20 quirky uses of coffee grounds: Beanstalk and Leaves

For the following, I recommend using coffee grounds from Beanstalk and Leaves, available in 3 flavors- Shotgun, Velvet Dew, and Smooth Operator. You can buy them Here, Here, or Here.

HOUSEHOLD USES 

1. Remove hard-to-clean dirt on tiles and kitchen counters

Mix your grounds with soapy water and scrub on the surface of the stain with a dishcloth.

2. Clean a dirty grill

The thinking behind this is the same as the above. The grainy texture of the grounds will remove the build-up of grease.

3. Exterminate fleas from your pet

When bathing your dog (or cat), after shampooing and before rinsing rub some of the grounds into their fur.

4. Unblock the sink

If your drains are clogged, pour the grounds into the sink followed by liquid soap and a kettle of boiling water.

5. Erase scratches off your furniture

Mix up the grounds with vinegar and warm water and rub the paste gently on to the scratched surface. Use a cotton bud for thin and faint scratches.

6. Scour your pans

Only do this on pans that don’t stain easily. The abrasive nature of the grounds will scrape away caked-on dirt.

7. Bake delicious and flavourful brownies

Instead of using milk when you make your brownies, just add some freshly ground coffee for a rich, caffeine jolt.

8. As a meat tenderiser and seasoning

This works in two ways. Coffee grounds work as a tenderiser because, as they caramelise, they form a crust that locks in all the moisture of the meat. This not only adds a savoury-sweet flavour to your BBQ (pork works best with this) but once your meat is cooked, it will be fork-tender.

9. After chopping alliums

Simply rub used coffee grounds on your hands once you’re done with the chopping. The grounds will neutralise strong odours.

BEAUTY 

10. Reduce under-eye puffiness

It’s not just teabags that can do this - coffee too has been known to remove puffiness from under your eyes. Simply mix up the coffee grounds with some water and make into a paste. Smear it on the affected area and leave to rest for 15 minutes.

11. Get rid of cellulite

Massage a mixture of grounds and coconut into the troubled spots, leave for a few minutes then rinse off. Keep doing this every day for two weeks and you will soon notice the difference.

12. Wash your face

For an inexpensive exfoliant, simply mix a spoonful of grounds, with a few drops of olive oil and a couple more drops of an essential oil of your liking.

13. Wash your hair

The grittiness of the grounds will strip your hair of product build-up from your hair and leave it squeaky clean. Brunettes will benefit most from this as coffee also darkens your hair colour.

IN THE GARDEN 

14. Composting

Rich in nitrogen, coffee grounds are great for composting and a firm favourite of worms. If you have a compost pile, use one part freshly mown grass clippings to one part leaves to one part grounds. Don’t just use freshly brewed grounds for this – they need some time to break down in the compost for this to work.

15. Banish slugs and snails

nstead of salting your outdoor surfaces to keep away the slugs, just sprinkle the used grounds on your patio and around the flower beds and you will never have to deal with slugs again as they don’t like the acidity of coffee.

16. Grow a healthy crop of carrots

Mix used up grounds with carrot seeds and they will be easier to sow.

17. Change the colour of your flowers

This works especially well for hydrangeas as their colour can be manipulated simply by altering the pH levels of the soil. The coffee grounds reduces the pH level and will give you bright blue blooms.

ARTS AND CRAFTS 

18. Paint 

Coffee grounds mixed with water (used different amounts of grounds with varying levels of water) are an easy way to paint sepia-toned pictures

19. Make your own candles

Coffee fans who can’t go without a sniff of their favourite bean can turn old grounds into candles. All you need is a small paper cup, one sheet of kitchen roll, a cup of wax candle ends, a small saucepan, candle wick, scissors, and a small metal or glass mixing bowl.

20. Make new wood look old

A tablespoon of coffee grounds, white vinegar, one steel wool pad and an old jam jar are all you need. Simply place the steel wool and grounds in the jar and fill it to the top with the vinegar. Let the mixture stew for a day. The vinegar will slowly start to dissolve the steel wool, which will give your wood a silvery patina. Once the 24 ours are up, all you need to do is remove the steel wool (remember to wear gloves) and start painting over your piece of wood. Let the first coat dry, brush off the coffee grounds and apply a second coat.

They can provide an inexpensive way to complete a range of household tasks, from unclogging a blocked kitchen to getting rid of the smell of garlic from your hands.

Used coffee grounds are even useful when it comes to beauty routines, proving to be an effective exfoliant for cleansing your face, and and can strip product build-up from your hair.

HOUSEHOLD USES 

1. Remove hard-to-clean dirt on tiles and kitchen counters

Mix your grounds with soapy water and scrub on the surface of the stain with a dishcloth.

2. Clean a dirty grill

The thinking behind this is the same as the above. The grainy texture of the grounds will remove the build-up of grease.

3. Exterminate fleas from your pet

When bathing your dog (or cat), after shampooing and before rinsing rub some of the grounds into their fur.

4. Unblock the sink

If your drains are clogged, pour the grounds into the sink followed by liquid soap and a kettle of boiling water.

5. Erase scratches off your furniture

Mix up the grounds with vinegar and warm water and rub the paste gently on to the scratched surface. Use a cotton bud for thin and faint scratches.

6. Scour your pans

Only do this on pans that don’t stain easily. The abrasive nature of the grounds will scrape away caked-on dirt.

7. Bake delicious and flavourful brownies

Instead of using milk when you make your brownies, just add some freshly ground coffee for a rich, caffeine jolt.

8. As a meat tenderiser and seasoning

This works in two ways. Coffee grounds work as a tenderiser because, as they caramelise, they form a crust that locks in all the moisture of the meat. This not only adds a savoury-sweet flavour to your BBQ (pork works best with this) but once your meat is cooked, it will be fork-tender.

9. After chopping alliums

Simply rub used coffee grounds on your hands once you’re done with the chopping. The grounds will neutralise strong odours.

BEAUTY 

10. Reduce under-eye puffiness

It’s not just teabags that can do this - coffee too has been known to remove puffiness from under your eyes. Simply mix up the coffee grounds with some water and make into a paste. Smear it on the affected area and leave to rest for 15 minutes.

11. Get rid of cellulite

Massage a mixture of grounds and coconut into the troubled spots, leave for a few minutes then rinse off. Keep doing this every day for two weeks and you will soon notice the difference.

The benefits of fresh coffee grounds are two-fold; they work as tenderiser and they add flavour to the meat 

12. Wash your face

For an inexpensive exfoliant, simply mix a spoonful of grounds, with a few drops of olive oil and a couple more drops of an essential oil of your liking.

13. Wash your hair

The grittiness of the grounds will strip your hair of product build-up from your hair and leave it squeaky clean. Brunettes will benefit most from this as coffee also darkens your hair colour.

IN THE GARDEN 

14. Composting

Rich in nitrogen, coffee grounds are great for composting and a firm favourite of worms. If you have a compost pile, use one part freshly mown grass clippings to one part leaves to one part grounds. Don’t just use freshly brewed grounds for this – they need some time to break down in the compost for this to work.

15. Banish slugs and snails

nstead of salting your outdoor surfaces to keep away the slugs, just sprinkle the used grounds on your patio and around the flower beds and you will never have to deal with slugs again as they don’t like the acidity of coffee.

Reduce the pH levels of your soil by scattering used coffee grounds for bright blue hydrangeas 

16. Grow a healthy crop of carrots

Mix used up grounds with carrot seeds and they will be easier to sow.

17. Change the colour of your flowers

This works especially well for hydrangeas as their colour can be manipulated simply by altering the pH levels of the soil. The coffee grounds reduces the pH level and will give you bright blue blooms.

ARTS AND CRAFTS 

18. Paint 

Coffee grounds mixed with water (used different amounts of grounds with varying levels of water) are an easy way to paint sepia-toned pictures

19. Make your own candles

Coffee fans who can’t go without a sniff of their favourite bean can turn old grounds into candles. All you need is a small paper cup, one sheet of kitchen roll, a cup of wax candle ends, a small saucepan, candle wick, scissors, and a small metal or glass mixing bowl. 

20. Make new wood look old

A tablespoon of coffee grounds, white vinegar, one steel wool pad and an old jam jar are all you need. Simply place the steel wool and grounds in the jar and fill it to the top with the vinegar. Let the mixture stew for a day. The vinegar will slowly start to dissolve the steel wool, which will give your wood a silvery patina. Once the 24 ours are up, all you need to do is remove the steel wool (remember to wear gloves) and start painting over your piece of wood. Let the first coat dry, brush off the coffee grounds and apply a second coat.

These are the 20 quirky uses of coffee grounds that I know. If you know one too, you can let me know on instagram, @thirdworldstyle.

Ciao

:)

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Three weeks with Eyova: My Experience

Haircare is something that I've taken very lightly over the years, and after dealing with the repercussions of it, I've transformed into a haircare maniac! I make sure I'm using the right products on my hair, with the most nourishing ingredients.

You're probably aware that 80% of our hair is composed of water, and shampoos that take away 60% of our hair's hydration. Imagine doing that to your hair, several times a week!!

Having the perfect healthy looking, shiny and frizz free hair is probably almost every girl's dream! And although some of us are blessed with such hair naturally, one still needs that extra TLC to battle it out with the humidity, pollution and other Indian weather conditions. With winters right around the corner, I'm sure we can foresee the difficult times ahead.

So today I'm talking about haircare today, introducing to you a brand that recently launched in India, The Eyova Egg Oil.

Eyova is a one of its kind oil that has egg nutrients in it. It is the first in the world to do so!

Remember how our mothers made us use egg packs when we first started styling our hair? Yeah, well eggs are a boon to the hair but The only problem I could see was the aftersmell.

But then the people at Eyova explained to me how there would be nothing of the sorts. The oil comes with a beaaaaautiful fragrance and light consistency. I could put this in my hair and go for a day out with my friends, with my hair in a sleek ponytail.

This is basically like a BB lotion, but for your hair. Not only does it replenish your hair of damage from the heat caused by styling tools, but it adds a boost of hydration and nourishment to your hair, without weighing it down or making it look greasy.

Being someone with very dry hair, this was something I quickly became addicted to. After just one wash, I noticed a significant change in the way my hair felt. It definitely felt more hydrated than normal. I've also noticed my hair looking a lot more shiny than normal since I've started using this.

I am posting pictures of the before and after of my hair after 3 weeks of consistent use below, and also on instagram (userhandle: @thirdworldstyle) . 

You can buy Eyova from their website by clicking Here . 

Alternatively, you can try buying it Here .

Enchanted by Lass Naturals

Having the perfect healthy looking, shiny and frizz free hair is probably almost every girl's dream! And although some of us are blessed with such hair naturally, one still needs that extra battlegear to battle it out with the humidity, pollution and other Indian weather conditions. With monsoons right around the corner, I'm sure we can foresee the difficult times ahead.

When I was a child and used to live with my nani, I used to be awestruck with her powderbox, in which she stored all her beauty fixes. One of them was a wooden comb. She detested plastic. 

So the first time I used the neem wood comb by Lass Naturals, all those memories came rushing back to me.

Despite July being my birthday month, I hate what monsoon does to my hair. Until recently, when I came across IHT Hair Loss therapy.

2 weeks into using this therapy (Oil, Shampoo and Conditioner) and Im already happier with my hair.

To top it all off, is the Strawberry Moisturiser which makes me smell like an icecream and I lubbbbbb it :P

You can shop for all these items and more by Clicking Here

You can alternatively try their Facebook Page, Flipkart, Snapdeal, HomeShop18 and CraftsVilla

You can also try contacting them on Instagram at Lass Naturals.

xx

PharmaSave : Ethicare Remedies

Hello People!

Recently, I noticed my face felt very itchy after taking a bath. I paid no heed to it, until these itches grew into bruises. My friend speculated it might be the facewash I was using, that made my skin so dry it itched. So I started looking for moisturising soaps and facewashes for myself.

It was then that I came across EthiCare, a Rajkot based pharmaceutical company that caters to the needs of people, who often have trouble finding suitable products for themselves.

I was quite impressed by their collection and decided to give some a try, namely: a facewash, soap, cleansing lotion, and a roll on anti-sweat.

The anti sweat RollOn had a rather earthy fragrance, which I think is more suitable for the menfolk, and hence I gave it to my brother. LOL no. He took it. Without asking me.

The soaps were my favourite. The Ospis Soap is an Aloevera based soap: which is known to be a natural non sticky moisturiser. This is useful especially in this humid weather when everything is so sticky.

The Epi plus lotion is a sensitive skin cleanser.It treats and prevents dry,rough,scaly,itchy skin, and other skin irritations. Ideal for a cleansing of Eczematous skin e.g. Atopic dermatitis,contact dermatitis, Hand foot eczema, Diaper dermatitis.

You see the little bead-like things in the picture above? They completely dissolve when you use them, and wash away impurities; Which is why CutiShine has taken the place in my travel bag permanently!

 You can shop for these, and much more HERE . Try them, and tell me which product you think is the best.
 You can alternatively try clicking HERE . They are also available on MedCouch.

How to do your work/study (and Procrastinate too! :P)

If you're anything like me, the first week (or two, or three, or six) after spring break is the hardest. You just went from living a homework-free life with no alarm clocks right back into a rigid schedule with countless papers, homework assignments, and presentations looming in the near future. And while you know you have all these responsibilities to fulfill, you have zero motivation to do any of the work. 

So, if you're looking for a sign to get your life together and actually start on that assignment that's due tomorrow, this is it. But before you go, take a look at my (kinda) fool-proof method of overcoming the urge to procrastinate!

1. Gather everything you need to get started
   If you're writing a research paper or a discussion post, pull out your textbooks, journal articles, and all other sources of information you need to write. Figure out how you're going to utilize each one, which one you're going to draw the most information out of, then line them up accordingly. While this step doesn't necessarily help you start writing, it does help you feel more organized and ready to take on your next project. 
2. Write your paper paragraph by paragraph
   If you struggle to keep your attention locked on your project, write a full paragraph and walk away from it for a few minutes. Take a Facebook break, grab a drink, whatever you feel like doing in the moment. Then, jump right back into writing. As you get into the zone and really focus on the task at hand, you'll start to forget about those mini breaks and think more about what you're doing. This will make time pass more quickly, plus you'll feel accomplished when you finally take a break and see how much you've finished! 
3. Let yourself breathe
   Sometimes, doing homework can feel like the most overwhelming task in the world, and that's okay. As college students, we have a lot on our plates, and sometimes those responsibilities can be totally draining. The important thing to remember is that, before the deadlines and assignments, you come first. While doing well in school is crucial, you can't let yourself get burned out. So if you start to feel yourself becoming panicked, save your document, close your laptop, and do something you find relaxing. Take a walk to your favorite spot on campus and treat yourself to your favorite snack, lay down and take a power nap, or meet up with a friend and do something fun! You'll end up coming back to your assignment with a fresh perspective and a clear head, which will help you finish it quickly. 

As you can see, it doesn't take much to overcome procrastination! All you have to do is put your mind to it, and sometimes that's the hardest part.

Good luck with the rest of your semester, and happy studying!

Earthy Treats: Raw Rituals

You know, there is just something about the mid-monsoon season that makes me sad and anxious.

Like every year, I was going through the motions again. I was waiting for it to go away silently, until I came across Raw Rituals.

A few minutes with them made me realise the reason of my anxiousness.

I wasn't relaxing properly.

So they suggested me a few of their products : Relaxing Ritual Candle being my favourite amongst them.

The RRC is a 100% beeswax candles that calms your senses and is the perfect yoga accessory too!

 I was also told to indulge in massages often, to keep tensed muscles at bay.

Their body massage oil and hair oil are now my go-to products for everything now. Even as I write this, I am craving a massage. :P

The Raw Rituals representatives are really sweet people, as they pay 100% attention to what you are saying, and give the best advice for products. 

I had fleetingly mentioned to them about how my skin was dry and lacked radiance, and they were kind enough to suggest the Exotic Body Butter and Raw Rituals Soap to me, which, honestly, I had not expected!

You can shop for Raw Rituals by Clicking Here.

You can alternatively look for them on Amazon; and oh Flipkart has them too!

They are also available on instagram @RawRituals; and so am I @ThirdWorldStyle. 

xx

Enchanteuse: Aroma India

As some of you might already know from my previous posts, I have been feeling quite anxious these days. Maybe it was the weather, maybe something else, but it just refused to go away and grew with time instead.

After days and days of going through it, I decided to talk to people about this. I was surprised to see I was not the only one experiencing it! Many friends and relatives felt the same way too.

 We decided to form a group and try meditation, as suggested by a friend. Lo and behold! A few sessions later we were all on our roads to calmer selves.

While searching the internet for soothing fragrances for our sessions, I came across Aroma India by Mysore Scents.

The fragrances they had were really interesting and I decided to give a few of them a try and my favourite turned out to be Volupté.

Neatly packed in organza bags specially designed to retain their fragrances, these incense sticks got me hooked the moment I lit them up. The whole room went into a deep romance between soothed senses and calmed minds. 

Their bases linger on for quite some time, even after they are long over.

I am looking forward to getting myself some of their diffusers and scented candles; going by this, it will be a very enchanting experience.

You can find Aroma India on their website Here. Alternatively, you can try Amazon.

They are available on instagram too, @AromaIndia.

xx

Lakme Absolute Matte Series : Pink Caress Swatch+Review

 Hola people!
So the summer is in full swing and its upto 43°C on some days, in this side of the world
The last thing you want in this summer, is to retouch your makeup when you step out. Thinking this, I decided to try the new Lakme Absolute Lipstick that claimed a 12 hour stay.
The shade was Pink Caress. However, when I did try it, the colour showed no signs of long stay. That is a bummer, since you shell out Rs.800 for a lipstick and it even doesn't stay long.
The lipstick was also dry and tugged at my lips a little when I tried it on. The shade is pink and pretty and thats about all the pros in this one.

Conclusion: Though the colour was I won't get myself another one from this range. Much better products available in the market at lesser costs

Skin18: Korean Awesomeness

Hello guys.
If you have been following my previous posts, I have talked in detail about Skin18, a Korean venture.
You see, the idea behind skin18 is to make our skins feel like they're 18.
And recently, I got my hands on few more of their products and I just couldn't wait to try them all out. Since it was the wedding season, I had the perfect excuse, too!

My mother and I tried two of their products. I had posted about the nose clearing patch on instagram, while my mother used the Acai Hydrating face mask.
Since my brother has acute dry skin, not many products work well on her. But 20 minutes with the Acai mask and her face felt so.... fresh! Not only me, but papa was surprised too!
I'm showing you all the products I laid my hands on, down below. The website and other details about skin18 are available if you click HERE . Do let me know if there are any queries.

Cleanse: Konjac

I remember when I was young, my mother used to have these loofahs made from dried vegetables. 

These loofahs were gentle and made her skin so smooth!

So when I came across Meghan from The Konjac Sponge Company, all those memories came rushing back.

Konjac is a vegetable known for its nutritional properties. 

These sponges go soft as a cotton roll the minute they are immersed in water.

They are used for cleansing the face without a cleanser. Just dip in water and massage onto skin in circular movements. That's it!

These sponges are suitable for every type of skin and are cruelty free+vegan!

You can visit TKSC HERE , or mail them HERE.

Yoi can alternatively call them on +44 (0)1442800801.

Their customer service people are the sweetest.

xx

Halal: Eves- The Pink Tag

Recently, I met one of my friends for a quick catch-up. Amongst many things, I was surprised how glowing and radiant her skin looked!

A little prodding revealed how she had opted for Halal products, which are cruelty free, animal fats free, 100%vegetarian and free of harmful chemicals. 

This got me really interested so I searched the internet for such products and found Eves-The Pink Tag.

I decided to try 3 of their many products, a hair gel, a toothpowder AloeVera Gel and ChocoSoap.

Now, toothpowders scare me. I'll be honest, they happen to be a little too abrasive for my brittle teeth.

Which is why I was so surprised with Eves! This product, as I was informed before, is totally gentle and whitens your teeth visibly in just two uses! Unbelievable, right?!

Since I had highlights on my hair and my hair felt dry and brittle, I decided to try the hairgel first and it turned out to be a very refreshing and rejuvenating solution for my hair! This is one product that has landed itself in my permanent haircare box.

The aloe gel has a shelf life of 6 months  but I dont think its going to last that long for me(hint: read my previous post on 40 uses of aloe).

Aaaaaaaand if anybody knows anything about me, they'll know my love for chocolate; hence it goes without saying I absolutely loved the ChocoSoap by Eves- which also happened to leave my skin feeling very moisturised.

If you want to try these products OR look at their range, or even if you have any doubts, you can mail Safia Ali at  

safia91@gmail.com or call her at +91-8801455720

She's the brand ambassador of Eves-The Pink Tag for Iba Halal Care- India's first certified beauty care range!

You can alternatively follow them on Instagram at

Iba: @Iba.halalcare

Eves: @eves.thepinktag

xx

40 Lesser known uses of Aloe Vera

Today, I bring you forty fabulous uses from this "plant of immortality," as affectionately dubbed by the Egyptians 6,000 years ago.

That's right; the spiky, green gem has a rich history of various cultures and personalities who used the plant's moist middle in a plethora of practical uses. Like Cleopatra who applied the gel to her body as part of her beauty regimen, the ancient Greeks who used it to cure everything from baldness to insomnia to the Native Americans who called aloe vera the "Wand of the Heaven."

1. Pamper yourself to a soothing body rub. Slice aloe leaves lengthwise and use the inner sides as a biodegradable body scrub in the shower.

2. Treat burns from minor mishaps in the kitchen—from grease splatters or hot utensils.

3. For more major kitchen mishaps like a scald, mix some aloe gel and vitamin E oil into a little jar for a homemade burn healer.

4. Banish black and blue bruises by swapping on the good goo.

5. Soothe and heal sunburns the feel-good way. Aloe contains cooling properties similar to menthol.

6. Take the sting or itch out of insect bites.

7. Reduce tissue damage from frostbite.

8. Alleviate mysterious rashes.

9. Make feet baby soft with an exfoliating foot mask by mixing together a half cup of oatmeal, a half cup of corn meal, four tbsp. of aloe vera gel and a half cup of unscented body lotion.

10. Help heal herpes outbreaks.

11. Fight Athlete's Foot.

12. Swab over blisters for quick relief.

13. Use as an antidote to allergic skin reactions.

14. Replace creams and lotions as a general moisturizer for dry skin. Aloe is fast absorbing!

15. Prevent pesky pimples and treat acne.

16. Soothe Psoriasis.

17. Prevent scarring and stretch marks.

18. Help rid of Rosacea.

19. Shrink warts.

20. Reverse signs of aging skin and wrinkles. Cleopatra did!

21. Help eliminate Eczema.

22. Brighten skin. Aloe can decrease pigmentation and dark spots.

23. Make skin new again with an exfoliating, organic sugar scrub by mixing together two tbsp. of aloe vera, 2 tbsp. of organic brown sugar and 1 tsp. of organic lemon juice.

24. For rougher patches mix together an organic salt skin scrub using two cups of sea salt, one cup of aloe vera, one cup of organic coconut oil and two tbsp. of local, organic honey.

25. Speed up hair growth by massaging aloe into the scalp, letting it sit for 30 minutes, and rinsing.

26. Reduce hair dandruff by mixing aloe vera juice with coconut milk and wheat germ oil. Massage into scalp and rinse.

27. Replace aloe with conditioner for silkier, smoother hair.

28. Remove eye makeup.

29. Treat minor vaginal irritations.

29. Treat minor vaginal irritations.

30. Drink aloe vera juice to relieve gastrointestinal disorders like indigestion.

31. Sip it to aid in elimination. Many times, it's recommended for its laxative effects.

32. Take a swig to reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome including bloating and discomfort.

33. Take aloe orally to relieve heartburn, arthritis and rheumatism pain.

34. Boil leaves in a pan of water and breathe in the vapor to alleviate asthma.

35. Drink to lower blood sugar levels—especially for diabetics.

36. Strengthen gums and promote strong, healthy teeth by taking orally or use toothpaste with aloe vera ingredients.

37. Drink to help ease congestion, stomach ulcers, colitis, hemorrhoids, urinary tract infections and prostate problems.

38. Take orally to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides for a healthy heart.

39. Sip to minimize inflammation and infection of the eye and ear.

40. Toast to its general detoxifier and health boosting qualities!