age appropriate. The other option is to buy them full membership for their favorite online game. Poptrotica Mythology Island educational game teaches kid’s about Ancient Greek gods, heroes and myths, has great deals this time of year, and will provide amazing fun throughout the year.

Finally, whatever you end up choosing as this year’s gift, there amazing choices fit for anyone’s pocket. And come Christmas morning it will certainly put a smile on your techy loved ones.

from http://monalisaofblogging.com/christmas-gift-ideas-for-tech-savvy-kids

Investment Advice: Is It The Right Time To Invest In Mumbai?

Several media reports have recently claimed that the uber-famous Mumbai real estate market is headed for a crash, what with the rise of property prices and a sharp increase in the number of builders’ inventories.

But despite all the sluggish growth prospects, Mumbai, the economic capital of India still remains one of the hottest real estate investment destinations in India. Read on to know if investing in the ever-so-expensive Mumbai real estate is the right decision for you at present.

The Market is Expected to Grow

Yes. The Mumbai realty market is expected to grow as buyers’ sentiments seems to have been on the rise over the last few months. In fact the data revealed by the Inspector General of Registrations has suggested a market growth of 15% over the last few months of the current financial year, a massive growth when compared to the same period last year.

But don’t be surprised by the developments because it isn’t the government that has spurred the growth, the catalyst lies elsewhere. In actuality, the state government has done very little to reignite the business and turn the trend. The main reason for the upswing in the market, however, are the consumers.

You heard it right. It is the consumers. But how did this happen?

Well, for starters all the prospective investors who were waiting for ‘better times ’ and anticipating a price correction, have now realised that no such step is ever going to be taken. This is why investors have decided to buy property in India when the prices are still at their reach, rather than risk the prices reaching even dearer heights. One can safely say that investors have concluded that the better time to invest money is the present as the future remains rather uncertain with the prices still increasing slowly.

So, keeping this in mind, it would be the right time for you to invest in a property in Mumbai, which come with some limited period offers.

RBI’s Interest Rate Cut

Back in September, RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan took an unprecedented step. In that, he cut the base rate on loans by 50 basis points (bps). Following this move several banks too reduced their lending rates by up to 30-40 bps. Take for instance the case of State Bank Of India. The nationalized entity cut down the rates by 40 bps, which brought their rates from an effective 9.75% to 9.35%. ICICI Bank, on the other hand, reduced its rates by 35 bps from 9.9% to 9.55%.

However, these rates are not what they seem because the aforementioned rates only apply for existing customers while new loanees will have to shell out 10-20% bps more on interests.

Even though the banks have begun to take advantage of the latest RBI directive, the reduction of interest rates come as a welcome move for most of the aspiring, middle-class families who are dreaming about owning a house in metropolitan cities like Mumbai and others.

The interest rate cut is yet another factor which suggests that if you are planning to invest in Mumbai, you must probably go ahead with it.

To sum it up, the volatility of the Indian market always remains more or less the same, but between these volatile periods come brief moments of respite, which you can make the best of by investing in a property.

from http://monalisaofblogging.com/investment-advice-is-it-the-right-time-to-invest-in-mumbai

7 MUST-HAVE APPS FOR YOUR ANDROID SMARTPHONE

A smartphone is not considered very smart if it doesn’t have a set of apps that help you navigate seamlessly through your day. With Android being the #1 OS of choice across the globe, there are hundreds and hundreds of apps developed to cater to the various needs of the users. Listed below are a few of the Android apps that you absolutely MUST HAVE without doubt:

• Mobikwik

The shopping of today has its own twist; we now shop online, be it for clothes or even houses. If our shopping is done online, then what keeps us from having an online wallet? This is precisely what the Mobikwik app acts as: a virtual wallet. The user can pay their bills, buy food, book movie tickets, etc. online with this app. What’s more, they can even benefit from the various Mobikwik coupons that offer great cash backs or discounts on such purchases.

• Facebook

We’d be joking if we said that we don’t have time for ‘Facebooking’. We are social animals who need to know what’s happening with our friends, family, and colleagues even though if it is simply through their status updates. Facebook is a great social app that you must install in your smartphone.

• WhatsApp

This serves as a great app for free messaging and voice calling. You can share pictures, videos, contacts, and much more over the internet through this app at no cost. The user can make groups that include business associates, colleagues, friends, or family and keep in touch with everyone.

• Office 365

Once a Windows lover, always a Windows lover! If you have ever used the Microsoft Office package, you will very well know of its unlimited utility. One can design presentations, make spreadsheets, and make documents on the go with the Office 365 app. Its usefulness transcends all kinds of groups, be it students or professionals, everyone needs this app.

• mSecure

The dependence on our gadgets increasing day by day, we are finding it extremely difficult to remember the passwords and login details of our various online accounts. This is where an app like mSecure helps. You can store all your passwords and other details on this app securely. The app also helps you to generate a strong password. It also has a self destruct feature as additional security in case of theft.

• Evernote

The most popular note taker across all platforms! The app syncs your notes across all your devices, helping you with quick access. You can make grocery lists, write the minutes of a meeting, or even plan a whole presentation using Evernote as it allows you to use pictures too!

• Expedia

This is a travel planner, right at your fingertips! One can book flights, rent a car, or even book a hotel room right from the app. It also allows you to view events in a particular destination and even book tickets for it! With this app, all your travel details are with you in one place.

Now that you know how to get the best out of your Android Smartphone, start all your days on a productive note!

from http://monalisaofblogging.com/7-must-have-apps-for-your-android-smartphone

Summer Boho Chic Style

For more than 200 years bohemian style has been an exotic alternative to widely accepted fashion trends of that certain period. It was always linked with writers, artists and intellectuals, because of its dreaminess, uniqueness and possibility to experiment and create something your very own. This style incorporates historical costumes and various ethnic clothing. Today, it is mostly associated with summer fashion, because of its colorful patterns and loose cuts. The bohemian cocktail of hippy, vintage, casual, oriental and ethnic styles is actually the perfect thing to wear every summer regardless of the current trends. You simply cannot go wrong with boho. Let us see how does bohemian style influence our trendy outfits, how to wear it and why to love it.

For the Love of Mother Earth

Since bohemian style is connected with hippy movement, it is easy to understand why loving and caring for earth matters. That means that the materials being used for making boho clothes must be organic and made with respect for the environment. The fabrics that are usually used are jeans, cotton, chiffon, linen, artificial fur and leather. The colors also must not be contrary to the ones found in nature surroundings. That is why the most popular are earthy tones. As for the patterns, floral and ethnic inspired ones are the best to express the mutual relationship of bohemian style and nature.

Loving the Freedom

Bohemian style is all about freedom and feeling good in your skin. Its loose and pleasant cuts reflect that in the best way possible. You will not find any curves embracing dress in bohemian outfits, and that is ok. After all, it is summer, besides the sun kissing your skin, you do not need any tight fabric to do that as well. There is a specific feel of freedom even when it comes to hairstyling. Effortless beach waves in your hair and maybe some simple braid are enough to achieve the ultimate boho-chic. You should not go overboard with makeup too, and whenever you feel like it, go with completely bare face. Shoes should be flat and extremely comfortable to enable the “bohemista” to run freely.

Putting the Boho into Your Style

There are some basic clothing pieces that will help you incorporate bohemian trend into your own style. Loose white shirt and a pair of washed out jeans are something that you probably already own, you just need to get in the boho feel, and it will be perfect. Get ready for the next summer season by getting some of the pieces you do not already own on fall and winter sales. Buy a crochet swimsuit or opt for Aztec or African prints, when you visit a boho inspired swimwear sale. Beach kaftans are also a must. Maxi skirts and dresses in earthy tones should be the very next thing that will find its place in your next-summer wardrobe. Add some fringes, flowers and ethnic fashion inspired prints into your everyday summer style.

There is No Boho without Accessories

Boho is especially known for the richness of accessorizing. Multiple necklaces and bracelets are not even optional, they are a must. Because the very style, as we know it today, draws its inspiration mostly from the 70s, you cannot be wrong with jewelry inspired by this decade. The most important thing is that it should be unique and inspired by nature: natural stones, silver, dark gold, leather, etc. Layered chains are an ideal addition for every boho outfit and feathery and dream-catcher inspired pieces will add a dreamy note to it. Other accessories are also welcomed. Wide leather belts, floppy hats, slouchy boots, fringed bags, slouchy hobo bags, distressed leggings, thin headbands worn across the forehead will make you a true boho-chic girl.

Adapt the bohemian style to your own preferences. After all, it is meant to be personal, unique and experimented with. Enjoy its freedom on the summer sun.

from http://monalisaofblogging.com/summer-boho-chic-style