Fraser Island – What Is It Famous For?

Fraser Island is a part of Fraser Coast area. The island's unusual sand formation & rainforest make it a great source of adventure for travellers to explore. Though popular among fishermen & 4WD enthusiasts, it's the history as well as Aboriginal heritage, which gives the island its character. The unique coloured sand cliffs, diverse flora & wildlife and beautiful fresh water lakes are also the highlights of this place.

Situated just off the Queensland coast of Hervey Bay about 350 km north of Brisbane, Fraser Island is a 4wd vehicle territory with surf beach being its main north-south highway & sand tracked inland roads. The main road in the island basically runs to Eurong Beach Resort on eastern shore from Wanggoolba Creek ferry landing on west coast.

Spanning about 124 kms & covering about 163,000 hectares, the island has been developed for over a span of 800,000 thousand years and it is being perfected even now. It might not be possible to explore each and every bit of this island's beauty but still the taste  may make you feeling captivated and charmed.

You will be charmed by its wonderful environment and you will get captivated by its European history and Aboriginal heritage - you are bound to experience these during your tour to Fraser Island. It is in fact the combination of these two things that have made this island a unique one. It's thus well worth planning your tour here. The Fraser Island packages in Hervey Bay are really cheap and you can book for one for your holiday. There isn't any place quite as Fraser Island. You'll wonder at its beauty and & good things, which are there.

The formation of sand is the key to the way this island came into being but its the number of fresh water lakes & the streams and creeks, which has made the place so special. Moody, beautiful and mysterious, the island is an excellent subject for photography. It is a great place to see a wide species of mammals, birds and other flora and fauna. A lot of tourists are also attracted to this island to see humpback whales, who annually migrate from Antarctica to warm waters off Queensland into Platypus Bay.

Fraser Island offers more than just scenic beauties. Since it was the home to the aboriginal tribes who stayed here for more than 5000 years, travellers visiting this island also get to see a lot of things related to these tribes during their tours through the island.

Different Types of Accommodations in Australia

Hotels

Hotels are commercial establishments that provide lodging, meals as well as a plethora of guest amenities, facilities and services. It's a must for hotels to have at least 6 letting bedrooms, among which 3 must have attached private bathrooms. Although these commercial establishments are categorised into star categories (1-star to 5-star), there is no standard method to assign these ratings. However, generally 1-star hotels in Australia offer a few amenities & services but adheres to high standard of cleanliness. A 2-star hotel offers good accommodation with private bathrooms and telephones. 3-star hotel rooms are quite spacious and has high-class decors, furnishings and colour TV. Bars and lounges are also available. A 4-star hotel is usually larger and offers more comfortable accommodation with excellent cuisine, room service & other amenities. A 5-star hotel on the other hand offers luxurious premises, a wide range of guest services, swimming pool and sport & exercise facilities.

Motels

Motels are popular as motor hotels or motor inns in Australia. Generally, they are roadside overnight accommodation facility, which offers very little or no amenities other than a free parking space.

Apartments

Apartments are accommodation suites that are fully furnished. 1BHK, 2BHK and 3BHK apartments are most commonly available for rent. Travellers and tourists wanting to book a lodging for long-term in Australia usually opt for this property. Since cooking provision is there travellers usually choose to cook when booking their stay here. Rented apartments may also include facilities like wifi, BBQ area, swimming pool and such others.

Farmstays

Farmstays are accommodations on working farms. Some of them are interactive whereas some are completely family-focused, giving children the opportunities to collect eggs, feed animals and learn the functioning of a farm. Other's do not allow children, instead offer a peaceful retreat for adults. Some Victoria farmstay family accommodation establishments that are available for rent even allow gays and dogs. For these accommodations, guests generally pay rates that are same as vacation rentals or bed & breakfasts. 

Houseboats

Houseboats are boats that are designed or modified to be used primarily as homes. They often include amenities like bathrooms, kitchens & ample floor space and are usually moored. Some of the houseboats also lack motors & are designed only for floating and not to move. In Australia, on Murray River and sunny coastline of Victoria, there are a number of motorised, pontoon-based houseboats having 2 or more bedrooms. Some of them even have multiple stories. The ones that are available for rent can accommodate about 4-12 persons. Lake Eildon in Vic and Hawkesbury river near Sydney in NSW are famous houseboating areas.


Hostels

Hostels are establishments that provide inexpensive food & lodging for a specific group of people like backpackers, students etc. They are ideal for travellers who have a considerably lower budget. In these establishments, travellers rent a bed, generally a bunk bed, in a dormitory and share the bathroom, lounge as well as kitchen. Rooms may be mixed or of single sex. However, private rooms and ensuites are also available in Australian hostels.

Restoring an Old Rocking Chair

Rocking chairs are among those seating chairs, which provide a great amount of comfort. They add charm to the room where they are placed in. The rocking chairs that are antique are often regarded as exemplary symbols of those golden times when furniture making was more an art than a means of livelihood.

However, if you have an old rocking chair that has started showing signs of deterioration after standing the tests of time, then it is imperative to get the piece restored to its former glory and magnificence. Although it is generally recommended to hire a professional firm dealing with antique furniture restoration in Sydney, performing a DIY is also possible. Given below is the procedure for salvaging an old rocking chair at home:

Tools Required

• Palm sander
• Wood glue
• Clamp
• Sandpaper
• Cotton batting
• Spray bottle
• Jute twine
• Thread and needle
• Painter’s tape
• Fabric
• Upholstery foam
• Chemical stripper
• Webbing

Method

First, the rocking chair has to be inspected for any signs of decay, cracks in finish, tears in the upholstery, rips in webbing and other similar damage. If the old finish are to be stripped or new paint coats are to be applied, it is imperative to take steps for ensuring that the areas in good condition are not affected. Such areas can be taped using the painter’s tape.

Next, the surface of the chair must be sanded gently with a sandpaper having fine grits. This will help to smoothen the surface and make it ready for adding paint or glue. Then the existing finish has to be removed with the chemical stripper by spraying it onto the wood surface.

After the original finish has been stripped, any damaged or decayed parts will have to be replaced. However, care must be taken to remove as less parts as possible for maintaining authenticity of the chair. Small crevices can be repaired by filling wood glue in them and pushing it in place with the clamp.

Rips and tears in the upholstery must be sewn together and while doing the same, cotton batting and fresh upholstery foam can be added for making the chair more comfortable. If the chair has separate cushions, they will also have to reupholstered. As for damaged webbing, torn webbing may be either repaired or replaced with a new one, depending upon the amount of damage. Loose webbing can be reconnected using jute twine. But if it is severely torn, then replacing might be the only option.

Popular Wedding Dress Necklines – Which One Should You Choose?

If you wear a wedding dress with a perfect neckline, you can be sure that your looks would be transformed totally. All of us have a favourite neckline but what we need to keep in mind is that the one we think is our favourite will that really match with our body type and  face shape? Here are a few gorgeous necklines that have been discussed about. The bride can use any of these to look her best on her bid day.

V-neck

This is a neckline that's staple in almost all women's wardrobe. So, if this is worn on the day of wedding, it won't make one look ugly. There is a reason why v-neck's are so popular. It can elongate the silhouette with an illusion of arrow being pointed down. It makes round face shapes look oval. Petite brides look taller when they wear v-neck wedding dresses. How much skin you want to show can also be very well decided if you choose a V-neck gown. When a v-neck is combined with a draped, wrap bodice, it becomes the hourglass gal's best pal. If you think that a standard v-neck is very much ordinary or casual for such an auspicious occasion, dresses that come up with laces on top of the neckline can be your pick then. It creates a pretty and soft pattern.

Sweetheart neckline

This kind of neckline doesn't always fit and match all brides. When its strapless, it makes the broad shoulder look more broader. But when layered with lace fabric for creating the v-neck, it looks great. If this type works great on you but going strapless for the ceremony is what you don't want, you can find a bodice overlay, which you can take off in your reception.

Queen Anne

These necklines go very well with wedding dresses. They have a great shape and offers good coverage for brides who are full-busted. These are however not usually seen outside of formal attire.

Different Types of Fencing

The fencing type chosen for a home has an important role to play in its exterior decor. Moreover, it is also a vital element of the overall security. After all, security and privacy are two essential features of a home’s integrity. Therefore, it is essential to buy something that is capable of fulfilling these requirements. There are several types of fences available in the market, the most popular kinds of fencing in Perth being wood, aluminium, wrought iron, steel and vinyl.

Wood Fencing

This one is among the most common types in Perth, but also in the whole of Australia. It provides a profound feeling of warmth and security due to its height. Its size and height can greatly influence the installation costs and requires a considerable amount of time to be installed. But sometimes, they can even last for as long as the house does.

Aluminium Fencing

There are basically two reasons as to why this type is popular among many Australians. First of all, it does not require any maintenance except for decoration and painting costs and secondly, it bears almost the same appearance as any other type of fence. But the aluminium fencing is incapable of providing adequate amount of security and does not work well in areas having severe weather conditions.

Wrought Iron Fencing

This type is usually chosen by people who want to incorporate creative designs on top of their fences. Although wrought iron fencing is exquisite as well as durable, it requires regular maintenance in the form of sanding or repainting once in every two or three years. However, the security provided by this type is weak. Moreover wrought iron fences can be expensive because they are custom made.

Steel Fencing

Steel or colorbond fencing in Perth has gained a lot of popularity and there are a multitude of reasons for it. Firstly, colorbond fences can easily tolerate adverse climatic conditions such as rain, strong winds, sudden forays from branches, etc. Secondly, they are available in a wide range of designs and colours. Thirdly, they do not require extensive maintenance except cleaning once in a blue moon. Fourthly, they are sturdy and therefore promise a considerable amount of security.

Vinyl Fencing

Vinyl fencing is regarded as being sturdier and more flexible than wooden fences and requires no maintenance. Cleaning them is also very easy as vinyl resists stains, dust and graffiti paints. But their installation costs are quite high.

Acupuncture Points for Treating Female Infertility

Infertility in women has emerged as a consequential health issue in modern times, and is caused not by one single factor but a combination of several causes. The primary reasons for increased conception issues in women are unhealthy lifestyle, excessive stress and low physical activity. However, there are many natural ways of female infertility treatment, which are often preferred over the conventional methods. Among those natural methods, acupuncture is the most common and effective therapy used for treating a wide range of problems that usually reduce the chances of conception in a woman.

Among the different points that are generally used for administering acupuncture to a woman with fertility problems, some of the most common ones are as follows:

Epang II

They are situated on the two sides of scalp just above the hairline. Stimulating Epang II helps to treat problems of premenstrual syndrome, get relief from menstrual pain and regularising menstrual cycle.

Yintang

Yintang is located on forehead right between the eyebrows. Stimulating it improves functions of Pituitary gland, and provides relief from migraine and headaches resulting from anxiety.

Lv 14

This set of acupuncture points is located right below each of the breasts and can help to correct breast tenderness associated with premenstrual syndrome and hormonal imbalance, improve libido, boost liver functionality and get relief from digestive disorders.

Ren 14

Ren 14 is situated about halfway between the navel and the sternum, 4 inches above the navel. It helps to reduce buildup of fluid in the uterus and fallopian tubes, improve release of cervical mucus, transform phlegm, relieve asthma and treat cardiovascular diseases.

Ki 16

Ki 16 is one of the most significant acupuncture points associated with fertility. They are situated an inch away on both sides of the navel. Ki 16 is believed to augment fertility health, increase chances of conception and correct issues related to autoimmunity triggered by improper immunological response.

Ren 6

Ren is located right below the navel and stimulating it can boost libido, improve energy, and relieve exhaustion, stress, chronic fatigue and tiredness.

Ren 4

Lying 2 inches below the navel, this point can help to increase blood circulation in uterus, improve functionality of kidneys, and detoxify the body.

UB 44

They are situated on either sides of the fifth thoracic vertebra. Stimulating them provides relief from stress and anxiety, strengthens the uterus, eases abdominal pain at the time of menstruation and treats insomnia.

Why is Fraser Island So Famous?

Fraser Island, a World Heritage listed place and the biggest sand island in the world, is a region of exceptional and immaculate beauty. Covering an area of about 184,000 hectares, its long and continuous beaches are flanked by remarkably coloured cliffs of sand. The region also features tall and majestic rainforests and a multitude of crystal clear freshwater lakes. There are many holiday resorts offering Fraser Island packages in Hervey Bay, to enthusiastic tourists flocking to the place every year.

Though there is no end to the attractions and activities one can enjoy in Fraser Island, some of the most popular ones are as follows:

Freshwater Lakes

The largest sand island in the world supports more than a hundred freshwater lakes. Ringed by beaches filled with white sand and perched on top of dunes, these water bodies are ideal spots for relaxing, swimming and organising picnics. One can easily drive at their own pace and discover the pristine beauty of these spots.

Dundonga Creek

It is a freshwater creek located on the island’s western coast having its origins 5 kilometres inside the rainforest. It supports a variety of wildlife. The spot even features a diverse mangrove community, exploring which can reveal amazing attributes.

Seventy-Five Mile Beach

Situated on the eastern part of the island, the Seventy-Five Mile Beach features sand cliffs with striking colours sculptured by the prevailing winds. Close to the beach is a dunescape known as the Rainbow Gorge, also featuring lofty sand cliffs and a natural spring which flows only for some metres before vanishing in the sand.

Eli Creek

An attraction popular among visitors, this spot is among the several freshwater creeks on the island flowing from the underground water table. During the summer months, travellers indulge in a common pastime which involves floating down the creek to the point where the water meets with the shoreline.

Indian Head

Climbing Indian Head can allow one to enjoy spectacular views of the eastern coastline. During certain times in a year, dolphins, turtles, huge rays, sharks and whales may also be sighted from this point besides a variety of birds.

Fraser Island Great Walk Circuit

This circuit literally enables one to trace the traditions of the Butchulla people through diverse habitats and stunning sceneries. It combines remote and challenging routes for walkers who are experienced, along with short and easier strolls for overnight and day visitors, thus allowing travellers the flexibility to choose intensity and duration of their walks.

Outdoor Furniture Restoration: Some Tips for You

Outdoor furniture can make your outdoor living an easy affair. And when they are well maintained and cared for, they make the outdoor area a lot more beautiful. But maintaining these pieces is not that easy. Most of the time weather acts unkind to the outdoor chairs and tables. And so if they are not maintained properly, they start showing indications of wear and tear. Moreover, if they are antique pieces maintaining them becomes a lot more difficult.

Here are some tips from Authentic Upholstery, an expert in furniture restoration in Sydney, for home owners wanting to restore the looks of their outdoor furniture.

Clean

Clean them using a brush. If you find any twig, cobwebs, leaf or bird droppings, get rid of them. Brush in cracks for removing all the loose dirt. Do not make use of any abrasive cleaner if your outdoor furniture is made up of metal like aluminium. Clean and polish with a mixture of water and vinegar or an aluminium cleaning cream. Use a hose to spray them properly. Wash all the mud or caked-on dirt. Even after doing all these, any stain or dirt remains, use a bucket of soapy water and bleach mixed with water, and scrub the dirt with brush using this solution if it hadn't come out with hose. Then rinse it using clean water. Use wood cleaning solution if you have a wooden furniture.

Strip

Cracked paints allow moisture to get in. This rots wood & rusts the metal. If the paint of your outdoor furniture is peeling or flaking, you should strip the coating back to metal or wood. You can do this by using paint stripper, heat gun or a sandpaper. If you see rust spots in the furniture, make use of metal brush or steel wool for removing the rust. If needed, re-paint. And if the timber has turned grey, use wood cleaning solution. It will bring the original colour back.

Protect

After the outdoor pieces are cleaned and dried, apply 2 coats of protection. Garden furniture oil works great in wooden furniture. Paint them on with a sponge, cloth or a 25mm brush. Clean & polish your outdoor furniture during spring & autumn. You may even make use an exterior timber paint. Hardwearing acrylic works good as well. If you find your furniture sitting on pavers, there is no need to paint the feet's base then. To get a gloss finish on a metal furniture, use a thin coating of car wax. Hose off furniture pieces on a daily basis when you are using them the most in a season. If you are washing and cleaning the soft materials like acrylic seat covers or canvas for example of your outdoor furniture, re-attach them when they are wet because these materials usually shrink when they dry.

Cheap Wedding Dresses For Brides in Sydney

Finding cheap wedding dresses in Sydney is a bit tough affair. But as women, we mostly look for wedding gowns and dresses that do not cost much or are on sale. And whenever we find something that's put up on for sale or discount, we hurry to that shop to see what is there. But when buying, we also keep a few things in our mind that these gowns should have a style statement and must be classy, elegant and trendy, as well as affordable all at the same time. Which is why, we find it very difficult to find cheap wedding dresses.

However, here are some wedding dress styles that will definitely fit your style and won't cost you much as well. See if you like any of these gowns.

Satin gown

An A-line satin gown that comes with a sweetheart neckline offers a classic look. The embellishments with beads and lace and a chapel train on the gown can give a gorgeous look. Moreover, if you find a dress that's backless, it would add to the grandeur and impart a royal appeal. It won't even cost you much.

Asymmetrical gown

An A-line asymmetrical, spaghetti strap gown works great for reception parties. Patterns of small white flowers as embellishments on the straps and appliqué with beads around the straps and waist are very popular. You can choose to go for this wedding gown if you do not want to break your budget.

Lace gown

If you are fond of laces, this is the perfect gown for you. When you will wear it, the dress will gently drape your body with exquisite lace work. Intricate lace work is usually seen around the bosom area. The handmade bead work gives the dress a lot more depth. The gown even comes with a boned bodice for finishing off the look. Train, which completes the dress is even done with lace work and that gives the gown a well-rounded off look. It is one of the cheap wedding gowns in Parramatta which often draws impressive stares when brides walk down the aisle.

Chiffon gown

For something stylish but simple, a classic chiffon gown is the best pick. It imparts a soft look and comes with tucks and folds. The dresses that come with a sweetheart neckline meeting at the centre with entwined knot blending well within tightly pleated backdrop are the ones that brides usually look for when they have a low budget. They have a midsection with a band holding the waist and the dress then falling loosely from waist down to the floor.

Choosing Flowers For A Newborn

A newborn’s arrival is, undoubtedly, a cheerful event that definitely calls for recognition. Sending a cute basket of flowers can be an excellent way of welcoming the new little member in the world. There are a variety of options to choose from and if you cannot decide what to do, the whole idea may seem pretty confusing. Given below are a few tips as to how you can choose floral gifts for a newborn:

Which Colour Should You Go For?

Although blue for a boy and pink for a girl is the general choice, it can also seem quite mainstream. For spicing up things a bit, you can select red blooms for a baby boy and white and purple for a girl. If you do not want to specify any gender, white may still work the best because it signifies beauty coupled with the warmth of innocence.

What Are The Flower Choices?

Selecting appropriate flowers for a floral gift is very important. Aromatic and delicate flowers might be charming, but they tend to wilt very quickly. Now for gifting a newborn, you will definitely want to choose blooms that are elegant for the baby and also last longer. Carnations are the traditionally ideal option with their ruffled, tender appearance and sweet aroma. You can also go for Gerber daisies which are quite hardy and may even last for an entire week. They are also quite inexpensive and come in many different shades.

Adding Extras

Simply a floral basket might not be enough for many people. As such, most shops selling flowers and gifts in Morwell allow their customers to choose tiny extras for turning the simple basket into a unique gift. There are a myriad of additional items which can be included in the flower basket for a baby, such as teddy bears, small balloons, baby figurines, other assorted stuffed animals, music box, baby-themed picture frames, baby rattles, etc. These are not very big items, but can augment the charm of your floral gift for sure.

Something For The Parents

Including something in your gift for the newborn’s parents can also add more elegance to the present. A bouquet of roses will make a pretty and elegant gift, especially if the blooms are of a softer shade like yellow or peach. You can add extras in it too, such as cookies, chocolates, figurines of mother and baby, etc.

Fraser Island Tourism

Fraser Island is basically a heritage-listed island. It is located along southern coast of Queensland in Australia. The island is about 200kms north of Brisbane. Its a locality within Fraser Coast Region. Fraser Island is considered as the largest sand island in the whole world. It is even the largest island of Queensland, the sixth largest island of Australia and the largest island on East Coast of Australia.

There are many mangrove forests, rainforests, sand dunes, eucalyptus woodland, peat swamps and wallum in the island. People have been dwelling here for about more than 5000 years. Long time before but for a short while, the place was known as Great Sandy Island. However, it became popular as Fraser because of the stories of a shipwreck survivor whose name was Eliza Fraser. Today, it is a popular tourist destination with a lot of things to see and do.

There are more than 100 freshwater lakes in Fraser Island and some of them are the cleanest ones in the world. Lake McKenzie is the largest perched lake and is the jewel of the island. It has crystal blue waters & white sands. And Lake Wabby is the deepest one on the island and has the most aquatic life of all lakes. Catfish and freshwater turtles can sometimes be seen swimming here. Indian Head is also a popular tourist spot. Tourists climb to the top of this rocky outcrop and look down into the ocean for spotting turtles, dolphins, rays and sharks. There are other attractions as well like Champagne Pools, Eli Creek, Maheno shipwreck, Coloured Sands, Central Station and Wanggoolba Creek.

Dingoes were also very common once but now they are endangered. The island is now famous for having more than 300 species of birds. There are even 25 species of mammals living here. Humpback whales from Antarctica come to sheltered waters of Platypus Bay with their new calves between July to August. So, this is the best time to see whales. There are many tour operators who operate from Hervey Bay and offer packages to tourists. They offer great Fraser Coast accommodation, whale watching tours and adventure trips on an affordable cost.

Vehicular access to this island is only by ferry; thereafter 4-wheelers for transporting around the island. And for this, there is the option of renting a 4WD vehicle. 

So, what are you waiting for? July to August is the best time to visit this island. Plan a tour and book one of the best Fraser Island Packages Hervey Bay before it gets too late!

Safeguarding New Zealanders Democratic Right To Be Ge-Free

A very important Environment Court decision of 2015 has been the finding that regional councils now do have the right to make planning decisions about the outdoor use of GMOs (genetically modified organisms) on their regions under the RMA. L. Newhook, the Principal Judge of the Environment Court, in May actually gave a ruling that there is a jurisdiction under RMA for the regional councils to make planning decisions about the outdoor use of GMOs in their areas. 

GE Free Northland, the Soil & Health Association of New Zealand and Taitokerau mana whenua supported the Whangarei District Council in successful defence of the local authorities' right to control the use of GMOs in their areas, after the Federated Farmers sought the ruling that Northland Regional Council had actually acted outside the jurisprudence in taking the approach.

However, the Federated Farmers after losing the appeal has in fact filed another case now against the decision of the Environment Court with High Court.

Soil & Health's co-chair person Marion Thomson is very disappointed with this act of the Federated Farmers. “Soil & Health was delighted to have our view confirmed by Judge Newhook. We’re disappointed, however, that an organisation that supposedly represents farmers has decided to appeal the decision.  Why does Federated Farmers want to deny Northlanders the right to manage what happens in their own region? Is there an application in the wings for a GE field trial or GMO release in Northland?”

GE Free Northland spokesman, Martin Robinson said, “The laws around liability for GMO contamination resulting from the release of an approved GMO are non-existent and grossly inadequate for GE field trials. Because of the gaps in the law a number of councils around New Zealand are moving to protect their primary producers and communities by introducing precautionary or prohibitive policies. It is vitally important that there should be a much-needed additional layer of local protection, should there be damages caused by any outdoor use of GMOs.

Mr. Robinson even added, “In our view, Federated Farmers is stalling for time and wasting money, while hoping for a law change.  We hope that if the government is not prepared to change the law to protect innocent victims, it will at least recognise the rights of the regions to control the outdoor use of GMOs by using the RMA to include iwi and community aspirations in their Regional Statements.”

The Government is going to need the support of New Zealand First, United Future or Maori Party for changing the law. GE  Free Northland only hopes that these parties recognise the amount of support there is from Northlanders and Iwi for their councils to manage the outdoor use of GMOs.

“We urge the National Party to abandon their unhelpful proposal to include a new paragraph in the RMA, spelling out that central government will block the work of local authorities to create a much-needed additional tier of local protection against the risks of outdoor use of GMOs,” said Mr Robinson.

In 2013, Pure Hawkes Bay actually commissioned a Colmar Brunton poll where 4 out of 5 Kiwis thought that the councils must keep their districts GE-free using the local plans. After all, consumers all over the world are trying to use products that are GE-free and organic. “It makes economic and environmental sense to pursue clean, green farming, and not dice with risky GE technology that has failed to perform, and created problems overseas, said Mr. Robinson.

Emotional Health and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been proven to successfully treat various psycho-emotional problems. Practical evidences from the application of acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and diet therapy show that TCM can effectively provide relief from stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and sleep disorders. Besides that, acupuncture is also incorporated in addiction treatment, for developing a strong will power to abstain from the addictive substance.

Physical and mental health are interrelated and mutually influence each other. In the context of TCM, the mind and the body are inseparable and a proper balance of both is essential for the well-being of an individual. Emotional stress takes toll on the body’s organ system, thus disturbing the balance of the entire system. TCM helps the organ systems to control states of diminished or aggravated arousals, which ultimately restores equilibrium. Acupuncture alone contributes significantly in treatment of various emotional issues by:

• positively altering the production of neurotransmitters and neurohormones
• stimulating the central nervous system for self-regulation of the body
• releasing natural painkillers inside the brain which alleviate pain and improve quality of sleep

Anxiety and Stress

Anxiety and stress disorders affect people in several countries, making it one of the most common mental illness in the whole world. They are caused because of fluctuating pressures of responsibilities at home and workfront. TCM addresses stress by resettling unhealthy responses of the body towards the causes of anxiety. It helps to calm the sympathetic nervous system, lower the blood pressure and increase relaxation of muscles within the body.

Depression

The approach followed by TCM is holistic when treating various symptoms of depression. Acupuncture can stimulate the brain to produce opioids and neurotransmitters which help to combat chronic depression and get back into balance.

Trauma

TCM can help tremendously in fighting against Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture can calm those regions in the brain that are specifically targeted by mental trauma, that is, the entire limbic system.

Insomnia

Less amount of sleep can have an adverse impact on all aspects of life. Therefore, restoration of proper sleep conditions is essential for overall well-being. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine not only help to improve patterns of sleep, but also reduce the fatigue resulting from improper sleep.

The use of TCM for treating a variety of mental illnesses is now advocated even by physicians and doctors. Due to the extremely low risk of side-effects, oriental medicine is also commonly preferred by patients suffering from emotional problems, There are several practitioners who have taken their profession over the internet and provide effective Chinese herbal medicine online, to meet the ever-increasing demands for TCM.

How to Pick The Perfect Wedding Gown For Yourself?

Every woman dream about how their bridal gown would be like right from their childhood days. Some even plan to put on the particular gown their mother, aunt, or grandmother dressed on on their day of wedding. No matter what the intention might be, choosing a unique bridal gown is an important part of the wedding plan for any bride-to-be.

On the wedding day, all eyes will be upon the bride when she walks down the aisle. Therefore, the bridal gown should be something that magnifies her beauty and elegance among everyone else and make her feel comfortable all the same. In order to choose the perfect bridal gown, here are some essentials that bride-to-be needs to consider. If you are planning to get married and looking for tips on how to pick the perfect wedding gown for yourself, this one is for you.

Careful Research

Go through bridal magazines or look up online to know about the trending styles. You can also check out the spring bridal shows that feature elements like strapless bodices, laces with new designs, chiffon fabrics, poshly embellished back interest, removable overskirts, and off-the-shoulder necklines, which are all common attributes of bridal gowns in Drummoyne. Capelet supplemented by a strapless gown is also a popular option to consider. You can also go for a dress with a fashionable inset. The back of any wedding gown is as essential as its facade. Keep this in mind while going through the various options. Besides looking for the various styles in trend, it is also essential to get hold of a qualified dressmaker. Perform a thorough research on the internet and locate an efficient bridal shop by going through customer testimonials and portfolios on the websites of wedding shops.

Cost-Effectiveness

Another consideration that most brides have to deal with while looking for their perfect wedding dress is the cost. So, before you go about hopping from one speciality store to another looking for a perfect match to your requirements, set a convenient price limit. This will help you to find the best quality as well as workmanship available within your budget.

Requirements for Trial

If you are going to try on dresses at the bridal store, carry along the undergarments you would be wearing on your wedding day. Also put on shoes with appropriate heel height at the time of trial, so that the alterations made will be more accurate. Try on the veil and wedding jewellery as well to be more sure about the dress you have chosen.

Comfort and Convenience

These are the most essential things you will need to keep in mind while selecting your perfect marriage attire. Make sure that you can sit and move around conveniently in it before coming out of the store.

5 Ideas To Spoil Your Mother On Her Birthday

Let us be honest today and admit the fact that we have actually given a lot of pain to our mums over the years. Right from the day when we were born till our university days, there has been a very few days when she had not stressed out herself for us. And now, when we have grown bigger today, we should not miss this opportunity to make her feel special and spoil her on her birthday.

Here I have discussed about some ideas, which you can follow as well to spoil her on her birthday.

Organise a surprise birthday birthday

She would love to be a part of this party, I am sure. Just tell her that you are taking her out for a dinner. Have everyone she loves and cares for wait for her at the restaurant where you have planned to throw the party. Go all with streamers and balloons and cakes. She will surely love the surprise that you have planned for her.

Take her out for a drive to her hometown

This is going to make her feel nostalic. And she may start talking about her favourite memories and would want to visit all those places where she spend her childhood like her school, the park where she used to play, the house where she used to stay and so on. She will feel like a kid once again when you take her for a trip down the memory lane.

Take her to a parlour for a make over

She might have hardly given time for herself all through these years. So, what you can do is book an appointment with a beautician and hairdresser and take her to the parlour for updating her look. She will surely feel great about herself with the make over.

You can go with flowers

You can order gorgeous and beautiful flowers online and get the flower delivery in Newborough done at the time you want it, for your mother. Make sure when the flower is delivered she is at home. If she is fond of flowers then this is going to be the best gift for her. This gift will show your love for her.

Take care of a big household job for that day

You might have heard your mom grumbling about the garage mess needing to be cleaned a few days before but because of lack of time she is being unable to do it. You can clear out the mess and take care of this big household chore either by hiring a professional for the job or by doing the task all by yourself. If you think your mom won't allow you to do all these because she loves you, then send her out for a breakfast or a lunch and get it done.


Also see this: What are the benefits of using flowers?

The Building Act And Different Features Of Building Consents

The Building Act, which was implemented by the government of New Zealand in 2004, gives an elaborate description of the procedures and standards that citizens associated with building work ought to follow during the construction, modification, demolition and up keeping of old and new buildings. The elements of the Act are of such nature that they ensure the safety of both the building project and the environment. The entire Building Act deals with the general rules of building planning, and the do's and don'ts of constructions. The observance of the principles of Building Act is inspected and regulated by regional and local councils.

In accordance with the Building Act, a building consent is a legal authorization that is issued by the council of a region. It is required to allow an individual or a group to initiate and execute any type of construction work. A building consent will be granted by the local council only if the building work that is to be carried out complies with the rules of the Building Act.

Before applying for a building consent, one must be aware of the conditions requiring a building consent. To seek important information about the Building Act and building consents, one can either consult the local council or property planning consultants in New Zealand. The process of application for a building consent involves filling up a form and submitting it to the regional council along with the plans, features and the Project Information Memorandum for the proposed work. The volume of information sought by the council usually hinges on the intricacy of the project. The processing of the application does not commence until the council is satisfied with the information provided. According to the terms of the Building Act, the council must not take more than 20 working days to process a building consent.

A council may issue a building consent or decline to an application. If a building consent is granted, the conditions mentioned in it will have to be taken care of implicitly. During the implementation of the work, building officials appointed by the council itself will inspect the entire project till the time it is complete. However, a declined application will be furnished with the reasons for its cancellation. In that case, one can ask for help from the council members or property advisers. A person can also appeal to a District Court if he/she thinks that the council has been wrong in its decision.

Ideas For Celebrating Wedding Anniversary

A wedding anniversary is a very important as well as a romantic occasion for you to remember the day of your marriage. It is an amazing way to renew the love you share with your spouse and awaken cherished memories from the years you have spent with each other. Planning the celebration of a wedding anniversary is both fun and exciting, as you keep looking for different ideas so as to make the occasion unique and perfect. Whether you want to commemorate the event with a peaceful and quiet  celebration at home or go for outings, it is important to remember that your love for each other is the theme of the event.

• If you are staying at home, make it special by starting off with a bubble for yourselves followed by a candle light dinner with home-cooked food. Add a bottle of extra-special bottle of wine to the menu and end with a decadent dessert. Have your own private movie night in the comfort of your living room or bedroom.
• Plan a visit to all those places that hold memories shared by both of you – the restaurant where you had your first date, the café where both of you have fleeted long hours frivolously submerged in deep conversations or the fruit juice parlour you guys never missed on Wednesdays in your young courting days.
• Wake up your spouse early in the morning with a gift of a cute teddy bear or a box of chocolates by his or her bedside, carrying your personal message. Or arrange for a lovely bouquet delivered to your house during the day to surprise your partner. Most florists deal with wonderful arrangements of flowers and gifts in Morwell and can prepare a lovely bouquet of her favourite roses or his preferred orchids in no time.
• Try out something common for immortalising your wedding anniversary – hire your artist friend to click some some amazing photographs of you and your partner or self-shoot a sweet and short video and upload it on a social media so that both of you can watch it in the years to come for a walk down the memory lane.
• Go for a trip to the awe-inspiring botanical gardens or the flower gardens from where most florists in Morwell get their supply of flowers.

There are so many ways to spend a romantic time with your loved one on your anniversary. Explore the lovely occasion of your wedding anniversary by incorporating one or more of the above-mentioned ideas or make your own ones in accordance with the likes of your partner.

Hervey Bay Is A Gem On The Crown Of Queensland

A city located right in the middle of the mainland of Queensland and the Fraser Island with a population of more than sixty three thousand, Hervey Bay is one of the most popular natural holiday spots. It is only three and a half hour away from Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, by drive. It is known as the world's Whale Watch Capital, with large and majestic humpback whales visiting annually in the Platypus Bay, lying on the north side of the city. Its safe and stinger free waters allow a great number of fun activities such as swimming, sailing, water sports, diving and fishing. The Hervey Bay Esplanade is dotted with shops, parklands, playgrounds, picnic areas, piers, alfresco cafes, etc.

Hervey Bay is dominated by a sub-tropical type of climate throughout the year, with average temperatures of the summers and the winters being 30 degree Celsius and 22 degree Celsius respectively. Among the major natural attractions of Hervey Bay, mention can be made of the Fraser Island, the Great Sandy Trait, the Wetlands and the Bay.

As discussed earlier, the water bodies of Hervey Bay are collectively no less than an aquatic heaven, where local people as well as travellers can enjoy yachting, wind surfing, snorkelling, kayaking, and jet and water skiing. The Fraser Coast provides a perfect setting for people who love fishing and boating. Families can charter their own vessel, houseboat or yacht from many places across Fraser Island and Rainbow Beach, to make the boating experience more exciting and memorable. With the waters teeming with plenty of fish, the rich fishing experience offered by Fraser Coast attracts amateurs and professionals from across the globe every year.

A ride on the bicycle along the exquisite foreshore of Hervey Bay can take away the breath of even the most sceptical tourist. The famous Orchid House inside the ornate Botanical Gardens is also a major treat to the eyes of any nature-lover. Some of the other picturesque places of the Hervey Bay include the Marina region and the restaurants and cafés of the Esplanade area.

There a number of lodging facilities for travellers like hotels, inns, and resort accommodation in Hervey Bay. Rental apartments are also provided as an option for families and the best part about these accommodation facilities is that most of them organise exclusive whale watching tours for the travellers.

So what are you waiting for? Hurry up and plan a tour to Hervey Bay for your next holiday!

How Are Upholstered Bed-heads Made in Sydney?

To up the cosiness factor of a bed, you should have an upholstered bed-head. There are many companies that can help you make upholstered bed-heads in Sydney.

The things these companies in Sydney use for making upholstered bed-heads include ½ inch plywood cut to specific size, 1 inch foam, fabric, nail-head trim and batting. They first cut the plywood to size with saw. They then lay foam on floor and place wood on top of it. Tracing outline of board into foam and then cutting it with the utility knife is the next important thing these companies do. They also make sure to repeat this second step with batting, adding some inches on each of the sides so that they can pull batting over the plywood's edge while securing it.

Adhering foam to plywood using spray adhesive is the next thing they do. But these professional companies make sure to let it dry. Then they centre batting on foam's top, flip the bed-head over so that batting is on floor. Attaching to backside of plywood with staple gun pulling it tautly is something that's considered to be very essential while upholstering the bed-heads.

                      

The fabric is then affixed to the bed-head. This is done by flipping the bed-head again so that it is right side up. If there are any wrinkles, the fabric is ironed using clamps for holding it in its place if needed. The bed-head is then flipped back so that fabric is on floor. Starting at top centre & pulling tightly, the fabric is stapled to wood. When the corners are reached, the fabric is folded neatly. After the entire bed-heads gets covered, excess fabric is trimmed.

The bed-head is then flipped right side up again. After this, the companies line up nail-head trim in straight line starting from bottom of a side and working the way up. Nail heads are tapped in with mallet. The bed head is then attached to wall by screwing 2 D-rings to back of plywood & hanging them from the hooks or screws in the wall.

Are you looking for custom made bed heads in Sydney? Get it done from Authentic Upholstery. All their bed heads are custom made. They work with their customers to create exactly what they are looking for.

As a customer, all you need to do is send Authentic Upholstery a brief about what you want to achieve along with the details of the fabric, its size, your postcode and they shall send you the quote accordingly. If you want, you can also send them an image that you have seen in the magazine or a sketch that you've created yourself by scanning it.

Lyn Provost Says That Auckland Council Should Speed Up Its Resource Consent Procedure

According to Auditor General, Lyn Provost, the Auckland Council should speed up its resource consent application procedure with a new reporting that claims that the applications take a lot more time than the council figures do suggest.


On April 29, 2015 (Wednesday), Provost published all that has been investigated into the way the Auckland Council deals its consents. It was found out that the Council was actually discharging their responsibility quite well but what is questioned was whether there was any lack of comprehension about the requirement of the Council and the time that it took for getting the resource consent.
 

Provost wrote in the introduction of the report that he is very much concerned about the communication, which he thinks is not that good as it must be. The surveys even indicate that the customers aren't much satisfied with 'how building control communicates.

The fact is that seventy percent of the consent applications that are lodged go on hold pending more information, which suggests that there is a big gap between what the Building Control basically expects & what the clients think is hoped from them.


Provost even questioned the claims of Auckland Council that it was meeting the statutory deadline to process most of the building applications of twenty working days, saying that it was after all technically right that more than ninety-eight percent could meet the deadline.


But Provost said that the measurement omitted the time when the applications were kept on hold. If that is to be included, it would give a starkly different image. When total elapsed time from lodging application to issuing consent is taken into consideration, the Auckland Council basically processes eighty percent of the applications within forty working days with a few applications even taking more than hundred days for processing.


Auckland Council should lessen the average time that it takes for processing the applications, including lessening the work that it places on hold. According to the Auditor General, more emphasis must be on measuring as well as reporting the original time taken for processing the applications.


The report suggests that the council publish a wider set of measures of time it basically takes for processing the consents & gradually introduce a lot more demanding targets.


Auckland Council hasn't responded yet to the requests for any comment.


The news has been published by Bilimoria Consulting, which is one of the top notch resource management consultants in NZ.  Gulab Bilimoria offers planning & resource management services across different range of development as well as policy areas.

Different Types of Online Flower Delivery Services

Flowers are wonderful creations of nature. They have a variety of uses. They can be used for decorating wedding venues and as gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, mother's day and a lot more. These gifts of nature are available in plenty in flower shops in form of bouquets and arrangements. They are even available online. If you browse the net, you can find plenty of flower shops that offer online flower delivery services. Online flower delivery services are basically websites, which allow the customers to order the flowers as well as related items by browsing the online catalogues. They are generally delivered to the third party, recipient of gift.

Here we are going to discuss about the different types of online flower delivery services:

Local florists: The local florists like Flowers In Tofhe Valley that offers online flower delivery in Morwell and its surrounding regions is a reputed local florist. They provide bouquets and arrangements for direct delivery in that particular geographical area. The delivery is done by their companies' own personnel and vans. This kind of service is also popular as 'hand-delivered' and has the benefit of presenting the shoppers with  same day delivery. The delivery charges are usually displayed separately, which needs to be paid other than the price of the product.

 

Order brokers: They are third party agents who only display images of the bouquets and arrangements on their sites and then transfer the orders that they get to their affiliated local florists for hand delivery. The order broker customers generally pay extra service fees and local delivery charges. However, these prices are included in the price, which are displayed with every product.

Relay florist: A relay service is a site where an organisation or a person procures the purchase order between the consumer & itself instead of the order that's being placed directly with the local florist in delivery area. Relay service usually collects payment for order but as they cannot fulfil the order itself unless delivery is local to location of relay service, what it does is relays order & payment to the local florist in delivery region, without taking any commission.

Courier delivery: Flowers are even delivered by courier. These kinds of flowers are generally assembled into bunches at a farm or in warehouse of the distributor or importer. They are placed in the cardboard boxes & shipped direct to recipient through overnight couriers. The benefit of this kind of service is that because flowers are generally shipped from importer or farm they may be a fresher although the temperature fluctuations en route & shipping conditions can negate the advantage. The recipients are responsible for cleaning, unpacking, conditioning and arranging the courier-delivered flowers.