Whenever we plan of visiting a city, I take time in finding out what all can be explored which doesn't cost a penny. A tourist always has different interests. Some are exclusively looking for spas, casinos, shopping malls and all such indulgent experiences. We of course do not belong to that category. We are constantly striving to find out exclusive activities to do or places to see that are special to that place. Since everything is expensive in Australia, we curated a special 'Free things to do list'  Our first stop was Melbourne; hence here I am with all those things that didn't cost a dime.

Flinders Street: This is the oldest railway station in entire Victoria and is an iconic landmark of this city. However we were quite unlucky as it was undergoing renovation. Trams running in front of this Dome entry of this station is a postcard picture. Maybe next time if we go ever, we may fulfill this wish of mine.

Free tram circle: Public transport system in Australia is horrendously expensive especially in bigger cities like Sydney and Melbourne. However there are a free stops that come under the free tram zone where you don't have to 'tap' your Myki card or no balance would be deducted. It's fun to ride on a tram and it's a must do thing.

Melbourne Cricket Ground: If you are from India, obsession for cricket is in your genes! In our family, cricket is a religion, it's a faith! Before marriage, I too was fond of this game but since my husband is pathologically obessesed with this game, it's almost a threat to me!

Also Read: My cricketer husband 

Even if you have never been to Melbourne or don't even intend to, Melbourne Cricket Ground can't be unfamiliar to you! It's the Mecca of cricket! Now there are two ways to see MCG. One is to take the official tour if you have an entire day. The other shortcut is to just take a photo of it like we did! We didn't have so much spare time to devote to MCG alone hence this cheat code!

Fitzroy Gardens: You may be the most emotionless person on Earth but you simply can't ignore the happiness spread by plants and trees! The Fitzroy Gardens is a huge green area in this city. There are several sections with James Cooks Cottage the most important one. The entire area is huge and undoubtedly pretty. You can spend as much time as you want.

Also Read: Why the James Cook Cottage is a must visit spot in Melbourne

Brighton Beach: What's the use of being in a seaside town if you can't hit the beach? Melbourne is situated along the mighty Southern Ocean and is blessed with some very special beaches. The water may not be as turquoise as rest in Victoria or Sydney or Queensland but they are special in their own way! The Brighton beach has 84 colourful bathing boxes which makes it a must visit for every photography loving person!

PS The parking can be pretty expensive.

Also Read: This is the most instagrammable place of Melbourne.

St Kilda Beach: Again this beach is not famous for it's water but it's special for it's own reason. It's quite near to the Brighton Beach. This place gives a magnificent view of the Melbourne skyline. At night you can see myriads of wild penguins parading! I wish they came out during the day too! How cool is that?

Yarra River promenade: Any waterfront is a delight to spend time on. And when it's the Yarra River, it's an entirely special experience! The most famous five star hotel and the Southern hemisphere's largest casino Crown is located just beside the Yarra River. This place is a delight both during the day and night. Happy people can be seen bustling here during the day while at night, glittering lights adorn this place with foot tapping music in the background. The skyline never fails to impress whether during the day or in the dark!

Also read: Why should you explore Melbourne at night.

Street Art: There are innumerable lanes in this city that is covered with jaw dropping art. Vivid hues, brighter themes. 450 Lygon Street Carlton, Hosier Lane, Swanson street, queen street, little Bourke street, Forum theatre, Payne's place Croft alley, Royal underpass are a  few places to name a few. These are one of the most famous street art lanes in the whole world!

Also read: The street art of Melbourne.

Victoria Market: It's a huge local market that sells everything under the sun. It's an ideal place to buy souvenirs as prices are lower than rest of the city. On weekdays, the market closes at 5 PM. However it was Friday when we visited so everything got wrapped up at 3PM. The Melbourne skyline looks incredible from this place.

We stayed in South bank so almost everything was very near to us. Since our apartment was on the fourteenth floor, we got a splendid view of the city without going to the Eureka Sky deck! There are lots of cute cafes where you can take a bite. The city itself is very boisterous with happy vibes all around. The best way to feel the energy is to explore the city on foot.

There are many other important places in Melbourne that are indispensable from a tourist point of view: The Eureka Sky deck, Aquarium , etc. I didn't include them as they have a hefty entry price. This is a free list and you can enjoy the city without spending a penny!( Of course a fully recharged Myki card is must for commuting)

Well 'swimsuit' is an emotional word for a woman. If you know what I mean. We females are so critical of our flaws all the time that swimsuit becomes a touchy topic. Anyways, if you are thinking about getting into shape for a swimsuit, then this post is not about that. I am all about body positivity so I don a bikini every now and then without ant qualms! Well this post is for the most important part of wearing a swimsuit (according to me) i.e keeping the bikini area clean.

Cleaning the bikini area again has some hassles. So what are the ways?

1. Brazilian Wax: This method is too famous but not too common. At least not for regular girls/ mommies like me. It's expensive, requires visiting a special parlour and is very painful.

2. Shaving: This is the commonest method although very risky and not at all ideal. The area is far from smooth and there is a big risk of nips and cuts. Not to forget the hair stubs that are left which give you one hell of a problem.

3. Depilatory creams: Well that's also an option but the important question arises 'Is it safe for this sensitive area?' The answer is NO unless it is a specially formulated one.

4. Everteen Creme Hair Remover Bikini Line: Now this depilatory cream is specially formulated for  sensitive areas like bikini area and underarms. It effectively removes the hair around tender bikini lines making the area soft and smooth. 

How to use?

PS Always do a patch test before application.

What does Everteen Creme Hair Remover Bikini Line contain?

Everteen Creme Hair Remover Bikini Line is formulated from 100% natural Chamomile extract with No Harsh Smell formula. 

Why is Everteen Creme Hair Remover Bikini Line the best solution?

Price: 149 INR for 50 gm cream.

So girls what is your formula to be swimsuit ready all the time?

So what causes indoor air pollution?

Fumes from paints toxic chemicals from furnitures, chemicals emitted from various household chemical agents and lots of other things like carbon monoxide from chimneys, pet danders, floor cleaners, etc etc.

What are the hazards?

Chemicals like formaldehyde and the fumes emitted from cleaning agents are known carcinogens. 

How to take?

Pop one capsule daily.

It rarely happens that I get to witness motivational journeys by self made men. And when it happens, I make sure that I don't miss it. Last Saturday was indeed eventful because I learnt the journey of Mr Ashwani Kumar Prithviwasi, an eminent artist and the founder of Delhi Collage of Art.

A grand retrospective show was organized at Delhi Collage of Art , Rajouri Garden.On his path, Mr Ashwani came across a lot of struggles but he also cherished moments of success. While talking about his journey Ashwani said, in 1996 there were only five institutes of fine arts, two government, two semi government and one private. At that time many people who wished to learn arts didn't get an opportunity to pursue their interests. Some were occupied in jobs while others had age limitations.

At that time on 17th August 1996 a new institute was launched with the initial name of Ashu Rangshala with just a single student in Uttam Nagar, Delhi. He conducted classes on the terrace of his home, the walls of which he beautifully spray painted to give it a more 'Artsy' look. Gradually the numbers started increasing. He took the help of a couple of his friends who stood by him through thick and thin in managing the students but handled everything himself mainly. He organised art exhibition in the local markets even in those times.

Mr Ashwani did a lot of efforts to make people aware of the immense possibilities in fine arts. In 2001 this institute transformed in to a professional one. Regular courses were prepared and admission dates were finalized. Afterwards, academic calendar for activities like Annual event, tours of art galleries, interaction with renowned artists, visit to their studios and outdoor classes, all became a part of the curriculum.

Mr Ashwani told that he didn't consider the age of his students at the time of enrolment and maximum knowledge was imparted in the initial year of the course. Because he believed that art should be open to everyone. Creativity should not be limited to anything. 12th pass students could join any of his courses. For working people, all classes used to be organised on Sundays which was quite different from other institutes. Mr Ashwani himself had been enrolled for Art courses for 12 years and had garnered a vast experience. He started studying formal courses from 1990. His journey started after doing BFA course from College Of Art.

The alumni of this institute are doing well these days. 7000 students have passed out from here till date which includes people from forty countries. Some are running their own art institutes while some others are freelance artists. As of now, Delhi Collage of Art has many branches. This institute got its present name in 2001 which is inspired from the collage of Picasso. This institute gives equal opportunity to well off as well as poor students. Almost 100 poor students have been taught free over here and they are doing well today.

This has happened for the first time In India that a private institute organised a foreign tour for its students. Almost forty students were sent to Paris and they got to see the beauty of Monalisa. Students also got opportunity to visit Rome and Milan in Italy for better exposure. This is an annual affair. Annual Tours to biggest museums of the country also started which include tour of Rajasthan, Ajanta Ellora, Khajuraho and Sanchi Stupa. Most of the art exhibitions of this institute are organised in Lalit Kala Academy. Annual fest are organised at FICCI, Sai and Kamani auditorium. For the first time in history, this institute has awarded BC Sanyal Award and Lifetime achievement award to renowned artists like M. F. Hussain, Krishna Khanna, Manjeet Bawa, Ram Sutar, Jatin Das, Anjolie Ela Menon, Anupam Sood and Niren Sen. This institute has felicitated sixty artists. No other institute had been able to achieve this feat. Ashwani hiself is a renowned artist. In 1999 an exhibition of Ashwani’s mirror paintings was organised in Gurgaon. It was the first time in the history that mirror paintings were exhibited.

 I was just floored how Mr Ashwani Kumar Prithviwasi had come such a long way in the field of art. From being an artist to an art teacher to only a few students and then establishing Delhi Collage of Art which has now become a very big name in the art industry, this self made man is an inspiration I look up to. His Scratch, Struggle, Succeed mantra is something we all should imbibe. 

Travel is an amazing escape from the usual monotony of life. It rejuvenates your soul, freshens your mind, and makes you a better person. Different people have different reasons to travel. For some, it’s much-needed time-off with their families, for some it is about exploring a new place, and for some, it’s a way to discover their own self. Whatever may be the reason, one thing we all can agree on that traveling gives you countless memories to look back to. 

That feeling of joy and rush of excitement when you completely let go of all your worries from your daily routine and let the present sink in- one moment at a time. Such is the beauty of traveling, an inexplicable feeling!

However, with great memories, comes a great responsibility to preserve them. You can choose to preserve them the old way – in pictures, or in a unique and special way - A handmade art-piece!

A good piece of art has this ability to personify whatever it intends to express and hence, it’s the perfect choice to express emotions. A stunning handmade portrait made from your travel pictures will be a good memoir and also have your personal touch. It will always make you relive those fun-filled moments and take you back to your travel days.

Decided on getting yourself a handmade portrait to preserve your travel memories? BookMyPainting is one such platform that has got you all covered. It’s a platform of dedicated artists sworn to bring your memories on the canvas in the most beautiful and simple way possible. You just need to upload a picture from the day and your part is done! Choose from a wide range of mediums for your portraits and customize it in a way you want – all of that at the most reasonable prices! Their 100% handmade portraits are sure to leave you in awe.

Cannot decide on the medium? Their experts are there to help you out.

You can choose a charcoal medium if classic black and white is your thing and you prefer a hint of boldness in your portraits. Charcoal is used much the same way as a pencil. It’s a tool for drawing, shading, and blending, but there is something psychologically different about using charcoal. It lets you get more expressive and vivid with the emotions you want to display.

You can go for oil paintings if you have a taste of realism and vivid colors. Oil paintings are lustrous and captivating and takes a lot of time to be made. However, if done properly, it never fails to grab eyeballs. 

Watercolors should be your choice if you have a medium budget but have a taste for colorful surprises and old-school art techniques. Such paintings can last for decades if kept properly. 

Another popular medium is color  pencil. The portrait is created using old school pencil colors and can be a good choice at a low cost but high value. Skilled artists at BookMyPainting can bring anything to life!

So, what are you waiting for? Preserve your travel memories in the most special way possible. Get yourself a stunning handmade portrait and relive the memories once again!

There’s little doubt that Australia is one of the best destinations for travelers. This, after all, is a country that offers a little something for everyone, and the lifestyle alone is something of a dream. Who doesn’t like spending time in the sun, or going to the beach, or eating delicious

BBQ food?! But of course, as with any huge and relatively remote destination (and Australia is,

for sure, huge and remote), you’ll need to know a few tips to make the most of your trip. We

take a look at a few essential tips below.

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The Length of Time

We’ve already mentioned that Australia is huge and remote. As such, you’ll want to look at

going for an extended period of time. This is not a place just to visit for a few days! The flight getting there could be as long as a day, after all. Most people that make a trip to the Land Down

Under do so for several weeks. That’ll give you enough time to comfortably get over ay jet lag

that you experience, explore all the different regions, or fully soak up the atmosphere of the

country. Perfect!

When to Go

It’s important to remember that, since Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons occur at the opposite times of year that they do in more Northern parts of the world. So when’s the best time to visit? Well, it depends on what you like. If you’re going to be touring thee ntire country during your trip, then it’s best to go before Christmas, which is their springtime.

You’ll find that the temperatures are agreeable more or less across the whole country. If you’re

just sticking to South Australia, then you don’t need to really worry about when you go, unlessy ou’re looking for extra warm temperatures. Things stay pleasant all year round and don’t even get all that hot during summer either.

Do Your Research

You’ll need to do your research for your trip to Australia even if you’re going for a month. We

really can’t overstate just how big this place is! Even if you have a month, you’ll still need to be

efficient with your time. Before you go, take a look at what’s on offer, and pick a few key areast hat you want to visit. Once you’ve figured that out, you can go even deeper into your research.

You should take a look at a travel itinerary for Perth, Sydney, and Melbourne so that you can

make the best use of your time while in the cities. You won’t be able to do everything during your first trip, but you can always go back!

Diverse Landscapes

Finally, make sure you’re exploring some off the beaten path parts of the country too. There arep lenty of diverse landscapes waiting to be explored, and you’ll be missing out if you don’t visit some of the National Parks. Don’t just stick to the cities -- get out there and see the real

Australia!