Author: The Metrognome

Categories
Deal with it

Why go to China for a great wall?

The wall art you pick personifies you and by extension, your home. Here’s a handy guide to what’s new in the world of wall art.

The chicest homes are those that add deft touches to the décor such that each room and each element in it makes sense in conjunction with each other. A lot of this has to do with visual symmetry – and most of the flourishes you can adopt come from wall art.

Here’s taking a look at five of the hottest wall art trends you could consider for your home:

1 Geometric shapes. There’s something young and quirky about geometry, isn’t there? Imagine a framed wall art piece featuring nothing else but concentric circles, or a line of squares. Apart from lending quirk to the wall, the piece becomes a conversation starter (‘Oh, that’s…interesting,’ ‘Yes, we love having random triangles on the wall…’) and a focal point for the room. We suggest leaving the rest of the wall bare if you have a big bold geometric print up there – the print can get overpowered by competing patterns in the vicinity.

2 Bohemian designs. You might want a more free-flowing wall art to reflect the boundlessness of your own personality. Have you considered buying an unframed canvas with floral patterns, or wavy coloured lines or even the picture of a cute little girl clutching an even littler puppy? Bohemian chic was a major talking point last year, and we anticipate that the trend will continue this year.

3 Wallpapers. Before you cringe and say, ‘People are still doing wallpapers?’ you might consider that when we say wallpapers, we don’t mean the shiny ones with the cloying patterns on them. You can get wallpapers in a matte finish and you can also have them customised. Just imagine an awesome bedroom with all the walls papered to show floor to ceiling bookshelves. Or one wall that is a montage of your favourite family photographs.

4 Paintings against black walls. Most people wouldn’t paint their walls black, but then most people wouldn’t know the stark beauty that black walls provide. A matte black wall becomes the perfect backdrop for a brooding painting or even a cheerful photo frame. It lends an air of sophistication and mystery to the room, though you might consider painting just one wall black instead of all of them.

5 Stripes. Striped walls were a major trend about two years ago, but the style has now evolved to bold blockish stripes inside large framed wall art. You can break the pattern with a photo frame or a wall clock – this accentuates the stripes even more. Try this: create a pattern with stripes and intersperse with photo frames. This can become an interesting element in the living room. Plus, you can buy both the framed wall art and photo frames online at great prices.

(Featured image courtesy https://www.hipcouch.com/magazine/6-amazing-benefits-wall-art-home-interior-didnt-know)

Categories
Kharcha paani

The main difference between richness and wealth

Being rich is great, but being wealthy has more enduring value. Let’s understand how to use insurance to move from being rich to being wealthy.

All of us dream of a stable life for ourselves, where there is enough money in our account to meet all our expenses. Some of us have a lot of money in our hands at intermittent points of time, but this does not mean that we are wealthy. Let us examine the difference between the two concepts:

Richness: It is a phase when one has a lot of money at one’s disposal. The money may appear suddenly as a result of an investment, a job completed or some other reason. However, it is transient in nature – it is apt to be spent quite quickly. It is a state in which a person may have money intermittently but not always.

Wealth: In contrast, the state of wealth is one in which a person may have a lot of reserves at their disposal over a longer period of time. It is said that the wealthiest people in the world are those that know how to make their money work for them even when they are asleep. True wealth is created when one does not need to work such that their effort results in money. Wealth can be created by taking one affirmative step and letting the investment work for itself.

A further proof of how wealth is created is given by an insurance investment option known as the ‘wealth plan’. This is an insurance plan that helps you create wealth over a period of time, such that your periodic investment is plugged into the right securities to give maximum returns.

Consider the following salient benefits of a good wealth insurance plan:

  • A high life coverage amount that is at least 30 times the annual premium paid.
  • The investment helps you fulfil your long term financial goals and also protects your loved ones’ future.
  • You can invest money monthly, quarterly or half yearly.
  • There are multiple fund options – debt, equity, balanced assets or more – as per your investment appetite.
  • There is the freedom to switch between different fund classes to maximise the returns.
  • You can partially withdraw funds against the investment after a certain number of years are complete.

The insurance plan may have a term starting from 15 years up to 40 years. The plan must include guaranteed loyalty additions, apart from a death benefit that equals the sum assured minus the withdrawals made (if any). The death benefit may also be calculated to the fund value, or it may be a sum equal to 105% of the premiums paid till the date of the policy holder’s demise.

Additionally, the policy holder gets higher coverage to 30 times the annual premium over a long term – thus it makes fiscal sense to remain invested in this plan for long.

(Featured image courtesy https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/environment/education-health-help-the-most-in-wealth-creation-report-62394)

Categories
Beauty

5 steps to get ready for an office party

Office parties are great fun, and you look forward to the occasions every single year. But they also entail a fair bit of advance preparation and choosing the right outfit and accessories to go with it. It can become a challenge very quickly if you don’t follow the process in a methodical manner.

Here’s how you prep and dress for the work party:

#1 Decide on your clothes and makeup ASAP.

You’ve probably attended several office parties by now. The thumb rules of dressing up for them are never repeat an outfit, do not dress casual, and dress comfortably but stylishly. You may wear a daring dress and bold make-up, but steer clear of dress with short hems and low necklines. If you are unsatisfied with the clothes you have in your wardrobe, you should buy new party clothing, accompanying accessories and footwear right away. Don’t leave this for later – you will need fittings, probably some alterations, or even exchange a certain piece of clothing for a different size or colour, and so on. We recommend dresses that feature night colours, such as plum, indigo, maroon or violet, with shiny embellishment and a comfortable but chic fit. If you already have an outfit in mind, do buy footwear and other accessories to go with it.

#2 Perfume is key.

Apart from shopping for clothes, a clutch and shoes, you must invest in a new perfume for the party. An expensive perfume announces itself in the most amazing way, and everyone will take note of how wonderful your fragrance is and how it increases your style quotient. Pick a light and fresh fragrance that lasts long and lends just the required air of sophistication for your look at the party.

#3 Test your perfume at night.

Now that you have the best perfume you wanted, you need to test how it goes with your outfit and the time of night. The perfume must need only a light spritz – wear it and see how long it lasts before you need a refresh. This gives you an idea of how much perfume you will need to spritz on for the party. Do carry the bottle in your purse in case you need a refresh.

#4 Test your clothes, makeup and footwear.

Office parties are evening and night affairs. Do remember that there will be strobe lights, overhead spotlights and harsh lighting in some places and shadows in others. There will also be lots of photographs taken and posted on social media. Thus, your clothes, makeup and footwear should show you off to the best advantage. Do not wear nude or light makeup, but highlight your features in a slightly bolder fashion without going overboard. If you choose a dark lipstick, then keep the eye makeup simpler. Conversely, choose fresh pink lips with smoky eyes. Finish with mascara, a cheek tint and lip gloss.  

Now check your shoes. Walk around in them, especially if they are new, and keep them on for a couple of hours to see which parts of them don’t feel right. There will be dancing and staying on your feet for most of the evening, so choose comfortable shoes with a low heel and a sturdy sole.

#5 Prep your skin before you get into your clothing.

On the night of the party, cleanse your skin and take a shower to make yourself look petal fresh. Apply moisturiser all over the skin and start blow drying your hair. Once your hair is dry, style it into the hairdo you want and then prime your skin for makeup. Do your makeup under suitable lighting so you get it right the first time. Now wear deodorant, get into your clothes, spritz on your perfume, wear your shoes and get to the party looking fabulous like you always do.

Have any style tips to share? Tell us in the comments below.

(Featured image courtesy https://makeupandbeauty.com/office-party-dress-code/)

Categories
Kharcha paani

Claiming car insurance? Read this first!

Driving your own car is a dream come true – but it all quickly becomes a nightmare if your car meets with an accident or is damaged due to another vehicle or an act of nature. After being upset initially, you console yourself that you can get the repairs done using your car insurance. After all, that’s what it’s for, right?

Wrong. We outline 3 situations where you should NOT claim car insurance for damage repair, and why:

#1 If the repair costs are lower than your deductible(s).

As a car insurance user, you are aware that there is a certain component of the claim that you must voluntarily and mandatorily pay. This component is known as the ‘deductible’ and it varies from policy to policy. It is also computed based on the age of the car, the package of benefits added to the policy, etc. So if the cost of the repair is lower than the deductible, the insurance provider will not pay any money towards your claim because your deductible covers all of it. Thus, you end up paying out of pocket and raise a claim that is not even paid back to you.

#2 If you want to accumulate a good NCB (No Claim Bonus).

Every car insurance policy has an NCB that accumulates for every year that you do not file a claim for insurance. So if the repairs needed are minor, it is better to not file a claim at all and contribute towards the NCB. Suppose there is a dent on the passenger door or the mirrors need replacement and will cost only about Rs 3,000, you can pay the money out of your pocket instead of raising a claim and getting a reduced NCB.

#3 If a third party is willing to pay for damages.

You might be the safest driver on the road, but other drivers’ skills and safety measures cannot be spoken for. Some other vehicle might bump into yours and cause significant damage. If the other car owner is willing to pay for the damages (he or she will mostly do so from their own car insurance), then why raise a claim against your own policy?

We hope this article was useful to you. Do tell us your thoughts in the comments. If you want to know more information about how to enhance your car insurance with the right add-on covers, we recommend this article.

(Featured image courtesy https://voi.id/en/economy/204347)

Categories
Wellness

5 facts for menstrual cup beginners

Fed up of constant irritation ‘down there’ and sore skin arising from use of sanitary napkins, Aishwarya Chandra* (36) decided to ditch tampons and choose menstrual cups for her monthly cycle. The Mumbai-based copywriter says, “Even tampons are not without risks, though they didn’t cause rashes like pads. My doctor warned me not to keep one on for more than four hours. Plus, they are as polluting as sanitary pads.” Looking for yet more alternatives, Chandra stumbled upon the menstrual cup – and her periods have never been the same since.

“I love the convenience and how clean the period is with the cup,” says Renuka Sukhija (29), who has been using the cup for about five years now. “It’s cost-effective, requires a small space, can be used anywhere at any time, and ensures a happy, hassle-free period. But I struggled initially to get it right.”

If you’re about to use the menstrual cup or have just started using it and find it difficult to use, read on to know 5 things about it:

#1 The ‘punch down’ fold is the best. You cannot just insert the cup inside the body – it must be folded in a way that ensures the entire contraption is inside the body before it can open and complete the seal. There are about 10 known folds for the cup, but the ‘punch down’ or ‘diamond’ fold is the best for beginners. It has a point on one side which helps the cup enter the vaginal canal easily. Just make sure you hold the fold in place till you have inserted the cup fully, then rotate it so that it opens and locks the seal.

#2 A hard or semi-hard cup is best. Most women think they should choose a soft cup. After all, the vagina is a delicate organ and you don’t want to end up injuring yourself. However, it is a myth that a hard cup will cause injuries. The menstrual cup is made of medical grade silicone and a harder variant might not feel as comfortable going in as a soft cup, but it will open fully once inside. A soft cup, on the other hand, may not open fully. A cup that doesn’t open fully inside the body cannot complete its seal, and hence, cannot collect the blood properly.

#3 Be prepared to use a pad or liner as backup initially. It takes about three to five periods for most women to fully understand how to use the cup. Some women might get it right in the first period itself. But if you haven’t yet understood how to insert or remove it properly, continue practicing and also use sanitary pads or liners as a backup to catch any unexpected spills.

#4 Removing it is tricky at first. Most women are able to remove the cup easily by pinching its base and simply pulling it out of the body. However, others struggle to break the seal and might panic. In the worst case, you might need a gynaecologist to remove the cup from your body. But meanwhile, try and pass a stool or urine to relax the area. Next, reach in and hold the stem of the cup with the fingers of your left hand and use two fingers of your right hand to reach inside the body along the wall of the cup. When you reach the rim of the cup, press down on it firmly to break the seal. Now slide the cup out and empty it.

#5 Clean it every day, and once again after your period is over. Though the menstrual cup is safe to keep inside the body up to 12 hours before you empty it and use it again, it is better to sanitise it once every day before use. Most cups can simply be put in a container of boiling water for a few minutes to become ready for use. Some brands offer a sanitising cup and cleaning solution. Be sure to clean the cup after the period is over, and to dry it completely before storage. Never use bathing soap to clean the cup.

(featured image courtesy https://health.osu.edu/health/sexual-health/can-menstrual-cups-help-you-get-pregnant)

Categories
Deal with it

Why your furniture isn’t working properly, and what to do about it

It’s a problem every household around the world faces. Over time, the furniture in the house acquires a dull patina that no amount of cleaning and sprucing up can banish entirely. The upholstery becomes dull. Wood furniture loses its sheen and acquires scratches. Laminate comes loose in shutters, drawers neither open or shut efficiently. It is time to take stock of the ills that plague your furniture and decide the next course of action.

Why your furniture doesn’t work like it used to

It doesn’t do to merely be disappointed about how the furniture in your home is coming apart and/or refusing to operate like it should. It’s time to find out why, and what to do about it.

* It has outlived its shelf life.

Every piece of furniture has a certain shelf life. Some items of furniture last longer than others, such as cabinets and cupboards. But couches and bed sets, among others, will begin to sag and creak due to regular heavy use. Not every piece of furniture will last long, and you cannot expect it to.

* It needs new fittings.

The most common reason for furniture not operating smoothly is that its inner fittings have malfunctioned. This happens mostly with inferior fittings like unbranded brass hinges, ordinary drawer channels, metal rollers that rust over time, and so on. If the furniture in your kitchen is not backed by superior kitchen fittings, shutters and drawers will not operate properly and you must spend extra effort in opening and shutting them. They may even remain ajar and cause accidents and injuries.

* It is overloaded.

Apart from malfunctioning kitchen fittings, do check if you have stored more items in your drawers and cabinets than they can take. Drawers, especially, have a particular load bearing capacity based on the dimensions and material of their make. If loaded beyond this point – think of drawers sagging beneath the weight of heavy pots and pans – then the runner systems operating that drawer begin to misalign. The bottom of the drawer develops a sag and may interfere in the working of the drawers under it.

* It has become corroded due to undetected dampness, pests, etc.

Corrosion and spoilage due to leakage and moist walls is most commonly seen with wood and metal furniture. Water is a highly corrosive element that causes irreversible damage. The damage can go undetected for years if the damp walls are hidden by heavy wardrobes and kitchen cabinets. Rotting wood and rusting metal can impair the furniture’s operational abilities to a dramatic extent.

What to do about problematic furniture

The most obvious solution is to junk whatever furniture is beyond repair or restoration. Indeed, repairing it might cost you more money and time, as compared to buying new pieces entirely that might be of a better quality, thus promising a higher shelf life overall.

Old furniture also imparts an ancient air to your home – this is not ideal, unless it’s a look you are actively aiming for. If you are not, then it is best to do a complete overhaul with new modular items that are more in keeping with new trends and your personal design ethos.

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