Category: Relationships

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How to Choose the Ultimate Watch for Him

With smartphones and smartwatches, does anyone still bother to wear an ordinary watch? The answer is a resounding YES! Watches are also one of the most classy and memorable gifts you can give your man. Everyone loves getting presents. At the same time, we also enjoy gifting our loved ones with tons of goodies. Purchasing a timepiece for your significant other is a real pampering gesture. If you’ve just hit it off with someone, it represents a sparkling and inspirational sign of devotion and exquisite taste. And if you’ve been together since the beginning of time, this shows that you can still wow your sweetheart in the most considerate way possible.

Wristwatches are one of the most popular choices when it comes to gift ideas. They have a simple, elegant, fashionable and groundbreaking design and have, without a doubt, always been a classic for most of us. However, choosing such a personal piece, which is an integral part of one’s style and can be daunting on behalf of someone else. The main question is, what watch model should you choose? From Longines’ sporty style to Mido’s wristwatches, Moments offers an impressive selection of watches for men and women, as well as custom-made necklaces, bracelets and pendants… everything to make your job easier, or more difficult? But don’t fret right away, because we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of things to keep an eye on when buying your man’s watches. So here’s our ultimate guide to choosing the right style for your paramour!

#1. Don’t Be Afraid to Take a Chance

Why is it so tough to buy stuff for guys? Mow, not all guys are like that. Of course, some give you a detailed list of what they want, right down to part numbers and the store to get the item. Others, though. Others…are pickier. If you’ve ever been stuck figuring out the kind of gift to give your boyfriend or husband, you can certainly relate. But, you shouldn’t be afraid to jump the gun!

Within 28 days, you can return the watch of your purchase, and your partner can easily pick a different watch instead. However, in some cases, it’s best to ask your partner a few questions about the kind of watch they like. Inconspicuously, of course! Try to do this on time, so they will not expect you to pick out a timepiece. Ask questions about their favourite watch style, or show them a picture of a watch and observe their reaction.

#2. Opt for the Appropriate Size of the Watch

Of course, you must consider the right size and proportion when buying a new watch as a gift. Dimension is an overriding factor when choosing a watch that will match your lover’s style. A watch that is way too big or too small can seem uncomfortable on the wrist. When choosing a men’s watch, avoid narrow watch straps. Generally, you can choose a watch with a diameter between 34 mm and 50 mm. 

#3. Custom Made Watches

If you want an extraordinary and unique watch for someone you care for, you can customize your watch. Wood is a versatile material that can be modified to any desire, that’s why wooden watches are the most beautiful watches of all. Custom made wooden watch is an original gift for everyone. Is it a friend, family member, or your life partner, it’s a gift for a lifetime, that will continuously remind the person of you. 

#4. Watch Movements

There are different types of watch movements; however, they generally fall into two broad categories, namely quartz movements and mechanical movements. How do you know if a watch has a manual or quartz movement? Simply pay attention to the second hand. In a quartz watch, the second hand produces a ticking motion that moves once per second. A mechanical watch, on the other hand, involves sweeping and smooth movements, which is why many luxury watch brands use automatic or mechanical movements on their timepieces.

#5. Know Their Style

Last but not least, make sure the watch you pick is one that matches his lifestyle. The best wristwatch will always be the one that reflects his style and his hobbies. For example, a gym rat might want an accessory that’s multi-functional and durable, while a man with a keen sense of fashion might choose to wear something sleek with a leather strap. It can also be beneficial to ask your boyfriend’s family to help you select a watch if you’re unsure of his tastes.

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12 Tips to Remember for an Indian Wedding Decor During COVID 19

Everyone dreams of their wedding day, some dream of the excellent food that will be served that day, some dream of their wedding attire, and some dream of the wedding décor and some dream of all three of those. Well, I am the one who dreams of the three! Having been engaged for almost 4 years now, my fiancé and I decided to take the next step and go official. We decided to get married, but alas, the COVID-19 ruined everything, and all our plans were being killed one by one. The dream destination wedding was going to be cancelled, the gorgeous décor was cancelled, the amazing buffet was cancelled. When the lockdown was announced, I felt the worst and so did everyone, but then months later, we were back to it again, organizing my wedding in the great pompous way. Well, there was many things that changed and many tips that everyone had to remember because of the coronavirus.

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the wedding industry incredibly hard. Venues are closing, vendors are going out of business, and couples are scrambling to reschedule or even cancel their weddings. You win, 2020. Can we throw up the white flag now?

But instead of wallowing in a wine-soaked pity party, we want to share some tips and resources. Because action is the antidote to fear, and there ARE things we can do right now to help us from feeling so powerless and out of control. So, to help you out, here are the 12 tips that will help you in organizing an Indian wedding.

Put together your wedding website.

A wedding website is the perfect way to keep guests up to date on all the developments and details of your big day. And the best part? There are some really beautiful, free templates out there for you to take advantage of.

Find the venue of your dreams.

Throw on your yoga pants, grab your laptop, and scope out the comprehensive lists of wedding venues on the internet. Find venues by area, budget, guest count, or style—from rustic barns to non-traditional industrial spaces and even woodsy retreats. And if you need to downsize your wedding, we have an entire section of our site dedicated to event spaces that cater to small weddings of 50 or less. See prices, get deals, and view lots of big, gorgeous photos + wedding videos that basically offer a virtual tour of the event space. Then, book a site visit right there from your couch.

Order or rent the wedding attires.

Rent the highest quality tuxedos and suits online without ever visiting a store! Choose the suit and tuxedo styles, along with thousands of colorful accessories to match your wedding color scheme.

Give your wedding party fashion freedom!

Take advantage of the mix-and-match dress trend by giving your bridesmaids the color palette/event style you have chosen, along with the freedom to pick their own ensemble. Your bridal party will appreciate your flexibility—and you will save loads of time on wedding party shopping trips.

Register for gifts or experiences.

While nothing is more fun than using that little scanner gun, couples at home should take advantage of the wide array of online registry options available. From honeymoon registries to websites like Blueprint Registry that let you add gifts from any store, cross this task off your list by cozying up on the couch and shopping entirely online.

Donate to charity in lieu of favors.

Let us be real: most of your guests will not be sad if they do not receive a tea light candle or glassine bag full of Hershey’s kisses. Instead of spending the time putting together favors, why not donate the money to your favorite charity instead? Then, put up a pretty sign at the reception letting your guests know how they were a part of it. You will not only save time, but you will also give back—and we call that a win-win.

Live Stream Wedding

If you are a modern, forward-thinking couple who wants to tie the knot NOW regardless of what is going on in the world, then a live stream wedding is for you! All you really need is a snappy internet connection and basic technology. There are a lot of great, free streaming services out there. Consider a platform like Zoom, Facebook Live, or YouTube Live. And if you cannot decide on just one, why not stream to multiple websites so your guests have options?

Coordinate Vendors

Even if all non-essential businesses are technically closed, your officiant can still perform the wedding ceremony entirely online. No gathering required! To make it legal, you will want to get your marriage license signed and mailed in just as soon as you are able.

Invite Guests

Since you are getting married virtually, why not go the digital route with your wedding invitations, too? Companies like Paperless Post and Greenvelope deliver elegant electronic invitations that emulate the experience of opening a “traditional” printed invitation.

Set Up

Put your phone or tablet on a tripod, open up the windows for some pretty natural light, frame the ceremony with some potted plants, and put some music on to set the mood. You may also want to have a champagne toast on hand to pop bottles post-ceremony!

Rehearse!

Do a rehearsal so you can be sure your technology and devices are all working properly, and you can easily navigate through the streaming platform. Test your WiFi connection to make sure it is fast and strong. Make sure the lighting is on point, make sure sound is getting picked up and there is no feedback, and that camera angles are capturing the right moments!

Pro Tip: Consider putting a trusted friend, family member, or wedding vendor in charge of the wedding day tech so you do not have to worry about it.

Dress Up

This may not be the exact day that you envisioned, but you can still be a vision on your big day! Choose to wear THE dress or go for something a little more casual (perhaps the dress you planned for your rehearsal dinner). Guys can throw on that formal tux or go for sharp jeans and a sport coat. You are the star of this show, so get yourself gussied up in whatever strikes your fancy!

If you are planning a grand wedding in the future months, then get in touch with Xclusive Designs in Etobicoke, ON. They specialize in designing and decorating any type of event, big or small. Their team of professionals provides a full-service approach blending planning with creative design, styling, and event coordination.

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Happily, Masked Ever After

When the pandemic happened, many plans were gone to waste and many hopes were lost, this hardship situation was difficult to deal with for many people. Some people could not fulfil their life-long dreams, some could not have their dream wedding, and some saw their dream outfits being altered with the wearing of masks becoming compulsory. I remember one of my friends had to get married on the date that the government installed the lockdown. The desperation on her face was palpable and I could not do anything except hope for this situation to be over soon. As times passed, the situation worsened and the fear of her dream wedding slowly faded way, we all managed to move on until both the bride and groom wanted to have a wedding during the pandemic. It was going to be one of its kind and yes, it was going to be memorable! There were so many things that was going to be different and so many things would be still normal. The wedding had to be conducted only among closed family members and everyone should respect the social distancing. We planned all accordingly and managed to have a beautiful wedding that exceeded everyone’s expectations.

If you are planning your wedding or someone else’s wedding during this pandemic and you are in need for ideas, then here is some help from me!

Open-air venue and well-spaced out table arrangements

In the post-pandemic era, people will look forward to socializing again, however, they are still expected to be skeptical about attending mass gatherings. In such a world full of heightened cautiousness, wedding planners or couples need to take all precautionary measures while organizing mass gatherings, especially weddings. An open-air or outdoor wedding means plenty of space, which could help people maintain physical distancing as compared to an indoor wedding. Furthermore, a well-thought-out seating arrangement is essential to reduce risks. Venues should organize bigger tables with limited seating to maintain distance between people. For instance, a table for 10 should be assigned to 5 guests only.

Tweaking the buffet-style service

The highlight of any Indian wedding is its lavish buffet. In an effort to comply with physical distancing measures, this is about to change too. While some couples may still opt for buffet-style service, precautionary measures like a contactless serving of dishes will be the norm. For example, one designated server will be assigned to serve a dish each at the buffet to avoid guests touching the cutlery/spoons.

Opting for family-style entrees or sides at the table is another way to ensure the safety of guests, thereby avoiding serpentine queues at the food counters, where people tend to gather in close proximity at weddings. Needless to say, if it is a buffet-style service, line marking to maintain six feet distance between two people will be important. Besides this, caterers will also have to ensure that the raw materials or ingredients for food preparation are sourced from trustworthy suppliers, who ensure utmost cleanliness while delivering the stock from the farm to the venue.

As weddings go local, they also go virtual

In the aftermath of the pandemic, we can expect couples to opt for local weddings in their hometowns, instead of destination weddings. Additionally, overseas guests may prefer being a part of the celebration virtually, due to restrictions for non-essential travel. Furthermore, live streaming wedding ceremonies are a foreseeable trend in the near future. Therefore, wedding planners and venue operators can expect a surge in demand for such services post-COVID-19.

Impeccable hygiene standards

Right from the entry to exit, venues need to place sanitizers and hand napkins at every point. Guests should be able to sanitize their hands-on arrival, have access to cleaning and protective equipment at their tables, ample availability of handwashes and sanitizers should be made in the washrooms. To avoid overcrowding the washrooms, guests should have a designated waiting area where they can maintain physical distance from each other. All venues should diligently disinfect spaces pre and post the wedding function.

Apart from venue hygiene, even makeup artists and photographers documenting the wedding will have a certain SOP to follow in the post-pandemic phase. To ensure that the bride feels safe, makeup artists and hairstylists will wear masks and sanitize their products. With regards to photographers, the wedding party will prefer a smaller team to cover the wedding. Additionally, as weddings are set to be more intimate, a large team will not be required at the venue.

Contactless Greetings

Greeting each guest is suggested etiquette for couples, but what will this look like at weddings during and after COVID? New replacements will emerge bows, waves, winks, you name it. (One of our favorite ideas was the replacement of the traditional receiving line with a contemporary “gesture” line. Just, no obscenities please.)

It is important to remind your guests of how to interact when they enter your wedding space. While people will most certainly be excited to greet each other, social distancing signs and reminders could encourage your guests to be mindful.

Adapt to a post-COVID-19 culture

Societal norms call for handshakes and hugs during milestones and celebrations like weddings. With the entire world maintaining social distancing, couples will prefer to opt-out of the gift-exchange and photo sessions that typically occur at wedding receptions.

The new normal for weddings across the world is going to be significantly different. In the meanwhile, it is time to stay educated, make more informed decisions and rethink safer ways to plan happy and safe celebrations post the pandemic.

Sand Castle is the perfect wedding venue if you are looking for uniqueness and sophistication. They guarantee that your guests will be astounded by their attention to details and their commitment to using only the freshest ingredients possible.

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Points to Consider When Planning an Outdoor Wedding

Many couples want their weddings to be remembered forever, that’s why they decide to make theirs to memorable that they try to get the best wedding planners of the lot. Some want their wedding to be held in churches or at the magistrate or at their home. Well, it is logical that some people would want their wedding to be the talk of the town for some days. Some couples decide to have an indoor wedding and some an outdoor wedding. It is a trend to have an indoor wedding and some people find it to be synonymous to an elegant setup. Well, there are some couples who decide to have an outdoor wedding. By outdoor wedding, it can be either the beach, the forest, vineyards, the local city parks or even a B&B.

Planning an outdoor wedding is somehow difficult as you have a lot to consider for putting the whole plan into action. If you are planning to have an outdoor wedding, then here are some points to consider before. I’m sure it will help you because I know it will be of help to me. (Yes, I want an outdoor wedding!)

Outdoor weddings are scenic, romantic, and beautiful. If you want to create the perfect outdoor wedding, keep these tips in mind.

Find an Officiant

Some officiants only perform ceremonies in churches or houses of worship. You will have to find someone that will agree to perform your wedding ceremony outside.

Find an Outdoor Wedding Location

You will have to find a location for your outdoor wedding and plan the event around it. You should find a secluded location if you want to prevent distractions and unwanted guests. Some people have their weddings at the park, beach, historic estates, and their own backyard. You will also need a back-up plan if the weather is bad on our wedding day. If the location you choose does not have an indoor facility, you should rent a party tent. In addition, if bathrooms are not available, you should rent port-a-potties.

Wedding set up on beach. Beautiful tropical outdoor wedding party

Invitations

You will have to make a guest list and purchase invitations for your guests. Many kinds of invitations are available, and you should not have a problem finding some that suit your personal taste and budget. Make sure you tell your guests when and where the event will take place. Let them know that you will be having an outdoor wedding. That way, they will dress appropriately for the occasion. You can also send weather information to guests who are not familiar with the climate.

Flowers and Decorations

You should purchase flowers that can tolerate any kind of weather condition. Sunflowers and lilies are sturdy blooms, and they are ideal for outdoor weddings. You can also use a wedding arch to create a focal point for your ceremony. You can leave the arch as it is or decorate it with ribbon and flowers. Also, you may want to consider choosing a wedding theme and picking out the colors for your event. You can hire a florist to help you with flower decorations.

Menu

Outdoor weddings call for simpler menus that can withstand any kind of temperature, and you should avoid dishes that are served cold if you are having your wedding in the summer. Be sure to hire a caterer that has outdoor experience. If you are planning a casual outdoor wedding, you may want to consider serving an outdoor barbecue. If you are having your wedding in a warm environment, you should keep plenty of water and ice around, lemonades, and sodas. You will also have to decide if you want to serve alcoholic beverages. Margaritas, mojitos, sangria, and mint juleps are excellent choices for outdoor weddings. Also, keep in mind that wedding cakes can melt in warm weather, so stay away from ice cream cakes and mousse.

Attire

Breezy fabrics are ideal for outdoor weddings, and you should consider what is best suited for the sun, grass, or sand. Lace, silk, and satin are excellent fabric options. If you will be standing on sand or grass, you should keep your hemline short. If you are having your wedding at the beach, you may want to choose flat or wide heels because stilettos can sink into the sand. White tuxedos are excellent choices for outdoor weddings. However, you may want to dress the men in crisp oxfords, sport jackets, or khakis. If they choose to wear tuxedos, they should also get vests because they will look nicer when their jackets are off.

Wedding Favors

Feel free to get creative with your wedding favors. If you are having a beach wedding, you can give your guests bags of seashells or colorful sand bottles. You can also give your guests miniature potted plants. Many kinds of favors are available, so take the time to find the perfect wedding favor.

Entertainment

You can hire a DJ or band to entertain the crowd. However, since you will be having your wedding outside, you can entertain your guests with outdoor games like beach volleyball, croquet and the like. You should also consider renting a sound system with microphones for the officiant, bride, and groom. That way, your guests will have no problem hearing your vows. Your DJ or band can provide you with the equipment.

Photographer

You will have to decide if you want to hire a photographer for your wedding day. If you want high-quality photos, you should hire a professional for the job. Otherwise, one of your friend’s or a family member can take photos with a digital camera or shoot a video with a camcorder.

Keep in mind that you can create a dream wedding on your own. However, you may want to consider hiring a wedding planner. A wedding planner or consultant will lift the burden off your shoulders and plan the wedding for you. Keep in mind that with careful planning, you can create the spectacular outdoor wedding that you have always dreamed of.

If you are looking for the right venue, then head to Sand Castle; the award-winning venue is straight-out-of-a-movie type. You will be delighted with the best services they offer. Be prepared to be awed and to be awe your guests. They are based in Long Island.

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Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Diamond Rings

For as long as people can remember, the diamond engagement ring has been a symbol of love and commitment. Whether a classic solitaire or an antique cut, the giving of this precious gem from the depths of the earth is the most widely accepted symbol of being engaged. But have you ever thought about the origins of this tradition? And why is it that diamonds are the enduring gemstone of choice for an engagement ring? In this article, we dive into the history of the diamond ring and try to answer these questions.

Where did it all begin?

We have the ancient Egyptians to thank for the earliest known exchanging of wedding rings. Using materials such as hemp or reeds, the ancient Egyptians would fashion an item in the shape of a small circle – an endless ring – to signify eternal love.

The circle was the symbol of eternity, with no beginning or end, not only to the Egyptians, but many other ancient cultures. The hole in the center of the ring also had significance. It wasn’t just considered a space, but rather a gateway, or door, leading to things and events both known and unknown. To give a woman a ring signifies never-ending and immortal love.

The materials these rings were made of didn’t last very long and soon were substituted with rings made of leather, bone or ivory. The more expensive the material, the more love shown to the receiver; the value of the ring also demonstrated the wealth of the giver.

The Roman’s also eventually adopted this tradition but with their own twist. Rather than offering a ring to a woman as a symbol of love, they awarded them as a symbol of ownership. Roman men would “claim” their woman with the giving of a ring. Roman betrothal rings were later made of iron and called “Anulus Pronubus.” They symbolized strength and permanence. It is also said that the Romans were the first to engrave their rings.

Why are rings worn on the 4th finger of the left hand?

Wedding rings through different stages in history have been worn on different fingers, including the thumb, and on both the left and right hands. According to  a tradition believed to have been derived from the Romans, the wedding ring is worn on the left hand ring finger because there was thought to be a vein in the finger, referred to as the ‘Vena Amoris’ or the ‘Vein of Love’ said to be directly connected to the heart. However, scientists have shown this is false. Despite this, this myth remains regarded by many (hopeless romantics) as the number one reason rings are worn on the fourth finger.

Another theory thought to be behind the ring being placed on the left hand by Christians seems a little more plausible. Early Christian marriages had a ritual to wear the wedding ring in the third finger. As the priest recited during the binding ,”In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit”, he would take the ring and touch the thumb, the index finger, and the middle finger; then, while uttering “Amen”, he would place the ring on the ring finger, which sealed the marriage.

A more practically based theory is that the soft metal (traditionally gold for wedding rings) is less worn or injured on the finger of the left hand, due to most of the world being right-handed.  Further, the fourth finger on the left hand is probably the second to the least used finger on a person’s hands outside of pinkies.  Pinkies being small, making a small ring with little surface area to decorate, perhaps motivated people to then place it on the next least used finger, namely the fourth finger on the left hand, which is roughly the size of the other fingers.

So now that we’ve covered the band, why do we offer diamonds?

It was in fact a brilliant marketing campaign in the 1930s. The famous mining company De Beers opened up digs in Africa and uncovered a vast quantity of previously undiscovered diamonds. This sudden surge in availability shattered the elusiveness and exclusivity of the diamond industry. In an effort to reverse their declining sales, De Beers had to do something to change people’s perceptions, once and for all.

Most remarkably, De Beers manipulated not just supply but demand. In 1938, amid the ravages of the Depression and the rumblings of war, Harry Oppenheimer, the De Beers founder’s son, recruited the New York–based ad agency N.W. Ayer to burnish the image of diamonds in the United States, where the practice of giving diamond engagement rings had been unevenly gaining traction for years, but where the diamonds sold were increasingly small and low-quality.

Meanwhile, the price of diamonds was falling around the world. The folks at Ayer set out to persuade young men that diamonds (and only diamonds) were synonymous with romance, and that the measure of a man’s love (and even his personal and professional success) was directly proportional to the size and quality of the diamond he purchased. Young women, in turn, had to be convinced that courtship concluded, invariably, in a diamond. The results of the marketing were undeniable – an increase of 50% in the diamond sales sector in just three years. 

Does the expression ‘A diamond is forever’ ring a bell? The first time it was publicly introduced was in 1947 during another marketing campaign by De Beers, which boosted their sales even further.

While the origins of diamond engagement rings are fascinating, what’s undeniable is their continuing appeal today. Whether it’s because of a diamond’s durability, sparkle or simply its beauty, there will unlikely be anything that matches its symbolic value.

Ready to declare your love to your soulmate? Visit Hofland Diamonds Inc. where you can find modern and antique diamond rings of all colors, shapes and sizes.

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Expensive Flowers to Accentuate the Floral Luxury Theme

Every girl dreams of having flowers for their wedding, even if the whole place is not covered with flowers, but at least there should be some decors with flowers. Did you know since when flowers are used at weddings? Well, if not, then let’s take a trip down history! There is some cultural proof of floral use at weddings during the earliest recorded historical period in Egypt, Greece, and Rome. The ancient Egyptian, Greek or Roman brides used to carry sheaths of wheat as a statement of and supplication for fertility. Brides wore caplets of indigenous flowers, and both brides and grooms were to wear blossom circlets or wreaths of greenery. Nowadays, flowers are being used for decoration as well as adornment.

Not to sound too boring, a wedding without flowers is similar to a pizza without cheese! With the recent surge in the prices of flowers and that too the rare ones, we have chosen to point out the luxury and expensive flowers that will add a touch of wealthiness to your wedding decor. If you are someone who has an unlimited budget when it comes to planning for their wedding, then here are the most expensive flowers that will surely enhance the wedding décor as well as your status.

Casa Blanca Lily – Considered as the most expensive flower for weddings, you should be prepared to spend some exorbitant amount on having this flower. This flower is easy to grow in any garden, but extra care should be given to the nurturing of this exotic flower. However, you can save some money by only using it sparingly and including other flowers in the arrangement. Pair Casa Blanca Lily with red roses as they are beautiful in the look.

Gardenia – Not only beautiful, but these flowers also have a lingering aroma that stays for quite some time. Gardenias is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, Madagascar and the Pacific Islands. It starts to flower from mid-spring to mid-summer. There are different species of gardenias, and some are strongly scented. These flowers are quite expensive so if you have to budget then only choose gardenias. It will surely accentuate the luxury look.

Hydrangeas – Extremely popular and beautiful, these flowers are available in a huge variety in color options that you can choose from. This flower is native to Americas and Asia, and considered by far the greatest species in diversity found in Korea, China, and Japan. Mostly comes in white blooms, whereas some are being noted for blue, light purple, violet and pink colors. Even though it can be easily dropped and wilt, they are still widely utilized in different occasions, particularly in weddings. Each stem costs about 6.5 dollars and considered as the world’s top 10 most expensive flowers 2018.

Lily of the Valley: The sweetly scented yet also noxious lily of the valley is famous for its delicate & dainty appearance and its bell shaped blooms. This flower usually blooms in the late spring in the Northern Hemisphere after mild winters. It can grow up to 30 cm tall with 10 mm wide. Its lifespan just takes weeks previous to perishing and so, most of the harvesters should be extra careful, since cutting it in the wrong way could further curtail its lifespan. Each bundle costs about 15 to 50 dollars.

Orchids – These flowers augment the look of any bride’s bouquet or wedding décor. They come in a variety of colors and are always stunning to look at. If you are well-off, then do choose this flower for your wedding as it will create a totally different atmosphere. It is considered to be a timeless and exotic flower that can add an air of mystery to your wedding. Symbolizing beauty and refinement, orchids make a stunning accent to any arrangement.

Juliet Rose – Surprising almost everyone with its beauty and elegance, Juliet Rose was released by David Austin and it is quite often referred to as the ‘£3 million rose’. David Austin spent almost 15 years to develop this beautiful flower which is now considered as the most expensive flower in the world.

Gloriosa – Native to Asia and South Africa, this unique flower blooms by growing in long tendrils that changes color starting as one color at the tip and moves towards the center of the bloom. The colors caries from yellow to oranges, yellow-greens and reds. Its leaves can grow up to three meters long and it grows best in wet summers followed by long dry spells where they will lie dormant. Stay away from this flower if you are allergic as it can cause severe skin irritation and is poisonous if ingested.

Well, there are an endless amount of flowers to choose for your wedding, even if you cannot include these beautiful and expensive options in your wedding, you can still have an amazing wedding by getting in touch with Covers Couture Decor & Floral Design in Toronto, ON. They are an established décor rental company that specializes in luxury event furnishings, floral designs, custom-made drapery for weddings, corporate events, fundraising galas, and other special occasions.

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What is ‘fika’?

Are you at work right now? Do you feel tensed and overloaded? Well, why not go for a fika to chill for a few minutes? ‘Fika’ is a Swedish word, pronounced as ‘feekah’. It is a coffee or tea break that consists of a hot beverage and pastries such as cinnamon buns or Danish pastry, which you can enjoy with colleagues, friends or alone. In Sweden, fika is at the heart of socializing and if you do visit Sweden you are definitely going to fika a lot.

Fika is intimately connected to coffee and the Swedes love their coffee to such an extent where the average Swede drinks three cups of coffee a day, second only to the neighboring Finns. Surprisingly, coffee had a seedy reputation in the 18th century and was even banned in Sweden by its king Gustav III. The word fika was used a secret code referring to Kaffe (coffee). Fika proved popular and long-lasting. Consequently, the Swedes love for the beverage triumphed and coffee’s popularity rocketed in the early 19th century. Coffee houses (Kaffehus)turned into pastry shops (Konditori) which gave birth to the fika tradition. People would dress up elegantly on Sundays for a fika at the local Konditori.

Nowadays, a typical Swedish fika is a ritual made up of a sweet bun and a cup of coffee. If you fancy tea rather than coffee, it is still a fika, as with any kind of soft drink, lemonade or milk. 

Nevertheless, the only limitation of what counts as a fika is that it should be taken between meals and isn’t a proper meal in itself, though it can stretched at times. For example, the sandwich fika known as smörgåsfika includes sandwiches and can even replace a cooked lunch or dinner.

Can you fika alone? You can, however the fika is very much of a social institution. In fact, a fika is by far the most common way for Swedes adults to socialize with colleagues, family and friends. At the majority of Swedish workplaces everyone takes a fika break called fikaraster or kafferaster before lunch and another one in the afternoon. Typically these breaks are spent in groups, those who work together gather around coffee and sweet treats, to laugh and talk about their vacation trip, the wedding they went to, weekend plans or the last movie they watched.

To decrease the amount of stress due to heavy workloads, many companies in Sweden have mandatory fika breaks of at least once a day. The aim is to encourage a healthy working environment ensuring the staff takes a much-needed break from work. Swedish companies like their other Scandinavian counterparts, have a ‘flat’ organization rather than a hierarchical one and as such fika is an opportunity for small issues or grievances to come to light. Hence, talking about tiny matters that get in the way of your work is a natural part of any fika chit chat. As such managers get to listen to tiny issues an employee would typically avoid to bring up by emailing, calling or knocking on his/her door, and fix them before they turn into actual problems. Fika therefore contributes to the smooth running of a workplace. 

Of course, fika does not solely take place at work. If you are meeting up with an old friend in town or at their place, unless you are having a proper meal or going to the pub for a beer, you will most probably be having fika. It does not matter if you meeting someone alone or hanging out with a group, it will still be fika. Many other social activities, like club meetings, church services or evening courses will include or conclude with fika.

Even when it comes to dating, the Swedes consider fika as an integral part of it. What can be better than a cozy coffee shop’s atmosphere? Going out with someone you met online, will most likely take place at a cafe or a traditional Konditori for fika. 

For retirees, fika is deeply anchored in their daily routine whether they live at home or in a retirement home. Older adults often feel lonely and taken for granted. A fika allows them to socialize by chatting with other people of the same or different age groups (it doesn’t matter). They get to remember their good old days and forget about the fact that they are away from their loved ones.

I used to grab my morning latte from the nearby coffee shop and hurry to work while slurping it in a jiffy like any hectic New Yorker. Fika taught me to slow down, take a few extra minutes and enjoy the present moment alone or with company. Comment below and tell us about your favorite pastries and snacks you usually have when you fika!

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What is Hygge?

Denmark is known to be among the happiest countries in the world and Hygge has something to do with this. Hygge is not only a state of well-being at the moment, but it is also an entire way of living your life. Hygge can be defined mainly as taking pleasure in simple things, laying off that feeling of having to be on a constant go, and being present in the moment. In spite of being a Danish word, Hygge is something that many people experience and is a way many live their lives no matter which country you live in.

Below are tips for maintaining Hygge in your lifestyle.

Getaways in nature

Value long walks in nature daily. View it as small breaks from a busy schedule, where you can leave your phone behind and be present. Get to spend time in nature with your family and friends, with walks by the ocean and great talks. Imagine spending an entire week unplugged, getting up, not thinking about how you like and have an enjoyable time straight out of bed. Have dinner outside together and watch movies in the evening.

Pamper yourself

It is essential to take good care of yourself. Even during busy weeks, we need to eat healthily, get some exercise, and remember to breathe. You can schedule a few hours to give yourself some extra care in a busy month. Lighting a bunch of candles and filling a tub or making yourself a nice hot foot bath is real Hygge, a great way to chill. You come out as a better and more relaxed version of yourself.

Wine and dine

Visiting family and friends, or having people coming over to your house is part of Hygge. Making a meal, gathering around good food with those you love is true Hygge. Three-course meals are interesting, where you can all sit by the table for hours, talk, eat, and have a great Hygge time.

A trip down memory lane

Sitting together and going through old photos, like your first apartment, the festivals you went to, or the trips you had around the world, is a heartwarming and funny way to spend an evening with popcorn or wine. It is also an excellent way to maintain and strengthen your bonds with your loved ones, reminding yourself of the wonderful life you built together.

Clutter-free surroundings

A clutter-free environment is an essential component of Hygge. Keeping your home tidy, along with freeing yourself from all unnecessary items, are vital aspects of a minimalist lifestyle, hence Hygge. Clear and clutter-free surroundings will help you stay focused, present, feel safe and grounded, which are all valuable synonyms to the term Hygge.

To conclude, Hygge is a way of sharing moments and being together with those who matter in a very relaxed and informal approach.

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The Reasons Behind Your Broke Status

Many of us believe the only reason they are broke is the fact that they don’t make enough money, while that’s certainly true for many people. The reality is that we refuse to re-evaluate ourselves to improve our finances by making better life choices. I was definitely in this situation, convinced that I did not have enough money to purchase items I desired, but I realized that it was all about my mental attitude.

Here are 5 of the main reasons that were keeping me broke and how I fixed them.

The wrong friends

Friends whose mentalities differ from yours can impact negatively on your finances. Friends who tend to encourage you towards lavishness will only keep to you broke. I used to hang out with those type of friends, after which I realized they were impeding on my financial goals. I hence slowly distanced myself to end up with a few closed ones. Another way to fix your situation is by letting your friends know that you are on a tight budget. Perhaps you will realize you need to find yourself real friends who will understand and value money as much as you do.

Unable to manage money properly

I always broach the subject when discussing money. If you are earning enough but can’t handle it properly, you will still end up broke. Knowing how to manage your money is not solely about saving it. We should have a separate savings account to cover emergencies, making that money work for you. When I learned how to handle my income, I was able to create my business without having to resort to a loan.

Not learning new skills

If you are not adding new skills to your artillery and using them daily, you’ll be stuck inside a box with no chances for expansion. Learning new skills brings positive outcomes, which leads you to tackle all kinds of tasks that may result in a higher income. You can also make use of those skills for a side business of your own. I signed up for online courses to learn new skills and apply the knowledge to my own business. I increased my revenue and became more responsible for doing so.

A toxic work environment

Your job might be contributing to your broke status by not allowing you to expand or by not giving you a break. If your job is continually pestering you even when you are not at work or when you are at home on the weekend, they are using your personal time for their growth. It is a typical example of a toxic work environment that you may want to get rid of. To maximize your brain’s capacity in learning new skills, you need to cut off from your daily hectic work routines; get a break!.
Further, you could make use of your free time to delve into a personal project. Sadly, I had a terrible experience working in a toxic job, besides not teaching me anything new, nor improving me professionally or personally, the person in charge tried to take over my life. I could not make plans because I never knew when I was off since the schedule was made out one day ahead. Also, on days off, I used to receive many phone calls and text messages asking me to help someone or to answer questions they could have answered themselves just by looking at the spread sheet. Due to this situation, I was not expanding nor growing and was forced to quit.

Being broke depended solely on my income

Most of us believe just I did, that they are broke because they don’t earn enough money. The reality I learned was that I made enough to cover my bills, buy groceries, cover all the necessary expenses, and ended up with $100 in my pocket that I chose to waste. I chose to be broke. What you decide to do with those extra $100 is your responsibility. You may use this extra cash to purchase books and educate yourself, invest it on the stock market, save it for a side business, or even create a website to present your skills to the world. Whenever I have money left over, a little extra income I save it to pay off the mortgage loan my partner and I took out because that is the only debt we have. By paying more than we are supposed to pay each month, we lower the amount of interest we have to pay. That way, I spent on something that matters, and I can potentially save as much as thousands of dollars in the long run.

Being broke can be exhausting, demoralizing, and cause embarrassment. However, after learning all those lessons, you can now use your experiences to pave your way towards financial independence.

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Ways To Improve Your Relationship

Great relationships can become boring and stagnant if you don’t put in any work, so putting some effort into finding ways to improve your relationship can do a lot better into making it last longer. No matter how strong or long your relationship has been, maintenance is always essential. As there are times, where the other person is taken for granted, and you don’t notice it until it is too late. So to remedy such a situation and prevent the worst from happening, here are some ways to improve your relationship.

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF

This is the most important choice you can make to improve your relationship. This means that you learn how to take responsibility for your feelings and needs. This means that instead of trying to get your partner to make you feel happy and secure, you learn how to do this for yourself through your thoughts and actions. This means learning to treat yourself with kindness, caring, compassion, and acceptance instead of self-judgment. Self-judgment will always make you feel unhappy and insecure, no matter how wonderfully your partner is treating you.

When you learn how to take full, 100% responsibility for yourself, then you stop blaming your partner for your upsets. Since blaming one’s partner for one’s unhappiness is the number one cause of relationship problems, learning how to take loving care of yourself is vital to a good relationship.

KINDNESS, COMPASSION, ACCEPTANCE

Treat others the way you want to be treated. This is the essence of true spiritual life. We all yearn to be treated lovingly – with kindness, compassion, understanding, and acceptance. We need to treat ourselves this way, and we need to manage our partner and others this way. Relationships flourish when both people treat each other with kindness. While there are no guarantees, often treating another with kindness brings understanding in return. If your partner is consistently angry, judgmental, uncaring and unkind, then you need to focus on what would be loving to yourself rather than reverting to anger, blame, judgment, withdrawal, resistance, or compliance. Kindness to others does not mean sacrificing yourself. Always remember that taking responsibility for yourself rather than blaming others is the most important thing you can do. If you are always kind to yourself and your partner, and your partner is consistently angry, blaming, withdrawn and unavailable, then you either have to accept a distant relationship, or you need to leave the relationship. You cannot make your partner change – you can only change yourself.

LEARNING INSTEAD OF CONTROLLING

When conflict occurs, you always have two choices regarding how to handle the conflict: you can open to learning about yourself and your partner and discover the deeper issues of the conflict. Or you can try to win, or at least not lose, through some form of controlling behavior. We’ve all learning many overt and subtle ways of trying to control others into behaving the way we want: anger, blame, judgment, niceness, compliance, care taking, resistance, withdrawal of love, explaining, teaching, defending, lying, denying, and so on. All the ways we try to control and create even more conflict. Remembering to learn instead of control is a vital part of improving your relationship.

For example, most people have two major fears that become activated in relationships: the fear of abandonment – of losing the other – and the fear of engulfment – of losing oneself. When these fears get activated, most people immediately protect themselves against these fears with their controlling behavior. But if you chose to learn about your fears instead of attempt to control your partner, your fear would eventually heal. This is how we grow emotionally and spiritually – by learning instead of controlling.

CREATE DATE TIMES

When people first fall in love, they make time for each other. Then, especially after getting married, they get busy. Relationships need time to thrive. It is vitally important to set aside specific times to be together – to talk, play, make love. Intimacy cannot be maintained without time together.

GRATITUDE INSTEAD OF COMPLAINTS

Positive energy flows between two people when there is an “attitude of gratitude.” Constant complaints creates a heavy, negative energy, which is not fun to be around. Practice being grateful for what you have rather than focusing on what you don’t have. Complaints create stress, while gratitude creates inner peace, so gratitude creates not only emotional and relationship health, but physical health as well.

FUN AND PLAY

We all know that “work without play makes Jack a dull boy.” Work without play makes for dull relationships as well. Relationships flourish when people laugh together, play together, and when humor is a part of everyday life. Stop taking everything so seriously and learn to see the funny side of life. Intimacy flourishes when there is lightness of being, not when everything is heavy.

SERVICE

A wonderful way of creating intimacy is to do service projects together. Giving to others fills the heart and creates deep satisfaction in the soul. Doing service moves you out of yourself and your own problems and supports a broader, more spiritual view of life.

If you and your partner agree to these seven choices, you will be amazed at the improvement in your relationship!

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