Treat Your Senses To The Rainbow Mountains In China For June 2019

Colour Stories

These mountains located within the Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park look like a rainbow painted on the soil. The park is in the northern foothills of the Qilian Mountains, in the counties of Linze and Sunan...

Have you heard about Rainbow Mountains in China - the colourful geological wonder?

The mountains are made up of several layers of different coloured sandstone and minerals pressed together for over 24 million years. The rocks of Zhangye Danxia are colourful, smooth, sharp and several hundred meters tall. In fact, it looks similar to a layer cake with hues of maroon, magenta and lemon-coloured stone. The action of wind, water erosion and rain over a span of several million years have given it extraordinary shapes, including pillars, towers and ravines with varying colours, sizes and patterns. A vast area with seven differentiations of colour can be seen in the endless valleys here.

Tourists feel that it is an impressionistic painting when they see this landscape for the first time. The prominent colour of the landscape is red that resembles fire. It gets its red colour from iron oxide coating and cementation in between the sandstone grains. Some of the mountains also have stripes that look like ribbons.

In 2009, this site was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Zhangye Danxia was voted as one of the most beautiful Danxia landform areas in China by a panel of reporters from 34 major media outlets. The Chinese National Geography magazine chose Zhangye Danxia as one of the "six most beautiful landforms" in China.

The best months of the year to visit the Rainbow Mountains are from June to September. Moderate rainfall in the summer can cool the soaring temperatures, deepening the colours of the mountain, thereby enhancing its beauty even more. The best time of the day to visit this majestic sight is in the evening when the colours change.

The mountains have become a top tourist attraction for Zhangye. A series of access roads and boardwalks have been built to help visitors explore these fascinating rock formations. In fact, during the peak tourist season, the location receives a footfall of 20,000 tourists every day.

Colour Trivia

Colour Facts For June 2019

1. In mid-1960s, Crayola’s Flesh colour was renamed Peach after realising the fact that flesh comes in many different colours. It was said to be racist to imply that flesh is or should be of that colour only. In 1992, responding to consumer feedback, Crayola introduced a special set of eight Multicultural Crayons. In its newest package, Crayola introduced My World Colours, offering a selection of 16 crayons in colours that reflect different skin, eyes and hair colours around the world. The box is decorated with a picture of a globe topped with children of different ethnic groups, holding hands.
2. Chromophobia is a rare, persistent, irrational fear of, or aversion to colours. It is usually a conditioned or learned response. It is derived from two Greek words Chromos and Phobos which mean colour and fear respectively. Some people who have this disorder react strongly to certain shades or hues, while others will try to avoid the colour altogether. Some signs and symptoms include nausea, dizziness, feelings of panic, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, anxiety, headache and even trembling. Many are known to fear the colour red since it is symbolic to blood, death and violence, as often seen in movies and TV shows.
3. Colours impact more than just aesthetics and décor. Research has shown that people actually have psychological reactions to colours. Different colours stimulate different emotions and responses and can significantly impact feelings of hunger, thirst and even space in some customers. For example, yellow can stimulate our appetite, which means it is a great colour for restaurants. Blue is the main colour to avoid since it is said to curb appetite and can actually have the opposite effect. If you want your customers to stay longer, green and blue are said to be good colour choices since it creates a relaxing, comforting atmosphere.

Colour Quotes For June 2019

• "Life is like a box of crayons. Most people are the 8 colour boxes, but what you’re really looking for are the 64 colour boxes with the sharpeners on the back. I fancy myself to be a 64 colour box, though I’ve got a few missing. It’s okay though, because I’ve got some more vibrant colours like periwinkle at my disposal. I have a bit of a problem though in that I can only meet the 8 colour boxes. Does anyone else have that problem? I mean there are so many different colours of life, of feeling, of articulation. So when I meet someone who’s an 8 colour type… I’m like, hey girl, Magenta! and she’s like, oh, you mean purple! and she goes off on her purple thing, and I’m like, no I want Magenta!"

  - John Mayer

• "Women think of all colours except the absence of colour. I have said that black has it all. White too. Their beauty is absolute. It is the perfect harmony."

  - Coco Chanel

• "Don't go in for the "yellowish" if what you need is "yellow". The attitude called precision is the quality that remarks the accuracy of your demand. Never settle for the less; go for the exact thing!"

  - Israelmore Ayivor

Colour Tips For June 2019

1. It is a good idea to experiment with different colours and designs but remember that every space and room of your home must sync and connect with each other, or else your house could actually end up looking like a big mess, with no identity of its own. If the living room of the house is beach themed, going for a dramatic hallway or connecting room in dark colours or wallpaper will look hodgepodge. Try to have consistency in the basic colour theme for your interiors, especially wall colours and go for wall paints that complement your interior space and furniture.
2. Colour-matching is a huge trend for bathrooms, so try to match the tone of the paint or tile with the bath or other bathroom equipment. White or neutral tones give a sophisticated look, including a simple white scheme. If you wish to add more depth, use a mix of deeper or more vibrant colours. For example, if you are using pink, use a mix of corals and blush pinks for a beautiful contrast that is subtle yet impressive. This will create a more balanced look, while exact colour-matching will give a two-dimensional look, combining everything beautifully instead of looking out of place.
3. A great home office space balances the rigours of work and relaxations of life in your most comfortable and familiar environment. Do you find it hard to focus while working from home? Painting your home office space might do the trick. Green is a great colour as it symbolises prosperity and is also said to reduce anxiety and increase concentration levels. It is one of the most calming colours for your eyes and is known to be restorative and mind-clearing. For people who love the outdoors, it also gives a natural vibe, bringing the outdoors inside in the most sophisticated manner.

World Of Colours

Colours & Emotion For June 2019

1. Colours have the innate power to send out a subconscious message to each one of us. Every colour has a different quality, evoking various emotions in us. Can you imagine trusting your money with a place that has pastel décor resembling a kid’s nursery? Wouldn’t you feel uneasy by such a wishy-washy colour? Same goes with a nursery. How comfortable would you be with the idea of sending a tiny tot to a nursery that had a décor resembling a sombre bank? This is exactly the reason why marketers need to harness the psychology of colours in advertising their products and services.
2. Did you know that colours in movies can build tension or harmony in a scene? It has the ability to bring attention to a key theme. And that’s just the beginning. When telling a story, colours have the power to elicit psychological reactions, even draw focus to significant details. In fact, it can set the tone of the movie and showcase the characters traits. It can even show changes or arcs in the story. Make sure you choose your colour palettes wisely since it can make or break a story.

Colours & Fashion For June 2019

When it comes to fashion trends, you can never leave out neon colours. From quirky apparels, bags to footwear, this bright colour scheme has a lot of takers as well as haters. Love it or hate it, you just can't ignore it! You will often see celebrities and fashionistas sport this hue. Interestingly, neon has a colourful history, with its origins in the science lab during an experiment by two British chemists, Sir William Ramsay and Morris W. Travers. If you wish to turn heads wherever you go, you can try zingy shades of lemon, tangerine, fuchsia and lime!

Colours & Gems For June 2019

1. Scapolite
   Take a look at this gemstone. It is called Scapolite, named after the Greek word, "skapos" which means to stick or stem. The most common colour of scapolite is a beautiful honey yellow, but it can also be orange, pink, violet, brown, grey or even colourless. Thanks to its brilliance and vitreous lustre, it is a desirable gemstone. It is also known as "wernerite", named after its discoverer, A. G. Werner, a German geologist. It is rarely found in sizes over 15 carats. Doesn’t it look marvellous?
2. Unakite
   Feast your eyes with this gemstone called Unakite. Named after the Unaka Mountains where it was first found, Unakite is considered a sacred stone since it is said to deepen meditation. When you meditate with the Unakite crystal, it is believed to infuse your energy field with powerful yet gentle vibes that can help you let go of the past so you can move forward in life. It also has healing properties and can help you recover from major illnesses. It exists in various shades of green and is often mottled in appearance.

Colours & Nature For June 2019

1. Glossy Ibis
   Take a look at this beautiful bird. It is known as the Glossy Ibis. It has a dark, metallic, iridescent green and purple shade and a reddish tone with a thin white border surrounding its dark facial skin. The bird has a distinctive long and curved bill in an olive-brown shade. The eyes, leg and feet are brown. In poor lighting, it looks anything but glossy. This bird is found in Central and South America, the Greater Antilles, India, Asia, Southern Europe, Africa and Australia. It forages mostly by wading in shallow water, searching for food in soft mud. It also picks up insects and other visible items from the surface of water or soil.
2. Roseate spoonbill
   Doesn’t this bird look exquisite? With its pink plumage and spatulate pale grey bill, this bird is a treat to the eyes. Known as Roseate spoonbill, it has white feathers around its neck, chest and upper part of its back but the legs and eyes are red. It has a dull appearance when young and gets its bright colours as it matures. This bird is one of the most striking birds found in North America. Seen in marshes or swamps, it keeps its bill partially submerged to catch small fish and amphibians in shallow water.

Décor

Incredible Painting Ideas For Your Home

Thinking of giving your home a makeover? Here are some incredible painting ideas for you.

Your house, whether a 6-bedroom penthouse or a studio apartment is your haven, a space where you spend most of your time and cherish what is important to you. It is an extension of your personality and it should reflect that the moment someone enters your house.

Here, we have gathered a collection of wall painting ideas to jazz up boring walls with a little panache and pattern play. So, if you are looking for a quick refresh or a complete room overhaul, our guide will provide you with plenty of inspiration for your home paint and improvement project.

Abstract designs

If you love bold designs, abstract prints on your home walls will inject colour and create a focal point in your room. The best abstract walls are not limited to one colour. Abstract geometric designs are a great way to tie together several colours in your decorating palette.

Stripes

Play with pattern in your house by adding classic stripes to your room. A graphic statement that is eye-catching and timeless, this look is chic and playful at the same time. Go for subtle colours for a light effect and bold colours for a more dramatic look.

Ombre colours

Ombre might look simple but has the power to make any room look bigger, brighter and trendy. You can use this effect on the ceiling moving towards the floor or focus on the floor and move up from there, any design that you choose will make your room memorable for every guest walking through the doors.

Wallpaper

From nature to geometry, fun and creative wallpapers are a great way to jazz up a room without adding any unnecessary clutter, heavy furnishings and décor.

Freehand

If you are feeling crafty and creative, you can come up with a unique design for your walls. For inspiration, you can browse through Pinterest, Instagram and décor magazines. We recommend trying freehand with a pencil first and see if you are happy with the result. Once you are sure about the design, you can paint over it to define it.

Chalk paint

To get your creative juices flowing, paint one of your walls in chalkboard paint. Perfect for grocery lists and a fun canvas for your kids to draw in.

Ceiling

The ceiling of the house is often overlooked. You can create a visually interesting contrast on your walls and make your space dynamic by adding a splash of colour to your ceiling. You can go with muted colours if you want a subtle effect or opt for bright colours if you want something dramatic. If your room is small, choosing ceiling colours in shades of blue will make it look bigger.

Green Up Your House: Brush Up Your Interiors With Eco-Friendly Paints

Beautify your home while protecting your health and the environment with eco-friendly paints. Read to know all about them.

The products we choose to bring to our homes create a big impact on our quality of life, be it for the food we eat, the clothes we wear or even the air we breathe. Interior paints are said to be the number one cause of indoor pollution today. Most paints contain chemicals and toxic ingredients that emit harmful compounds, even years after your house has been painted, affecting us and our loved ones— including those furry and four-legged family members.

World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that painting professionals are 40% more likely to contract cancer. Exposure to the harmful chemicals found in chemical paints can be mild, like minor allergies or eye irritation or burning sensations. Headaches, dizziness and nausea can also result from exposure to these chemicals. Long-term effects include liver and kidney damage, respiratory issues and cancer. Toxic paints are not just harmful to the human body, but also to the environment. The waste of synthetic chemical industry leaves an immense carbon footprint and non-recyclable waste.

The good news is that you can be proactive and make smarter choices for your home. Are you ready for a new start and a fresh coat of paint that is healthy for both you and the environment? Let’s start by understanding eco-friendly paints:

What are Eco-Friendly Paints?

Describing paint as eco-friendly or environment-friendly means that it does not contain any airborne chemical or gases that can harm humans or the environment. The toxics found in paint are called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). In eco-friendly paints, the total VOC content should be less than 5 grams per litre of paint.

Eco-friendly Paints in India

Berger Paints is a leading paint company that has a broad customer base in India. Through its Green Horizon endeavour, the company aims to protect the environment with eco-friendly products. Berger Paints has completely removed lead, mercury and chromium from its formulation, which is toxic to the human body. The company has also reduced VOCs and decreased the content of aromatics so that they have zero negative health impact.

Benefits of Eco-Friendly Paint:

• Reduced health risk: VOCs can be dangerous and are known to pose a serious health risk to those who are exposed to the harmful compounds. Continuous exposure to these chemicals can cause lung cancer and other pulmonary diseases. Eco-friendly paints have zero or low levels of these harmful chemicals making it safer and healthier for humans.
• Low odour: If you experience difficulty in breathing or suffocation due to the strong and unpleasant smell of fresh paint in your house, this can be due to high levels of toxic chemicals found in commercial paints. Eco-friendly paints use natural material, thus reducing unpleasant and strong smells from your home.
• Safe for the environment: Chemical paints create non-degradable and non-recyclable waste due to high levels of VOCs. Eco-friendly paints, on the other hand, have zero or very little impact on the environment due to low levels of VOCs.
• Natural materials: Eco-friendly paint is made of natural and non-toxic materials. Common eco-paint components include plant extracts, milk protein, natural dyes and clay that are safe for human exposure.

Eco-friendly paints are no longer elusive and hard-to-find. With paint manufacturers now going sustainable and green, organic and non-toxic paints are available across various brands, shades and colours and finishes. Next time you are looking for paints opt for eco-friendly paints for a sustainable, greener choice.

According To Experts, This Is The Best Season To Paint Your Exteriors

Thinking of exterior house painting? Read on to know about the best season to paint.

The conditions for interior painting can be managed in any season. However, when it comes to exterior painting for your home, you have to consider external weather and moisture levels. This means painting the exterior of your home isn’t a type of job that can be done at just any time of the year. After all, we are sure you probably have never seen an exterior paint job being carried out in heavy rains or snow.

In order for your paint to last and turn out perfect, you need good weather conditions. Too hot and it could crack and peel and too cold and it might not dry evenly and fade quickly. How your exterior paint dries is directly related to the outside temperature and conditions at the time of application, which makes it important for you to consider the weather conditions outside when painting the exteriors of your house.

Here are some things to keep in mind when deciding to paint the exteriors of your house:

Avoid the rainy season

The southwest monsoon winds bring heavy rains and winds to most of India from June until September every year. The high level of moisture in this season can compromise the paints ability to dry properly and evenly. It is a good idea to avoid rainy days altogether and ensure all surfaces are completely dry before an exterior paint job.

Wait for the ideal weather conditions

Ideally, you should choose a time that gives you warm and dry days. It is also a good idea to look at the weather conditions a few days before and after the paint job. If it rains before the application, it might require a few days to dry completely to carry out a good exterior painting. If it rains right after the application, it might cause fading and discolouration. You also need to consider major temperature fluctuations from day to night. High changes in the temperature will react with the paint and cause cracking and peeling. Early summer and springtime offer the best weather conditions for exterior paint, with minimal rains and fluctuations in day and night temperatures.

Don’t compromise on the quality

An exterior paint job lasts for at least five years, but by using quality paints and ensuring right weather conditions, it can last for over 10 years without a retouch. Berger Paints has a wide variety of high-quality exterior paints and emulsions available; with innovative products and a 10-year warranty that withstands the test of time.

Most of India experiences extreme weather conditions, with the coastal region seeing heavy rains and winds from June to September, bleak winters from November to January and humid and scorching summers from April to June. This leaves a small window for ideal weather conditions for exterior house paint. Make sure you book your exterior painting appointment in advance during this full-season with the paint company.

To conclude, a day with no rain, usual temperature and low wind is your best time for exterior house painting. This ensures a hassle-free paint job and consistent finish that will last for years to come.

Colours & Ancient Sciences

Feng Shui For June 2019

Feng Shui is known to offer remedies to cure your health or improve your wellbeing. Read on to find out how:

Using Feng Shui for Good Health

One of the best ways to ensure your health is protected is to know your health luck direction and make use of it. Each sector (compass direction) has a type of luck assigned to it. You can find out your personal health luck direction by using the eight mansions kua formula. With the help of this method, you can calculate and know the auspicious and inauspicious sectors in your home.

Once you know your lucky direction, lie on the bed with your head pointing in this direction. If your health direction is north, then you should sleep with your head in the north direction and feet pointing the south.

Get rid of clutter since it can contribute to illness. It makes the chi energy stagnant, preventing fresh powerful chi energy from moving through the living space. The flow of chi can affect all those who live in the house, including pets. Remember that the rule of de-cluttering your bedroom applies to all other rooms too, especially the kitchen and bathroom. Your health luck will show signs of improvement when you de-clutter all rooms of your home.

East is the direction for the bagua sector of health. The east sector element is wood. You can boost this sector by using wooden furniture, flooring and objects. Incorporate colours like brown and green in your home décor using wall shades, drapes, upholstery, rugs and pillows.

Add healthy green plants in the east and/or southeast sectors of your home for good health. Opt for plants that have oblong or round leaves. Avoid plants in the bedroom as it can cause sleeplessness. Also, stay away from plants that have sharp or pointy leaves. It is important that you take good care of the plants by watering them regularly, removing any dead leaves and providing the right amount of sunlight. Don’t let dust accumulate as it can stop the flow of chi energy. You can incorporate many Feng Shui symbols like koi fish, deer, cranes, turtles and three-legged frogs in the west or northwest sectors of your garden for health and longevity.

Incorporate these easy Feng Shui cures that can significantly enhance your health.

Reiki For June 2019

Wish to enhance prosperity and wealth inflow in your life? Read on to know how you can use the power of Reiki for prosperity and abundance:

Attracting Prosperity and Abundance with Reiki

For some, prosperity and abundance may mean more wealth while for some it may be a successful business or career. It just goes on to show that it may mean different things for each of us. Whatever the case, Reiki is one of the most powerful tools available to us and we can use that power to manifest our monetary desires.

Manifestation Tip

Take a piece of paper and write down what you want when it comes to monetary wishes. Draw the manifestation symbol on all four sides of the piece of paper and place it in a box. Give Reiki to it every day until the wish is fulfilled.

Money Reiki Box

Pick a red coloured box or take a regular box and paint it red. Design it with different types symbols of Reiki which embodies wealth like Midas Star. Place a piece of pyrite along with rose quartz, citrine, aventurine and few Merkabah shaped crystals. Every day, add whatever small amount of cash is left with you in that box without spending it. You will notice money coming along your way from all sources.

Money Magnet

What is a money magnet? It is the process of transforming an object into attracting money. Choose any object that you can carry around with you daily or wear it like personal jewellery. Take the object which you have chosen and cleanse it in running water. Hold the object between your hands and speak your intention out loud and feel it happening in your life already, for instance, “I am a money magnet”. Charge the object with Money Reiki and traditional Reiki symbols. Bless the object by saying “I bless this object with the energy of money. May it manifest and bring all riches in my life, to the highest good of me and all concerned, Thank you”. Carry or wear this object with you wherever you go.

Go ahead and try these powerful tips for prosperity in your life.

Vaastu For June 2019

Preparing for a big exam? Read on for some Vaastu tips to help avoid exam stress and pass with flying colours.

Vaastu tips for students

Choose a room that is in the northeast direction of the home. It is recommended that you study facing east or north for best results. Avoid facing the bathroom or back of the bathroom while studying.

Keep the room and study table extremely clean without dumping books and papers around. Avoid irregular shapes when it comes to the study table. Stick to the basics like square and rectangular. Make sure the table is made from good-quality wood and there is a slight gap between the study table and the walls since it is believed to allow new thoughts and ideas to be absorbed easily. Discard shredded papers, torn books and non-working pens as they create negative vibrations.

Hang some motivational posters on the wall and keep the paint colours light and soothing, not dark and distracting with busy patterns. When it comes to colours in the study area, make use of yellow or green. These colours can be used as floor mat, pillow covers, drapes or even indoor plants. Do not place any mirrors in the room and if you cannot do away with it, avoid placing them on south and west walls of the room.

If studying becomes stressful, it is a good idea to take a lukewarm shower. You can also place a water fountain, fish aquarium or half a dozen bamboo plants in the northeast area of the living room.

Proper lighting is important while studying. Ensure that adequate natural lighting is received in the study room during the day. Avoid studying in the dark since it can stress the eyes and cause sleepiness and irritation. Do not play loud music since it can cause distraction and increase stress levels. Play soft music with no lyrics at minimum volume before bedtime. Allow yourself some time to take a break and rejuvenate by playing sports or indulging in your favourite hobby.

Hope you keep these points in mind while studying and find it helpful to ace your important exams. All the best!