Manaalaya

M A N A A L A Y A

                                                                                 Every Grooms Bestman

Page 01        Health            Wednesday 21 September 2016

Medical Tests Every Groom Should Be Aware of

If you don’t have a regular source of healthcare or if you’ve never had your cholesterol checked, then just read on to learn how to reverse this trend with medical tests and screenings to keep you healthy.

Excess weight increases your risk for diabetes and heart disease. Your body mass index (BMI) measures your body fat based on your height and weight and it can determine if you’re overweight or at risk for developing obesity.

All adults over the age of 35 should have their cholesterol checked every 5 years. Screening should begin at 20 years of age if you have certain risk factors, which include: diabetes; smoking; BMI over 30; family history of stroke; first degree relatives who’ve had heart attacks. To measure your cholesterol, your doctor will draw a small blood sample from your arm. The results will indicate your levels of: HDL (good cholesterol), LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides.

Cholesterol test results are shown in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL) and  a healthy total cholesterol goal should be below 200 mg/dL.

High triglycerides are associated with metabolic syndrome, which increases your risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke. The same blood draw used to measure your cholesterol provides a reading of your triglycerides, a type of fat. An optimal triglyceride level is less than 100 mg/dL, although levels below 150 mg/dL are considered normal.

If your blood pressure is high, you may require medication to control it and ward off heart disease, kidney disease, and stroke. If your blood pressure is within the normal range, you only need to have your blood pressure checked every two years.

Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg, according to the AHA. If your blood pressure is higher, your doctor will probably want to check it more frequently. The diagnosis of high blood pressure requires two readings taken four hours apart of greater than 120/80 mm Hg. One blood pressure measure greater than 120/80 mm Hg always has to be confirmed with a follow-up measurement.

CONCEPTUALIZED AND DEVELOPED

BY JAI SUNTHUSH ABEYEWARDENE

Author + Consultant Marketing Copywriter

+ 94 774546069   wordpowerjsa@gmail.com

Page 02        Grooming          Wednesday 21 September 2016

Habits of Impeccably-Groomed Men

STEAL THEIR SECRETS AND REAP THE REWARDS

PRESENTING: easy grooming habits all men should get into.

| Become a regular at your barbers
Book your next appointment while you’re there for roughly 4 weeks time and stick to it.

| Know which hair products work for you
Thicker hair and messy styles can handle waxes and pomades, but if your hair's thinner, then lighter products and sprays will give you better staying power.

| Find your signature scent
Find one or two classic scents you really like and invest in them. 

| "Do a Dylan" with your toothbrush
Two things every woman notices: your shoes and your smile. When it comes to the latter, there is no longer any excuse for ignoring advances in technology. Electric toothbrushes are designed to do most the work for you, plus, they’re better for your health and while you're at it, use a mouthwash after you brush first thing in the morning.

| Manscape properly
Trimming your pubic is not only perfectly acceptable but , it's polite and keep whatever device you use for this sensitive task separate from what you shave your face with. 

| Shave like an expert

Preparing your skin beforehand with a shave oil will help the razor glide over your hairs, while soaking the blades in warm water will help your pores expand, allowing the hair to come off your face with less redness and irritation.

| Put your best feet forward
Take care of your feet after a bath or shower (when the skin is softest) using a pumice stone on any dead skin, before lathering a generous amount of moisturizer on.

| Sort out stray hairs
Ask your barber to tidy your brows up when you’re next in.

| Nail your hand-care routine
Cutting your nails once a week – preferably after a bath or shower, to soften them and make them easier to trim – is basic.

CONCEPTUALIZED AND DEVELOPED

BY JAI SUNTHUSH ABEYEWARDENE

Author + Consultant Marketing Copywriter

+ 94 774546069   wordpowerjsa@gmail.com

Page 03       Fashion           Wednesday 21 September 2016

Achieving Masculine Elegance on Your Big Day

You’d want to look super-sharp on the big day, so this is no time to pull on an old suit that’s been living in the back on the wardrobe for years. 

With this in mind, MANAALAYA has a lineup of hints and tips on how to achieve masculine elegance on the big day.

·         Morning dress is the traditional choice for weddings and will typically consist of a black morning coat, grey stripe trousers, a traditional collar shirt, waistcoat and tie.

·         Trousers should be worn slightly above the waistline and rest on top of the shoe showing a slight crease at the front, with the back of the trouser sitting just above the heel.

·         Waistcoats should sit comfortably over the waistband showing no signs of shirt. Brighter pastel colours are popular choices for weddings.

·         A shirt for special occasions should be of a premium quality and the sleeve typically show no more than a half an inch of the cuff when wearing a jacket.

·         Ties should be worn in a Windsor knot, which produces a wide symmetrical triangular knot.

·         A matching three-piece suit will always remain a contemporary yet classic style. A three-buttoned single-breasted jacket has an extra top button and a slightly higher lapel, which makes the jacket suitable for taller men. Double-breasted jackets are becoming popular again with modern grooms.

·         The weight of a suit’s cloth should be considered, particularly for summer weddings. Darker colours such as navy or grey give a timeless, sophisticated appearance.

·         Your wedding day might be the day you decide to order a personally tailored or bespoke suit. It’s your chance to add your own individual characteristics to the design, from buttons to patterned linings. Allow four to six weeks for a suit to be made for you, from initial fittings to final delivery.

• Think about hair and eye colour and the wedding theme when choosing a shade of suit and style.
• Think about a double-breasted waistcoat – they are becoming more popular.
• Book your suit hire as far in advance as possible, about two months ahead.

CONCEPTUALIZED AND DEVELOPED

BY JAI SUNTHUSH ABEYEWARDENE

Author + Consultant Marketing Copywriter

+ 94 774546069   wordpowerjsa@gmail.com

Page 04        Finance          Wednesday 21 September 2016

BUDGET WEDDING IDEAS TO WOW YOUR GUESTS

If you’re planning a budget wedding, you don’t need to spend tens of thousands to create a wedding day atmosphere that all your guests will love – even small amounts can make a big difference to your day and  here are a few ideas!

 EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY

Many venues will ask you to have your menu and drinks finalized long before the big day, but there’s still a lot you can do at the last minute. Serving canapés with the wedding drinks is one option, especially if you’re worried that guests might get hungry waiting for the wedding breakfast. 

Or, consider serving extra snacks during the evening celebrations, when guests might get peckish. There are plenty of other ways to make your choice of food more entertaining – why not try an ice cream or pizza bar and let your guests’ imaginations run wild?

DREAMY DECOR

When you walk into your reception room for the first time, you’ll want it to be magical and your guests to be blown away by it. For instance chair covers can bring a colour theme to the venue. Scattering lavender flowers on the floor and tables will not only look pretty, but also smell fantastic.

Brilliant blooms

For many brides, flowers are the ultimate wedding decoration and to add a little more meaning to your flowers, you could split your bouquet to create three small pieces as a surprise for your family members. 

As you arrive at the end of the aisle, detach one and hand to your father to give to your mother as he takes his seat. At the end of the ceremony, as you walk out, detach the second small arrangement and hand to your new mother-in-law with a kiss, then carry on up the aisle as a Mrs.!”

MUSICAL TREATS

Look around for an excellent vocalist – it makes such a difference having someone sing as you enter the church and it’s great for your guests while you are signing the register. Include something on your invitations asking guests to RSVP with song suggestions – playing them on the day will ensure you get the musical tone right and that everyone hears something they like.

Evening entertainment

This is the area where your money will make the most noticeable difference to the day. Everyone will remember the fabulous toastmaster, salsa dancers or casino that made your celebrations so much fun. You could hire a magician, human statue or caricaturist to get people talking. Book them for when guests are due to arrive at the reception venue, to work the crowd as they arrive, when people are quite shy – later on, the atmosphere and alcohol will take over!”

LASTING MEMORIES

At the end of the big day, all you will have to remember those special moments will be your photographs. Buy a Polaroid camera and lots of film! Ask guests to take their photo and write a message on the back for you to keep as an alternative to a guestbook.”

CONCEPTUALIZED AND DEVELOPED

BY JAI SUNTHUSH ABEYEWARDENE

Author + Consultant  Marketing Copywriter

+ 94 774546069   wordpowerjsa@gmail.com

Page 05         Travel        Wednesday 21 September 2016

Creative Wedding Transportation Ideas

Looking for an out-of-the-box exit or entrance? Yes, limos are definitely a great way to transport your wedding party and they make for fun and glamorous wedding photos. However here are a few “thought provoking” ways real couples thought outside the box to get to and from their wedding.

It was wheels up for this couple, who chose to ride into the sunset on two bikes that matched each of their wedding outfits.

Nope, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you, this snazzy naughtylimo is a boat in the shape of a car that took the newlyweds out for a spin.

It was nothing but happy trails for this couple, who drove off to the reception in a horse and buggy—wearing cowboy boots, naturally.

CONCEPTUALIZED AND DEVELOPED

BY JAI SUNTHUSH ABEYEWARDENE

Author + Consultant  Marketing Copywriter

+ 94 774546069   wordpowerjsa@gmail.com

Page 06        Honeymoon      Wednesday 21 September 2016

Offbeat Honeymoon Destinations

It's time for you to go off the beaten path and visit some unusual honeymoon destinations that you will remember forever! Here are some beautiful places for a romantic getaway with your loved one that are totally different.

FINLAND'S SURREAL; OTHERWORLDLY BEAUTY is bound to take your breath away! Plus, the cold temperatures will ensure that you bundle up and cuddle the night away with your partner! One of the resorts that you can choose is the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort where you get to stay in glass igloos!

Best time to visit: Undoubtedly the most magical time is winter which lasts from late November to mid March.

MALDIVES - If you want to surround yourself with blue waters, spectacular beaches and beautiful reefs during your honeymoon, there is no better place than Maldives. Get your tan on at this tropical paradise and have the most romantic holiday of your life! 

Dive into its stunning waters for a surreal experience that will reconnect you with nature. One of the most romantic resorts on this group of islands is the Reethi Beach Resort.

Best time to visit: Between December end to February.

MANAUS IS THE PLACE TO BE - For those adventurous couples who wish to spend their honeymoon in the lush green Amazonian rainforests, Manaus is the place to be! Located in the heart of the Amazon Basin, this place is a tropical paradise. Bringing in modernisation while keeping the eco-system intact, this city gives you the best of both worlds-a perfect place for couples to get in touch with nature.

Best time to visit: Mid-June to December is the driest season to visit.

LAKE BAIKAL, RUSSIA - The oldest and deepest freshwater lake in the world, Lake Baikal in Russia is one unique honeymoon destination for an outdoorsy couple. Estimated to have formed around 20-25 million years ago, the lake’s circumference forms the crux of the hiking paths of the Great Baikal Trail. Moreover, if you visit in the winters, you can go for ice-skating or dog sledging over the lake.

Best time to visit: Lake Baikal is beautiful to visit in any season!

COROMANDEL PENINSULA, NEW ZEALAND - With its pristine golden beaches, rural farmlands, tranquil environment, lush green native forests and its water sports opportunities, the Coromandel Peninsula is one of New Zealand's undiscovered honeymoon destinations.

Best time to visit: Between September to April when the climate and warm and breezy.

BODRUM in TURKEY - Located on Turkeys southwest coast, Bodrum is a honeymooners' paradise. Its got a quaint atmosphere during the day and a vibrant nightlife. 

Its got beautiful beaches, quiet backstreets, and lively cafes along with the ancient ruins of Ephesusall there to make sure that your vacation is full of activities and you're never bored! You will fall in love with this historical city and keep coming back!

Best time to visit: Spring (April and May) and Autumn (September to October).

CONCEPTUALIZED AND DEVELOPED

BY JAI SUNTHUSH ABEYEWARDENE

Author + Consultant  Marketing Copywriter

+ 94 774546069   wordpowerjsa@gmail.com

Page 07      Sex         Wednesday 21 September 2016

THOUGHTS ON HONEYMOON SEX

It’s about having healthy, realistic attitudes about honeymoon sex.

GO SLOW

SHE: Your body takes time to relax and open up. Let yourself warm up and relax. The more you relax, the better it will feel.

HE:  Men are microwaves, women are crock pots” and that tends to be true. It will make it remarkably better for her (and consequently, for you) if you take your time and let her body warm up. You WANT her to be “into” it. Don’t rush.

CONSIDER SLOWLY UNDRESSING AND SHOWERING TOGETHER, FIRST

Some brides may prefer to shower separately, collect themselves, and then come out to the room to be together intimately. Either is fine. But showering after your (likely) long wedding day will enable both of you to feel fresh and ready for the up-close time of exploring and getting to know each other’s bodies.

Your first time will not be your best time

See this less as a movie-like-sexual-peak, and more like the first time you ride your bike: it may be a little awkward, but it’s better to go slow and get the hang of it a little at a time. And if, like a bike ride, you finish and realize you made a fool of yourself, well, just know that it gets better from here.

First time sex is full of the magic of discovery, but talent and sexual delight will improve with time, open communication, and experience.

Consider that you might not even have sex

Exhaustion after a LOOOOOOOOONG day, fast male ejaculation, pain, nervousness… any of these factors could come into play. You have a lifetime together, so don’t feel like you have to rush it all, right now.

It’s messier than you think

Between sperm and lubrication, things can get quite wet. Have two hand towels/washcloths at the ready. You may even want to put a towel underneath the two of you so that you don’t have partially-wet sheets to sleep on.

To the bride: Get up and pee afterward.

There’s a fairly common risk of getting a UTI that can often be prevented by urinating immediately after sex. 

Don’t compare

Don’t compare. Let it be what it is. Celebrate the spouse you have, and do not entertain even the slightest thought of someone/something else.

Realize, it could HURT

SHE: It shouldn’t hurt to the point that you’re crying, but it will likely be physically uncomfortable in addition to whatever nervousness you are feeling.

HE: go slow, and be sure to watch for indications of pain so that you can be gentler, try something different, or stop altogether if things get too painful.

Bring lubrication, and plan to use it for intercourse.

Astroglide, KY Jelly or Coconut Oil all work well. Sex itself may hurt bad enough, but dryness, movement and sensitive skin do not go together.

For the bride in particular, be aware it may not even feel good at first.

You could be left wondering why people like to do this at all. Don’t be discouraged. God will use this perhaps-initially-painful act to bond you together as “one flesh” with your husband and give you repeated, intimate shared times together. Hang in there; it gets better. Way better.

Communicate OPENLY.

Talking about it can feel weird and embarrassing, but this will be a serious part of your marriage for the rest of your life; it’s worth it to PUSH THROUGH THE AWKWARDNESS and talk about what you’re experiencing and feeling.

SHE: TALK. Let him know what feels good. Don’t be afraid to tell him to go a little slower, a little softer, to touch you in a little different place, that you need a little more time to warm up or get used to something and so on and so forth.  Also, don’t take it personally if he says “ow.” Ask questions, like if you’re not sure how something is feeling for him.

HE: Don’t take it personally if she says, “ow!” Better for her to say it, and you to know it, now, so that you can go a little slower or do things a little bit differently and be better as you move toward learning how to please each other sexually. Listen to your bride. Take this opportunity to show servant-like love and be in tune with her. Ask if you’re not sure how something is feeling to her (“Is this OK?,” “Did that hurt?,” “How does this feel?”).

About relaxing

TO THE BRIDE: Breathe and Relax! Tightening, holding your breath and stress only makes things worse.

TO THE GROOM: Wait For Her To Relax! Help her relax! Pushing things to go faster only makes things worse.

If either of you get a little stressed or overwhelmed, consider slowing things up

This can happen with a sexual massage, foot rub, back rub, or a shower. Any of these can give you time and space to explore, take things in, catch your breath and give you more mental “room” to figure things out and enjoy your first time together.

Set your expectations low in terms of female orgasmic response.

TO THE BRIDE:  Many women are not ever able to have orgasms during sexual intercourse and require other foreplay and sexual interaction to have an orgasm. That is FULLY OK. You are not deficient and not being able to have an orgasm your first time, or your first year, does not mean you will never be able to experience an orgasm.

There are things you can do, over time, to learn or experiment in this area. But for now, know that it probably won’t happen your first time and may not happen at all during your first sexual encounters. That is OK.

TO THE GROOM: Even if it doesn’t happen this first time, make it your ambition to sexually satisfy your bride FIRST — BEFORE– you “finish”, every time. That may mean having an orgasm or not, but it will certainly mean waiting for her to communicate that she’s ready for you to finish. Let this become the norm for your sexual encounters. Don’t make it all about you; make it your ambition to delight her and thus, you will both be delighted.

 Be prepared to submit your desire of “frequency” to your spouse.

Set your expectations low in terms of always getting your way. Whether you want sex more often than your spouse or less often, marriage is a lifelong commitment to loving and caring for your spouse. Plan to adjust your desires to hers.

TO THE BRIDE: it’s worth it to play and enjoy sex with your spouse. Be open to having sex more often than you might think to on your own. Alternatively, if he wants it less than you, find other ways to “play” during your honeymoon. Flirt while you go for a hike. Be silly together while you play card games or enjoy dinner. Be determined to love your new husband by making it your desire to connect with and please him.

TO THE GROOM: The female body takes time to get used to stretching in this way. If she wants it less often than you, remember it may be because of discomfort or pain and doesn’t mean it’ll always be like it is this first week. Conversely, if she wants it more than you, do not take this as an affront to your manhood. Make it your ambition to please your bride in terms of frequency, whether she wants it more or less than you.

BE CLEAN AND FRESH

TO THE BRIDE: Shave, shower, find something pretty to wear that helps you feel confident and sexy… do whatever will make you comfortable to be fully seen and touched, so that you can be “naked and unashamed” in front of your groom.

Wear something you can get into and out of fairly easily. It doesn’t need to be an engineering marvel, just something pretty and sexy that helps you feel confident.

TO THE GROOM: Shower, shave and be clean for your bride. Clip your fingernails and make sure they are filed so that there are no sharp edges. You do not want to scratch or hurt your bride in her sensitive areas.

BE LIGHT-HEARTED

Yes, sex can be passionate, intense, amazing… it can also feel giggly and make for some silly situations. When you’re naked and exposed, it’s easy to feel embarrassed or humiliated. Instead, opt to laugh it off. Have fun together. Make memories.

Enjoy these early days and don’t let a few weird or not-movie-worthy moments take the fun out of all this exploration and delight. It won’t always be so awkward.

Reach out for help as needed

It’s OK to ask questions of someone you trust. In addition to your doctor, you may have questions like, “is this OK…? ” or “is this normal…?” Choose someone trustworthy and ask questions as they come up.

For the rest of your honeymoon

Realize, she may have some ongoing soreness from sex. Realize, one of you may want it more often than the other. Let this honeymoon be a time when you each seek to please the other rather than yourself. Seek to see this from the perspective of your spouse and remember that you have a LIFETIME together… it doesn’t all have to be crammed into these days.

Remember: your sex life will grow with your marriage

You will get “better” at it. It will feel more natural, over time. Keep it simple and enjoy the newness now; it will get better from here!

CONCEPTUALIZED AND DEVELOPED

BY JAI SUNTHUSH ABEYEWARDENE

Author + Consultant  Marketing Copywriter

+ 94 774546069   wordpowerjsa@gmail.com