Anyone and everyone who is a pet lover knows how much mess they can make which is why animal lovers need to make their homes pet friendly. Here’s a few tips on how you can do just that:

Ditch the carpets

Furry Pets tend to shed a lot and you don’t want your whole house covered in hair or be sneezing and not be able to clean up the place if you’ve got carpets all over. Instead of getting your whole room carpeted, try and get your room in ceramic tiles or wooden flooring. They are much more easier to clean than carpets (which by the way, cats really like to scratch to sharpen their claws). You can also invest in slip proof rugs to make the place look less untidy.

Choose furniture smartely

You can’t really stop your furry friends from sitting on your furniture so choose a quilt or rug to place over them. Be sure to wash them regularly though. Use non toxic cleaners and sprays to clean your furniture as well in case your pets tend to scratch them. Avoid investing in super expensive furniture though because you don’t want to be upset if it gets ruined.

Move small decorations out of sight

Move small pieces of decorations out of sight and reach of your pets. Any breakable items should be kept in enclosed cabinets as cats and dogs tend to get over excited and might jump around and such items may be prone to breakage. Again, you don’t want to get upset due to loss of such items especially if they’re expensive.

Get trash cans with lids on them

Surely you don’t want a mess around your house if your pet knocks over your trash can while playing or running around. In this case, it is advisable to get trash cans with lids on them.

Designate eating spots for the pets

Place your pets’ eating bowls in one designated spot and train them to eat their and also not create a mess. You can take a trip to the pet store and buy 2-3 bowls which look super cute. You should also place your furry friends food securely in cabinets and only give it to them at proper timings.

Bathe your pets regularly

Your pets need to be groomed and bathed regularly so there is less fur and less mess around the household. This way you and your pet can also be safe from any allergies.

Secure electrical cords properly

Secure electrical cords away and out of sight from pets at all times. You don’t want them to get tangled in them or worse get an electrical shock. Cover and tuck them as far away as possible.

The Nokia 3 launched in Pakistan in June 2017. The Nokia 3 Price in Pakistan is at Very Nominal Rates of PKR 16,400.

The Nokia 3 comes in 5 inches screen display with IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen display which means pixels are quickly activated thus increasing speed which in turn enhances contrasts and lights of the smartphone. The smartphone comes in corning gorilla glass protection making it 80% prone to breakages.

Moving on the screen resolutions are 720 x 1280 pixels with a pixel density of 294 dpi which allows the smartphone owners to use the phone in harsh sunlight as well as the brightness is enhanced. The weight of the handset is 140 grams and supports dual nano sim system. The Nokia 3 runs on an Android 7.0 Nougat system which is upgradable to 8.0 Oreo system.

Furthermore, the smartphone has a capacitive touchscreen technology with an internal memory of 16 GB ROM with 2 GB RAM processed with 1.4 Quad core cortex processor while it has a memory card slot which can hold upto 256 GB memory.

The phone has a 10 point multi touch screen which means it has excellent and smooth touch while typing and scrolling through apps.

The Nokia 3 has a 8 MP front camera with a front flash light. The back camera also is of 8 MP and has an auto focus and contains dual LED and dual tone flash with features of geo tagging, touch focus, face detection, panorama, HDR and making videos in 720p@30fps. Some of the best features of the smartphone is that you can click photos in low lighting conditions. It can also take photos in selfie focus while blurring the background, almost like a bokeh mode and also wide angle selfies.

The Nokia 3 runs on 4g LTE connectivity which is a very fast system. Furthermore, it supports all bands within the region including 2g and 3g. You can also connect WiFi, 4.0 Bluetooth and FM radio with RDS on it. The smartphone has an endurance rating for upto 53 hours.

The Nokia 3 has a non removable 2630 mAh battery but doesnot have Type C USB support means it can not be charged with a fast charger.

Additionally, it comes with micro usb cable and headphones. The Nokia 3 has a 24 month warranty. The smartphone comes silver white, matte black, tempered blue and copper white colors.

The Nokia 3 price in Pakistan is just PKR 16,400. Since the smartphone was released two years ago, it might be available in even lesser price now.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression which can affect anyone whether and usually comes and goes with the seasons mostly beginning in the start of fall or winter and going around spring time.

Symptoms of SAD

Some of the symptoms related to this disorder include lack of interest in activities, sleeping too much, lethargy, gaining weight, loss of appetite, lack of concentration in work or other activities, suicidal thoughts, social withdrawal, etc.

Seasonal Affective Disorder may occur due to a number of reasons. During fall/winter months our body receives less sunlight while darkness is more apparent, this in turn can affect melatonin levels (which is a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle), thus resulting in changes in sleeping patterns and leaving us feeling gloomy and upset.

Secondly, the lack of sunlight and Vitamin D can cause changes in the body thus triggering depression. The lack of sunlight can also cause a drop in serotonin levels (a chemical in the body which helps regulate mood, social behavior, sleep, memory patterns, etc) in the brain which can trigger depressive state.

Who all can suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Anyone can suffer from this type of disorder some categories include:

• Females
• Any person having a previous diagnosis of depression
• Anyone having a family history of this type of depression
• Younger people and children
• Anyone who lives in a country which receives lesser sunlight throughout the year

How to cure Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Get Professional Help – If you’ve had symptoms of SAD in the fall/winter months during the last two years, only then you are affected by the disorder. You must seek professional help in such a case. If you feel you can not cope yourself, a psychiatrist or therapist may be able to help you. Pay attention to your mind, body and overall physical state and visit a professional.

Antidepressant Medication – Medication should only be taken when prescribed by a professional for disorders.

Light Therapy – This is a therapy related to receiving light to cure the symptoms of SAD. During this method, you can sit or work near a device known as a light therapy box. This box will give you bright light which will feel like outdoor natural light. It is a safe way of treatment and has few side effects.

Vitamins and Supplements – Sunlight gives off Vitamin D but if you’re unable to receive much of it during the season, you can surely take supplements of Vitamin D. Other than that, Vitamin B6, B12 and omega fatty acids also improve mood and energy levels.

Eat the right food – Eating the right food can help increase energy levels and mood. Foods which contain carbs should be mostly avoided when you’re feeling symptoms of sad. Such foods are bread, pasta, potato chips, etc. You should try and eat healthy foods such as fish, berries, vegetables, etc.

Outdoor activities – Going out while there is daylight should be on your agenda. You can either take a walk outside or do some sort of exercise while taking in the sunlight while it is still there. Yoga, meditation and any other physical activity can also help cure SAD and ease the symptoms making you feel chirpy and happy.

Moving to a new area or a whole new city can be a daunting and overwhelming experience. Not only do you have to start over but you also need to settle down and get on with life. Here’s a guide on how to start over when moving to a new area or city:

Update your mailing address with a new one

Update your mailing address so you can get all your important mails at the right place. Moreover, be sure to cancel subscriptions for the older place so any new people who are moving in won’t be pestered with your name.

Additionally, get new subscriptions at your new place with the cable company, your new work place (if you have moved for work), the bank and so on.

Be friendly with the neighbours

When you are done and settled in your new home, get to know your neighbours. Go over to their place and introduce yourself. Once you’re friendly and get to them, if you ever have a problem or emergency, you’ll know you can count on them.

Your new neighbors can also tell you more about the area or any shops, eateries, etc which you can visit and explore in your spare time.

Get a new doctor/dentist

Find a new doctor and dentist in your vicinity which you can visit for regular checkups or emergencies.

Check the new area out

Go exploring the new area on foot and you’ll surely find some amazing places which can become regular hangout spots. You can use Google Maps so that you don’t get lost while exploring and just let yourself loose.

Check the new cafe out

A cafe which serves good coffee, tea and snacks should be a must on your list for your regular hangout spot. Anytime you have to work from home, you can come down here and change your setting to have a fresh mind regarding your work. On the other hand, a good regular hangout spot can help you make friends who visit the place often.

Meet new people through communities

Join your nearest community which holds events or meetups for people living in the vicinity. This can help you meet new people and make friends and even find a job.

Find or settle in the new job

If you have moved for a job, it would hardly take time for you to get busy. But if you have moved and don’t have a job yet, you really need to start looking for one. Look for jobs online which match your skill set or go online on job websites and drop your CV at designated emails. In the meantime, you can also do volunteer work which can help you land a job.

Enrol in baking classes or any other short courses

If you’re passionate about something or have a talent such as baking, cooking or any other, you can enrol yourself in classes to learn more about it.

While there is no dearth of picnic spots and places to explore in Lahore, one can always undertake a day trip to a never seen before place. Here’s a list of popular places to go for on a one day trip from Lahore:

Hiran Minar (Sheikhupura)

Hiran Minar is located in Sheikhupura and was built by Mughal Emperor Jehangir in 1606. While Hiran Minar literally translates to Deer Tower in English, it is believed that the 30 meter high tower was built in loving memory of Jehangir’s pet antelope whose name was Mansraj. There is a hunting pavilion called baradari which is built in the centre and accessible through a bridge which is a popular spot for photo shoots, whether it is fashion shoots or just family fun shoots. Many brands have shot their ad campaigns at Hiran Minar while many people come to the place for picnics and spending time with their families for a one day trip.

Hiran Minar is at a 40 to 50 KM distance and can be reached in one hour.

Changa Manga (Kasur)

Changa Manga is actually the world’s oldest and largest hand planted forests located in Kasur. This forest was planted during the British rule in 1886 and remains one of the most popular picnic spots for families and tourists to visit.

Changa Manga also has a beautiful lake with boating facilities. Moreover, the tourist attraction near Lahore also houses swimming pools, a waterfall, a water turbine, suspension bridges, a children’s play area, mini zoo and spectacular wildlife park covering about 40 acres of land. To make things easier for the visitors, a tram also runs through all major spots inside the park.

If you plan on spending more than one day exploring the forest, you can even book accommodation at Changa Manga Tourist Resort and explore nature at its very best. The forest is about 80 KM from Lahore and takes 1 and a half hour to reach.

Oasis Golf and Aqua Resort (Multan Road,Lahore)

Located on the outskirts of Lahore after just an hours drive, Oasis Golf and Aqua Resort is a members only amusement park. The luxury resort which is seemingly popular for it’s water slides and top notch swimming services also offers horse riding, archery, snooker, golf and other leisure facilities.

If one doesn’t have a membership, than they can go with someone who is a member.

Rana Resort (Head Baloki)

Rana Resort was established in 2007 and is situated in Head Baloki about 66 KM and 1 and half hours drive from Lahore. The resort has a wildlife sanctuary that allows visitors to see many animals in all their glory.

Rana Resort and Safari Park also offers different sorts of recreational facilities to its visitors, including boat rides, swimming pools, bonfire and a designated BBQ area and the likes. One can also enjoy camel and horse riding in the park.

The entry fee for Rana Resort is PKR 200 per person. However, there are separate charges for the swimming pool and the train ride. One can also spend a night at the resort for which certain rates apply. The resort also allows people to hold birthday parties and other private events on their premises.

The handicrafts of Pakistan are quite popular around the world and are an essential livelihood for people living especially in the rural areas. Our handicrafts express our culture, history and artistry. Here’s a list of handicrafts which are popular in the region:

Carpets

Carpet making is known as the biggest handicraft industry in Pakistan while the art of weaving has been influenced by the cultures of Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, etc. It is known that this handicraft industry was introduced by the Mughal Emperor Akbar while the city of Lahore remains the hub of this art from a long time.

Pakistani carpets are exported around the world while incorporating the technique of Persian style and using raw materials like silk, wool and synthetic fiber. USA, Germany and Japan are the three chief importers of carpets from Pakistan. The price of Pakistani carpets vary across region but starting range goes from PKR 12,000 to PKR 50,000.

Matka (Earthen Pots)

Pottery making is a unique and ancient skill which is still practiced by people of Pakistan who use matkas to store water at their homes. Some ancient artifacts are also in display at museums in Pakistan. People who make such earthenware are skilled in the technique and such artifacts are hardly found elsewhere in the world anymore.

The capital of production of these handicrafts in Pakistan include the cities like Peshawar, Bahawalpur, Hala, Nasarpur and Shehwan.

The price of earthen pots range from PKR 150 to PKR 1,500.

Glazed tiles

Glazed tiles are very famous in Pakistan while they have important hubs in Nasarpur, Hala and Multan. Glazed tiles incorporate design work on them which is known as Kashi, the name being derived from a city in Iran known as Kashan, which is a very famous centre for the production of glazed tiles. 

In Pakistan, these tiles are used in the exterior decoration of mosques in Sindh and southern Punjab to enhance the beauty of these structures. The price of glazed tiles range from PKR 250 to PKR 1,700 per square metre.

Cotton garments

While Pakistani textiles is most famous around the world, cotton garments are not far behind as silver fibre is found in most cotton garments in the country. Khaddar fabric is made from cotton fibre which is usually worn in winter season.

Ajrak, which is a famous blockprinted design hailing from Sindh is also made from cotton. Rilli, Khais and Susi are also famous handicrafts produced in the country.

Pakistani garments are also counted as one of the most exported global garments around the world. The price of Pakistani cotton garments range from PKR 140 to PKR 400/ metre

Khussas

Khussas are among the most famous hand crafted products in the country with Bahawalpur being the hub of making different unique and trendy designs of khussas. This shoe making technique was introduced in the region by Mughal Emperor Jehangir and quickly spread while still being practiced today.

Pakistani Khussas are exported around the world and loved by many people. The price of khussas range from PKR 800 to PKR 3,000.

Ethnic Jewellery

Ethnic jewellery is inspired by Turkey, Iran, Greece and different South Asian cultures.Handmade jewellery is very popular in the country with some pieces made entirely without machinework and assembled with the use of tools.The price of handmade jewellery ranges from PKR 5,000 to PKR 1 Million.

Cathedrals hold a special religious place in Christianity. As Pakistan was once part of India and under British Raj, there are quite a few famous Cathedrals in the country. Here’s a list of seven iconic cathedrals in Pakistan which will leave you spellbound:

St. Patrick’s Cathedral (Karachi)

St. Patrick’s Cathedral was built in 1881 near one of the oldest church of Karachi. The cathedral is said to be one of the largest in the city boasting of being accommodating 1500 worshipers. The building is reminiscent of being constructed in the British era due to it’s red brick design with stained glass inlay and arched windows which religious scenes. Apart from being holding religious value, the cathedral is also a major tourist attraction.

When one enters the cathedral, they are welcomed by a monument of Christ the King which is a 54 feet structure made of white marble in 1931. Inside the monument is the statue of prominent Christian missionary St. Francis Xavier. In 2003, the government declared St. Patrick’s Cathedral a protected monument under the Sindh Cultural Heritage Protection Act because of its cultural importance and historic Gothic Revival architecture.

St. Paul’s Church (Rawalpindi)

One of Rawalpindi’s oldest churches is the St. Paul’s Church built in 1876. The church can accommodate up to 800 worshipers at a time while it has been a functional religious site since over a 100 years.

Like most churches, this religious site was also constructed during the British Era and boasted of a red brick exterior with wooden ceilings. Recently, the outlook of the church has been changed as it has been painted grey with red sloped ceilings.

St. Mathew’s Church (Nathia Gali)

One of the country’s most beautiful and picturesque churches is this one. St. Mathew’s Church in Nathia Gali is built entirely of cedar wood and looks extremely dreamy set on top of a hill station with lush green trees. A much active church, the site is also famous among tourists.

The Holy Trinity (Murree)

Located on the busy streets of Mall Road, Murree, The Holy Trinity Church dates back to 1857. The architecture of the church boasts of Anglo-Indian style with stained glass inlay and wooden ceiling and floors. The main prayer hall of the church can accommodate 400 people at one time.

Sacred Heart Cathedral (Lahore)

One of Lahore’s most busiest and popular churches is The Sacred Heart Cathedral which dates back to 1907.

The buildings architectural has been constructed using the Roman Byzantine style while it can accommodate 1,500 worshipers at one given time.

St. Mary’s Cathedral (Multan)

Another red brick church, the St. Mary’s Cathedral dates back to 1848 and is over 170 years old. The cathedral is an important historical monument for visitors along with being a site of worship.

The facade of the building is constructed in red brick while the architecture boasts of being Gothic style with material being imported from England.

St. John’s Cathedral (Peshawar)

One of oldest churches in KPK, The St. John’s Cathedral was initially a church around 1860 while it achieved the status of a cathedral two years later in 1862. The cathedral can accommodate up to 700 worshipers at one given time.

Good housekeeping habits not only keep our house clean but also welcoming. Here’s a list of bad housekeeping habits you need to let go of to keep the good ones intact:

Don’t pile up clean laundry here and there

After your clothes are out of the washing machine and dried, make sure to fold them immediately or hang them in their designated spots. Don’t leave them lying around here or there as a growing pile of clothes in the corner will only make your room look messy and unkempt. Make this a habit as it won’t take much time and your closet will remain organized.

Don’t leave your bed messy in the morning

Make it a habit to do your bed once you’ve awake. Not only does a messy bed look unwelcoming but it might need changing as well. It is really important to wash your bed sheets, pillow covers, quilt covers every now and then so they are fresh and new. Fresh bed covers also help you sleep better.

Don’t use dirty cleaning tools/appliances

For sure cleaning tools are used to clean other surfaces and objects around the house but it is as important to wash them as well. A dirty cloth will only attract more bacteria rather than picking up dust.

Make sure to also give your washing machine and vacuum cleaners attention in this regard. While washing machines can be cleaned with hot water and vinegar, vacuum cleaner bags need to be emptied out every now and then.

Don’t create a mess in your drawers

Mostly people forget cleaning out their drawers because they simply think if it’s out of sight, it’s out of mind. Try and empty out your drawers every now and then and throw things which you won’t need.

Don’t forget to empty and clean your fridge and food cabinets

Mostly people buy food items and forget about it. In this way, they stay in the food cabinets and the fridge while getting spoilt and rotten. Don’t be that person! This will only accumulate fungus on the food and smell bad. Repeat this process every two weeks so you can make a habit out of this.

Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink

Make it a habit to wash dirty dishes once you’re done eating in them. Some pots and pans need to be soaked for longer to get the grease and oil off them. A dirty sink will only attract bacteria, insects and bugs. So make it a habit as it is much more easier to wash lesser dishes than washing a huge pile of them afterwards.

Clean while you cook

They say a good cook is one who keeps his cooking area clean while s/he cooks. While your delicious meal cooks on the stove, make sure to wash a few dishes in the meantime. In the end when you’re tired and done with cooking, you won’t be welcomed with a huge pile of dishes and utensils thus leaving you time to enjoy your meal.