M A N A A L A Y A

         EVERY GROOMS BESTMAN

Page 01              MANAALA  Health        Friday 10 July 2015

Healthy Perks of Coffee

                                                                  

Aside from tasting delicious and waking you up in the morning, coffee may delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease, strengthen your heart and help you lose weight faster. But your heart isn’t the only thing coffee can protect. MANAALAYA wishes to show you more healthy benefits of firing up your coffee machine.

Reduced Risk of Type 2 Diabetes - In a recent study from the Harvard School of Public Health, men and women who upped their daily coffee intake lowered their risk of Type 2 diabetes by 11 percent in just four years. Meanwhile, those who decreased their coffee intake by more than a cup per day increased their risk by 17 percent. While the exact mechanism is not known.

Faster Weight Loss - If you don’t load your coffee with cream and sugar, coffee can be a healthy part of a calorie-controlled diet, after all, an 8-ounce cup of black coffee contains a single calorie.

Caffeine intake fuels exercise performance and can result in longer, harder workouts. And a recent study from the University of Birmingham shows that, despite what you’ve probably heard, coffee doesn’t dehydrate the body, meaning it’s a perfect pre-workout drink.

 Improved Cognitive Function - You probably drink it to wake up and get focused but, over the long term, coffee may prevent the formation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, buildups of protein in the brain, both of which are trademarks of Alzheimer’s disease, as coffee is rich in free radical-scavenging antioxidants, which are believed to reduce inflammation and decrease the deterioration of brain cells throughout the aging process.

Luckily, coffee can have a protective effect, no matter your age (or cognitive health). In fact, in adults 65 and older who are already showing signs of memory problems, drinking three cups of coffee per day may delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease by two to four years, according in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

Better Kidney and Liver Health - Frequent post-coffee trips to the bathroom make one thing clear: Coffee has huge effects on your gastrointestinal and urinary tract. But they aren’t all inconvenient. By increasing urinary flow, caffeine decreases the potential for deposits to linger and form kidney stones. Coffee is also linked to a lower risk of gallbladder and liver disease.

 A Smaller Risk of Cancer - Men, drinking four or more cups of coffee per day is linked with a 59 percent reduced risk of prostate cancer recurrence and progression compared to those who drank one or fewer cups each week, per a 2013 study from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre.

 Enhanced Sexual Health - Many sexual woes, including erectile dysfunction and decreased vaginal lubrication are a matter of blood not getting where it needs to be. So, by improving arterial health and decreasing the risk of plaque formation, coffee may not only improve heart health. It may improve sexual health. Meanwhile, caffeine may also get women’s brains in the mood.

CONCEPTUALIZED & DEVELOPED by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter

 Page 02            MANAALA  Finance        Friday 10 July 2015

ARE WEDDING LOANS

a Smart Wedding Planning Money Management option?

A wedding is expensive, but is taking out a loan to cover wedding expenses a viable option for  grooms? Maybe yes, maybe no. The answer is not simple.

As with any loan, the ability to pay it back is a priority consideration. For brides and grooms uniting two healthy incomes, a reasonable expectation of paying back the loan without extraordinary sacrifice may exist.

Under such circumstances, a wedding loan can be a convenience that makes sense. Taking out the loan would allow more immediate money to produce a dream wedding without delaying the nuptials.

On the other hand, if a couple is uniting two average incomes, the burden of paying back a large loan may bring unnecessary stress to a new marriage. Even worse would be a scenario in which newlyweds share a single income after marriage.

 A marriage loan is enticing, and amidst the excitement of wedding planning, it's easy to think only of the present. But for some couples, a wedding loan can be a devastating blow, the kind of blow that a new marriage may not survive.

Where the loan originates is also a deciding factor. It is no difficult feat to find a predatory lender who specializes in bad-credit loans for weddings or any other purpose. These lenders usually possess superior power-of-persuasion skills and no one is more vulnerable than a groom who simply wants the wedding of his dreams. But taking out a high-interest personal loan to finance a wedding makes little sense for any groom.

An exception to this rule would be the existence of money in reserve to repay the loan, such as an imminent inheritance, an insurance settlement, or another guaranteed windfall sum. If there is money on the horizon that can be earmarked for loan repayment and there is no other way to obtain a loan, a bad-credit unsecured loan could work.

The interest will no doubt be very expensive, but if it means not delaying a wedding and getting the wedding underway sooner rather than later it is important to you, it can be a choice of last resort as long as the means for quickly paying it back exists.

Budgeting for a wedding is crucial to keep the costs in check, and a wedding budget is a great trial of how the household money will be handled after the wedding day. Learning to budget, and sticking to it, is one of life's most valuable lessons. For wedding couples it may mean choosing less of "this" to have more of "that" at the ceremony, reception or honeymoon. But in the end, adhering to the budget will be rewarding.

Every wedding couple is unique, and every wedding couple's finances are just as individualized. The decision of whether or not to obtain a wedding loan to cover wedding costs is personal. But it's a personal decision that benefits from a thorough examination before any action is taken. Consider these questions:

• Can the loan be repaid without hardship?
• Is a more expensive wedding worth the burden of the debt?
• Is there a safeguard for repaying the loan in the event of a loss of income?
• Do both the bride and groom agree on how wedding and marriage finances should be handled?
• What desired, after-wedding item could be purchased with just the interest expense that will be forever lost to the payback of the loan?

If these questions are answered honestly, it will be easier to come to a decision about utilizing a wedding loan. For some, a loan will work. For others, taking out a wedding loan may be the first horrible decision a couple makes.

 It probably won't be the last terrible decision made in the course of the marriage, because all of us married folks make some doozies from time to time. But it is one that can set the stage good or bad for the future.

For the happiest wedding, it's a saving grace to make no debt decisions in haste. Easy financing is not always what it's cracked up to be, even for a dream wedding.

CONCEPTUALIZED & DEVELOPED by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter

Page 03         MANAALA  Fashion        Friday 10 July 2015

TIPS AND IDEAS FOR A STYLISH AND ELEGANT

DECORATION OF A WEDDING CAR

Decorating a wedding car is one of the essential parts of the entire wedding planning and it has to be something impressive, something more than just the plain decoration with flowers but  all the more beautiful and romantic, a theme that perfectly suits the celebration of love and togetherness

MANAALAYA has some trendy car decoration styles other than those usual flower decorations for your wedding car:

License Plates - Hang a “Just Married” license plate at the rear end, or a plate with the names of the couple at the front.  

Balloons - Pick cheerful colors and shapes that suit the wedding theme and stick them on the roof, front, and the back of the car.     

Stickers - Those heart, and wedding bells shaped or the alphabets self-adhesive stickers you get on the market are a perfect choice if you desire a minimalistic yet impressive wedding decoration for your car.  

Satin Ribbons - If you desire to give your wedding car a classic look then satin ribbons are what you must go for. You can place them in plenty on your entire car, or choose specific spots to place them. You could also add one red rose to each satin ribbon bow, which makes them look even more impressive.         

CONCEPTUALIZED & DEVELOPED by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter

Page 04                   MANAALA  Grooming                Friday 9 July 2015

6 Things Grooms MUST Do the Day of Their Wedding

It's no secret that the day of the wedding can be a crazy whirlwind. With that being said, it's only natural for certain things to fall by the wayside. From having a well-balanced meal to leaving yourself plenty of time, allow us to remind you of some important things that should be on every groom's to-do list. 

Look the part - Leave yourself enough time to complete your usual morning routine and to get fully suited up. It’s important to feel you’re most comfortable on your wedding day and to give yourself enough time to do that.

You and your groomsmen will likely be getting ready together so be sure you all leave enough time to groom without overcrowding the bathroom or rushing at the last second. And of course, don’t forget to throw back a drink or two to calm your nerves!

Watch the clock - Keep an eye on the time throughout the day. If you and your groomsmen are doing a fun activity the morning of the wedding, schedule it early enough so you can get ready without feeling rushed.

Make sure your family knows what time they need to be where and if any of your family members need help or assistance, be there to help them or ask a groomsmen to cover for you.

Send a note or gift - Give your fiancé a sentimental gift or handwritten note and have it delivered to her on the day of the wedding before you see each other for the first time.

It can be anything from engraved jewelry to a cute trinket that represents an inside joke between the two of you. Include a note to let them know how excited to are to finally begin the next chapter of your life together.

Eat something - While the morning of the wedding can be a hectic time, it’s important you take time to eat! Arrange to have food delivered to your room while you’re getting ready or go out to breakfast with your groomsmen if time allows.

Between taking photos and greeting guests it can be easy to miss a meal, but it’s important to keep up your stamina!
Stay calm - Between balancing guests and keeping track of time it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. If you find yourself getting stressed out or anxious, step back and take a deep breath.

Remember that your wedding is meant to be a joyous occasion and all the little stuff doesn’t matter as much as it seems. You finally get to marry the love of your life, enjoy it!

Offer to help - Talk to your fiancé prior to the wedding and find out if you have any specific duties to take care of the day of the wedding.

You may need to let the photographer into the hotel room or help your groomsmen put on their boutonnieres. Make sure you discuss your jobs well before the wedding so there’s no last-minute confusion and everything can run smoothly.

CONCEPTUALIZED & DEVELOPED by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter

 Page 05                  MANAALA  Bachelor Party               Friday 10 July 2015

“HANG GLIDING

a fantastic bachelor party idea”

Imagine soaring like a ha­wk thousands of feet above the ground. Although the air is somewhat chilly, the view is tremendous and the solitude is relaxing.

You search for­ updrafts of air to keep you aloft so that you can enjoy this feeling for hours. This is the experience of hang gliding.

The hang glider is actually a triangle-shaped airfoil, a modified parachute (known as a flexible wing) made of nylon or Dacron fabric.

The triangular shape is maintained by rigid aluminum tubes and cables and is designed to allow air to flow over the surface to make the wing rise.

Newer, high-performance hang-glider designs use a rigid wing with stiff aluminum struts inside the fabric to give it shape, eliminating the need for supporting cables.

CONCEPTUALIZED & DEVELOPED by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter

Page 06                        MANAALA  Travel             Friday 10 July 2015

CRUISE LINES THAT MAKE YOU’RE WEDDING A DREAM

Cruise line weddings have become so popular that every other couple desires to celebrate their special day on a cruise. Besides the exciting onboard journey, the world class services that some of the cruise lines offer today is what makes them a choice of so many couples for their wedding.

Planning a cruise wedding is too easy, as easy as just making one call to them and they take care of almost every small wedding planning you are supposed to do otherwise. MANAALAYA has a few rundown on some cruise lines that have a reputation for best onboard weddings:

Norwegian Cruise Line - 

The reason that makes Norwegian Cruise Line so popular amongst couples planning to get married is its range of packages it offers, as in, you get packages that are pretty affordable and you also get packages that are extravagant. Their ships have some of the best restaurants onboard and perfect availability of a romantic dining as well.

Celebrity Cruises - 

Celebrity cruises claim to give you some best moments while celebrating the day of your eternal love and togetherness at a destination of your choice. In some of the Celebrity ships, captains perform ceremonies at sea. Celebrity cruises aim to offer not just a wedding but also plenty of other fun and luxury happenings to keep you and your guests busy and happy before and after your special day.

Disney Cruise Line - 

Disney Cruise Line offers a fun-filled wedding to the first timers but a lot more fun and frolic to the second timers who have their kids along. It offers extremely romantic setting for the couple and a fun-filled stay and celebration for the young kids who can celebrate their parent’s wedding in their own fun way.

Carnival Cruise Line - 

Carnival Cruise Line is more popular with people owing to its affordable wedding packages and its spirited ships. Imagine yourself marrying in the chapel in one of the Carnival Cruise Line ships, either at a destination it sails to or at a destination of your choice. Wherever you go on this cruise line, one thing that you will get for sure is the remarkable service from the hands of its experienced staff.

MSC Cruises - 

This one seems to be the most hassle free cruise line for the couples who have the penchant to tie the knot onboard, as you do not have to bring any sort of legal documents with you onboard. All you have to do is to pack your bag and rush to the cruise line for the celebration of your love and togetherness.

CONCEPTUALIZED & DEVELOPED by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter

Page 07                     MANAALA Romance           Friday 10 July 2015

Be Romantic on Your Wedding Day

Organizing your wedding should be the most romantic occasion of your lives. But - let's face it - the wedding guests seem to get more attention paid to them than you and your bride. Isn’t MANAALAYA right!

Hours are spent on who will sit where, what the guests will eat, evening entertainment, writing endless invitations and paying through the nose for the most exquisite venues. This is without mention of the happy couple spending most of their wedding day checking that everyone else is having a great time!

This is not to say that good wedding etiquette should be forgotten, but it seems sad that the bride and groom themselves aren’t in for that much attention.

So, how can you be romantic on your wedding day? Well, the best place to start is before the wedding itself. Despite all the stress of wedding planning, make time for each other and do little romantic things each week.

Send her a string of short emails. Tell her how much you are looking forward to your big day and how you can't wait to be her husband. On the actual wedding day, you could start being romantic by giving your sweetheart a special present and a card.

Let her open it on the morning of your wedding day. As much as you will allow, buy something a little bit special that she can keep and treasure always. If you are not spending the wedding morning together [and tradition states that you shouldn't be together] then make sure her favourite dish or fruit juice is well stocked up in the cupboard.

You can leave her a note to tell her it's there or ask your best man to tell him. This is not only a romantic gesture but a great way of ensuring she has had something to eat! If possible, arrive at your wedding destination in a certain way so that your sweetheart sees you first. Allow her to have a few moments taking in the vision of her handsome hubby - to - be. Exchange a knowing glance with each other that only you two can see.

Look into each other's eyes when you say your vows. It may sound like an obvious one, but it so important to really focus on each other when saying your vows. Make it really clear to your wife that you love her and are making your vows from the bottom of your heart.

Have a romantic kiss when you are pronounced husband and wife. You don't have to go too mad, but a peck on the cheek does not really do the job at this highly romantic part of the wedding. So, make the most of it and indulge in a lingering kiss as a married couple.

Arrange to have a special message delivered to your reception to say 'Thank You' to your new wife. This could be in the form of her favourite perfume, a bottle of champagne or even a bouquet of roses. Despite this sounding cringe worthy, it will be really well received.

Remember, that your wedding day is just the start of your marriage that you want to last for a lifetime. Being romantic and making each other feel valued will need to be part of your lives, so don't just save it for special occasions. Make every day in your marriage a romantic one and you are guaranteed to have a happy, long and a fulfilling marriage.

CONCEPTUALIZED & DEVELOPED by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter

Page 08                      MANAALA  Honeymoon             Friday 10 July 2015

World’s Most Romantic Cities

Any place with your partner is a heaven on earth but there are places that have become synonymous with romance over the years and make us never want to leave. If you are looking to spend some quality time with your beloved, MANAALAYA have just the list of romantic getaways for you!

PARIS – 

If you put these words Romance + City together, the first image that will come to your mind will invariably be of Paris. The French Capital is one of the most popular destinations of the world put together and for people in love a visit to this world- class city is a must.

 For art lovers around the world, a visit to the Louvre is a must. A couple’s dinner across the river Seine, bike-rides, walks around the Versailles Palace and Gardens  will want to snuggle to your partner and elevate you to another plane of surrealism and romance. 

You can also taste various wines and also try out the various French pastries and chocolates. There are actually special tours that cater to these.

VENICE - 

 There are simply too many things to do in Venice! You can take a tour of the Grand Canal by opting for a Gondola ride with your partner and float past beautiful palaces and bridges and revel in their beauty and architecture.

Amongst sightseeing spots, a visit to the Basilica di San Marco, Palazzo Ducale and the Museum of Natural History are a must. The gothic architecture of the monuments are each a sight to behold and is a serving example of an ancient civilization.

You can also head out for the various nightclubs if you and your partner feel like dancing. Also do taste the wonderfully delicious Italian fare.

Monte Carlo (Monaco) – 

Monte Carlo is an experience which you would love to share with your partner. The things-to-do list should certainly include exploring the 13th century Palais du Prince and the Rock of Monaco where you see the lush green gardens meeting the sea from atop.

A stroll, hand-in-hand along the narrow winding streets is an aphrodisiac for romance. You can plan your trip according to the grand festivals that take place in this city, like the Monte Carlo Rally in January, the kick-off of the Formula 1 Grand Prix in May or the annual Summer Festival.

CONCEPTUALIZED & DEVELOPED by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter

Page 09                   MANAALA  Intimacy          Friday 10 July 2015

A Guide to Wedding Night Intimacy

Great intimacy can make a marriage sing. Intimacy, although only one component of marriage, is an important way for most couples to express their love. Great intimacy also happens to be a stress reliever and a way for married people to feel connected to one another. But great sex doesn’t happen overnight. Even though sex is usually fun for couples, it takes communication, effort, and, yes, practice to achieve great results. MANAALAYA explains how to:

Get confident.

Developing your own self-esteem, a certain level of contentment with your naked body, and a feeling of satisfaction with who you are as a person will help you gain confidence in life and the bedroom. The more confident you are, the better you’ll perform and the better you’ll feel about sex. After all, if you don’t love yourself, you can’t truly love anyone else.

Be romantic.

Great sex isn’t only about what you do in the bedroom. Most people need their lover to make them feel loved and appreciated. You have to show one another that there is something more to your relationship than sex. Romantic gestures, even corny candlelight dinners or unexpected red roses, can do the trick. 

Spend time together.

If you never see each other, you will never have sex. Just because you’re married does not mean you can forego date nights. Schedule dates and continue to court each other. A date night is a great build up to great sex. By the time you get home from a fun night on the town, you won’t be able to resist ripping off each other’s clothes. 

Read her signals.

Your wife might give you the green light for sex by asking you to watch TV with her before bed. She might even let you know she’s in the mood for sex by asking if you’re still awake. Knowing how to read your spouse’s signals is something you learn over time, but it’s an important part of the communication the two of you must have about sex. 

Focus on foreplay.

Most women need lots of foreplay to help them get excited for great sex. Yet, many couples spend little time on foreplay because there is never enough time in the day. Spending more time on foreplay – from kissing to oral sex – will help you build anticipation, which is sure to make it better.

Make intimacy exciting again.

Married sex is not a death sentence; in fact, the more you get to know what she likes and doesn’t like, the better intimacy will be. The more comfortable you grow to be, the more you’ll be willing to experiment with intimate positions or role playing or whatever it is that turns her on. 

Never stop improving your intimate life.

The best part about sex is that it can keep getting better and better. If you’re willing to put in the effort to practice: practice and practice till you see and feel great improvement.

CONCEPTUALIZED & DEVELOPED by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter