Tuesday 30 June 2015








M A N A A L A Y A

                EVERY GROOMS BEST-MAN



Page 01                   MANAALA  Health                    Tuesday June 30 2015

                                            Thai Iced Tea

THE NEW BLACK TEA ADVENTURE

Thai iced tea is indeed a mystery waiting to be discovered. Whether you try it in a Thai restaurant or in the comfort of your own home, the satisfaction of drinking it is beyond words…. creamy, fragrant, surprising and healthy, Thai iced tea takes black tea to another level.

It gives you the benefits of black tea by protecting your mind and body, while allowing you to experience new flavors and sensations at the same time; this is an adventure that MANAALAYA is glad to share with you.

So come along and discover what “Thai Iced Tea” has to show you and how it can make your life healthier and more exciting especially on your great day.

WHAT IS THAI ICED TEA?
This black tea variety originates from Southeast Asia and it is made from strong brewed black tea leaves. Now, what makes this liquor such a surprising tea, you may ask. Its ingredients are the secret! giving it its unique aroma and flavor. 

FIRST MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE NECESSARY INGREDIENTS:
6 cups of water
8 black tea bags
1 cup of full cream milk or condensed milk
4 table spoonfuls of sugar
4 tea spoonfuls of cinnamon
4 tea spoonfuls of cardamom
Crushed ice

RECIPE
  • Let’s begin by boiling the water and steeping the tea bags with the ground cardamom for 5 minutes. The ground cardamom seeds will give your tea a spicy vanilla-like flavor.
  • Next, remove the tea bags and wait a couple of minutes for your tea to cool down.
  • Prepare 4 glasses with ice and add your tea, filling the glass to about 3/4 of full capacity. This way you will leave enough room for the remaining ingredients to be added.
  • Now, add to each glass 1 tsp of sugar, 1 tsp of cinnamon and 1/4 cup of milk.
  • Do not stir. Instead, enjoy as it embellishes your glass and unleashes its powerful aroma and flavor.
Thai Tea Health Benefits

ENERGY BOOSTER
How about starting your day full of energy? Tempted? Here is how: black tea contains about 40 mg of caffeine per cup, so this medicinal tea, will give you the energy you need to get through another day at work.

You will feel confident, energetic and healthy! Thai tea is a good coffee substitute, if you are planning to reduce your caffeine intake. Give it a try and prepare yourself a glass of energy.

VIRUS FREE
This fragrant tea is rich in calcium and vitamin A, so while calcium allows you to fortify your teeth and bones, preventing the onset of osteoporosis, vitamin A is an excellent ally to keep your cornea healthy, stop eye infections and prevent blindness and age-related muscular degeneration.

Moreover, due to the presence of flavonoids and minerals in black tea, this beverage helps neutralize germs and inhibit the onset of viruses.

So, if you want to say goodbye to diarrhea, cystitis, skin infections, herpes, dental plaque, cavities or bad breath take a sip of Thai tea. It will help you smile again and feel healthy.

LOWERS RISK OF CANCER
There is nothing better than combining a tasteful beverage with a world full of benefits. You delight yourself with an exquisite flavor and at the same time welcome powerful health benefits.

Reducing risk of cancer is one of the most important benefits of Thai tea you and your loved ones should be aware of.

The black tea antioxidants present in Thai tea help slow down the growth of cancerous tumors and boost your immune system, making it easier for you to fight cancer, or at least offer additional protection as a preventive measure.

CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
Your heart is precious and we want to help you protect it. Drinking tea is a wonderful way of doing it. Thai tea antioxidants are able to eliminate plaque in arterial walls, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. It is also a great way to regulate your blood pressure levels and alleviate your hypertension symptoms.

LOWERS CHOLESTEROL
More good news for your heart. This tea may help you lower your cholesterol and also reduce diabetes symptoms due to its antioxidants and its cinnamon content.

DIGESTIVE AID
Having trouble with your intestines? This cleansing tea is a good choice for you. It helps clean your digestive tract and it may also protect you from intestinal disorders due to its high content of beneficial microbial flora. Cinnamon, once again, comes to your aid. It contains antibacterial components that relieve digestive distress, helping you against gas, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.

Conceptualized & Developed by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter


 Page 02                           MANAALA  Finance                 Tuesday June 30 2015

USUAL WEDDING EXPENSES CHECKLIST

You must first decide how big or small your wedding will be and to realistically budget within those boundaries.

Usually the bride and her family absorb all or the majority of wedding expenses. This is no longer valid considering the escalating costs of having a wedding. Today it is not unusual for the couple to pay for all wedding expenses or to have their parents and relatives equally contribute.

THE BRIDE AND HER FAMILY PAY FOR
Wedding consultant, if necessary
Invitations and announcements
Music for the wedding ceremony, including the organist or choir fee
Flowers for church and reception
Bouquets for the bride and bridesmaids
Transportation of the bridal party to the church/synagogue and reception
Bride's gift to groom (optional)
Bride's present to her bridesmaids
Groom's wedding ring
Church fee
Lodging accommodations for out-of-town bridesmaids (optional)
Expenses related to the reception
Hotel and Honeymoon expenses

THE GROOM AND HIS FAMILY PAY FOR
Bride's rings; engagement and wedding
Boutonniere for the groom and ushers
Groom's present to bride (optional)
Groom's presents to ushers and best man
Ties and gloves for the ushers
Clergy member's cost
Corsages for the immediate members of both families; also the bride's going away corsage
Bachelor dinner (optional, and usually given by best man or ushers)
Rehearsal dinner (optional, but is usual)
Accommodations for out-of-town ushers
The honeymoon

THE BRIDESMAIDS PAY FOR
Dress and accessories
Transportation to and from wedding, regardless of out-of-town expenses
Gift to the wedding couple
Contribution to a gift from all the bridesmaids to the bride

THE USHERS PAY FOR
Rental or purchase of wedding attire
Transportation to and from wedding, regardless of out-of-town expenses
Gift to the wedding couple
Contribution to a gift from all the ushers to the groom
Bachelor dinner (optional, and usually given by the best man)

THE OUT-OF-TOWN GUESTS PAY FOR
Transportation and lodging accommodations (on rare occasions, the bride's family pays for this)
Gift to wedding couple


Conceptualized & Developed by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter


Page 03                       MANAALA  Fashion         Tuesday June 30 2015


Ideas & Tips
 on Groom’s Beach Wedding Attire
Ideally, the groom’s attire should be co-ordinated with the bride’s and the bridesmaids. Think of colors that will compliment the sand, the ocean, sky and any foliage that might be present on the beach.
Keeping these colors in mind and choosing the attire accordingly is guaranteed to produce stunning results!
It’s very rare that a groom wears a full-blown tuxedo to a beach wedding. Instead, loose flowing shirts are the order of the day when it comes to grooms beach wedding attire. But you have to be careful to choose shirts and pants that are casual and yet stylish.
Groom Beach Wedding Attire: shirts, suits, slippers
You have plenty of shirt styles to choose from. You can go for the ever popular Tropical Style Shirt ... choose from Havana Shirts, Guayabera or Men’s Hawaiian Wedding Shirts. Maybe a Batik shirt ... with a pair of linen Riviera pants.
You can choose either a short sleeved shirt or a long sleeves one. If you know that you'll be having hot weather, then go for short sleeves.
Plain white linen shirts also look gorgeous. If you're going for Hawaiian Aloha Shirts make sure that they're tasteful. It's a wedding after all!
What about colors?
White is of course the most popular but you can also choose from stylish pastel colors or take a particular color from your bridal dress and find a shirt in that color.
If your wedding is going to be a really casual one, you can also use bold colors and even patterns. Go easy on the patterns though. Remember to stay stylish and don’t overdo it.
Grooms Beach Wedding Attire: Fabrics
Cotton and linen look great at a beach wedding. Plus they’re also fantastic for keeping cool in the hot sun.
Some grooms go for silk. Although this type of material looks stunning and is especially stylish, be aware that it is not as durable as linen and cotton and it also stains easily with perspiration.
About pants: the groom also has the option to wear shorts. That is if you will be wearing a very informal dress. If your beach wedding is going to be a more formal one, the groom can wear a suit made out of seersucker fabric (a warm-weather fabric known for its crinkled texture and breezy quality creating a space between the skin and the fabric that helps improve heat dissipation and promote air circulation)
About footwear?
If you're bride is going to go barefoot, then you should follow suit.
However, if she is going to be wearing bridal flip flops or shoes, then you could wear a pair of nice stylish open-toed leather sandals.
What about the guests?
If you have someone in your family or your group of friends (and who doesn’t?) who you know will probably turn up in a t-shirt, jeans and baseball cap, then you must find a way to subtly inform this particular person of your desired dress code.
Most couples in fact, provide dress guidelines in their invitations, because a lot of male guests don’t have a clue to what they should wear at a beach wedding.
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Conceptualized & Developed by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter


Page 04                           MANAALA  Grooming                   Tuesday June 30 2015

PHOTO SHOOTING THE GROOM

Grooms are more likely to be ignored in wedding photos because photographers tend to focus more on the brides; after all, they are the big deal. But remember that a bride will want to view the groom pictures as well, of him getting ready, chatting, drinking, and having fun before the wedding. These are some things the bride will miss, so make sure you capture these shots as well.
However, grooms also tend to get more uncomfortable being photographed. So, they take a sigh of relief when the photographer is busy with the bride, while they are acting their usual and enjoying the occasion without worrying about posing and getting good shots.
But here, MANAALAYA offers you (Wedding Photographers/Wedding Videographers) tips that will not only help you capture great groom photos but also calm those nerves so they can pose and give you their best looks without frowning.
GROOM GETTING READY PICTURES 

After you photograph the bride getting ready, it’s time for the groom. However, you will see a difference. The groom will likely be more uncomfortable especially if there is no one to take photographs, however a little small talk can go a long way here. Ask him how he is doing. This will lighten the mood.
When you think he is comfortable, start shooting. You can go for the small details first like the watch, tie, cufflinks, shoes, and other things important to the groom. Ask him if there are other details he wants you to shoot.
After the details, it’s his turn. Capture the groom buttoning his cuffs and straightening his tie. There is no pressure at this time of the day. Let him know that and take it slowly. If you miss some important shot, make him do it again and reshoot.
THE WAITING GROOM AND FIRST LOOK GROOM PICTURES
Another great groom photo to capture is when the groom waits for the bride at the church or at the entrance of the hotel or reception hall and when he sees his bride for the first time. Those first looks will be super-sensational. Never miss them. However, it is not easy to capture these shots.
It is really a nerve-wrecking time waiting there for the bride. The groom gets nervous again and the nervousness shows on his face. A good way to get his happy mood back is to ask him how he thinks his bride will look.
He will obviously say something like “Stunning”, “Gorgeous” or “Beautiful”. These attributes will bring some happy emotions and most likely a huge grin on his face that will take over the nervousness.
Capture the shots at those moments. Take candid shots of the groom waiting, chatting with friends and whatever it is they are doing. Then, when the bride finally arrives, don’t miss the first look.
BRIDE AND GROOM FIRST MOMENTS TOGETHER 
When they first look at each other, they will likely have a few moments together. Make sure you don’t miss these. You will want to focus on both bride and groom here.
SOME GENERAL TIPS FOR SHOOTING GROOM PICTURES:
o    Set up the shots by asking your groom to pose with his friends and best man. Even if the bride and groom request for candid photography, it really makes a wedding album incomplete if there are no set up shots.
o    Do not use wide angle too much as it tends to distort a person’s figure and appearance.
o    Use flashes for indoor while daylight will be good outside the church or hotel reception area. However, if there is poor light, flash can be used outdoors as well.
o    Don’t forget to bring an additional power pack to last the whole day.
Finally, give the groom suggestions to display his groom photos in his bedroom or living room. Using photo cut outs or photo gifts, which are a really sensual way to display photos.
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Conceptualized & Developed by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter



Page 05                        MANAALA  Bachelor Party            Tuesday June 30 2015

Groom Bachelor Party Ideas


Many grooms don’t get excited about having a bachelor party, and some don’t even have one at all.
Maybe it’s because bachelor parties are all the same for grooms, but what if we told you that there are so many creative ways you can celebrate your last time as a bachelor with your guys….!

Hunting Trip with Friends




Fishing


Camping




Off-roading

 
Sky Diving


Conceptualized & Developed by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter



Page 06                        MANAALA  Travel                      Tuesday June 30 2015

BE THE PERFECT HONEYMOON GROOM


GROOM - The wedding goes without a hitch. The new wife is thrilled. The in-laws haven’t eaten you alive, the cousins haven’t fought, the band was on time and your best man did everything right. But to create the right start to newlywed life, the next step is to pull off the flawless honeymoon.

Sure, even if you’ve done all your homework and preparation, many things are still going to be left to chance. However, there are plenty of ways to maximize the likelihood that whatever honeymoon destination you’ve chosen, your romantic getaway ends up picture-perfect.

You, the groom will hold a major part in this and here are a few MANAALAYA ideas for you to BE THE PERFECT HONEYMOON GROOM:

RELAX!
Let’s assume you’ve done everything perfect up to this point: You know where you’re going, you’ve picked your “must-do” activities, budgeted carefully and planned it all to “perfection” All that preparation is about to pay off. Once you arrive and settle in, just relax!

The stress and chaos of planning is over, so spend your first hours of married life together with a few deep breaths as you take in your surroundings. Don’t book anything that starts the moment you arrive, that way you can unwind and just enjoy the start of your new life without a hint of that hustle and bustle from the planning stages. Instead of unpacking, unwind and soak it all in.

 SURPRISE HER
Start off the honeymoon with a positive memory to set the tone for you both. Maybe you sneak to a local jewelry store and buy her something local or surprise her with a romantic dinner you’ve already made reservations for. Propose a walk together on the beach, only to end up at a beachfront couples’ massage that you’ve pre-arranged. The possibilities are endless and she’ll remember the gesture forever after.

KEEP MEMENTOS.
After years of married life, you’ll want to keep memories of the newlywed stage to warm your hearts later on. Keeping a memento or two from the honeymoon is a great way to remind yourselves of how much in love you both really are.

Whether it’s a local craft you buy that goes up as a decoration in your home or the coasters from your first honeymoon drink, you’ll have mementos to help you keep that newlywed passion alive.

BECOME A PHOTO PRO.
Without an actual professional photographer like you had at the wedding, your skills behind the camera will be tested on the honeymoon. You’ll want the photos of your romantic getaway to be as good as possible to help you remember that old honeymoon bliss when things slow down and “normal” married life begins.

Get to know the ins and outs of your camera. Most cameras have a flash that’s effective at 10 feet or less and various settings for different situations if you’re not familiar with the technicalities of exposure, shutter speed and so on.

Use the “rule of thirds” by never centering your subject (or your sweetheart) right in the middle of the frame. Try to get some candid shots for a natural look (you can always delete the ones that don’t turn out well,) and remember that during midday it’s harder to get good shots because of the intense sunlight – the softer light of sunrise and sunset are better times for shots with picture perfect lighting.

PLAN ANOTHER.
One great way to keep the honeymoon magic alive is to start thinking about your next romantic getaway together. Even if it’s far less extravagant than the actual honeymoon, it will give you both something to look forward to and give you a big ole’ romantic check to cash later and keep the fire burning hot.

KEEP IT GOING.
In the heat of newlywed romance, it’s easy to remember how much she appreciates little gestures like surprise flowers, cute notes or chocolates on the pillow. But when the honeymoon phase is over, this kind of thing becomes more important than ever!

Keep the spark alive throughout your married life. Arrange for flowers and call her at work to ask her out like you’re dating again, arrange a masseuse to surprise her when she gets home or prepare a romantic gourmet meal (if cooking isn’t your strong suit, you can always order something fancy and set it up with flowers and candles.)

The point is, the “honeymoon hangover” doesn’t have to apply to you! It just takes a little effort, and she’ll remember the things you do for her both big and small. Every little gesture goes a long way toward keeping the bliss of newlywed life alive and well forever and your relationship will be stronger for it.
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Conceptualized & Developed by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter


Page 07                     MANAALA Romance            Tuesday June 30 2015

A ROMANTIC WEDDING NIGHT BEDROOM DECORATING IDEA



The first night could be electrifying by any yardstick for newlyweds so a lot of attention should be  given to everything to make it “a memory to cherish” for both the bride and the groom.

Now the most important thing that needs to be absolutely perfect for making this moment memorable is the bedroom decoration for the wedding’s first night. The first night of wedding is perhaps the most romantic day of the couple so everything in their bedroom should reflect the sense of love and romance.

The most important things that should be viewed very critically include the bedroom color scheme, lighting and of-course the bed. So to help you in resolving this complicated but important issue, MANAALAYA provides you the bedroom decorating ideas for a romantic first wedding night.

Determine the theme first, before you design your honeymoon room. Choose colors highlighting luxury and elegance like maroon, gold or beige. The colors are synonymous with romance and passionate love of the newlywed couple.

For your bedding, choose bed linen with fine materials as silk and pillows with a soft texture that become more enjoyable for intimacy. Complete your bridal room with romantic music. You could choose classical music, jazz or a song that tells the journey of love that you both relish.

Romantic candles are ideal with a scent that you can use as a replacement lamp. The candles will give the impression of a more intimate environment in your honeymoon room.
Add a touch of beautiful flowers in the bridal chamber. Meals of passion such as chocolate, ice cream or a bottle of champagne will make your first night a lingering memory
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Conceptualized & Developed by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter



Page 08                           MANAALA  Honeymoon              Tuesday June 30 2015

Honeymoon Secrets: The Maldives

                                       
Fascinating Honeymoon Secrets from MANAALAYA
to make the Most Out Of Maldives’ Secluded Islands and Beautiful Marine Wildlife

Honeymoon Secret 1SHIPWRECKS, CORAL AND CAVES IN SOUTH MALÉ ATOLL

Shh... with the majority heading to the more popular and well known dive sites of Ari Atoll, MANAALAYA suggests that some of the most rewarding and romantic dives could be found in the South Malé Atoll.


 The reason MANAALAYA says is because the region is a little more remote, intimate and follows a more traditional Maldivian way of life.

The thing that makes these dive sites unique are their wrecks and caves which can be explored in addition to the colourful coral gardens that you come to expect in the Maldives.

Honeymoon Secret 2 ROBINSON CRUSOE ON BODU HAJARA ISLAND

Shh... with over 1,190 islands to choose from in the Maldives how about finding your own deserted island which has no-one else on it …. at all!  Just you and your beloved. The perfect romantic haven to escape the worries of the world.

When you are on your own Robinson Crusoe-style desert island, you could enjoy a private picnic, a romantic dinner or a personal snorkeling trip.

Honeymoon Secret 3 SUBMARINE DIVING AROUND THE CAPITAL OF MALE

Shh... Malé has a spectacular skyline of candy-coloured skyscrapers and manages to be both an island and a city. However it's below the waves where you can find a truly unique experience.

Enjoy the sealife as captain Nemo of the Maldives 'Whale' submarine! Similar to the shape of a whale, this submarine has a dive depth of 150m, which means you can explore the most hard to reach places.

 If you're not a diver, you don't have to miss the exciting views and creatures that inhabit the seas of Maldives. The cabin of the submarine is fully air-conditioned, has normal atmospheric pressure which means you breathe normal air as you explore the underwater world.

 Honeymoon Secret 4 SLEEP UNDER THE SEA!

Shh... heading to the Maldives often means sleeping in exquisite villas and dining above the bluest of waters. How about an opportunity to eat and sleep under the water?

'Ithaa' on remote Rangali is an aqua pearl 5m below the surface of the Indian Ocean, encased in plexi-glass and reached by descending a spiral staircase.

During the day it is a 12 seat restaurant with water on all sides and 'fusion Maldivian cuisine' on the plate.

By night the 12-seat restaurant turns into a private bedroom suite for two. It's complete with private champagne, dinner and breakfast in bed in the morning. The underwater sunrise will take your breath away.

Honeymoon secret 5 ONE OF THE MOST UNUSUAL AIRPORTS IN THE WORLD

 

After arriving at Male airport, you'll turn left and get a view of the most unusual airport in the world, the seaplane terminal…! Here the lagoon has seaplanes scattered all around.

Shh... many honeymoon packages to the Maldives include a standard speed boat transfer to your hotel. However if you want to arrive in style then take a seaplane flight right up to your water villa at the hotel.

From take-off they remain low flying, giving passenger’s a spectacular panoramic bird's eye view of the lagoons and islands scattered across the ocean. It truly is a view you won't be able to take your eyes off…!

Take advantage of the VIP waiting lounge, so you can enjoy refreshment and relaxation before the flight. Begin married life in a magical setting.

Honeymoon Secret 6 WHALE SHARK DIVING IN LUX ATOLL              

Shh...  only very few dive sites can offer the chance to swim with sharks and these can grow to a whopping 40 feet..!

Don't worry, these gentle giants are just whale sharks (the largest of all fish species alive today) and feed on microscopic plankton, not honeymoon couples..!

They are sometimes quite playful and a favourite amongst divers. The Lux* resort on Dhidhoofinolhu island is a good place to spot whale sharks. The resort is set on a haven of tranquility with lush tropical vegetation running alongside 4km of white sandy beaches, surrounded by a tropical lagoon.

Honeymoon Secret 7 FEED BABY SHARKS IN CHAAYA LAGOON

Shh... chances to feed stingrays are common in the Maldives, but there's an alternative on offer in Chaaya Lagoon - you can actually feed baby sharks.

It's usually black tip reef sharks who come to dine; they're extremely friendly in nature and probably the only sharks on the planet you could call cute…!

 In Chaaya Lagoon, you're surrounded by an azure ocean, with all the wonders of the underwater world.

At sunset, when  the sun goes down - the entertainment begins with disco music, the famed Maldivian Cultural show and of course, the shark feeding!
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Conceptualized & Developed by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter


Page 09                  MANAALA  Intimacy         Tuesday June 30 2015

ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE FRENCH KISS?

This sensual kiss, practiced by lovers the world over, is perhaps the most well-known, but there are many more ways of kissing! here's all about smooching... in MANAALAYA

KISSING: An Intense Source of Pleasure
Kissing is more than just a proof of affection: it's a source of intense pleasure to share and creates fusion as well as a feeling of trust.
Master the art of kissing and you'll be able to seduce anyone! For a deep, sensual kiss, open your mouth wide, join your lips to your partners', and don’t be afraid of letting your saliva mix with hers.
Your tongues can meet and entwine in circular movements, touching palates and the inside of cheeks. Gentle nibbling also feels nice.
The Little Thing That Makes All the Difference: LOVE!

Put your heart into it and you'll look just like they do in the movies! Remember that kissing isn’t necessarily an invitation to have intimacy: it can simply be an opportunity for a bit of flirting! A few softly-spoken words, strokes and breaths on her neck add extra thrills.

THINGS TO AVOID
Kissing is all about improvisation and checking how compatible you and your partner are in love. Here are taboos to avoid, some of which can repulse even the most understanding...

• Smelly breath: 
Just had a curry? If smooching is on the cards, head to the bathroom and clean your teeth. Fresh breath is a must!

• Anxiety:
 
There’s nothing more irritating than someone who’s in a rush to finish or who’s very tense and tends to try and eat the other person. Go in softly and slowly.

• Too much saliva: 
There’s nothing worse than a sloppy kiss, where you end up bathing in the other person’s saliva…Make sure you swallow your saliva before going in for the kill and you’ll have no worries!

Sensitive zones
Kisses are even more pleasurable on erogenous zones. Massages and nibbles using the lips and tongue on certain parts of the body take on a completely different dimension, this time an intimate one.
Intimate wet kisses planted on the neck, breast, bum and lower back can be very stimulating because they arouse multiple pleasure sensors. The ears and earlobes are also sources of arousal because they’re rich in nerve endings.
Conceptualized & Developed by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter