5 Mother's Day Gift Basket Ideas

Mother's Day is just around the corner, and you're probably wondering what to do about a gift! It's tempting to just shop for a dress or a new bag, but why not put some effort into a different sort of gift this year? The perfect way to do this is with a gift basket or a gift hamper filled with Mom's favorite things - and watch her smile spread as she unwraps this treasure!

5 Mother's Day Gift Basket Ideas

1. Tickled Pink

A great idea for a gift basket is one based on color. Choose a basket based on your Mom's favorite color and fill in things related to it - sweets, nail color, lip color, beauty accessories etc. Go as crazy as you like!

2. Gift in a Jar

If you can get your hand on a huge big jar like this one, you're in luck! Line the bottom with faux grass and then stuff it with all kinds of goodies that your Mom will like. Choose smaller objects so you can put in more things.

3. Stuffed Slippers

How adorable are these stuffed slippers? Make it a bedtime special with an eye mask, lip balm, night cream and lavender pillow mist. A perfect good night hamper!

4. Self Care Gift Basket

A self care gift basket is something any busy Mom will love! You can make it a spa-theme or a beach-theme, and pack in aromatic candles, loofahs, bath products, lotions and similar items.

5. Baking Gift Basket

Got a Mom who loves to bake? Encourage her hobby with some cute baking accessories in fun colors! Try to find unique styles of baking equipment rather than the usual ones you find in stores. A little digging will be worth it when you end up with a lovely looking basket!

So these are just a few ideas, but we're sure these must inspire many more! Take out some time and hunt for the right stuff and make sure you wrap everything in a pretty container!

5 Ways to Include Greenery in Small Spaces

"Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises." - Pedro Calderon de la Barca

It's Earth Day today and the focus this year is on planting trees. It has become more than evident that our rampant cutting down of trees and scaling down of forests have resulted in drastic climate change, with disasters like floods and droughts occurring across the world. But besides that, there's something extremely soothing about seeing all that greenery around us, and there is no other color that is more soothing to the soul.

If you live in a house with a yard or a garden, you're lucky to have the space to plant trees and have a nice, lush lawn. However, there's no need to despair if you live in a small space - there are still ways you can include greenery in your home!

5 Ways to Include Greenery in Small Spaces

1. Terrariums and Succulents

 

This is probably the easiest and cheapest way to introduce some greenery in your interiors, even in your workplace. Small cute terrariums are easy to make and maintain, and you can have several different kinds in one place that'll look extremely pretty. Greenery on your desk will also improve your productivity.

2. Artificial Plants

Indoor plants are of course, your best bet to include greenery as well as purify the air around you, but if you can't manage them, artificial plants are your next best option. Get large sized ones for your entry way, living room or home office to give off a nice welcoming feeling.

3. Kitchen Herbs

Large, decorative indoor plants can be hard to maintain, but kitchen herbs are a lot easier. The added plus is that you get fresh, organic herbs to use in your cooking. You save on cost and you also get to avoid all the pesticides on the ones you get in the market.

4. Balcony Garden

However small your space is, it's quite likely that you have at least one balcony with access to sunshine. If so, hang some cute, colorful planters on the ledge, with some easy to maintain flowers. Your local nursery will be able to give you information about which plants suit your current space.

5. Flooring

There's nothing like walking barefoot on fresh grass, but if that's a distant dream, get in some lush green carpeting to recreate the feel. Try keeping it to a small area to avoid overwhelm, like a home office or entry way.

6. Wall Art

And then there's wall art, where you can find a bazillion options to brighten up your space. You can go for posters, paintings, art prints or even wall stickers - whatever suits your theme. If you have a creative side, you can also DIY something and frame it up proudly!

So you see, it's not that hard to bring some greenery indoors, but of course, none of these will come close to planting a real tree! So try to adopt a portion of land in your local park or apartment complex and plant some seeds. Nourish it and watch it grow into a beautiful patch of green - a pleasure for all the senses!

The Top 5 Main Characters of The Jungle Book

It's unlikely to find an adult Indian today who hasn't read the Jungle Book or at least watched it on TV. This book was written by Rudyard Kipling in 1894, but the fact that a movie based on it is releasing today in 2016 is proof of the book's timeless essence. Set in India and featuring animals of the Indian forest, this story is particularly close to our hearts, which is why we're more than excited about Disney's latest venture. So before you plan to watch the movie, we thought we'd give you a little refresher on all the main characters, as well as a little peek into how they look today!

1. Mowgli

Mowgli is the main character in the Jungle Book, a feral child lost and found in the forest. Mowgli is separated from his parents during a tiger attack in the village and he is found and raised by a pack of wolves as their own. He even ends up crawling on all fours with his wolf-brothers! It takes a while for Mowgli to realize that he isn't really a wolf, but his difference does come in handy, especially when it comes to pulling out splinters from his brothers' paws!

Mowgli is played by Neel Sethi, a newcomer in the movie.

2. Bagheera

Bagheera is a black panther who like Mowgli, has grown up among members of another species. He was a cub who lived with the Udaipur royals, and hence has much more insight into the ways of humans than Mowgli himself! He is a smooth talker and quite cunning, but sincere and loyal. It is Bagheera, along with Baloo, who vouches for Mowgli when he's discovered by the wolves and the two become fast friends from then, sharing several adventures together.

In the movie, Bagheera is voiced by none other than the impressive Ben Kingsley.

3. Baloo

Besides Bagheera, Baloo is another one of Mowgli's close friends, although his nature is quite different from that of Bagheera's! Baloo is a big brown bear, who is entrusted with the job of teaching Mowgli the Law of the Jungle. Unfortunately, Baloo is rather a fan of the good life, and he loves sleeping and eating fruit and honey! Nevertheless, he's always by Mowgli's side when he's needed and is a great friend.

Baloo's voice is provided by the inimitable Bill Murray, which indicates a good fun-fest!

4. Kaa

Kaa is a rather interesting character in the Jungle Book. He is a really, really long snake, more than a hundred years old and has special hypnotic skills. He has a slithery, slimy quality about him, making you always suspect his intentions even though he speaks in the softest tones possible. Kaa has a more pronounced positive role in the original story, but the Disney version has cast him in shades of grey.

This interesting character is voiced by the beautiful and talented Scarlett Johansson.

5. Shere Khan

Shere Khan is the main villain of the story, and is after Mowgli from the start. Mowgli's protection by the wolves only makes Shere Khan more determined to get him, and much of the story is about Bhageera and Baloo trying to save Mowgli from the evil tiger's clutches. Shere Khan is lame from birth, but extremely arrogant and cunning. The only thing that he fears is fire, a fact that Mowgli realizes later and puts to good use!

A villain like Shere Khan needs a grand voice, ably provided by Idris Elba.

We're pretty sure you're itching to watch the movie now! There's something nostalgic and exciting about watching an old childhood favorite on the big screen, that too in 3D! Do come back and let us know how you liked the movie!

(All images from IMDB)