Craftgully.com is a cool crafts site

Hello there you wonderful people,

Just like any other eager mom I was skimming through Pinterest looking for some exciting craft ideas for my daughter, Saesha. She is in playschool and she had a project coming up (already!). One click led to another and I ended up stumbling upon http://www.craftgully.com/. I am really impressed with its appearance and the craft options available that appear simple and easy to use. I personally wanted to start something with a no-hassle tag as being a working mother it is really difficult to get into the nitty-gritties of a complex craft activity.. Oh that's just an excuse.. I suck at craft!

The site also presents its products in a simple and uncomplicated manner that is visually appealing. The prices are reasonable and there is free shipping for orders with a threshold of only Rs. 600/-. The best part is that they have a blog and a Facebook page that'll help me get to the other side of creation pretty smoothly!

I have ordered a few things like their quilling starter kit and a few flower making accessories.. I am thinking of having Saesha decorate some envelopes with the finished creations..

Hoping for the best! :)

Pretty, isn't it?

Do we really need all that furniture?

Life comes with excess baggage.. Literally! . A few days ago my friend Zina was trying to clean out her house. Her parents were coming for a visit and she wanted to create some space to accommodate them comfortably.. She asked for help and I obliged.. (Yes, obliged is the word!.. well agreeing to help out in house-cleaning is a big act of selflessness! :)). 

In the beginning of the task we decided that whatever she feels she needs to chuck out would go in one corner and then at the end of the mega-cleaning and rearranging session she would take a final call. So we attacked the house with a vengeance.. and gradually the dedicated corner was bursting to the capacity full of knick-knacks gathered over a period of 5 years that she was staying in Mumbai. 

Quite happy to have finally made that pile, she looked around the house and was surprised to see that her place actually had a good amount of space! We both felt that the rooms got literally lighter, airier and well.. roomier ..She was so delighted with the outcome of our task that she decided to treat me with a yummy cheesy pizza. As we were waiting for the order and chatting up, her eyes kept returning to the pile... Then in the middle of the conversation, she got up and picked out a rickety chair and exclaimed that she couldn't actually part with it as it was special to her - the first act of kindness that a neighbour had done by donating this chair to her at the beginning of her life in Mumbai! 

Behind the chair was a simple 4-legged multipurpose table which was immediately pulled out. She said she couldn't even think of parting with it as it was her grandmother's and she had especially got it delivered from her native town. Well it was put back in its rightful place... under a humungous pile of books that Zina had purchased, borrowed, received over time. Next came the little teapoy that she used to keep by her sofa covered in...dust! Gradually most of the things that she had earlier thought she can do without became absolute essentials for her afterwards. I got so mad at her for cheating me that I left without her freakin' pizza!
 
As I was driving back to my place consumed by murderous thoughts for Zina after all the hardwork we put in moving all that stuff and rearranging the furniture, it struck me..Isn't it exactly the same with emotional excess baggage too? We just can't let go... especially of stuff that has hurt us. We can recall every negative emotion that we have felt and refelt quite vividly. We clutter our mind and our hearts with the all-consuming "I should have done like this.. I should have done that.. I will now take my revenge like this..I will destroy him/ her like that.. Nobody loves me", etc...so much of negative thoughts, feelings and emotions! But we do not realise that all this wasted space can be used to make life easy, simple, hassle-free and above all HAPPY! 

I forgave my friend and went back to eat my pizza! See happy ending!

How to ensure safety while choosing a place to stay - especially for newcomers to the city..

Bombay or Mumbai was, is and will always be the city of dreams - the city where an idea either becomes gold or dust but both are sold, the city where night and day are just adjustments of light, the city where the perceived 'poor' are actually richer than their 'rich' counterparts (ask the 'poor' middle-class!!). Yet it's still not the same. There is a dangerous change.

Once upon a time, living in Bombay would mean envious looks from visitng cousins, bragging sessions, air of superirority , preferential treatment.. but all that is on the reverse track. The Bombay that I grew up in, where I could safely travel in the bus without my parents, where I could go for my morning cycling sessions with gay abandon, where I could trust a stranger to give me directions, is rapidly becoming a city of crime and criminals, a city of lawlessness and hopelessness, a city of might not right. Now, there are daylight robberies, rapes, frauds happening with alarming regularity. In such a situation, how do we protect ourselves?

Reading the above facts makes you morose, gives you a sense of helplessness, burdens you down with the harsh realities of life.. But all is not lost. Just by being a bit more aware, smart and friendly you can remain safe. That is why choosing the right neighbourhood, especially for single women, is a necessity even if it entails a bit of more hardwork.

- A perpetually busy area would definitely act as a deterrent to illegal activities. e.g. I live in a society which has a restaurant kitchen on the premises.. Since the restaurant shuts late, there are always people around and an extra watchman too! While the presence of the kitchen itself is a nuisance, I am thankful for the distant company that I have. Recently it was in the papers that crime is on the increase in hip Bandra, Juhu areas. Why are these areas an easy target? Because most of the appartments are occupied by singles, expats, NRIs, frequent travellers. Choose an area or rather a building that has the right mix of all classes of people, that has a bit of life, where people interact with each other, where there are some nosy neighbours .

- Thus coming to the 'Know your neighbours' rule. Bring out that long pointed Indian nose and form a tongue-waggers group .. You'll pretty soon know who is who in the society/ complex that you live in.

- Always insist on a having a photo of the person whom you employ for your household chores. Or casually, sneakily click one and store carefully. Be it dhobiwala, dudhwala, dabbawala, bai, watchman, garderner, car-washer. Generally we tend to be so ecastatic to have such services available that we overlook the verification factor. If possible, do enquire about your helpers' character and where they stay, with whom, etc.

- Sometimes, distance from workplace should not be the only concern. If the area gets lonely after certain hours, if it is not plugged into the public transport system, it can create more of a nuisance to you. It could mean coming home walking through a deserted place. You can avoid that and choose a locality even if a bit far but that is easily accessible.

- Work out an alarm system. Not the kind that wakes you up but one that would wake up a buddy, a relative in case you are in trouble. It could be a speed dial, it could be a special number dedicated only for emergency, it could be just a scream in a particular fashion that would alert the nighbours.

These are not exhaustive suggestions. These are just general guidelines that we often forget or are too lazy to follow. Feel free to comment but do not abuse!

How to remain fit during pregnancy?

Pregnancy is an exhilirating experience, no doubt about it.. especially if you have planned it. But it is also true that because of the new life growing in you, your body and mind undergo tremendous changes. It is really important during this period to pay attention to your health and fitness. Here are a few simple steps that you can follow.

Things You'll Need

An open mind, determination, time-table, well-balanced diet.

 

Steps

Go for regular walks. Just because you are pregnant does not mean that you neglect exercise. Mild forms of exercises, especially walking, is not only safe but even beneficial to your pregnancy. It keeps you active, refreshes your mind and stimulates your senses. A nice mild-paced walk, if possible with your partner, will go a long way in creating positive vibes in you that will ultimately reach the tiny life blossoming inside you.

Have a well-balanced diet. In most families, once the news of your pregnancy spreads, relatives come up with different advice and suggestions. Politely listen to all but follow only the healthy tips. Most of them advise to eat fat-ridden food to ensure that the baby is born healthy with good birth weight. But eating fatty food will cause more harm than good. Therefore a well-balanced diet with all the right nutrients is highly recommended.  In fact, studies have shown that high quantity of sugar, butter, ghee, oil consumed during pregnancy has had an adverse effect on the growing foetus. Ask your gynaec for more details.

Follow a time-table. Prepare a time-table of all the activities that you have for the day and stick to them on the time scheduled. It is highly helpful to set your body on a particular time-table specially concerning exercise and diet. During pregnancy, especially during the first few months you may have mild to severe nausea. During this period, which is considered crucial for the developing baby, it is important to stick to the schedule and not neglect anything even if it means that you have to throw up more often. The body will definitely retain what is required for the new life and thus help it grow healthy.

Stay active the whole day. Specially if you are a housewife. Ladies become highly indulgent during this period and make use of their pregnancy as an excuse to laze around the whole day. Remeber, this will not help your child. You need to stay alert physically and mentally throughout your pregnancy. Do fun activities like shopping, reading up on different stages of pregnancy, making clothes for the nez arrival (though in many orthodox families this is not allowed, if you are not the types, go ahead..its fun!), browse through all the different childcare products available online or in stores near you. You will be surprised at what all is available to make your life just a bit easier. For e.g. I discovered this wonderful handmill online that helps me mash babyfood without making use of any electric gadgets and that is very easy to clean and assemble.

Join up some yoga/ meditation classes for pregnant ladies. This will help you get into a positive mindframe which is very important to stay fit and healthy. Remember, fitness starts with the mind. A healthy mind will definitely result in a healthy body that will definitely result in a healthy baby.

 

Tips

Do not overexert in a bid to stay healthy. Listen to your body and read the fatigue signs. Do everything in moderation.

 

Caution

Above all, follow your gynaec's advice. He/ She knows you the best during this period.

How to have a happy baby?

Most of you might wonder if it is really possible for a couple to have a happy baby? I mean, is it in our hands that the baby is born happy or not?? Yes, it does sound weird and you might even start thinking, "Oh no I don't want to read this further... it must contain some psychobabble". Your loss. As just by taking small simple steps before conceiving and during pregnancy a couple can ensure that their baby born is a happy baby!

Things You'll Need

Sense of togetherness, realisation of the responsibility that you are going to take on, peaceful acceptance of the change that is to come, joint project.

 

Steps

Make sure that both of you are into it together. Men, don't be under the misconception that your role starts only after the birth of the child! Creating a happy baby starts not with conceiving but with just a thought that yes we want to have a baby. This infuses in a couple a sense of security, a future together, a new responsibility. Just the thought makes you grow up and gives a mature turn to your relationship.

Undertake new joint activities. After conceiving a woman's mind and body undergoes tremendous changes. Not only that but your routine changes as well. No longer can you plan at a whim, eat spontaneously, go on an adventurous trip. Plus there are gynaec visits, sonography reports, tests, etc. Both might find it difficult to adjust to these changes. But accept them for what they are and what joy they will bring to your lives. The best way to takes these changes in your stride is to undertake new couple activities. It will not only divert your attention but it will make you look forward to doing exciting things together. For e.g. When I was pregnant, my husband and I signed up for this lovely 'Art of Parenting' class jointly that made us do fun activities in the class as well as outside. We made some great friends, had outings together, shared our unique experiences of the changes we were undergoing, went on picnics, did yoga and meditation, listened to beautiful mantras and in short had a blast which otherwise we had never done in 8 years of marriage.

Make a vision chart. In order to have a happy baby, visualise her as a happy baby! Dedicate one wall of your personal space to photos of your idols, of those you look up to, those you respect, who are achievers in your eyes, not necessarily famous or celebrities, whom you would like your child to emulate or take after. Mention each quality that you admire of the person and which you would like to see in your baby next to the photo. For e.g. you want your child to be Honest like Gandhiji or Naughty like Krishna, Healthy like Hanuman or Lovable like Ganu bappa. Maybe all these qualities are present in various members of your family.. Replace the names with those of your family members.. Read out each day all the qualities and thank God for making her the way you visualised her. Ask, Believe, Recieve as the Secret says and don't forget to thank! And hey you don't have to wait till you conceive.. As I said its the thought that's going to give birth to the baby.

 

Tips

Make extra sure that you avoid all unnecessary conflicts. Couples during pregnancy fight on things like "hey, you didn't come with me to the doctor!", "hey, I want a chocolate icecream right now!", "hey, why didn't you ask to see my sonography reports?", "I feel you don't love me any more". I know, I know, all these are examples of women complaining to their partners.. But it is true that most of the emotional ups and downs are felt by the women for obvious reasons. Know in advance that you are going to go through an emotional rollercoaster and accept it peacefully. But there is a tip for men too, try to be extra special to your partners during the pregnancy. Your small, thoughtful gestures will go a long way in creating a happy baby!

 

Caution

Do not force the other to do any particular activity nor do anything yourself under force. It will only harbour resentment and negative feelings that will hamper your end goal.

what are the best ways to express love - how to find the right girl

Finding the right partner who will stay with you throughout your life and beyond is indeed a difficult if not impossible task! Individually both of you may be ideal human beings but what is most important is that are you two compatible? This depends on how well you are willing to accommodate each other. Let's face it, if you want to share your life with an individual, there are bound to be some compromises.. on both sides.

Things You'll Need

An open mind, understanding, love and respect for each other.

 

Steps

Don't be overbearing. Expressing love is more a subtle gesture rather than overt display. A woman is more sensitive and therefore receptive to words and thoughts than money. What I mean is if you are the types who just spends lavishly without spending quality time with your potential partner, chances are that the relationship might not last long. Yes women love gifts but thoguhtful gifts not necessarily expensive that are an extension of your tender feelings for her.

Don't be possessive. I know it is hard for men but the fact is the less possessive you are, the more likely it is for the lady to remain attached to you. This is one of the best ways to profess your love and trust for her. It is an inverse proportion. The more possessive you become the further you drive her away from you.

Don't keep tabs on her. Do not check up on her activities hour on hour. Let her be the one to call you and keep you informed. In fact, you see, this keeps the lady more in love with you. It is negative psychology at work. It makes her a bit insecure that you do not call her often. It is better this way than her lying to you if you start harrassing her.

Bring random gifts to surprise her. Like I said women love gifts not necessarily expensive ones. Offer her a lovely pendant on a special date, bring her some beautiful blossoms on a romantic evening, offer to do her work once in a while that you can manage, give her a great massage when she appears tired. Do this and she is yours for life. Guaranteed!

Praise her. This is one thing that men often overlook. Just positive words. That does not mean that you go overboard. Just a thank you, a kind word, a loving gesture goes a long way in keeping the fires alive. Also keep in mind, never to criticise her in front of others.

 

Tips

There are times when you are not in the mood to do any of the above.. in short, in a mood to fight. So fight it out. But make it a rule of your relationship, never ever to remind her zhat all you have done for her if you want her to continue staying in your life with as much love as before. Doing so will not only destroy what you have so painstakingly built but create a rift.. a doubt in the mind of your partner that what all you do is only for show and you don't mean it.

 

Caution

Do all the things without expectations and then see the fruit of your actions!

How to Trade in Stock Options and Futures

 
Since the past decade, the stock market has become a hot place to invest and make money, especially the futures and options (f&o) segment. No doubt long term investing  in the stock markets (5-10 years in trustworthy stocks) will bring in good returns, but strangely, when it comes to the f&o, it seems only the big ticket players make it bigger whereas the 'poor' retail investors become poorer. There are very few of us retail investors who would say that they have actually made money in f&o.. I am one of them. I started as any other retail investor, not knowing anything about how the damn thing operates, trusted my stock broker, and... what else..ended up losing big time! But after taking a lot of personal efforts, my fortunes have changed. Here's a rough guide on how to trade in f&o.

Things You'll Need

Patience, basic knowledge, enough back-up capital, discipline, patience again!

 

Steps

Enough playable money. Do not venture into the f&o if you have limited amount of capital. Though the broker may paint a rosy picture for you and give you examples of fantastic returns, do not get carried away! For e.g. if you have, let's say, Rs. 5 lacs to invest, then, I'd say, you divide this capital into equal parts. Put 1 lac in F.D., 1 lac in mutual funds, 1 lac in bonds, 1 lac in trustworthy stocks and with the remaining 1 lac you can enter the f&o arena. Don't get me wrong, if you play right your f&o can really bring in fantastic returns. If you are absolutely new to futures and options, I'd suggest that you first read up on what they are and how they operate. Both these instruments have different set of rules on which they operate.

Do not depend on external advise. No one can make more money for you than yourself. Trust no one. Your broker makes money either ways, whether you lose or win. I remember during the 2007-8 crash, I ended up losing big time in the stock that my broker had picked for trading in f&o. He kept advising me to hold on to it but the price kept going lower and lower and I had to later sell it at a huge loss. I paid a heavy price for it, literally, because of my broker's lack of knowledge. For picking winning stocks, you need to know how to read the charts. There are many classes online and otherrwise that are willing to share their chart knowledge with you for a small price. I say small because if you get the right knowledge on how to read the charts, you can make BIG money. The charts become your best friends and no.. you do not need to be a finance expert to read the charts. I have an Arts and Law background but I can proudly say that now I rarely make a mistake in picking out winner stocks.

Exit on intuition. Most of us get the intuition that it is now time to exit but still hold on to the futures either with greed if the price has gone above your buy price or with ego hassles if it has gone below. You have to take calculated decisions and stick to them. If you are not capable of reading your intuition, then set a stop loss beyond which you vow not to carry your stock. It is better to lose a bit now, then to pay a heavy price later. On the other hand, set a reasonable target price for your stock to exit at a profit and exit it the minute it is achieved. It does not pay to get greedy. Do not expect miracles overnight.

Trade in Index futures. Sometimes the stock prices are artificially driven or a particular sector may take a hit for that day because of some policy change or even a rumour of a policy change. Since the stock prices are highly sensitive to news, it is better to trade in index futures which are much safer and far less costly. That way your holding capacity also increases. The f&o expires on the last Thursday of each month. You have the option of rolling over if your price target is not achieved. But I would recommend not holding on to your futures for very long unless you have become an expert in reading charts and gained confidence on the movement of stock prices.

Do not become a manic trader. The futures can be traded either ways.. You can buy stock/ index futures and sell at a later time/ date. In which case it means that you are long and expect the prices to go up. You can even sell your futures first and buy it out at a later time/ date in which case you are short. Do not try to time the market and go long or short frequently. The market has a tendency to correct in a bull market which does not mean that it is changing trajectory. At the same time, even in a bear market, the prices may rise but it may only be a temporary retracement.

Trade in options. Options offer a safer and much cheaper way of trading with good enough returns. Your investment is limited and therefore your loss is also limited. Whereas in futures, even if your investment is limited, your losses have no limits if you make a wrong decision. Therefore a rookie f&o trader may start with options, gain confidence and then move on to futures with the money earned in the options segment. But beware, not all stocks have good volume in options. Therefore it may get difficult to offload the particular stock options. The best is to choose index options like the Nifty options. Again you can be long , i.e. buy a call option or you can be short and buy a put option.

Be patient. Whenver I trade I have noticed that just after I buy futures at a particular price, it immedaitely comes down. This feature used to earlier cause me to panic and make losses by selling at a lower price. That's just what to avoid doing. You can never 'catch' the right price. As long as you are confident about your chart-reading ability, remain calm and patient and wait for the right price. What satisfaction!

 

Tips

There is a tendency that whenever we go long or short, the market buzz says the opposite. Do not listen to the buzz, just wait patiently for your price to come. But for this you really need to have read the charts well.

 

Caution

Trading is a hazardous passtime. Do not treat it lightly. Many get overconfident with beginner's luck profits. Do not get carried away. At first learn to use your chart knowledge just on imaginary trading.. see how your decisions are working out and once you get confidence, you can slowly start with options. Remember, you can never be right 100% of the time. If you are then bravo for you! The best of us can sometimes overlook certain factors.