M A N A A L A Y A

                    Every Grooms Bestman

Page 01         Health            Friday 14 January 2016

THINGS THAT CAN

DEFLATE YOUR ERECTION

Depression

The brain is an often-overlooked erogenous zone. Sexual excitement starts in your head and works its way down. Depression can dampen your desire and can lead to erectile dysfunction. Ironically, many of the drugs used to treat depression can also suppress your sex drive and make it harder to get an erection, and they can cause a delay in your orgasm.

Alcohol

You might consider having a few drinks to get in the mood, but overindulging could make it harder for you to finish the act. Heavy alcohol use can interfere with erections, but the effects are usually temporary. The good news is that moderate drinking -- one or two drinks a day -- might have health benefits like reducing heart disease risks. And those risks are similar to erectile dysfunction risks.

Medications

The contents of your medicine cabinet could affect your performance in the bedroom. A long list of common drugs can cause ED, including certain blood pressure drugs, pain medications, and antidepressants. But do not stop taking any medicines without talking to your doctor first. Street drugs like amphetamines, cocaine, and marijuana can cause sexual problems in men, too.

Stress

It's not easy to get in the mood when you're overwhelmed by responsibilities at work and home. Stress can take its toll on many different parts of your body, including your penis. Deal with stress by making lifestyle changes that promote well-being and relaxation, such as exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and seeking professional help when appropriate.

Anger

Anger can make the blood rush to your face, but not to the one place you need it when you want to have sex. It's not easy to feel romantic when you're raging, whether your anger is directed at your partner or not. Unexpressed anger or improperly expressed anger can contribute to performance problems in the bedroom.

Anxiety

Worrying that you won't be able to perform in bed can make it harder for you to do just that. Anxiety from other parts of your life can also spill over into the bedroom. All that worry can make you fear and avoid intimacy, which can spiral into a vicious cycle that puts a big strain on your sex life -- and relationship.

Middle-Aged Spread

Carrying extra pounds can impact your sexual performance, and not just by lowering your self-esteem. Obese men have lower levels of the male hormone testosterone, which is important for sexual desire and producing an erection. Being overweight is also linked to high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries, which can reduce blood flow to the penis.

Self-Image

When you don't like what you see in the mirror, it's easy to assume your partner isn't going to like the view, either. A negative self-image can make you worry not only about how you look, but also how well you're going to perform in bed. That performance anxiety can make you too anxious to even attempt sex.

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Authored by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Advertising Supplements Journalist + Copywriter

 Page 02         Grooming          Friday 15 January 2016

SIMPLE CURES FOR SMELLY FEET

Soaring temperatures occurring frequently make you sweat more everywhere, including your feet and turning them into a stink bomb. 

The bacteria that live on your skin and in your shoes eats your sweat, producing an acid byproduct that reeks yet the easy things you can do at home could eliminate bacteria so you could walk odor-free. 

 Soak in saltwater

Salt pulls moisture out of your skin, reducing the amount of bacteria that can survive there.  In a tub or large bowl of warm water, dissolve 1/2 to 1 c kosher salt. Soak your feet for 20 minutes. Do this every day for two weeks.

 Add some vinegar

If you want to create an inhospitable environment for bacteria, bathe your toes in vinegar. It has a drying effect so the bacteria starve. Mix one part vinegar with two parts water in a tub or large bowl. Soak your feet for 30 minutes once a day for a week.

Invite your feet to tea

The acid in the tea closes your pores, reducing the amount you'll sweat. It also acts as a natural antibiotic, killing the bacteria on your feet. Add two black tea bags to 1 pint of water and boil for 15 minutes. Add 2 quarts of cool water, and then pour the solution into a tub or large bowl. Soak your feet for 30 minutes. Do this once a day for a week.

Pick the right socks for your shoes

Materials like nylon can trap moisture around your feet. Cotton, however, lets your feet breathe and if you tend to sweat more than the average guy, bring an extra pair of socks with you and change halfway through the day.

Spray your kicks

Do your favorite pair of shoes stink to high heaven? Don't chuck them just yet. Lysol Disinfectant Spray is the best way to salvage old shoes because it contains ethanol and other sanitizing ingredients that kill the bacteria. First, spray the entire inside of your shoe with the sanitizing cleaning product. Then, spray clean socks with Lysol, place them inside your shoes, and leave them over night. The socks will allow for even more Lysol to soak into your shoes.

Use a powder

There's no need to buy fancy deodorizing powders or spray. Just sprinkle corn starch into yours to absorb the moisture. You don't have to wait for it to work either. Throw on your shoes and go—sans stink. 

Authored by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Advertising Supplements Journalist + Copywriter

Page 03         Fashion         Friday15 January 2016

A MAN’S GUIDE TO DRESSING FOR HIS WEDDING

Your wedding should be your best-dressed day. Whatever form your ceremony takes, it certainly merits your sharpest appearance. In many cases it’s also going to require some coordination with groomsmen or general wedding themes. Since you’ll be making up for 50% of the pictures, thinking carefully about your clothing is almost as important as the bride’s

The options for dressing sharp on your wedding day are as varied as wedding ceremonies. However, these basic guidelines will steer you straight.

Be the Best Looking Groom You Can Be

At the end of the day the goal of your clothing is to help you be as good looking as you possibly can be. Your wedding is a special moment and your appearance should be mesmerizing and electrifying.

Your outfit should be a classic example of whatever style you’ve chosen. Tuxedo wearers will want to be a textbook image of black-tie style – suits wearers should be fitted perfectly and ornamented with a carefully made boutonniere.

The Classic Two Piece Suit: Modern Elegance

A simple two piece suit is often the simplest and most striking option for a groom. Fancier options like tuxedos and morning coats are often rental-dependent unless you and all your wedding party happen to own formal dress clothing already. Also, you don’t need to purchase a new suit for your wedding if you already have a simple, solid-color suit in charcoal gray or dark navy.

Worn with a white or other light colored shirt and a simple tie, a dark solid colored suit gives a groom an understated elegance that pairs well with most bridal styles and fits the importance of the occasion.

By the same token, if a new suit is needed it’s never a bad purchase. The new suit, assuming a quality garment is purchased, remains useful after the wedding as a piece of dress clothing ready for business or other semi-formal occasions.

The Solid Colored 2 Piece Suit

The best wedding suits are a charcoal gray suit or deep navy blue suit, although lighter grey, khaki, and blue suits have their place in the warmer months and at exotic locales.

Avoid brightly-colored suits as are novelty item and too gaudy for a wedding.. You should aim to not exactly match your necktie, boutonnière, and pocket squares but rather have them complement you and the bride.

Lastly try to avoid heavy patterning which distracts the eye and can clash with bridal styles. Formal patterning like pin-stripes has business associations that are out of place at a celebratory event. Keep to a solid or semi-solid dark suit for the most elegant look.

A Word on Black & White Suits

Black suits are sometimes seen as a more relaxed version of a tuxedo for wedding garb. That’s a somewhat imperfect understanding. Black is a high-formality color, but because of its associations with tuxedos and evening wear it may not actually be appropriate for a wedding setting.

Wearing black indoors has the unfortunate effect of washing out many men’s complexions and creating a stark contrast that overpowers in photographs. Also groomsmen and guests are less likely to own a pure black suit than they are a more conventional gray or blue suit, so it may not wind up being much more convenient than the fancier black tie or morning dress option.

A groom need not typically match the bride and should avoid a white suit. White is traditionally bridal and an overwhelmingly white color palette tends to wash the couple out. If your bride is wearing a traditional white dress, MANAALAYA strongly recommends a colored suit.

.Wedding Suit Styles and Cuts

A wedding suit doesn’t have to be a simple single-breasted, two-button jacket — though it certainly can be.Single-breasted jackets are understated, simple, and dignified.

If you feel the need for a little more exuberance on your wedding day, a double-breasted suit adds weight and formality to the outfit, but is a high-formality garment that should only be worn with a necktie and a formal dress shirt. An open collar isn’t an option with a double-breasted jacket. They may also be less comfortable for prolonged wear, especially when sitting.

An equally formal yet more versatile option is a three-piece suit ensemble; this adds formality and elegance to the basic suit by matching it with a vest. Matched waistcoats fill a similar role to double-breasted jackets, but can always be removed to make the outfit a simple single-breasted two-piece suit.

Wedding photographers usually like to get “relaxed” shots of the groom in just his waistcoat and shirt, often with a jacket slung over a shoulder, so be prepared to do some taking off and putting on of clothing if you go with the vested suit.

The Wedding Day Dress Shirt

Looking your best — the goal for the big day — is about getting the details right. A clean white dress shirt is a solid and formal choice for a wedding day. Patterns are fine for the audience and the groomsmen, but you would want the formality of a solid colored shirt.

Light shades of blue, off-white, and cream are acceptable as long as it doesn’t clash with the brides dress. Remember that your shirt collar is going to be in every picture you’re in, so make sure it fits.

If you decide to skip the necktie, make sure you are wearing a dress shirt with a collar whose points stay out of your way. A medium spread is a solid choice here  and consider dress shirt collar stays to ensure that the points do not fold.

Lastly don’t underestimate the importance of an undershirt on your wedding day  you’re going to be sweating and it’s better to have a layer of extra protection.

The Wedding Day Necktie

Your choice of necktie is important because of its proximity to your face. Like the dress shirt collar, your necktie color and pattern will take up more than its fair share of attention in the photos and video shot that day. This is not the time for a novelty tie or bright color – instead select a subdued pattern and color. Look for a tie with a single strong base color in blue, green, gold or earth tones with a modest pattern on it to keep you looking elegant without seeming too stark. Avoid red neckties as they are more for power business meetings.

Wedding Day Dress Shoes

Look to a classic oxford balmorals that complement your suit’s fabric. Bluchers are acceptable if you plan on wearing a lighter colored suit or suit without a tie. Ensure your shoes are well-shined and they match your belt.

Groomsmen, Suits and Matching

How much matching you want to hold your groomsmen to, is up to you, but note that there is no style law that commands that your groomsmen should match. Instead  encourage looks that complement each other  not match exactly. A wedding party of guys in similar-colored but distinctively-cut suits is more striking than one with perfectly coordinated outfits because it looks natural, not contrived.

The Aristocratic Option: Morning Suits

Morning suits consist of a single-breasted tailcoat and a vest (usually in contrasting colors), a high turn-down or wing collar with the appropriate neckwear, and striped or checked trousers.

The style is meant to evoke the formality of upper-class and aristocratic events, though it was originally considered casual wear in exactly those settings. It is now a highly formal and a very rare style of dress.  

Remember the Bride

The bride’s outfit will outshine yours in terms of opulence and extravagance. This is natural and expected. Your outfit should complement rather than compete with hers. Don’t be afraid to compare notes closely with the bridal party if you’re not already.

If you can provide your tailor with photos or sketches of her dress before having anything made specifically for the wedding. If your outfit is planned before hers, do the reverse — make sure her tailor or seamstress has a solid idea of what you and your wedding party will be wearing before any expensive work is started.

Keep it Simple

Weddings are an endless parade of details; try to make dressing for yours a simple one. Honestly, how you dress for your wedding should be a simple affair. Consider your options, review your budget, check with the interested parties and make your decision months before the appointed date. A simple and classic wedding outfit will go a long way towards making your big day one to remember.

_________________________________________________________________Authored by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Advertising Supplements Journalist + Copywriter

Page 04        Finance         Friday 15 January 2016

MARRIAGE – PRACTICAL MONEY SKILLS

Marriage is the coming together of two lives and two separate financial histories and situations. And while your financial history may continue to influence your finances now, you'll also be contending with a lifetime of new money-related experiences and decisions together.

The key to success is preparing yourself and your spouse to handle the unexpected, while also learning to communicate with each other about financial matters.

TALKING ABOUT FINANCES

Financial problems are a factor contributing to many divorces. So how do you keep marital finances from putting a strain on your relationship? First, get to know each other's financial histories, strengths, goals and challenges. Discuss your experiences with money, saving and credit. Ask about your partner's financial history and what he or she expects when it comes to marital finances and financial planning.

FINANCIAL PLANNING

Before you tie the knot, it can be useful to meet with a qualified, objective financial planner together. A financial planner can help you develop financial goals as a couple and create a shared budget. This is also an excellent way to ensure you are in agreement about important financial topics.

PLANNING AN AFFORDABLE WEDDING 

Wedding costs are exorbitant these days and the aftermath of the event could run the risk of saddling a couple with relationship-crippling debt for years to come. MANAALAYA has  a few tips for planning a memorable yet affordable wedding:

·         Develop a budget, prioritizing the parts of the wedding that are most important to you and your spouse-to-be; then cut back on expenses in other areas.

·         Limit the guest list to close friends and family.

·         Hold your ceremony and reception in one location – it will cut travel time for vendors you pay by the hour.

·         When shopping for wedding attire, be sure to check outlet stores.

·         If there is a photographer you love but his or her prices are not in your budget, ask them if they have an associate who may be able to photograph your wedding for less.

·         Substitute less expensive seasonal and local flowers for more expensive options, or use more greenery.

·         Order a small one or two-tiered cake for display; then supplement with a larger sheet cake served from the kitchen.

·         Consider a weekend honeymoon nearby and then have a more elaborate trip for your first anniversary.

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Authored by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Advertising Supplements Journalist + Copywriter

Page 05      Travel         Friday 15 January 2016

HONEYMOONS ON A BUDGET

Honeymoon is the best intimate time that a newly married couple can spend with each other. Every couple looks forward to a great honeymoon with loads of beautiful memories that could accompany them for the rest of their lives. To make these memories even more unforgettable, people book the best honeymoon vacation spots available.

A few couples even get honeymoon tickets of some plush places, as their wedding gift! But, what about the working class couples who spend half of their savings for the preparations and shopping of the wedding itself?  What about couples who cannot afford these lavish honeymoon destinations? Aren't there any ideas for planning honeymoons on a budget for them? Well, there certainly are!

For starters, MANAALAYA suggests that you save some money from the initial wedding budget. This way you can save a few bucks for planning a not so deluxe but at least a 'semi-deluxe' honeymoon, for sure!

If it is not possible for you, then you should first prioritize your expenditure goals for the honeymoon. Once you do that, you can always consider these ideas. 

LOVE YOUR OWN COUNTRY
You have to hunt some romantic vacation spots within your own land, because it is impossible to trip overseas without spending a bounty of money from your pocket. Airline booking itself can work as a bombshell for all your plans that are on a budget, let aside the idea of visiting lavish travel destinations like Venice, Jamaica and Maui.

 So, go and explore some local natural scenery and man-made monuments. Once you take this seemingly 'hardhearted' decision, then your honeymoon budget will get substantially reduced. 

TRY CRUISE VACATIONS
The best way to have a plush honeymoon is to plan for a snug cruise vacation. A cruise ship equates to an all-inclusive resort, while some of them also offer you some exciting honeymoon packages.

You could find cheap cruises with plenty of money saving schemes, that accommodate you to a luxurious yet fairly affordable suit with best amenities and less prices. If you can bear with the family atmosphere, then going for the family cruise ships is also an affordable way to cut back your budget and enjoy each other's cozy company at the same time.

TIMESHARE AND RESORTS
If one of your friends and family members has a luxurious timeshare on a beautiful location, which they are banking on, (and if they are emotionally close to you), then you can feel free to discuss your money problem with them.

If it's convenient for them, they can offer their timeshare as a wedding gift for you to spend your honeymoon in. Another option is to look for the discount resort deals (they do have cheap honeymoon packages). They are a great choice if you can fluctuate your honeymoon location for saving the money.

HONEYMOON REGISTRY
Honeymoon registry is a new and popular concept for planning a low-budget honeymoon. In such scenarios, the wedding couple creates its own registry by tying up a contract with a travel agent. By this means, your wedding guests could help you with your honeymoon expenses, in some way or the other. They could choose presents like high value cheques or cash gifts which can be useful for making a smooth honeymoon plan for you. It is a nice and practical gesture rather than selecting an expensive yet useless gift for the newlyweds.

TROPICAL HONEYMOON DESTINATIONS ON A BUDGET
Talking about tropical honeymoons, East Asian countries like Thailand, especially Phuket and Bangkok; Indonesia, especially Bali; Malaysia, especially Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi; India, especially Kerala, Goa, Andaman and Nicobar Islands; Sri Lanka; Maldives; Kenya; Mexico; Fiji; Dominican Republic; the Bahamas to list a few are great tropical honeymoon destinations.

Advanced bookings for honeymoon vacation travel, especially during off season of the year is a nice idea to save money. You could book anytime between October through December and January through March to get exciting discount packages.

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Authored by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Advertising Supplements Journalist + Copywriter

Page 06      Honeymoon      Friday 15 January 2016

TOP SECRETS

FOR A ROMANTIC HONEYMOON

Romance is the ultimate goal of any great honeymoon; but a romantic honeymoon can look dramatically different from one couple to the next. Some couples prefer lying on the beach sipping cocktails together and others prefer sightseeing. No matter what your honeymoon preferences, MANAALAYA’s secrets will help make your honeymoon even more romantic and memorable:

SET UP A HONEYMOON REGISTRY  This best kept secret for a romantic honeymoon is now becoming well-known among engaged couples. By using a honeymoon registry, couples can opt to have the experiences associated with their dream honeymoon as a viable alternative to traditional wedding gifts.

These honeymoon gift activities can raise the bar for anyone’s definition of “romance.” A couple’s honeymoon registry can include a romantic candlelit dinner, a couple’s massage, a swim with dolphins, a honeymoon suite upgrade or a chilled bottle of Champaign and chocolates in bed!

CHOOSE THE RIGHT LOCATION FOR YOU.  The key to having a truly romantic honeymoon is to choose the right honeymoon destination for the two of you – rather than simply choosing a tropical beach because that’s what most people seem to do. Think about the times you feel most connected to your fiancé, whether on experiencing new adventures together, snuggling in a luxurious bed, exploring a new city, or simply relaxing. Then, choose a honeymoon destination that will allow you to experience these things together.

PLAN SOME LITTLE GIFTS   You can enhance the intimacy and romantic connection on your honeymoon by planning gifts for your new spouse. Pack little secret presents for every day of the honeymoon and present them to your new spouse at just the right time.

TELL PEOPLE YOU’RE ON YOUR HONEYMOON.  One of the least-known ways to make your honeymoon more romantic is to tell other people on your honeymoon. It could get you discounts, upgrades or maybe a table with a better view at a seaside restaurant. If you want romantic honeymoon upgrades from your hotel, pack a copy of your new marriage license to verify that you really are on your honeymoon.

BRING YOUR OWN ROMANTIC ITEMS  Don’t expect your hotel or destination to provide you with all the romance you’ll want on your honeymoon. Instead, bring some of your own romantic items, such as tea light candles, your favorite music, bubble bath, massage oil and new lingerie.

 BOOK A ROOM WITH A JACUZZI.  There’s nothing more romantic than relaxing together in a dimly-lit, luxurious bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub for two. It’s more romantic than a hot tub at a resort pool because it’s private.

ENJOY BREAKFAST IN BED  Splurge on room service at least once or twice on your honeymoon. Breakfast in bed gives you time to wake up slowly, making your whole day feel less rushed and more romantic. Depending on what you enjoy, you can even bring a board game to play or a movie to watch while you enjoy your luxurious breakfast in the comfort of your room.

TELL YOUR SPOUSE WHY YOU LOVE HIM/HER  Telling your fiancé about all the reasons you love him or her is possibly one of the most romantic gestures. Before your honeymoon, spend time making a list of the reasons you love your fiancé. Then, on your honeymoon, present this list of reasons in a creative way – as a scrapbook, on strips of paper you leave around the room, or just in a list form that you can read during a romantic dinner together. 

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Authored by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Advertising Supplements Journalist + Copywriter

Page 07       Sex         Friday 15 January 2016

TOP EXERCISES FOR GOOD SEX

Sex therapies, Viagra or energy pills, yoga classes - a virtually endless list to boost your sexual performance. 

Anyway how did routine exercises slip away from your thoughts as it could have added  sparks to your sex life? 

Several studies have shown that fit adults have a more electrifying sex life than individuals who lead sedentary lifestyles.

Exercise not only piques sexual desire, but also makes sex more enjoyable. It enhances sexual functioning and increases testosterone levels in both men and women, which ensures a better sex life.

MANAALAYA brings you a few simple (s)exercises that will not only enhance your performance in bed but also let you enjoy the act like never before.

PELVIC LIFTS: One of the most common and important exercises, it improves sexual performance by strengthening the pelvic area. It also helps in evoking powerful sexual feelings and enhancing your endurance.  As for sexual benefit, it’s a fact that a strong body can sustain for long, so more the endurance of your pelvic muscles, the more you’ll enjoy the prolonged act.

Technique : Lie on your back with your knees bent and slightly apart, feet flat on the floor and arms at your side. Inhale clenching in your stomach and hips and lift the pelvic from the floor until your back is straight. Hold this position for 10 seconds and exhale as you lower your body. Repeat this at least 4-5 times for desired results.

Another pelvic raise could be where you lie down on the bed and as you inhale, you raise your legs to a 90 degree angle. Then while exhaling, you pulse them towards the ceiling. For those, who can’t take their legs up to this angle, they can just make an L-shape angle and push their legs upwards along with a proper breathing technique, thus making the abdomen and pelvic area very strong.

KEGEL EXERCISE : Many might not know about the ‘secret’ muscles that are active during sex and by strengthening these, couples can enjoy intense sex. Kegels are very safe and simple and work on the entire pelvic floor area.

Kegel is basically a contraction of the internal muscles attached to the pelvic bones, so it tightens the vaginal muscles, helping women gain better control, prolong sex and reach orgasm more easily. It tightens the entrance of the uterus, which evidently enhances your gratification level during sex.”

Technique : Contract your pelvic muscles and inhale as you squeeze (as though stopping urine), hold them for 5 seconds and release as you exhale. Start with just 10 or 20 squeezes. The best part is that you can do Kegel nearly anytime, anywhere.

Try them while having your meals, sitting at your desk, talking to people or watching television, do at least 100-200 squeezes a day. It’s very effective for women in their post delivery stage, as it tightens the loosened muscles.”

BUTTERFLY STRETCH: Another important part that works actively during sex is the inner thigh area. During a butterfly stretch, the emphasis is on strengthening the inner thighs to make them flexible.

Technique : Sit on the floor with your feet together, as the souls touch each other and the knees are kept apart. Try and take your feet as close as you can to your hips and use your elbow to push down your knees below, so that your inner thighs are under pressure.

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Authored by Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene – Advertising Supplements Journalist +  Copywriter