Mother's day...

Mother's Day is a perfect time to celebrate your mother and all her wonderful qualities. Why not make this one the best Mother's Day she's ever had?

1

Discuss the day with your other family members. You don't want to step on anyone's toes! Perhaps your older sister was thinking of bringing Mom to the water park for the day--you could all pitch in and have a fun afternoon. Or maybe Dad heard Mom mention how nice a relaxing day at the spa would be. The more information you have, the better a decision you can come to. Remember: multiple brains are always better than one.

2 Consider giving her a gift. Be it a stuffed animal and a card, or a new patio set for the deck, a gift is always appreciated. Flowers and chocolates are one option, or consider a photo collage of her as a mother. A fancy recipe book of all the family recipes would be nice as well. And you can't go wrong with a gift certificate to her favorite store! Think about your mother as a person; think about what she likes to do. Show you know her by choosing a thoughtful gift.

3

Devise a plan for the day. You have tons of options, depending on where you live, what your mother likes to do, and how much money you can spend. Is she always on the go? One choice is to spend the day relaxing at home--make her a healthy breakfast, run her a bubble bath, watch some movies and reminisce about the past. Or you can take her out--go to a museum, a water park, the movie theater, a play, or pack a picnic and grill out at the park. Another option is to give her a break and send her off for a day alone, perhaps at the spa for a manicure, pedicure, and haircut. Meet her for lunch and give her your gift. Whatever you decide, make sure you focus on Mom today.

4

Make contact. If you live across the country or overseas, and can't celebrate with Mom, be sure to send a sweet card and give her a phone call. Perhaps include a gift certificate with the card, or send a small gift. You could even order flowers from one of the many websites that offer those services. But overall, a phone call is a must. Your voice is a wonderful gift to a mother whose baby is far away.

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4 Ways to Take Care of your Thinning Hair

Thinning hair could really be stressful as you are losing something you will never get back. But taking care of thinning hair is not rocket science. You can easily take care of your thinning hairline. Here's how...

Maintaining a balanced diet: What you eat makes a huge difference on the health of your hair. And if you don't maintain a healthy diet, there are chances you will have a thinning hairline. So make sure your diet is healthy and you take all the required nutrition's in appropriate quantities.

Stress too much: We are all, due to personal or professional reasons, stressed all the time. And stress can lead to hair fall. So the key here is to counter your stress levels with stress bursting exercises. Follow a hobby that you have left following due to work or personal commitments. Listen to good music and try not to exert yourself with external factors that cause stress. It will help you a great deal.

Take care: Taking good care of your hair is also important. Shampoo and condition your hair regularly. Do not change your shampoo and conditioner too often, stick to one product. Oil your hair regularly and wash then properly. Pollution in the world outside can take a toll on your hair. Proper hair care can help in reduced hair fall.

Cover up: If you spend a lot of time outdoors then pollution, exposure to sun and dust can cause hair fall. So cover your hair if you are spending too much time outdoors and it will help a great deal.

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Take fashion inspiration from fairytales this V-day

This Valentine's Day, enter the dreamy world of Rapunzel and Red Riding Hood through these modern interpretations of fairytale-inspired styles.

Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, comes a fairytale in the form of love. Whether we believe in fairytales or not, in the initial phase, the euphoria of love makes everything seem vibrant, bright and dreamy.

This Valentine's, let's keep the mundane out, and bring in the fantasy in our wardrobes. A taste for the fantastical seems to have cast a spell in the world of fashion. Says fashion designer Ken Ferns, "Fashion plays a very defining role to bring out the mood of love, romance and elegance. This season of love is all about keeping the look soft and dainty for women. Colours primarily run into powder hues, pastels and soft shimmers, aqua blue, peaches, soft candy pinks and ice blue; while the style line com prises onepiece dresses, feminine -even girly cuts, asymmetric hemlines, wide necklines, high waists, Eton collars... basically it's borderline prom dressing," adds Ferns.

Try vintage embellishments, accessories and headgear to add to the romance. "Fashion is what you make of it. Like a magician, you can change your appearance to change your mood.Put your creative mind to work and pick some metallic, pearl or diamond accessories; lacy, floral headpieces and fur-trimmed hoods to complement the dreamy V-Day look," says accessory designer Delna Poonawala.

Get hold of a pair of seethrough shoes by Christian Louboutin or Stuart Weitzman and wear it with a romantic chiffon or lace dress.Lastly, add some sparkle, suggests designer Nisha Sainani. "I gests designer Nisha Sainani. "It could be in the form of stone-studded accessories to go with the outfit or tastefully-done glittery make-up," she says.

FREE-SPIRITED JASMINE FROM ALADDIN
As Moroccan trend becomes mainstream this season, splurge in some Middle eastern glamour. "Luxurious harem pants teamed with an embellished sherwani jacket will give you a glam orous androgynous look. Bejewelled crops over Aladdin pants is also a funky option," suggests Satam. Keep the hair jet black and straight with dramatic kohl make-up. Sport a pair of mojri heels to extend the Arabic charm.

LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD
To stay warm and cosy this winter, pull those deep mysterious scarlet poncho shawls, capelets and hoods for an eternal fairytale dream date. You can choose from statement fire-engine red to deep burnt maroon. Pick your outer coat in silk, suede or velvet material and wear a beautiful white lace dress beneath to complete the mood. A basket-shaped woven clutch and some patent Mary Jane shoes finish this look.

BELLE FROM BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Wear a bright yellow shade in a modern silhouette. Let the bright canary colour be the focal point and work on sculpted details in terms of construction and form.

Work the fairytale brunette hairdo of a loose bun and open locks. Dark berry maroon lips will punctuate the look. Complete the look with rose motif jewels in sparkling rubies or con trasting emeralds.

THE LITTLE MERMAID
Unleash your inner sea siren and dress as a mystical aquatic diva in anything with a fish-scale texture. Go for overlapping sequined dresses or mermaid-cut gowns. Safest option would be sporting a gleaming sequined gown in sea shades of laguna green, sea foam, mint, or go intense in waterinspired shades like midnight blue.For literal translation, opt for designs with coral embellishments or seahorse and starfish motifs.For an edgier avatar, try wearing a deconstructed silhouette and team it with fishnet stockings.

CHARMING CINDERELLA
Update the classic Cinderella dream-like ball gown and add a dash of glamorous tonal bling. Opt for anything ice blue and azure with pristine crystal work. "Keep the shoulders bare and pull back your hair in a timeless chignon.Subtle, dewy make-up goes best with this look," says designer Aniket Satam.Don't forget the `hero' Don't forget the `her of the look - iconic glass slippers.Invest in a pair of crystal-studded sandals or glitter-dripping silver pumps for that magical effect.

RESOLUTE RAPUNZEL
Think jewel tones of amethyst, deep wine, radiant orchid, and create your own colour story of dark romance. If light-heart ed deep lilac, mauve and lavender are your colours, think of dreamy, layered sil houettes in diaphanous silk organza, embroi dered lace or shad ed tulle. Best sported with elaborate hair do and innova tive hairstyles.

Dainty, deli cate solitaires in floral motifs are perfect for this look.

A FOR OUR PRINCE CHARMING
The modern-day prince need not necessarily be clean-shaven with manicured nails. Men in lumberjack beard too can carry imperial fashion with elan.

A classic three-piece suit for a formal dinner at an elite dining place sounds apt with a sleek choice of narrow ties and statement cuff links.

Invest in bold navy bandhgala for the authoritarian impact.

Shoes make the man, thus invest in an elegant pair of high-quality leather dance shoes or classic patent Oxford tie ups.

Bow ties are cute. Start building a signature collection of modern bow ties in varied designs, styles and material.

Old school details like suspenders, argyle socks, square pockets and pocket watches add to the princely look.

Stick to the palette of grey, black, navy for maximum impact and add a dash of colour in the form of details and inner seam.

Nothing spells grandeur more than a luxury car (just like the prince's chariot) to make the trip an elegant affair. Consider hiring one!

Smell good. Pick a milder yet mysterious fragrance over your regular sporty one. Intense musk and complex organic perfumes have a lingering impact.

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For Valentine's Day, Love Skin, Hair First

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, start indulging in proper skin and hair care to look your best.

Mohan Thomas, cosmetic surgeon and managing director of Cosmetic Surgery Institute, shares skin care tips that you should start following to look radiant on Valentine's Day:

The brunt of the activity is taken up by your feet when you work, so make sure your skin care includes pampering of feet too.

Moisturise: Keeping the feet moisturised is the best way to get smooth feet. In the evening, dip your feet in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes. Scrub off dead skin from the heels, wash and dry them with a towel. Apply good amount of foot cream, and wear socks before going to bed.

Visit a pedicurist: Get a relaxing pedicure done every week. Use antifungal creams if you have fungal infection. You can also go for nail art to match your dress for the occasion.

Full body: Start getting full body treatments including skin bleach to remove tan, sauna to remove toxins and exfoliation to remove dead skin. Every day, after shower, remember to apply a good body lotion to your skin to keep it nourished.

Hair and scalp: Use hair massages for scalp and hair, keep the oil overnight and then either visit a hair spa or wash with good shampoo with conditioner at home. Repeat the process every week to keep hair nourished, shiny and damage free.

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Women for alone time, men for romance on Valentine's Day: Survey

Close to 70 percent women want to spend Valentine's Day February 14 by themselves or with family and friends instead of a romantic jaunt with their someone special, a survey by a leading Indian matrimonial site said Thursday.

A survey conducted by a matrimonial site with more than 4700 people of which 2025 women and 2675 men  encompassing various age groups, revealed 83 percent of youth believe in Valentine's Day, said a release.

It said,"68 percent women are taking the lead when it comes to spending the day by themselves or with family or friends rather than with their special someone while 31 percent men showed interest in spending the day with their Valentine."

However, the majority of men surveyed want to spend quality time with their partners. The survey also shed light on gifting choices.

"When it comes to the ways of celebrating the day, 69 percent of the women said they would gift their Valentine something expensive or plan for a movie or an outing, whereas 64 percent men prefer to go out for a lunch/dinner to spend quality time with their Valentine."

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Ways to make your office romance work

Ahead of Valentine's Day, online jobs site CareerBuilder.in's annual survey on office romance found that 36 percent of Indian workers have dated someone who worked for the same company, and 37 percent said they went on to marry the person.

While attraction among people who share  a workspace is not uncommon, an office romance is not something many endorse. With secrecy being one of the biggest issues attached to an office affair, here are the ways you can make it work.

 Check the company handbook: Some companies have strict policies around office romances. Acquaint yourself with the rules before turning a professional relationship into a personal one.

Proceed with caution: Some romances lead to marriage, but others can lead to disaster. Seven percent of workers reported having to leave their jobs because of an office romance that soured. Take the time to get to know someone first and carefully weigh risks and benefits.

Compartmentalise: Keep your work life separate from your home life. Avoid public display of affection in the office and don't involve co-workers in personal disagreements.

Think before you post: Be careful what you post on social media. You can end up spilling the beans on your relationship before you're ready to discuss it.

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Priyanka Chopra's Grammy face is every girl's nightmare

Priyanka Chopra made many appearances during the Grammy before and after parties, though she didn't make the cut for the actual event. Yet there was one thing common in all her Grammy appearances - the giant zit on Priyanka's face.

That pimple made a special appearance in all PeeCee's appearances.  In fact there is a lot going on Priyanka's forehead and cheek  Here is a close up shot for a better look.

Basically, Priyanka's Grammy face is every girl's nightmare, including her own. While internally Priyanka might have especially hated her zits for putting her through this ordeal during the Grammy parties schedule, her confident smile fails to give it away.

Pimples happen to all of us at all times but they seem to have a special knack for appearing on our face before a big event. Follow PeeCee's example for today's beauty inspiration and use the following ways to tackle your pimples.


Cover up your pimple with a matching makeup.

Apply a few drops of white vinegar over the pimple. The acidic nature of the vinegar will reduce the size of the pimple.

Apply some cream based toothpaste overnight on the pimple to wake up to a more pleasing face.

Apply a cold compress at regular intervals during the day to calm inflammation.

Like Priyanka, if you were lucky to get a pimple on the side of your face then try a side swept hairdo.

The biggest thing PeeCee teaches is come what may, do not, mind you, just don't pop those pimples and smile!

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Want gift assistance for V-Day? Use app

Are you confused about what to pamper your loved one with on Valentine’s Day? Use Gift Assistance, a service offered by Haptik app.

It can help users find the perfect gifts and help with table reservations as well to make the occasion hassle-free.

What will you have to do?

“Just message us on the app, and our ingenious gifting experts will find you something that’s just perfect for your partner. Tell us your budget, a little bit about what your better half’s likes, interests, age and personality, and leave the gift hunt to us,” read a statement from Haptik.

Also, to find the right restaurant, get recommendations from their experts on the DineOut Concierge handle in your city, make a reservation in advance and avail some special discounts for over thousand restaurants to make V-Day perfect.

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First love hard to forget: Study

More than a third of Britons still have feelings for their first love, and one in four has got back in touch thanks to Facebook, reveals a new study.

Six out of 10 people regularly think about their old flame, the study found.

Nearly four out of 10 admit to still carrying a torch for their teenage sweetheart, according to a poll for The Best Of Me, a film about a couple who give first love a second chance.

“Many look back more fondly at a first love than other failed relationships, leaving many wondering what might have been and, possibly, what could still be,” a spokesman for the film was quoted as saying.

Twelve percent of those who stay in touch with the first love consider them a good friend, although a third admit their partner does not know.

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Invisible Boyfriend app does everything that a human boyfriend can do

We have long accepted the fact, even if reluctantly, that we live in an age where we are in love with our machines. I am not talking about the happy romantic love where star-crossed lovers meet and dance around trees and fight against a society that doesn’t understand them. But the kind of love that opens ourselves up in the most perverse ways, exposing our fears and all our flaws, to the other person, in an intimacy that binds us together in aversion and eroticism.

Our machines love us. We confess to them, the darkest deepest desires of our hearts. So that you can be sure, that even if nobody shares your tweet or likes your status update, there is an algorithm, residing at the core of a server, capturing that information and listening to you. Our machines have penetrated the very essence of our being, so that they don’t even have to wait for us to actually perform actions. Predictive algorithms which crunch the voluminous data about you are already generating things based on the probability of what you will do rather than what you actually will.

And conversely, we love our machines. They are alive, vibrating in our pockets, sliding in between our fingers, sleeping next to us in beds, even analysing our sleep patterns, if we want. They require care and attention and we give it to them. It is now normal for a group of friends hanging out to look at their phones more than they will look at each other’s faces. They hang on us, they die and run out of battery, they crash, parts need replacement, and we do all of this, not as a mechanical chore but with a sense of duty and joy. Who among us, hasn’t been faced with the dilemma of having a device that constantly crashes, and not replacing it even when it is easy to do it, both in terms of costs and convenience? Who among us, when replacing an older machine, hasn’t experienced the pangs of a break-up and the anxiety of separation that makes us reach for that tub of chocolate ice cream at 3 am on a Thursday night?

This love that shall not be named has slowly and surreptitiously been creating cyborg love stories for the digital times. This year we saw a new love story that embodies our distant, distributed, disconnected, circulating lives in a way that we had always suspected but were but not quite sure. This is the launch of a new app called “The Invisible Boyfriend”, where, for a monthly subscription that definitely costs less than weekly dates, you have a boyfriend on your phone.

The Invisible Boyfriend does everything that your human boyfriend does to you through the phone — hesends you thoughtful messages, lovely snippets of poetry and announcements of love, he likes your status messages on social media, he keeps a track of your appointments and social schedules, he recommends new movies and books, and late in the night, when you are in bed, softly basking in the glow of the pearl white digital screen, he chats with you on Whatsapp, keeping you company, singing you digital lullabies. In many ways, it is exactly like having a long-distance relationship, mediated by the digital web, with the additional advantage of imagining what your boyfriend looks like rather than having to face with the reality of things.

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