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I want to make it clear that I’m not an expert on interior design but I’ve always been fascinated by home decor. Ever since I was in school, I’d try to make small changes in my parent’s home that would make it look and feel better. Sometimes, I’d add a big vase to the center table, other times, I’d save up my allowance to buy a striking decor piece. Over time, little things added up and our living room was transformed. My parents even got the sofas reupholstered to give it a brand new feel. Sensing I was trying to make things look nicer, they also changed what they could. 

But home decor for me has always been an evolving process. It’s not something you do once and settle into. You have to constantly keep changing things, even if it’s something as simple as just moving things around to shake things up a bit. Many of my friends claim to be bored of their decor but say they don’t have the time or energy to make major upgrades. What they don’t realize is that a small change such as moving your couches in a different arrangement or changing some cushion covers can give your home a much-needed facelift.

Keep tweaking things

At home, even after our living and dining areas got the makeover I thought they needed, I’d always keep tweaking things. I’d add or move pictures or paintings, switch up the cushions, buy a throw for the sofa, or replace the trinkets on the dining table and do many other random things to ensure the space always had a fresh appeal. My parents didn’t always approve because just as they would get used to a certain thing, it would have been replaced. They disliked the bulky napkin holder I got for the dining table, but it got them so many compliments that they are still using it 10 years later, which is also something I believe you should do while decorating your space—find something that you love which works for a space and let it become the focal point of the area.

Decor affects you more than you think 

Many think home decor is for those who don’t have other pressing matters to attend to. I have a relative who always claims to be too busy to pay attention to her house. She’s good as long as it’s clean and functional. Aesthetics, she says, is the last thing on her mind. Chipping wall paint, dangling cords and wires, and a cluttered dining table makes her space unwelcoming. I want to tell her that a basic organization might help spruce things up but I hold back because who am I to judge her lifestyle choices? I just think she would benefit from a cleaner space. Studies have shown that a tidy, beautiful home makes you calmer and happier. A nice home has many psychological and physical benefits. From making you less anxious and increased productivity to better sleep and fewer allergies, a well kept home has many upsides. 

I always seem to think and feel better when my home is tidy and visually appealing. I tend to clean and decorate when I’m feeling down and it instantly makes me feel better. It’s something my mother does too.

Cost effective decorating

Unlike what most people tend to believe, redecorating your home doesn’t have to be expensive. Initially, it might cost you an arm and a leg but once you have the basics in place, then it’s only a matter of switching out a few pieces every once in a while or adding or removing an item or two depending on your budget and requirements. You shouldn’t aim for a complete makeover. Instead, focus on little things to enhance your space. If you have an open plan area, wallpaper a certain section or create an accent wall to jazz it up. Use large mirrors, either mounted on walls or on stands, at the entryway to create an illusion of space. Use large plants in your living room to bring nature indoors and infuse life in an otherwise concrete setting. There are so many ideas that you can implement that don’t cost much but will go a long way in making your space seem vibrant and stylish. 

I love how a fresh coat of paint can make an old space seem new. You don’t even have to color the walls if that seems too ambitious. You can paint your furniture or ceramic decor pieces. It adds a nice pop of color with minimal money and effort. I also enjoy changing table runners and coffee table decor items. I have a stash of them that I keep rotating according to my mood. It costs nothing and takes but a few minutes but it makes my space come alive once again.

How to own your space

However, the one thing you need to keep in mind while decorating your space is to ensure it’s true to your personality and makes you feel comfortable. Oftentimes, I see people blindly copying trends and styles they see in other homes so much so that their homes become a replica of someone else’s. There has been an instance when my husband’s colleague has copied our style and everything in their home—from their curtains to furniture pieces—looks like ours. I remember this person looking around our home with keen interest, and now it makes sense why. 

While I should be flattered, I’m appalled by people’s lack of ideas. A home isn’t just a space you inhabit. It’s an extension of your personality. The things you bring into it should make you happy and joyful. If you copy someone else’s style, it will never feel like home.

And truth be told, there is no need to copy trends or styles. Reading decor magazines and blogs, watching content on design, and even listening to decor podcasts can arm you with lots of ideas on how to personalize your space. You also need to pay attention to your own likes and comforts. What colors make you happy? Do you like ambient lighting? Or is accent lighting more your thing? How do you feel about open plan spaces? Or do you prefer enclosed cozy rooms? Deciding what you like is the basis of designing a comfortable home that you will love and enjoy.

The environment is what surrounds us. Women, with their deeper aesthetic sense, often perceive and value its beauty in ways that shape culture and tradition. Aesthetics, the philosophy of beauty and the arts of life, is closely tied to how we view and experience the environment. Environmental aesthetics, then, refers to the study of the beauty of the natural world. From ancient times, humanity has been a lover of beauty, and the secret of beauty lies in nature—the storehouse of eternal charm.

Women are the true custodians of cultural, artistic, and archaeological heritage. They play an important role in protecting the environment, serving as a constant source of strength, energy, and inspiration. In Nepal, a land blessed with mighty mountains and milky rivers—including Sagarmatha, the world’s highest peak—the natural environment has always been central to life and culture. As Kalidasa wrote in his monumental work Raghuvamsha, rivers are like mothers and mountains like fathers. Civilizations have long flourished on riverbanks, and the confluence of rivers—sangam—is considered deeply sacred. In India, Prayagraj holds this status, while in Nepal, Devghat is revered. The Bagmati is not merely a river, but a cradle of civilization, just as the Ganges embodies centuries of cultural heritage.

Water means life, symbolizing not only physical sustenance but also spiritual cleansing. Riverbanks have always been sacred spaces for men and women alike. In Nepal, married women observe the annual Swasthani ritual by fasting for twenty-four hours without a drop of water, praying for their husbands’ long lives. This ritual, performed on the banks of the Salinī River near Kathmandu, is deeply spiritual—but the river itself is polluted, posing serious health risks. Women with weakened immunity during fasting often suffer from waterborne diseases, a reminder that the environment must remain clean and pure.

Similarly, Maithil women celebrate the great folk festival Chhath by fasting for over thirty-six hours. Water is essential to this festival, yet most rivers, rivulets, and ponds used for the rituals are highly polluted. The health risks are immense. Still, Maithil women demonstrate remarkable environmental consciousness: they sanctify and purify the riverbanks, create beautiful aripan folk art, and burn sandalwood and incense to purify the surroundings. Religious devotion and environmental care are deeply intertwined in their practices. This cultural heritage reflects a duty to hand over a clean, healthy environment to future generations.

Tree worship, too, is integral to Nepali culture. Women venerate banyan trees on Batsavitri, and mango and mahua trees during marriage ceremonies—a tradition of tree cults that has endured for centuries. The message is clear: protecting green trees is essential for a pollution-free environment. Yet today, deforestation threatens Nepal’s once-famous forests. The old slogan, “Green forests are Nepal’s wealth,” feels like a memory, as brutal tree-cutting continues. One poet pleaded:

“O woodcutter,

Do not cut me.

I will give you shade,

I will give you shadow.”

This intertwining of nature and spirituality can be seen in Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, once a lush grove described as an earthly paradise. Yet archaeologists—both Nepali and foreign—have focused only on material remains, ignoring the study of ancient landscapes. The same neglect applies to sacred gardens in Janakpur, such as Manimandap and Tirhutiya Gachhi, and in Siraha, where the historic Salhes garden (Raja Phoolbari) flourishes with medicinal plants and trees. Local myths speak of miraculous flowers and divine apparitions, yet these sites remain unexplored, under threat from encroachment, and absent from tourism initiatives. Remarkably, in Salhes garden, a single woman priest continues to safeguard the ecological environment—an extraordinary tradition linking women directly to nature.

UNESCO’s role in environmental protection has also been noteworthy. Its work in Chitwan and Sagarmatha National Parks has set important examples, combining heritage conservation with biodiversity protection. By involving indigenous communities, UNESCO has fostered connections between heritage tourism, sustainability, and conservation. It also supports government policy-making and encourages dialogue on future challenges such as climate change, sustainable tourism, and digital transformation.

Who doesn’t love a good dessert after a meal? There’s something so immensely satisfying about tucking into a gooey cake or soft ice cream after a hearty lunch or dinner. We really believe it helps your tummy settle and uplifts your mood. Here are three places we think you shouldn’t miss out on if you are looking for something sweet to make you or your friends happy.

Lakuri Cafe

They make the most delicious cakes and scones. Take our word for it, you won’t be disappointed. Located in Baluwatar, Lakuri Cafe baked treats are perfect for any occasion. We recommend their soft breads and carrot cake. Their cupcakes too are a delight. The good thing about the items here is that they aren’t too sweet but hit just the right notes.

Cinnabon 

Cinnabon is a renowned bakery brand that has outlets in over 50 countries. Now, you can try their delicious cakes and drinks at Sanepa in Lalitpur. Mostly known for their rich cinnamon rolls, Cinnabon’s drinks are to die for as well. The buns are slightly on the sweeter side so you might want to share the treat with a friend or your partner.

Donut Drool

Donuts make for a great breakfast, snack, or dessert. They are the quintessential sweet treat that no one can turn away from. Though there are many places that make good donuts (Like Herman Helmers on Saturday and The Workshop Eatery), we recommend Donut Drool for the variety and affordable prices. 

I don’t like to spend a lot of time taking care of my hair and skin which is why I’m always interested in beauty hacks. But they can be tricky as not everything that you find on Instagram or Pinterest actually works. However, there are some tried and tested tips and tricks that have come to my rescue and I’m sharing them with you.

Onion for the scalp

Onion is a great remedy for hair growth and scalp health as it has sulphur and antioxidants. My mother rubs a raw onion on her scalp. It takes care of dryness, flakes, and makes your hair strong and silky in the long run. Earlier, she used to boil chopped onions with oil and use that on her hair. But she found out that rubbing a raw onion works equally well. There are various products in the market that claim to make your hair stronger and smoother, and they all have onion in their list of ingredients. But you don’t have to buy these expensive products when a kitchen remedy is just as effective. One thing I do recommend however is an onion hair mask. Use it once a week or on a biweekly basis for thick, lustrous hair. Simply extract some onion juice and mix it with coconut or rosemary oil and massage your scalp with it an hour before washing your hair. You can also use a warm damp towel to wrap your hair after putting the oil to lock in the moisture. Another great option is to boil onion peels in water for 10 to 15 minutes and strain the mixture. Use this to rinse your hair after washing it. It will make your hair shiny.

Rice water for glowing skin

One of my friends got rid of dry patches and inflamed facial skin with an easy remedy that her grandmother taught her. Now, she readily shares the secret with anyone who asks. Her grandmother told her to freeze rice water (the water from the first rinse) in ice trays and rub a cube on her face twice a day. Just this one simple thing and her skin, she says, has never seen better days. I tried it and it works. Your skin feels refreshed and supple too. I use an ice roller for that as it just feels easier and more accessible than wrapping an ice cube in muslin and using that. You can get really cheap ice rollers in the market or even order one online. If you want an extra dose of freshness, add a few crushed rose petals to the rice water before freezing it. This simple hack is good for both dry and oily skin. It is also believed to be anti-aging as rice water tightens your skin and helps close open pores. If you don’t like rubbing ice on your face what you can do is make a rice water toner and dab it on your face with cotton balls after cleansing it with a mild face wash.

Vaseline to the rescue

This is one product that is so multifunctional that you must keep a tub at home at all times. It can be used by both men and women for a variety of purposes. A friend uses it to style and shape his beard and keep it looking nice. The trick, he says, is to use just a smidgen otherwise it can look greasy. It is also an excellent replacement for hair gels that can be a bit harsh. It gives your hair a wet, slick look. Use it to lock in moisture in dry areas like elbows, knees, and heels, and to tame flyaways and eyebrows. The most common use of Vaseline is as a lip balm but it can also be used as a great cuticle oil or moisturizer. If you dye your hair at home, rub a generous amount of Vaseline on your hairline to keep the dye from getting on your skin. Another friend I know has stopped buying makeup removers. She says Vaseline does the job effectively at less than half the price. The one trick I found most fascinating was dabbing a bit of Vaseline on your pulse points before spraying perfume. It makes your fragrances last longer. I also recently found out that you can use Vaseline to buff leather shoes, and make them shine. You can also put them on squeaky hinges and rub them over stuck zippers to fix them.