Recent Posts - Page 14 of 15 - Nandyz Soulshine

5 Reasons For Expressing Your Creativity Through Watercolor

Why I like watercolor? Well, why not? It is a challenging and idiosyncratic medium that is as much fun as difficult to get the nuances right. Water is the main element that controls every mark, value of every pigment and the neatness or blending potential of every edge. So, learning to control the amount of water in your brush is key to creating better watercolor art. It is simple enough to be used by kids yet tough to be mastered. Let us explore a few defining qualities of watercolor as an art medium. 5 Reasons I Prefer Watercolor as a Medium of Expression Innate Brilliance: Watercolor is a luminous medium. The white of paper shining through transparence of this pigment adds to the overall effect of artworks. John Clapp put it very succinctly when he said that watercolors give a feeling of wearing cotton clothes on a hot summer day. It is the clarity and breathable lightness of watercolors that appeal to me most. Also, you have a choice to go heavier with layers piling up or stay minimalistically brilliant with ideas conveyed through a few brush strokes. Immediacy: The quick process with minimum waiting time for paint to dry and the need to work fast suits me quite well. Though art being one of my passions, I get very little time to actually relish it. Being a freelance writer and full-time mom, the time-window for artistic expression gets really squeezed. On top of that, I don’t like to wait. So, you can see how expressing myself creatively through watercolors fits like a glove. However, at some point I would surely like to try my hands at advanced acrylic and oil paint…that sure is in my bucket list. Versatile: Though at first glance watercolor might not seem to be so, it is quite a versatile medium. It works well for mixed media creations binding all the elements effectively together. It can accommodate oil paint and acrylic as easily as ink and pastels. Also, watercolor does the job with equal ease whether used for tightly structured elements or a more fluid construction. It can be used as easily to bring out minute details as for a general feel of the scene. Medium with a Character: Watercolor requires planning in advance. But even when you plan everything out, you have to keep space for the unpredictability of this medium. Because of this, there is a uniqueness about each watercolor artwork that cannot be recreated exactly. Not planning the gradient and wait-time between each layer may result in a washed-out pastel look, unintentional bleeding or muddy colors. Watercolor is an unforgiving medium and mistakes are mostly irreversible. So, it forces you to be prepared, focused and aware of the process. Also, it requires a certain level of discipline and order that really does appeal to my mild OCD 🙂 . Less After-work and Economic: I find the clean-up process after creating art as one of the least appealing parts of the process. However, watercolors being one of the least messy mediums, requires just a bit of water and paper towels to do the job. Even if you forget to wash your brushes, you just have to wash them in water the next time you use. But, it is a good practice to clean them up and store them properly so as not to compromise shape of these soft bristles. Being so less messy, they are ideal for fieldwork with easy transportation of materials. Also, very little paint is wasted because you can always add some water to your palette and use it for your next creation. Watercolors have a long shelf life. Even if they dry up in tubes or bottles, adding a bit of water always does the trick. Well, they are ‘water’ colors! 🙂 These qualities make this medium quite an economic one even if good artist grade paints do cost a bit on the higher side. The suitability of each medium depends on your style as well as personality. It also sometimes depends on the emotions or ambience you are trying to present through your artwork. Like other painting media, watercolor too has it’s pros and cons. It has the power to evoke the feel of a scene as much through minute details as through a loose rendition of the scene. I would much like to know what other fellow enthusiasts feel about this medium. So, what other qualities of watercolor as a medium speak to you? Follow my blog with Bloglovin

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Apple Cider Vinegar – 10 Ways to Enjoy Healthier Life

In the absence of modern medical practices,our ancestors were acutely aware of Nature’s healing bounty. Some of them provide instant relief while others need patience and perseverance. Going back to our roots and pantry medicine has perks of its own. Continuing with my inspiration from ancient lifestyle after 10 Reasons for Turning Water into Your BFF, let’s explore the health potentials of apple cider vinegar. This time, I am following in the footsteps of ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Hippocrates (the father of modern medicine). Though being an all-rounder healthcare wise, it is extremely acidic and should be taken in moderation. The thing to keep in mind is drinking it diluted and not using more than 2 tablespoons a day. So, here are a few nifty ways of using apple cider vinegar for health and wellbeing. Top 10 Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar Walking the pH Factor Tightrope: pH is the value that shows the level of acidity. Just as the pH value of pool water tells us whether it’s good for a swim or not, somewhat similarly the pH balance of our body shows whether it’s a play field for diseases or not. The better your body’s pH balance, the healthier you are. The pH value of apple cider vinegar (ACV) is between 2.8 to 3 for a good quality batch and so it can adjust low or high values easily to the ideal (below 4.8) pH value for our body. The obvious results are significant drop in frequency of infections, stomach upsets and an overall glow of wellbeing. Not at all bad…right? Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Tamer: Apple cider vinegar works actively in reducing bad cholesterol from our body. But, what has to be understood about blood pressure is that it is not a disease in itself but is the result of some other anomaly in our body. ACV works on these with regular, proper and consistent usage to ultimately control blood pressure levels. However, one should not stop taking their regular medicines just because they are taking apple cider vinegar. It should be left to the doctor to adjust medication doses based on the improving test results. Since this is a roundabout method of tackling the issue, it takes patience and perseverance. Tame down Allergies and Flu: A tablespoon of unfiltered ACV mixed in a glass of warm water with a dash of lemon and honey can keep common cold at bay. This also works for minimizing and allaying the symptoms of allergy. It appears, fermented version of an apple really does keep the doctor away 🙂 . If you spy the beginnings of a sore throat, just sip on a handy cup of 1 teaspoon vinegar, 1 cup steaming water and 1 teaspoon honey to soothe your vocals to wellness. It has antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, which do not only dilute and drain away nose stuffiness but also helps with the pain. Giving a strong nudge to your immune system to look alive, it prevents further infections too! One of the Best Tummy Doctors around Town: ACV can work wonders for regular stomach problems like indigestion, heartburn, stomach muscle cramps and even diarrhea. Simply drinking 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed in a glass of water (always remember to dilute it for use) would help. However, medical attention should be sought if the problem continues for other underlying concerns. ACV balances out the acidity level in the stomach and helps in proper digestion of whatever you eat. Thus, it takes away root cause of most of the stomach complaints. It also works on the liver to help make bile better. In it’s turn, bile helps digest food better. Detoxifying the liver with ACV wash also prevents painful liver stones by not allowing bile to harden up forming stones. Mouthwash with Superpowers: Even brushing twice a day may sometimes be not enough to deal with bad breath. Breath mints and sprays only cloak the problem. ACV mouthwash (1 part apple cider vinegar to 4 parts water) not only attacks bacteria buildup causing bad breath but also acts as an anti-inflammatory and antifungal agent. What it does as a super-agent is, it helps tackle gingivitis, mouth ulcers and other collective mouth problems. Along the way, it keeps pain in check and mouth odor at bay. Dealing with Pesky Infections: Even Hippocrates swore by ACV’s antifungal and antimicrobial qualities. To begin with, you can try out some of the effortless ways of using it. Dip your feet in a pail of warm water spiked with a cup of apple cider vinegar to deal properly with foot or toe fungus. To be one step ahead of bladder infection and recurring UTIs, take 2 tablespoon servings per day of ACV. You can take it as salad dressing, drink or any other creative delicious way you can think of. Taking a relaxing bath infused with a couple of cups of apple cider vinegar takes care of yeast infections. This therapy also works wonders for sunburns if followed with gentle layering up with coconut oil. Indispensable Metabolism and Energy: Take a regular dose of diluted unfiltered ACV alongside a healthy diet and exercise routine to give your body’s metabolism a hearty heave-ho for faster weight loss. The way it works is that the liver sweats 24×7 creating bile to be transferred to the stomach…we know that right? Your digestive machine spoons it up to break down and metabolize fat better. So, better bile production equals better functioning inner machinery! Thus, targeting the problem at it’s root, apple cider vinegar helps you stay in shape. Also, not only unbroken fat but toxins in the body sap away your energy and willingness to have fun. By giving a cleansing wash to the liver, ACV (1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, 1 glass of water, a dash of honey and lemon) helps it to better chuck toxins away. And…detoxed body translates to higher energy levels. Hiccup and Menstrual Cramp Therapy: Try drinking 1 tablespoon of

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What 6 Home Decor Styles Say About Your Personality

We all like setting up our home in a certain way. Some like to conform strictly to interior design standards while some infuse it with their personal eccentricity. Even if taking professional help to decorate your abode, the guidelines you set for them to work on tells loads about you as an individual. In a sense, decorating our home is a journey in self-exploration. You discover more about yourself along the way, exploring things that you didn’t bother with much before. You might like a minimalistic style with no clutter while your neighbor might prefer a very personalized space with memorabilia in every nook and cranny. But, it doesn’t mean that one is better than the other. Contrarily, both might look very well planned and executed in their own specific way. It reveals personality of the homeowner and their outlook on life. Actually, it might reveal more about your personality than you yourself are aware of! The patterns, color, texture we choose tell a lot about our attitude in everyday life. Today, let’s explore a few aspects of home aesthetics and interesting insights they offer into the personality of their patrons. Don’t miss the infographic at the end. Pin it to refer whenever needed. “In a sense, decorating our home is a journey in self-exploration.” (click to Tweet) 6 Home Aesthetics as Clues to Personality Minimalistic: De-cluttered life with space to breathe, relax and ponder generally defines people with a minimalistic take on interior design. They are organized and efficient, methodical but also introverted. The color and texture chosen too reveal a great deal about the innate outlook on life of the resident. Light, unhindered view and abundance of space is quite important in their life. These homeowners do not much like to open up about their personal and family life. Hence, minimum personal effects in the room and almost a complete absence of photographs. Minimalism-preferring individuals feel constricted if people invade their personal space. They de-clutter their life, focusing mainly on one goal. Contemporary: Here, the accent is as much on comfort and character as on clean, clear lines. This style of designing is comparatively less stark than pure minimalistic. The people inhabiting are organized and efficient and a bit more open to letting others in to their personal space. Though here too, the focus is on efficiency and organized outlook on life. The idea of balance in every aspect of their life is quite important. If there is yin, there has to be yang too. The patterns chosen for furnishing like floral, geometrical or abstract give an interesting insight into the owner’s disposition. Whether they lean more towards traditional in their outlook or nonconforming futuristic. Vintage: People preferring vintage style of décor have a complex personality with something interesting under each layer. They value elegance and sophistication in people and actions. The patterns chosen, bold or subtle, also show us whether the resident has a dominating personality or more of a subtle elegant one. They are good raconteurs and also like to know the story behind incidents, people and things. These homeowners generally prefer the plush, luxuriant good life with a hearty discussion on intellectual and personal topics. They prefer their life and surroundings to be jam-packed with character treating every occasion as special. It also indicates that they like to be surrounded by memories and are quite unguarded about their personal life. However, they can be quite rigid in their outlook with a preference for traditional norms. Constant change isn’t their cup of tea. Rustic: A rustic décor reveals the artistic aspect of a person with preference for an uncomplicated outlook on life. They do not prefer complications either in life or relations. If you prefer this style, you probably have an eye for beauty in the most odd places, beyond what is obvious. You can find beauty in a trough bath, barn door or weathered piece of furniture. Also, such people are hardy because these interiors do need constant attention and care! These homeowners are mostly environmentally aware and prefer the simpler life. Transitional: If your style is transitional, you most probably like to have the best of both worlds. The patrons of this style are nonconformists and care the least about peer pressure. They may be futuristic in their outlook on life but also like to carry traditional values along. The preference is for minimum clutter whether of emotions or belongings but like to infuse every situation with a style of their own. They like to show their character and warmth through certain elements. Eclectic: People with an eclectic take on lifestyle are willing to try new things and make friends from every walk of life. They are somewhat unpredictable and like surprises. Here we can find nonconformists again, caring very little about trends and peer pressure. They are mostly outgoing people and like to collect memories and experiences. Their definition of ‘unusual’ is somewhat fluid. “Our abode is an extension of who we are.” (click to Tweet) These are just a few interesting ways of reading the personality of a homeowner. However, it must be kept in mind that these are not hard and fast rules. There may be other factors too dictating the style of someone’s home. Prevalent weather conditions, architectural constraints, availability of material, economic concerns, family dynamics and other factors play a huge role too. Be that as it may, it is a fun way to base your evaluation on. So the next time you visit someone’s home, go ahead and try these out. Who knows, maybe you will discover something new about their personality! Our abode is an extension of who we are. Does your home represent who you truly are? I would love to hear what other impressions do interiors give you about the person living there. PIN IT TO SAVE IT FOR LATER Follow my blog with Bloglovin

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14 Tips for Working From Home to Make it Easy & Effective

Staying focused & productive can be challenging when working from home. These real-life tips for working from home productively at NandyzSoulshine.com will help you get started or make the transition to work from home easier & effective. Click to read more download helpful free worksheets.

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5 Key Reasons for Selecting Graphite as Art Medium

Having used pencil from our first step towards literacy, wielding it to express emotions has become second nature to most of us. In the hands of an experienced artist, graphite can create powerful images with a character of their own. Seeing the world in greyscale makes us focus more on the mood and emotions. So, let us explore together the qualities that helped graphite create and maintain it’s niche in the vibrant world of colors. 5 Ways Graphite Stands It’s Ground as an Excellent Art Medium Versatility: The potential of graphite pencil as an art medium is way bigger than its seemingly monotone would suggest. From playful little doodles and quick rough sketches to detailed realistic renditions, the versatility of graphite is only limited by the skill of its handler. If you are not on an artistic ramble outdoors, carrying paint tubes, brushes, mixing palette, easel and the rest of the stuff might not be practicable every day. But, you never know when inspiration might strike! The humble pencil is one of the handiest tools to carry along. You can stick it in the coils of your ring binder for quick study sketches. Flexible: With its leeway to correct mistakes almost umpteen numbers of times (depending on your technique), it becomes one of the most lenient medium for creating art on paper. With acrylic to some degree and oil paint, we can keep making changes. But oil paint though being a fantastic medium and preferred by masters, requires extended investment of time. So, it is not suitable for every occasion. I like using graphite sticks and pencils because they let me make changes as I go along. Sometimes, I end up creating something very surprisingly different from what I started with. It is like putting on paper how my imagination worked out an idea. The realisation just feels superb! “It is like putting on paper how the imagination worked out an idea. The realization just feels superb!” (click to Tweet) Concentrate on Creating: Graphite is a great medium for impatient creators. It makes it easier to capture details without planning in advance or waiting for the layers to dry up. Charcoal too works great for capturing the mood in a jiffy. With pencil sketches, you do not have to worry much about mistakes, time lapse or even pre-planning. And, it does offer greater control than a brush. Of course, I am still somewhat green as far as being an artist goes and speak only of my experience. Professionals who have made paint their second nature, might feel quite differently about it. Be that as it may, graphite does come across as a very flexible no-fuss medium. Indispensable prepwork : When it comes to using paint, I like creating with watercolor. Here too, graphite comes in handy for planning the layering work better. With little scope for correction and fast pace of work while working with watercolor, graphite comes in handy. It helps planning the layering work better if I create the whole thing in greyscale first. With other mediums too, placement of elements gets easier with a pencil than tackling them directly with paint. The power of black: I feel the escalating shades of grey culminating in ebony black has the power to bring out emotions better. Colors bring along a mood of their own and certainly do add to the appeal. But if I am trying to create an aura focused on the details, concentrating on a single color works best for me. Just like some photographs look more elegant in monochrome, some ideas are expressed better through graphite. “Just like some photographs look more elegant in monochrome, some ideas are expressed better through graphite.” (click to Tweet) Being able to convert the technicolor world around us into monochrome fills the artist with pride. The ability to showcase the whole gamut of emotions with strokes from a single pencil is truly incredible. I believe, graphite preserves the beauty of a subject while bringing mood and feelings under the spotlight. Monochrome brings along with it an element of elegance and nostalgia. “Monochrome brings along with it an element of elegance and nostalgia.” (click to Tweet) I would love to hear about your take on graphite as an art medium. So, are you a fan of greyscale creations? Follow my blog with Bloglovin

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7 Reasons Why You Should Take Turmeric Seriously

Did you know about the wonder spice that has been used as a powerful and versatile herbal medicine since 3000 B.C.? The golden spice, turmeric has been an intrinsic part of traditional cultural remedies in many countries. Though this plant requires specific temperatures and conditions to grow, it is exported to be available in almost all over the world. Turmeric is a rich source of magnesium, potassium, iron, vitamin B6 and vitamin C, but curcumin is its most versatile and highly effective component. This rhizome is known for its wound-healing, protective as well as disease preventive qualities. So, let’s go ahead and explore the amazing health potentials of this wonder spice. 7 Powerful Health Reasons to Start Using Turmeric Cancer prevention: Cancer is a word that is enough to scare anyone anywhere in the world. This is mostly because the outcome of its treatment is like the result of a game of roulette – ‘unpredictable’ at best. Though the efficacy of unconventional modes of treatment for this ailment is still questionable, there are quite a few natural ways to prevent or at least delay its onset. The curcumin content of turmeric is a powerful antioxidant that directly interferes with the protein vital for tumor growth. This discourages metastasis of cancer. It also specifically inhibits colon cancer cell growth. Including turmeric in our daily diet is an effective way of creating a hostile environment for cancerous growths in the body. Cholesterol management and heart health: In today’s high-stress poor-lifestyle world, unhealthy cholesterol levels and weak blood vessels are a couple of the most common culprits affecting heart health. Turmeric helps in reducing bad cholesterol and triglycerides when taken regularly. The curcumin present in turmeric keeps the cholesterol level in our body well balanced. It also improves the overall functioning of our heart by keeping the endothelium or blood vessel lining in shipshape. The endothelium keeps a tab over our blood pressure, clotting and more. Curcumin helps reduce inflammation helping in conditions like cardiac fibrosis, myocarditis, cardiotoxicity and more. However, people with diabetes should use it cautiously as it might decrease blood sugar. Researches also have corroborated the efficacy of turmeric for heart health when taken regularly. Liver detoxification: Turmeric is a powerful anti-oxidant. It helps our lymphatic system remove toxins from the body efficiently. This in turn ensures reduced toxicity of the liver and thus fewer liver problems. It’s anti-inflammatory properties reduce liver damage. Curcumin also lowers the chances of liver fibrosis by helping manage liver stellate cells better. As we have already noted turmeric promotes a healthy cholesterol level in the body, it thus lowers chances of fatty liver disease. It encourages bile production to better metabolize fat, boosting better fat elimination from our body. Digestive health: Turmeric has strong anti-inflammatory properties that help whether applied topically or ingested. Thus, it is very useful for common stomach problems like cramping, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, indigestion, loss of appetite and more. Curcumin encourages absorption in the intestine helping with problems like bloating and indigestion. The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric help manage irritable bowel syndrome symptoms better. It improves digestion, while it’s magnesium and potassium content keeps dehydration at bay during a bout of diarrhea. Including turmeric in your daily diet or taking a pinch of this spice in a cup of warm milk every day can ensure a healthy digestive system and a happy gut. Dealing with depression: Dopamine (also known as happy hormone) is our brain’s weapon against depression. Noradrenaline and serotonin brain chemicals encourage the production of dopamine. And you guessed it right…curcumin present in turmeric enhances these chemicals and also boosts BDNF levels. Reduced BDNF or brain-derived neurotrophic factor is directly connected with depression. Curcumin also encourages nerve growth in parts of the brain used for learning and memory. Thus, acting directly at root level, turmeric helps keep depression at bay. Managing age-related brain issues: Long-term oxidative stress and plaque build-up in the neural pathways promote many age-related psychological issues like Alzheimer’s, dementia, cognitive decline and more. Decreased levels of BDNF hormone or brain-derived neurotrophic factors also is one of the major players in promoting these issues. Curcumin content of turmeric has been shown by many studies to be very effective not only in improving our cognitive ability but also dealing with amyloid plaque that is a key indicator of Alzheimer’s. Curcumin can also cross the blood-brain barrier, reduce inflammation and oxidative damage as well as help increase BDNF hormone levels. These all go a long way in dealing with and slowing down the progression of Alzheimer’s among other brain issues. Anti-ageing: Free radicals and anti-oxidative damage visually manifest as ageing. They also cause many other diseases, but are most notable as signs of ageing. We have all heard of these terms connected with the scores of anti-ageing products available around us, haven’t we? Turmeric comes in handy in keeping both free radicals and other oxidative damages under control. As already mentioned, curcumin has superb anti-oxidant properties. Thus, it also helps with slowing down the appearance of signs of ageing. It not only neutralizes free radicals, but also enhances the functioning of body’s inbuilt antioxidant enzymes. Turmeric helps slow down both visible and psychological effects of ageing. Turmeric offers an abundance of health benefits ranging from purely cosmetic to intrinsically medical. The most versatile and universally effective component of turmeric is curcumin that has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-carcinogenic and other highly desirable qualities. However, our body is not wired to absorb this efficiently. Studies have shown that the piperine in black pepper increases absorption of curcumin by a whopping 2000%. So if planning to take turmeric for medical reasons, take it with black pepper to enhance its efficacy. Like any other thing, moderation is the key. There can also be side effects like dizziness, diarrhea or nausea depending on the body’s inherent capacity to handle changed conditions. Turmeric has been used for ages in many traditional medicines for ailments ranging from arthritis to Crohn’s disease, cholesterol, skin infection, bladder inflammation and

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How to Speak the Language of Flowers Effectively

It’s easier to express your emotions more effectively using flowers. This blog post at Nandyz Soulshine will show you scientifically proven benefit of flowers in our lives including productivity, stress relief, positivity, & wellness PLUS give you easy pointers to speak the language of flowers effectively.

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Nandyz Soulshine Nominated for Sunshine Blogger Award

Receiving an award for what you do is always a boost for the morale. For me, it represents that the thought behind your efforts is getting recognized. I was honored to recently receive the Sunshine Blogger Award from a very positive person, April Huggins of April Does That. Thanks April for the nomination 🙂 . With honor comes responsibility: Thank the person nominating you. Answer 11 questions asked in the nominating article. Nominate 11 other deserving bloggers and let them know about being nominated. In turn, present your 11 questions to the nominees. So, here are my answers for April’s questions to the Sunshine Blogger Award awardees: How long have you been blogging? I launched my blog on October 15, 2016 and it has been a great learning curve. Who are your favorite bloggers we should check out? Cups and Cashmere Exile Lifestyle by Colin Wright Mindful art studio by Amy Maricle Where can we find you on social media? I am reachable on: Facebook at www.facebook.com/nandyzsoulshine Twitter at www.twitter.com/nandyzsoulshine Instagram at www.instagram.com/nandyzsoulshine pinterest at www.pinterest.com/nandyzsoulshine Google+ at Nandyz Soulshine Why did you start blogging? I wanted to share with the world my passion for going back to nature for mental and physical wellbeing and hopefully help others along the way. As art is an integral part of who I am, it couldn’t obviously be left behind! How did you come up with the name of your blog? It’s soul talk – speaking about the things you are passionate about, from your heart. So, Nandyz Soulshine brings forth the positives in life, trying to spread the sunshine about. What was your favorite movie as a kid? Born Free – it was an old one but the first one I ever saw in a movie hall. So, it holds a special place. What makes your blog special? It’s a positive space that aims to bring you closer to the natural way of life aiming at holistic wellness. Nandyz Soulshine is geared towards infusing sunshine in our daily life whether through art, health tips, motivational talk or humor. What was your first job? I was an executive helping with renewal of contracts in an IT support service company. Share the post you are most proud of. 4 Reasons to laugh yourself to health How long does it take you to do an average post? To finish, polish and publish an average 1000+ words post, it takes me about 3 hours. What would you like to tell your readers? Life offers you both positives and negatives at any given time. It’s always in our hand whether or not to look hard for the silver lining in every situation. Happiness, contentment and wellbeing – all come with the ‘intention’ to lead a positive life. My list of questions for the Sunshine Blogger Award nominees are: What motivates you to blog? How long have you been blogging and what would be your advice to new bloggers? How do you like to unwind? What is the motto of your life? Which is the topmost location in your travel bucket list? What are your hobbies? Have you ever written a book or are you planning to? How can people connect with you on social media? Do you like the mountains or the seaside better? What would be your three wishes if you had a genie in a magic lamp? (“more wishes” not allowed as a wish 🙂 ) Any nuggets of wisdom to your readers out there? Nominees for the Sunshine Blogger Award: The Happy Spoonie Project Blended Life Happy Wife Daily Deals from a Nerd Mom Queen Thrifty A Passion for Positivity The Mama Maven World in Paris Angie the Freckled Rose Walkabout Wanderer The Happy Trip From Size Zero to Wise Hero I have connected with all of you either through FB groups or your wonderful blogs. Your writings, experiences and musings have enriched my life and learning one way or the other. So, thank you and congratulations for this award. Follow my blog with Bloglovin

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Blogger Recognition Award for Nandyz Soulshine

It’s been a wonderful and awesome week. I got nominated for not one, but two blog awards…yay!! The Blogger Recognition Award followed closely by the Sunshine Blogger Award. I am hugely honored to receive them both. Tina and Jimmy Durham of Durham’s Love, Life and Travel nominated Nandyz Soulshine for the Blogger Recognition Award. I have been following their blog for a while now and love the way they present their travel experience. The variety of keto diet recipes available on their blog is just amazing! Thank you Tina and Jimmy Durham for nominating me. The Rules for The Blogger Recognition Award are: Thank the blogger who nominated you and provide a link to their blog Write a post to show your award Give a brief story of how your blog started Give two pieces of advice to new bloggers Select 15 other bloggers you want to give this award to Comment on each blog and let them know you have nominated them and provide the link to the post you created. How My Blog Started: I had been geared towards leading a more close-to-nature life for a while. Looking for advice and tips that would work, I came across an amazing lot of really helpful ideas. Writing had always been a thing close to my heart and I had been dabbling in freelance writing for some time. Both these clicked together and the wonderful idea of creating a blog to motivate people towards a natural approach to holistic wellbeing was born. Being not even a year old, Nandyz Soulshine is still evolving. But, the ultimate goal is to turn it into a font of information and motivation. The driving force is promotion of mental and physical wellbeing whether through health tips, motivational soul talk, humor or art. Advice to New Bloggers: I feel I am yet too inexperienced on this platform to offer any sagacious advice to relatively new bloggers. But, I surely can share my ‘learnings’ till now. The most important thing for a blog to go anywhere is streamlined effort. Your blog’s niche, tone, audience, promotion should all be well-defined and focussed. Trying to cover too many things at any given time can be overwhelming and counter-productive. Last, but not the least, and may be the most important one – quality content creation and persistent promotion should go hand in hand. It’s a great feeling to be recognized and supported by other bloggers. Not only does it boost the morale but also offers great opportunities for connecting with other like-minded souls. Blogs I Selected for The Blogger Recognition Award: Crystal Whitlow The Country Mama Charmaine Ng Sienny Loves Drawing Holistic Alternatives for Healthier Lifestyles Berly’s Kitchen April Does That Delighted Baking Thoroughly Modern Gillie Babies to Bookworms Travel Pockets Female Traveler Brooke Brunson Hodgepodge Hippie Mummy in the Madhouse I have connected with all of you either through FB groups or your wonderful blogs. Your writings, experiences and musings have enriched my life and learning one way or the other. So, thank you and congratulations for this award. Follow my blog with Bloglovin

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9 Interesting Lifestyle Blogs Worth Checking Out

The internet has become our go-to guide whether for inspiration, motivation or simply tips on making our life better. There is loads of information floating around, but finding a source worth giving a second-glance takes a lot of browsing. Having waded through ‘n’ number of sites, I found a few that are unique in their own way. Whether for unwinding or getting inspired, I like going back to these lifestyle blogs time and again. So, enjoy the list I have hand-picked for you here! 9 Lifestyle Blogs with a Charm of Their Own Marc and Angel: Marc and Angel’s blog “Hack Life” is a collection of relationship and self-mentoring hacks that actually are quite helpful. They cover a wide variety of topics from career and inspiration to health and life. So, you most probably would find something that either answers your query or touches a chord. I really like their style of writing as I do their ideas. This blog is full of tips to be happy and successful in your life. Exile lifestyle: I find the posts by Colin Wright quite refreshing in their stark presentation. It is like reading a book while still in progress. The blog’s minimalistic presentation and the choice of topics fit perfectly well with it’s nomenclature. The vibe is part travel and part personal journal, very intriguing. He also has podcasts, but I haven’t checked them yet as I’m more of a reading kind of person. You would enjoy this read if you are a book-worm like me. Backpack me: This is more like a travel journal by world travellers Ashray and Zara. They ignite wanderlust in their readers with beautifully clicked photographs and sprightly descriptions. You can look forward to some realistic travel advice as well as nice non-touristy things to do while on a trip abroad. With more than 50 country’s entry stamps on their passport, they surely would know about smart travelling! The cultureur: Nyssa presents a luxury travel and lifestyle blog that portrays the good life. It is a visual treat and can easily double up as your guide to luxe travel and living. You can get tips on the best cities for travel this season as well as unfrequented places to visit while there. Eat move make: The daughter and mom team of Liz and Chanelle present a blog that is bang on lifestyle. You can find mouth-watering recipes, DIY craft ideas as well as travel tips and pro fitness advice. This blog seamlessly merges the interest areas of two quite different personalities. The result is a very stimulating experience with loads of pretty good advice. Cupcakes and Cashmere: This is a full-blown lifestyle blog that has just about everything to make you feel good. From food to fashion, beauty, decor and DIY – they cover it all. I love their series on gift guide as it has made life a lot simpler for me 🙂 . What Mommy Does: Lena Gott presents a nice collection of parenting tips as well as work-from-home advice. So, if you are looking for kids’ recipes or insight into better planning your family life, this would be a nice place to explore. Tips on managing family finances better is an added bonus. I really like her ideas on keeping kids creatively busy and healthy lunch recipes. Purushu: Purushu Arie’s blog is a visual feast for fashion enthusiasts. Here, you will get fashion tips as well as fashion updates from around the world. I find his quirky knack of presenting edgy fashion very refreshing. While there, don’t forget to check out his fashion illustrations – they are just so full of character! Naina: Naina is a professional photographer who presents fashion and lifestyle in an amazing visually captivating way. You can find international luxury brand showcases and street style featured simultaneously here. Her short anecdotes are open letters with no minced words – thus, quite refreshing. It’s a nice find for the fashion conscious and creatively abled. Lifestyle blogs have made it easier to get practical insight and guidance into the varied walks of life. These journals come in really handy whether you are here to get advice or find soul twins. I mostly check them out for their visual bonanza or style of writing. Getting handy tips just come in as an added advantage. So, what moves the wagon for you – travel, food, fashion, fitness or inspirational? Would you like to share with us the blogs you like to revisit? Follow my blog with Bloglovin