M A N A A L A Y A
Every
Grooms Bestman
Page 01 Health Friday 18 September 2015
Exercises for Sexy, Strong Legs you should try at
least once a week
Fitness
enthusiast spend a lot of time on working out ‘show muscles’ like abs, biceps,
chest but your legs need attention too. Your legs are the foundation of
strength, these exercises will not only help you build mass and help you get
faster but also activate the biggest muscles in your body and releases growth
hormones and testosterone.
You’ll
need 25 pound dumbbells. In case you don’t have weights at home don’t sweat,
you can still continue the workout, just increase the reps. Or the best way is
to get backpack and put some weights in it.
In
case you haven’t done leg workouts for more than a month, it is best if you
start with 4 or 5 reps rather than going in for 10 rep sets straight up. You
don’t want a no leg day, right?
Squats
-10 reps
They
work your quads, glutes and your hamstrings.
Back
lunges-10 reps each leg
You
work on the same muscle grip like squats, but are doing it at a different angle
one leg at a time.
Front
lunges-10 reps each leg
Remember
when you are lunging, bend you knees up to 90 degrees for both your front and
back leg.
Explosive
jumps-10 reps
Set
up something to jump over. You can use a small table; cover it with a sofa
mattress but not something very high. The point is to give you something to aim
for; this will also give you consistency as you might get tired with the
workout.
Stiff
leg dead lifts-10 reps
Works
great for your hamstrings and calves. Do this workout at least once a week
Authored
by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Author + Freelance
Copywriter
Page 02 Grooming Friday 18 September 2015
Tips for the Bride Groom
Some
men take grooming to the extreme. They experiment with hair styles and colours,
try different aftershaves and colognes, get manicures, pedicures, facial
treatments at the spa and maybe even a wax!
At
the other end are the men that consider brushing their teeth and applying deodorant
sufficient. If you are at this end of the scale, then you might consider trying
a few new things when preparing for your wedding.
Pay attention to any
problems with your skin, and consult a dermatologist if necessary. You can also
try some facial treatments to help you have the same glow as your bride when it
comes time for the photos. You may need to have several, a few weeks apart to
get the right result. You can always book a double appointment and go with your
bride-to-be.
Try a manicure or pedicure.
Particularly good for those men who work with their hands as they tend to have
rougher skin. An inexpensive hand cream can really help if your skin is rough
and dry.
If you have
particularly hairy hands or eyebrows waxing would be a solution to consider and
if you're not a regular at the dentist, then it may be a good time to go in for
a quick check and clean.
A regular massage is
something else you may want to have. After all, you don't want to look stressed
on your wedding day!
Get plenty of sleep.
Try to get at least half an hour more than usual in the fortnight leading up to
the wedding. You want to look fresh for the photos.
Drink lots of water.
This is the number one thing you can do for your health. It cleanses your body
of toxins, helps you have clear glowing skin and shiny hair and helps you keep
your weight in check.
Exercise is good. If
you're a regular exerciser then just keep doing what you do, if not, then
consider some simple exercises like walking or bike riding. If you participate
in dangerous sporting activities, you may want to time your wedding to coincide
with some down time. Crutches and casts on the wedding day are definitely not
going to impress the bride!
Remember, a well cut
suit can help you look great, even if you have a few extra kilos. You should
avoid last minute crash diets because they tend to be nutrient poor and you may
get run down and ill as a result. Better to be three or four kilos heavier and
hide it with your suit, than to feel sick, tired and grumpy on your wedding
day.
The groom's suit should
complement the bride's dress in style and elegance. If the bride's dress is
white and simple, then the groom should not use colours that are too bright or
choose a suit style that overshadows the bride's attire. Similarly, if the
bride's dress has splashes of colour, then the groom's attire should have some
matching elements.
They say that it's bad
luck to see the bride in her dress before the big day, but apart from that
being superstition, it is important for the groom to know what his partner will
be wearing, so he can choose his attire accordingly. If you really believe in
the above saying, then at least get a look at the dress hanging on a rack or at
worst, a photo of it. Suit jackets come in many styles. Contemporary and
popular is the mandarin jacket, with its stand-up collar. More traditional are
tuxedo or tails jackets.
Dinner jackets are also
popular and very elegant. For most men, black or grey will be the colour of
their suit for their wedding, but in warmer climates particularly, coloured
suits are becoming more common. Unlike the coloured suits of the seventies,
modern coloured suits are cut to look elegant and flattering. Even if you don't
go with it, have some fun and try one on when you're shopping for your suit.
Of course you'll need a
shirt. Again, many styles from which to choose. Mandarin collar shirts match
with mandarin jackets or classic tuxedoes. Wing collar shirts are formal and
often have a pattern down the breast of the shirt. They combine best with a bow
tie. Spread collar and classic collar can combine with most jackets and require
a tie of some sort.
A white shirt is best for a wedding, no matter
what colour your suit. If you want to have some splashes of colour, there are
shirts that come with coloured collars and sleeve cuffs. A note on sleeve cuffs
while we're here. They should extend about 1cm below the jacket with the arms
by your sides. Ties, belts, vests, shoes, socks, cuff links, etc. There is a
long list of accessories to match with your suit. Lots to cover, so let's start
with the essentials.
Shoes: They must be
comfortable! You will spend most of the day in them and you will be on your
feet for a large part. Most men will re-use their wedding shoes, so it's worth
paying the extra for a good pair. Try to get them as early as possible, so you
can wear them around the house a bit to break them in. If you wear them out at
all before the wedding, remember to clean and polish them for the day.
Socks: They should be
clean and colour co-ordinated. Other than that, choose ones that will be warm
or light enough, depending on the wedding location and season.
Belt: It should match
your attire and have a simple, elegant buckle. If you are wearing a cummerbund
then it still matters because most men remove the cummerbund once the official
parts of the ceremony and reception are over.
Tie: Depending on the
shirt you choose, you may or may not wear a tie. The contemporary looking
mandarin collared shirt is worn without a tie. If you are wearing a tie, it
could be one of several different styles, according your choice of suit and
shirt. Bow ties are popular and elegant.
Vest or waistcoat:
Popular in Britain and North America for formal affairs. They are optional in
most cases, although some suit / shirt combinations really beg for a vest. This
is one way that you can add some colour to your attire without fear of making a
mess of it. There are some beautiful waistcoats available with gold or cooper
tone thread patterns, that really add a touch of class to your while outfit.
Cuff links: If your
shirt requires them, use them. Elegant gold or silver coloured look good with
anything. Otherwise, match the colour of your suit.
Hat: Hats are not too
popular these days, but can be a lovely touch. Top hats and tails look fabulous
together and can even be finished off with a gold topped cane for that old time
regal look.
Cummerbunds: Popular in
the United States, the cummerbund can be easily matched with the bridesmaid's
dresses to add a splash of colour to the groom and groomsmen's attire. The
cummerbund goes best with a matching coloured bow tie.
Suspenders: Generally
speaking, this ancient way of holding up your trousers should be avoided for
formal occasions. However, if concealed by the jacket for the official parts of
the day, they can be fun during the reception festivities and later into the
night!
The best way to choose
the right attire for the groom and groomsmen is to go to several shops, with
the bridal party in tow. Why not have some fun together and go out to dinner
afterward. Once a general consensus has been reached, the bridal party need not
go along to any other fittings. Whether you hire a suit for the day or buy one,
you should let your own personality and style show through. Just remember, you
and your bride should look wonderful together.
Authored
by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Author + Freelance Copywriter
Page 03 Fashion Friday 18 September 2015
Choose Right Wedding Wear to get a Maharaja Like Look
Gone are the days
when grooms can either look traditional or stylish. Modern designs in grooms
wear give them stylish, royal and luxurious look all together.
Weddings
often tend to be much about the bride, her D-day, her wedding trousseau, her
dream attire and so on. Even though MANAALAYA want the brides to enjoy all the
attention and adulation, we also want the groom to complement her in all her
glory.
Dhoti Kurta:
Dhoti
kurta is the customary indian clothing for men. Not only is the attire
comfortable and lets the groom be at ease, it can also help you pass a royal
style statement, reminiscent of a maharaja-like glory.
Choose
fabrics like silk and brocade that have a sheen of their own, and keep the
embellishments minimal. After all, you don’t want to be stealing your wife’s
limelight.
Sherwanis
have been making a prominent mark on the ramp as well as in the wedding section
for men. The icon of a big fat indian wedding, if chosen right (go for pastel
and matte shades with a contrasting colour of churidaar and stole to complete
the look), a sherwani can steal it all.
Authored
by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Author + Freelance Copywriter
Page 04 Finance Friday
18 September 2015
Smart Wedding Financing
Shee finally popped the
question and now your dreams are focused on planning the big day, your day, the
day you have been waiting for all your life. Little girls dream of prince
charming and fairy tale weddings and now it's all coming true, but hold on a
minute.... you're not a little boy anymore and fairy tale weddings cost real
money.
Don't just start
reaching for the plastic, applying for a loan or borrowing from family; why not
rethink your wants. Having a more realistic wedding you can afford is far
better than beginning married life with a big debt. The smart groom can have
his cake and eat it too, with a well thought out budget and plan for his
perfect day. Start with MANAALAYA Wedding Planning Checklist.
Once you have made a
plan, it's crucial you stick to it. If you do go over budget, you should try to
trim someplace else to maintain the overall spending limit. Setting aside money
for out-of-the-blue expenses is also important when figuring overall cost.
If assuming some debt
is inevitable, what is the best approach? Tally how much money you have saved
and how much of the wedding you still have to finance. Put together an
after-marriage budget and calculate what can be set aside for wedding bills
each month, after taking into account existing loans and obligations.
Money advisers agree
that it's best not to take on liabilities you can't pay off within a year. If
you are using an existing credit card to fill the money gap, call the
credit-card company and ask them to lower your interest rate. (But keep in mind
this will only work if you always meet your due date.) If you're opening a new
account, look for a card that offers either zero or low interest during an
introductory period and try to get the balance paid off during this time.
When you feel crazily
caught up in the moment and are tempted to go on a buying binge, take a deep
breath and consider what is truly important: celebrating your love and the
beginning of your lives together. Focus on what is meaningful for you and your
spouse not just doing something for show.
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Authored
by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Author + Freelance Copywriter
Page 05 Travel Friday 18 September 2015
Your first true getaway as
husband and wife
Your first true getaway
as husband and wife can be a one-of-a-kind experience that builds your bond without
breaking your budget. MANAALAYA could help find one that’s right for you
without compromising on the romantic atmosphere and indulgent attention you
desire. Read on for the top time and money saving tips for savvy couples.
Nothing eliminates the
stress of vacation planning like easily finding an affordable all-inclusive
honeymoon resort. And when it comes to affordability, location is the key to
unlocking more choices.
If you want the best
value for your money, consider a Cancun honeymoon, a Jamaica honeymoon, or a
Punta Cana honeymoon. These three locations provide a wide choice of truly
romantic honeymoon resorts that fit your budget. Plus, with relatively lower
airfares to these romantic destinations, the money you save can be used to
splurge on once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon activities.
All-inclusive packages
are less expensive than you think. Prices for all-inclusive honeymoon packages
often include food, drinks, activities, taxes, entertainment, airport transfers
and even tips.
Compare the flat fee
all-inclusives offer with the total price you would pay by booking your own
vacation and you’ll find that these all-inclusive honeymoon packages offer
highly competitive rates.
Subtract the hours of
independent travel planning saved by booking an all-inclusive honeymoon, and
you’ve saved lots of money, avoided stress and found yourself a memorable
honeymoon at a bargain price!
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Authored
by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Author + Freelance Copywriter
Page 06 Honeymoon Friday 18 September 2015
Turn up the heat
Want a
really romantic dinner? Sure, candles and soft music are nice, but what you and
your beloved nosh on could truly take things to another level. The following
(healthy!) foods may actually affect hormone levels, brain chemistry and
energy, heightening arousal and sex drive.
While
there aren't double-blind studies proving the aphrodisiac properties of these
foods, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence suggesting they really help, so
why not work in one (or more) on your honeymoon.
Asparagus
This veggie's phallic appearance no doubt has
something to do with its legendary aphrodisiac status, but the goods are inside,
too. Asparagus is rich in vitamin B6 and folate, both of which can boost arousal and
orgasm. And it also boasts vitamin E, which stimulates sex hormones in both men
and women.
Avocados
Energy
and a healthy libido are crucial for great sex and avocados can give you both.
They're loaded with minerals, monounsaturated fats (the good kind that protect
the heart and lower cholesterol), and vitamin B6—all of which help keep your
energy and sex drive up. They're also a top source of omega-3 fatty acids, which naturally boost
your mood, making you more likely to feel ready for bedroom action.
Chile peppers
Chile peppers can really spice things up and not
just in your mouth thanks to capsaicin, a chemical that's been shown to
induce the release of endorphins in the brain, which creates a
feeling of euphoria. The potential payoff? Enhanced foreplay and hotter sex.
Chocolate
This
sweet has long been linked with love and sex for good reason. It contains
tryptophan, which helps the body produce serotonin, a natural feel-good chemical that
may play a role in sexual arousal. Chocolate also offers a hit of phenyl
ethylamine, a stimulant thought to contribute to that lovey-dovey feeling. So,
go ahead, indulge a little!
Licorice
This
candy (sold conveniently in, um, whips) is thought to mimic the effects of
estrogen and progesterone, critical hormones for normal reproductive and sexual
function and response. Eating it may help you get in the mood and stay that way
more often. Plus, enjoying this candy may reduce symptoms of PMS, a real perk
both in and outside the bedroom. But note: Don't settle for just any old
licorice-flavored candy. Be sure to buy a variety that contains real
licorice-root extract.
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Authored
by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Author + Freelance Copywriter
Page 07 Sex
Friday 18 September 2015
Secrets to Better Orgasms
Just can't seem to quite get there?
Or would you like your big moment to be even bigger? A friction position may help you have an orgasm during
intercourse. Get on top, for example, so the top of your clitoris is rubbing
directly on your partner’s pubic bone. Or lay on your back with a pillow
underneath your butt.
Let your partner know when he’s on the right track, either by
telling him what feels great or by moaning. Engaging
in thrill-seeking behaviors together (whether it’s rock climbing or just going
to see a scary movie) stimulates dopamine in the brain, which gets your juices
flowing.
The longer the arousal buildup, the bigger the explosion. Get her
close to orgasm, then slow to a simmer. Repeat that a few times before she
climax. focused breathing—may boost your pleasure. Partners
who breathe in tandem may slow the rush to orgasm and create a bigger buildup,
which can intensify pleasure.
Porn isn’t all about big penises and deep throats. Erotic movies
and books can be tasteful and arousing, and the more aroused you are, the
better your orgasm chances. If it takes you longer than your partner to warm up, get a head
start by e-mailing or texting each other sexy messages (but don’t get too
graphic—e-mail is not necessarily private).
Women are more likely than men to take antidepressants, which are
known to hurt a person’s sex life. If you’re having trouble, talk to your
doctor about your meds. Women are more likely than men to take antidepressants,
which are known to hurt a person’s sex life. If you’re having trouble, talk to your doctor about your meds.
A
low libido, obviously, lowers chances of orgasm. So ditch life’s distractions
at your bedroom door and check out these aphrodisiacs like chocolate, chile
peppers, asparagus, avocados, and oysters.
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Authored
by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Author + Freelance Copywriter
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