Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Starting in late 2009, we Muggles will have a chance to enter the magical world of Harry Potter. Universal Orlando is building a new themed island in Islands of Adventure, a multi-attraction "theme park within a theme park" called "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter".
Indoor Flying
Okay, now you really can fly... and zoom up 30 feet high, and roll and flip in the air; and so can your kids over three years old, thanks to the magic of a couple of giant electric fans in a wind tunnel. Check out iFLY, near Universal Studios Hollywood in southern California.
Blue Man Group
Blue Man Group performances are an indescribable mix of mime, percussion, and antics involving the audience: teens and tweens will find them hilarious, and attending a show can add a lot of fun to a trip to New York City (or London, or Chicago, or elsewhere...) New in 2007, families can see Blue Man Group at Universal Orlando.
American Girl Place
"American Girl" not only makes unique dolls, it also has extrardinary stores (in LA, Chicago, NYC). Extraordinary, how? Well, guests might: eat at the "American Girl Cafe", with "Treat Seats" for doll guests; or visit the on-site Theater. Print out an itinerary! Also, check for packages with hotels that include American Girl goodies in your room.
Swim With Dolphins, and Other Dolphin Encounters
Swim With Dolphins, and other types of dolphin encounters, are very appealing for families. Yet ethical issues surround these programs, especially when using dolphins in captivity.
"Ron Jon" is a legendary name in surf stores, and now the company's launched the Ron Jon Surfpark on International Drive. Three surf pools offer different levels of wave-riding. Beginners can learn to surf in perfect, controlled conditions. Got skills? The Pro Pool's got waves up to 8 feet high, and a ride that lasts 100 yards.
MagiQuest : fantasy attraction at Myrtle Beach SC
Kids who love fantasy-type computer games can step right into a fantasy world. MagiQuest is a live-action adventure game, played in a 20,000 sq. ft. area packed with special effects that get activated by the player's prize possession: the Wand. Think: fantasy video game meets laser-tag play-space, sort of.
Build-A-Bear Workshop®
Build-A-Bear Workshop® is at once an innovative retailer and an entertainment venue: a place where kids have fun creating customized furry friends. New York City has the flagship store but there are hundreds of locations. "Guests" create their own stuffed animals through an eight-step process, with the assistance of "master Bear Builder associates".
Family Fun Centers
A Family Fun Center is typically an outdoor entertainment zone with go-karts, mini-golf, and various other kid-pleasers. There are countless such places across the US; the link above, at TravelingUSA.com, has a clickable map that you can search by state. For more choices, try searching at Google.com for "Family Fun Center [city name]".
Find Family Fun in a City You're Visiting
So you're visiting Seattle, or Phoenix, or Boston, and you want to know about family fun: no problem.
Family Fun: Children's Festivals
Many cities have Children's Festivals, usually during the month of May.
World's Largest Indoor Water Park
Where's the world's largest indoor water park? You might be forgiven for answering "Wisconsin Dells", a small town that's a giant for indoor waterparks. But the world's largest is in the Seagaia resort complex in Japan; and second-biggest is at the giant fun-plus-shopping palace, West Edmonton Mall in Alberta Canada.
Snow Domes! Indoor Skiing Parks
What'll they think of next? You may have to go to Europe to find indoor skiing-- but mega-projects in North America are in the works. See a list of snowdomes around the world.
Source: http://travelwithkids.about.com/od/familyfunplaces/Family_Fun_Places.htm
Friday, November 30, 2007
Fashion warms to reality of climate change
LEADING international fashion designers and industry experts say unpredictable and typically warmer weather worldwide is wreaking havoc on the industry.
It is forcing fashion houses to ditch traditional seasonal collections for transeasonal garments that may lead to a drastic overhaul of fashion show schedules and retail delivery dates.
"The whole fashion system will have to change," Beppe Modenese, founder of Milan Fashion Week, told The New York Times last week.
"The fashion system must adapt to the reality that there is no strong difference between summer and winter any more… You can't have everyone showing four times a year to present the same thing. People are not prepared to invest in these clothes that, from one season to the other, use the same fabrics at the same weight."
Mr Modenese's comments came as New York fashion retailers blamed a prolonged "Indian summer" for poor autumn sales. Who needs a woollen pea coat when it is 30 degrees-plus?
So worried are some fashion houses about the impact climate change is having on the way we dress and shop, they are calling in the climate experts.
The Wall Street Journal reported last month that American retail giant Liz Claiborne Inc had enlisted a New York climatologist to speak to 30 of its executives on topics ranging from the types of fabrics they should be using to the timing of retail deliveries and seasonal markdowns.
Other US fashion retailer giants, including Target and Kohl's, have also started using climate experts to plan their collections and schedule end-of-season sales. And from January, Target will sell swimwear year-round.
Closer to home, fashion designers say they are increasingly designing transeasonal collections using lighter- weight fabrics for a more temperate climate and readjusting their in-store delivery dates in line with the unpredictable seasons.
"There's really no such thing as defined autumn/winter and spring/summer collections any more," says Margaret Porritt, of Melbourne fashion label Feathers.
"A lot of my garments are more transeasonal and rather than dropping them into store twice a year like I used to, I tend to move things in and out of store every couple of weeks, depending on the weather."
Things were different when she started the business 35 years ago.
"Back then winter went into store in mid-January and summer in mid-June and that was it. There was nothing in between. I also used a lot more heavier wools and made great big heavy coats. I can't do that anymore; it just doesn't get cold enough, even here in Melbourne. They just don't sell."
Mrs Porritt says she now uses cashmere and cotton blends instead of heavy wools. "It's all about lightweight garments that you can wear all year round and layering now… and it's something I think we are only going to see more of."
If Mrs Porritt is correct, woollen pea coats could join polar bears as the latest casualties of global warming. And just who knows what will become of our beloved ugg boots?
Source:
Rachel Wells
October 7, 2007
It is forcing fashion houses to ditch traditional seasonal collections for transeasonal garments that may lead to a drastic overhaul of fashion show schedules and retail delivery dates.
"The whole fashion system will have to change," Beppe Modenese, founder of Milan Fashion Week, told The New York Times last week.
"The fashion system must adapt to the reality that there is no strong difference between summer and winter any more… You can't have everyone showing four times a year to present the same thing. People are not prepared to invest in these clothes that, from one season to the other, use the same fabrics at the same weight."
Mr Modenese's comments came as New York fashion retailers blamed a prolonged "Indian summer" for poor autumn sales. Who needs a woollen pea coat when it is 30 degrees-plus?
So worried are some fashion houses about the impact climate change is having on the way we dress and shop, they are calling in the climate experts.
The Wall Street Journal reported last month that American retail giant Liz Claiborne Inc had enlisted a New York climatologist to speak to 30 of its executives on topics ranging from the types of fabrics they should be using to the timing of retail deliveries and seasonal markdowns.
Other US fashion retailer giants, including Target and Kohl's, have also started using climate experts to plan their collections and schedule end-of-season sales. And from January, Target will sell swimwear year-round.
Closer to home, fashion designers say they are increasingly designing transeasonal collections using lighter- weight fabrics for a more temperate climate and readjusting their in-store delivery dates in line with the unpredictable seasons.
"There's really no such thing as defined autumn/winter and spring/summer collections any more," says Margaret Porritt, of Melbourne fashion label Feathers.
"A lot of my garments are more transeasonal and rather than dropping them into store twice a year like I used to, I tend to move things in and out of store every couple of weeks, depending on the weather."
Things were different when she started the business 35 years ago.
"Back then winter went into store in mid-January and summer in mid-June and that was it. There was nothing in between. I also used a lot more heavier wools and made great big heavy coats. I can't do that anymore; it just doesn't get cold enough, even here in Melbourne. They just don't sell."
Mrs Porritt says she now uses cashmere and cotton blends instead of heavy wools. "It's all about lightweight garments that you can wear all year round and layering now… and it's something I think we are only going to see more of."
If Mrs Porritt is correct, woollen pea coats could join polar bears as the latest casualties of global warming. And just who knows what will become of our beloved ugg boots?
Source:
Rachel Wells
October 7, 2007
Yuletide Lads
Iceland's Christmas Food Customs
The Yule Lads were originally considered to be very bad news - they were pranksters that tortured the farmers, as can be seen from their names.
The Yule Lads are said to be the sons of Grýla and Leppalúði, vicious trolls that live in the mountains. Grýla is ancient - her name is even mentioned in Snorri Sturluson's thirteenth century Edda. Grýla is said to wander down from the mountains in search of children that she puts in her sack. Grýla is definitely the dominant member in the relationship and generally considered more terrifying - even sometimes said to have hooves and a tail. Another prominent member of the family is the Yuletide Cat, a beast much feared by children. It was said that the cat would eat any child that didn't get a new article of clothing in time for Christmas. This believe lingers in the Icelandic language in the form a saying: "You don't want to go to the Yuletide Cat."
In modern times the Yule Lads have taken on a more benevolent role as they slowly merge with Santa Claus. They have taken up his costume, and nowadays little children in Iceland place their shoes in the window for thirteen days prior to Christmas, and each night a little gift is left in the shoe from the Yule Lad that came down from the mountains that night
Source: http://www.foodmuseum.com/ISyuletidelads.html
A new urban lifestyle lures India's rural poor
Migration brings profound change
By Amy WaldmanPublished: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2005
SURAT, India:This western city has at least 300 slum pockets, with grimy industry, factory-fouled air and a spiraling crime rate. A 1994 epidemic - reported as pneumonic plague - that originated here caused national panic. It is the kind of place where a woman killed by a passing car lingers in the street because the surrounding crowd does not know her name.
The city hardly seems like a beacon, yet for young men across India it shines like one.
In his central Indian village, B.P. Pandey heard that Surat was a "big industrial town" and made his way here to work. Rinku Gupta, 18, one of Pandey's five roommates, came from the north. Hundreds of thousands more have traveled from Orissa, in the east, and from Maharashtra, to the south.
In the rural mind, Surat, in Gujarat State,looms with outsized allure, and its girth is growing to match. In less than 15 years, its population has more than doubled, to an estimated 3.5 million, making it India's ninth-largest city. The majority of Surat's residents are migrants drawn by its two main industries, diamonds and textiles.
Surat's growth spurt is being replicated across an urbanizing India. At least 28 percent of its population lives in cities and many more of its citizens move in and out of them for temporary work. In some southern states, nearly half the population is in cities. In 1991, India had 23 cities with one million or more people. A decade later it had 35.
As the people shift, so does the very nature of India. This is a country of 600,000 villages, each of them a unit that has ordered life for centuries, from the strata of castes to the cycles of harvest. In this century, cities' pull and influence - not just financial but psychic - are remaking society. Less visible than the heated consumerism or Western sexual habits changing India, this slow churning may be more profound and, for a country weaned on the virtues of village life, more wrenching.
Kanpur, Surat and 17 of the other biggest cities sit along the so-called Golden Quadrilateral - 5,800 kilometers, or about 3,625 miles, of national highways that circle the country and are being modernized in an epic infrastructure project.
The highway brings in and out almost everything cities need, including much of the cheap labor that men like Pandey supply. So with the road's improvement, Surat and other cities are surging anew, spreading toward the highway as if toward their life source.
The redone highway is also shrinking distances between villages and cities. In the countryside through which the route passes, the buzz is about places like Surat, and the sense of a country on the move.
Compared to China, whose rural population is also moving, India's urbanization has been a saunter, not a sprint - slower, looser and more haphazard. That is partly because some of India's policies have served to constrict what the cities can offer. Decisions made during and even after four decades of quasi-socialism crimped manufacturing, which has spurred China's urban growth.
Good jobs or not, India's migrants still come. Their presence is creating new challenges: battles for land, competition for jobs, strained resources and religious and political tensions. So diverse is Surat's population that the municipal corporation runs schools in eight languages.
And when the migrants return home, they bring new views and aspirations with them. Their perspectives are combining with the improved highways to open up the closed worlds of India's villages.
Waiting for a bus at the station in Jaipur,Surender Yadav offered his own village as an example. Bypassed by development, it sat down a wretched road off the highway between Jaipur and New Delhi. There was no medical dispensary, and perhaps more galling to Yadav, a 26-year-old doctoral candidate in Hindi, no newspaper delivery.
But the highway's widening and resurfacing meant villagers no longer were waiting for development to come to them. Every morning, Yadav said, 20 or so people rode their motorbikes to the highway, parked and hopped on a bus. They went to New Delhi, 2.5 hours away, or Gurgaon, even closer, and worked as police officers, low-level clerks, or customer care representatives in call centers. India, ever absorptive, had absorbed the highway, and turned out something new: the commuter village.
Brighter prospects
During religious holidays, 200 to 300 buses a day pull out of Surat and head 10 hours north on the highway. Their destination: the rural region of Saurashtra. Their cargo: diamond-polishers returning home to the drought-parched villages they left to work in the city.
Source: http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/12/07/news/india.php#end_main
By Amy WaldmanPublished: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2005
SURAT, India:This western city has at least 300 slum pockets, with grimy industry, factory-fouled air and a spiraling crime rate. A 1994 epidemic - reported as pneumonic plague - that originated here caused national panic. It is the kind of place where a woman killed by a passing car lingers in the street because the surrounding crowd does not know her name.
The city hardly seems like a beacon, yet for young men across India it shines like one.
In his central Indian village, B.P. Pandey heard that Surat was a "big industrial town" and made his way here to work. Rinku Gupta, 18, one of Pandey's five roommates, came from the north. Hundreds of thousands more have traveled from Orissa, in the east, and from Maharashtra, to the south.
In the rural mind, Surat, in Gujarat State,looms with outsized allure, and its girth is growing to match. In less than 15 years, its population has more than doubled, to an estimated 3.5 million, making it India's ninth-largest city. The majority of Surat's residents are migrants drawn by its two main industries, diamonds and textiles.
Surat's growth spurt is being replicated across an urbanizing India. At least 28 percent of its population lives in cities and many more of its citizens move in and out of them for temporary work. In some southern states, nearly half the population is in cities. In 1991, India had 23 cities with one million or more people. A decade later it had 35.
As the people shift, so does the very nature of India. This is a country of 600,000 villages, each of them a unit that has ordered life for centuries, from the strata of castes to the cycles of harvest. In this century, cities' pull and influence - not just financial but psychic - are remaking society. Less visible than the heated consumerism or Western sexual habits changing India, this slow churning may be more profound and, for a country weaned on the virtues of village life, more wrenching.
Kanpur, Surat and 17 of the other biggest cities sit along the so-called Golden Quadrilateral - 5,800 kilometers, or about 3,625 miles, of national highways that circle the country and are being modernized in an epic infrastructure project.
The highway brings in and out almost everything cities need, including much of the cheap labor that men like Pandey supply. So with the road's improvement, Surat and other cities are surging anew, spreading toward the highway as if toward their life source.
The redone highway is also shrinking distances between villages and cities. In the countryside through which the route passes, the buzz is about places like Surat, and the sense of a country on the move.
Compared to China, whose rural population is also moving, India's urbanization has been a saunter, not a sprint - slower, looser and more haphazard. That is partly because some of India's policies have served to constrict what the cities can offer. Decisions made during and even after four decades of quasi-socialism crimped manufacturing, which has spurred China's urban growth.
Good jobs or not, India's migrants still come. Their presence is creating new challenges: battles for land, competition for jobs, strained resources and religious and political tensions. So diverse is Surat's population that the municipal corporation runs schools in eight languages.
And when the migrants return home, they bring new views and aspirations with them. Their perspectives are combining with the improved highways to open up the closed worlds of India's villages.
Waiting for a bus at the station in Jaipur,Surender Yadav offered his own village as an example. Bypassed by development, it sat down a wretched road off the highway between Jaipur and New Delhi. There was no medical dispensary, and perhaps more galling to Yadav, a 26-year-old doctoral candidate in Hindi, no newspaper delivery.
But the highway's widening and resurfacing meant villagers no longer were waiting for development to come to them. Every morning, Yadav said, 20 or so people rode their motorbikes to the highway, parked and hopped on a bus. They went to New Delhi, 2.5 hours away, or Gurgaon, even closer, and worked as police officers, low-level clerks, or customer care representatives in call centers. India, ever absorptive, had absorbed the highway, and turned out something new: the commuter village.
Brighter prospects
During religious holidays, 200 to 300 buses a day pull out of Surat and head 10 hours north on the highway. Their destination: the rural region of Saurashtra. Their cargo: diamond-polishers returning home to the drought-parched villages they left to work in the city.
Source: http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/12/07/news/india.php#end_main
Top 10 Wines to Enhance Christmas
Top 10 Wines & Spirits
1. Champagne and Flutes
Champagne made exclusively for John Lewis by the house of P & C Heidsieck.
M&S Wine gift ideas
Perfect gourmet food and classic wine gift ideas to suit all tastes.
2. Christmas cases A highly recommended festive dozen, available in a deluxe edition and special bulk deal (plus each case comes with FREE tasting notes too).
3. Christmas sparklers Features Roche Lacour 2000, Crémant de Limoux AOC, Rosé, Crémant de Loire AOC and Prosecco.
4. Black reds Four very special red wines whose dark colours (and quite often big alcohol) guarantee velvety, seriously long-lasting flavours to keep you warm.
5. New world collection 2006 Stunning arrivals from Australia plus stars of New Zealand, Chile and much more! £69.99
6. Chablis 2004 - case of 6 Fruity and floral aromas with clean, fresh flavours and lively acidity of classic Chablis.£44.55
7. Personalised Grand Cru Champagne Produced by a leading French Champagne house, this personalised 75cl Grand Cru adds sparkle to any occasion.£36.99
8. Personalised XO Cognac in Gift Case Bottled in France, it tastes smooth, mellow and warming with a real depth and intensity of flavour. £89.99
9. Claret Gift Set A real wine-lover's gift, featuring Hugh Johnson's revised and updated 30th anniversary edition and a brilliant Cru Bourgeois claret, packaged in a wooden box. £30
10. Fine Wine Duo Two fine examples of Rhone wines, housed in an equally elegant black faux leather lidded box.£45
Source : http://www.tiscali.co.uk/events/christmas/top-10/categories/wine.html
1. Champagne and Flutes
Champagne made exclusively for John Lewis by the house of P & C Heidsieck.
M&S Wine gift ideas
Perfect gourmet food and classic wine gift ideas to suit all tastes.
2. Christmas cases A highly recommended festive dozen, available in a deluxe edition and special bulk deal (plus each case comes with FREE tasting notes too).
3. Christmas sparklers Features Roche Lacour 2000, Crémant de Limoux AOC, Rosé, Crémant de Loire AOC and Prosecco.
4. Black reds Four very special red wines whose dark colours (and quite often big alcohol) guarantee velvety, seriously long-lasting flavours to keep you warm.
5. New world collection 2006 Stunning arrivals from Australia plus stars of New Zealand, Chile and much more! £69.99
6. Chablis 2004 - case of 6 Fruity and floral aromas with clean, fresh flavours and lively acidity of classic Chablis.£44.55
7. Personalised Grand Cru Champagne Produced by a leading French Champagne house, this personalised 75cl Grand Cru adds sparkle to any occasion.£36.99
8. Personalised XO Cognac in Gift Case Bottled in France, it tastes smooth, mellow and warming with a real depth and intensity of flavour. £89.99
9. Claret Gift Set A real wine-lover's gift, featuring Hugh Johnson's revised and updated 30th anniversary edition and a brilliant Cru Bourgeois claret, packaged in a wooden box. £30
10. Fine Wine Duo Two fine examples of Rhone wines, housed in an equally elegant black faux leather lidded box.£45
Source : http://www.tiscali.co.uk/events/christmas/top-10/categories/wine.html
Pet Haute Couture
Start here! It's time to dress up your dog or cat with pet clothing...
The future of pet clothing is here today. There are literally thousands of styles, sizes, colors, and materials available. Read this article if you want to gain some insight and inspiration.
Some Background on Clothing for Pets
Cat and dog clothing can make a cute animal look completely adorable. This is especially true with small dogs and cats, and of course, puppies and kittens.
Not surprisingly, there are many different types and designs of pet clothing offered. Furthermore, there is now designer pet clothing available from top clothing designers. There is also leather pet clothing available. Some clothing is made for special occasions, like Halloween and Christmas. In short, if you can think of something that your pet might wear, someone is making it.
To give you some inspiration, let’s take a look at all the different types of pet clothing you could buy. Here’s a list for you:
Pet Pajamas
To ensure your dog's good night sleep, you can purchase a pair of pajamas for them to use every night. They can be made out of thermal fabrics, but the most common materials are cotton or polyester. This is very nice during cold winter nights!
Pet Bathrobe
You wash your dog or have it take its bath regularly. And after doing so, your dog splashes water around. The answer? A good terry cloth bathrobe! Robes usually have a front closure or top zipper or buttons for easy dressing. A bathrobe is best after your dog or cat is groomed (bath time).
Pet Raincoat
Are there times you and your dog are caught in the rain while exploring the great outdoors? Prepare for those instances. Let your dog wear a raincoat that will protect them when it's raining outside. Some even come with a dog rain boots perfect for the occasion. Very cute too...
Pet Jackets
If you take your dog outside even as it snows, a dog coat or jacket could be needed. There are different types of jackets, of course. There are parkas, blanket coats, ski jackets, and even thermal hoods. Some are waterproof, while others are made of leather or faux suede.
Pet Sweaters
Your dog can feel cold during the winter even while inside the house. For such cases, let your dog don a cute and cuddly piece sweater made especially for them. You'll see that they will feel more comfortable moving around because they feel warmer. There are dog sweater variants that cover the legs as well and are available in a range of wonderful colors.
Pet Fashion Clothing
Well, you must have seen movies where dogs are dressed in cute little dresses. Those maybe customized, but there are a lot of retailers selling them now. Fashion clothes can come in pink, of course, but many other colors too. The often come in sets, consisting of a shirt, pants, hood, and boots. Accessories are also available.
Pet Life Jackets and Vests
These are the attire required of hunting and active dogs. Some come in reflector paints or reflective strips to aid dog owners in finding their pets even during the night. Life jackets are ideal for dogs that have a need to be within a body of water, maybe in a boat, as a fishing companion. Fun with fish and your furry friend!
Pet Shirts
These are your dog's everyday clothes. Some have themes like rugby, tennis, and golf-style shirts. Some just goes with the regular T-shirt design with nice prints and patterns. These are your dog's spring and summer wears, ideal for trips to the beach or to the park. They come in a variety of styles and designs to choose from.
Pet Holiday Clothes
Dogs and cats dressed in clothes that are holiday-inspired will surely add to the occasion's fun. There are Christmas costumes available, complete with Santa's hat and belt. Turn your dog into Santa's assistant and kids will surely love it. There are also Halloween costumes available for your pets. Bring them along when trick or treating and they are sure to get a bag of treats on their own. There are many costume types; too many to list, but you probably have your own great ideas!
Pet Clothing Accessories
To complete your pet clothing ensemble, you are going to need accessories like pet bandanas or even pet goggles. There are even pet diapers available for your dog within their potty training periods. Boots are common. Usually, there is a pair of boots made especially to match a given set of pet clothes. There are also bonnets and hair clips to match.
Final Comments on Pet Clothing
These are just several options to dress your pets. Usually, these fit dogs and cats, but you can surely customize some clothes to fit your other pets or your rather big dog or little cat.
Pet clothes can be cute additions to your wardrobe. And these are not solely for aesthetic purposes. You can also protect your pets and keep them comfortable and warm during any weather. Have fun!
Source: http://www.pet-comfort-products.com/pet-clothing.html
Redecorate Your Child's Bedroom this Winter
Looking to give yourself and your space a new look this winter? Why don't you turn your bedroom into an inspired space that you can mix and match with a million different combinations?
Dress Up Your Monitor
Unless you're a member of the Simpson family, you don't wear just one outfit so, why should your computer or TV? This quick project really lets you flex your creative muscles.
You need: A roll of peel-and-stick Velcro, different colors of felt, scissors, a measuring tape and glue.
Do it: Measure your TV or Computer screen. Then cut out a felt border that will fit around the outside edge without blocking the screen. Use your own imagination to cut out different shapes and patterns. Glue the felt cutouts to the border and decorate it any other way you want. You can make lots of different ones to suit your moods.
Now stick one side of the Velcro to the TV or computer monitor (better ask your 'rents first.) Stick the other side to the pretty frame you made. Be careful to use the opposite sides of the Velcro strips cuz two pieces of the same side won't stick together. Now you can change the frames whenever you feel like it.
On the Wall Variation
You don't have to limit this crafty idea to your TV. Glue pics of your friends on to felt frames that you've decorated and stick them to your wall with Velcro so you can move them around to give your room a fresh look. Or, if you're really artistically inclined, you can paint a fishpond on your wall and stick cutouts of different fish, plants and frogs to the pond.
Sleep Under the Stars
So your 'rents aren't keen on you painting your ceiling? No prob. Buy plastic glow-in-the-dark stars and stick them to your ceiling with poster putty. If you've got some serious time on your hands, you can find a map of the stars on the Web and copy the constellations. You can switch the stars around whenever you want - poster putty stays soft so it won't wreck your ceiling!
Source: http://www.kidzworld.com/article/3254-redecorate-your-bedroom
Dress Up Your Monitor
Unless you're a member of the Simpson family, you don't wear just one outfit so, why should your computer or TV? This quick project really lets you flex your creative muscles.
You need: A roll of peel-and-stick Velcro, different colors of felt, scissors, a measuring tape and glue.
Do it: Measure your TV or Computer screen. Then cut out a felt border that will fit around the outside edge without blocking the screen. Use your own imagination to cut out different shapes and patterns. Glue the felt cutouts to the border and decorate it any other way you want. You can make lots of different ones to suit your moods.
Now stick one side of the Velcro to the TV or computer monitor (better ask your 'rents first.) Stick the other side to the pretty frame you made. Be careful to use the opposite sides of the Velcro strips cuz two pieces of the same side won't stick together. Now you can change the frames whenever you feel like it.
On the Wall Variation
You don't have to limit this crafty idea to your TV. Glue pics of your friends on to felt frames that you've decorated and stick them to your wall with Velcro so you can move them around to give your room a fresh look. Or, if you're really artistically inclined, you can paint a fishpond on your wall and stick cutouts of different fish, plants and frogs to the pond.
Sleep Under the Stars
So your 'rents aren't keen on you painting your ceiling? No prob. Buy plastic glow-in-the-dark stars and stick them to your ceiling with poster putty. If you've got some serious time on your hands, you can find a map of the stars on the Web and copy the constellations. You can switch the stars around whenever you want - poster putty stays soft so it won't wreck your ceiling!
Source: http://www.kidzworld.com/article/3254-redecorate-your-bedroom
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Christmas Cards
Looking for Holiday Greeting Cards for Business or Corporate use?
CardsDirect is the Premier resource for Business Greeting Cards including holiday themes such as Corporate Christmas cards, Thanksgiving cards and bulk discount Greeting cards for all your business commerce, corporate, and personal needs.
Holiday Cards The simple fact is Christmas seasons greetings with your company name and logo are a great way to put your name in front of your customers and clients, and a cost-effective way to advertise! Purchasing quality Holiday Christmas greetings for business from CardsDirect is smart, economical, and hassle free. We can professionally imprint company greeting cards and Holiday Cards with your business name and your company logo, choice of verse or a custom verse, and envelope return address in a variety of inks and foil stamp colors. Save up to 40% off on Bulk Christmas cards this holiday season.
Christmas Cards to share and express your warmest wishes and care this holiday season. CardsDirect carries over 1500 client Christmas cards. Offering personalized custom imprint, business logos, fast stick envelopes, hot foil stamps, and much more. This year show your commitment to your dedicated employees, faithful customers and clients, friends and family with one of our personalized Christmas cards or full color CardsDirect Photo cards.
Source: http://www.cardsdirect.com/
CardsDirect is the Premier resource for Business Greeting Cards including holiday themes such as Corporate Christmas cards, Thanksgiving cards and bulk discount Greeting cards for all your business commerce, corporate, and personal needs.
Holiday Cards The simple fact is Christmas seasons greetings with your company name and logo are a great way to put your name in front of your customers and clients, and a cost-effective way to advertise! Purchasing quality Holiday Christmas greetings for business from CardsDirect is smart, economical, and hassle free. We can professionally imprint company greeting cards and Holiday Cards with your business name and your company logo, choice of verse or a custom verse, and envelope return address in a variety of inks and foil stamp colors. Save up to 40% off on Bulk Christmas cards this holiday season.
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Source: http://www.cardsdirect.com/
CHRISTMAS EVE SURPRISE
Planning a Romantic Winter Picnic
Throughout the cold, snowy days of winter, opportunities abound to get close to your loved one – snuggling in front of a fire, watching the snowflakes fall, enjoying the sparkling lights of holiday décor and sipping some warm, comforting beverages. What brings all of these things together better than a winter picnic? It’s the perfect way to celebrate your love, make a connection or just get some one-on-one time with that special person who’s caught your eye. Here are some tips for planning the perfect romantic picnic that you’ll never forget.
Choose an unexpected picnic site. Picnics can be held nearly anywhere, but some locations are more special than others. Spread a warm, cozy blanket out in front of your fireplace, light candles, put on some holiday music and enjoy a delicious meal as you trim the tree. Find the best neighborhood in your town for Christmas light displays, and take a slow, romantic drive through the area with some hot cocoa or mulled wine in a thermos. Take a trip to the nearest outdoor ice skating rink for a truly romantic experience with all the magical winter atmosphere you could ask for.
Be prepared with elegant, seasonally appropriate picnic gear. A picnic pack that comes with an insulated vacuum-flask beverage holder and mugs is a great choice – nothing could be more perfect than the Hot Stuff Picnic Backpack for 2, pictured left, which also comes with insulated tubs for hot food and two waterproof seating mats. Some other great ideas include the Hot Pack Coffee Shoulder Bag for 2, the comfy waterproof Mega Picnic Mat and the Kona Coffee Flask. The beautiful fabrics, excellent craftsmanship and high-quality details are sure to impress your date.
Use the internet to your advantage to find the perfect recipes. Recipezaar.com has a collection of Christmas cocktails in addition to all of their holiday meal recipes, including Hot Buttered Rum, Hot Chocolate Deluxe, Black Forest Martini and Traditional Eggnog. Over at FoodNetwork.com you’ll find a special section called ‘Season’s Eatings’ that divide up their vast collection of impressive, delicious holiday recipes into Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year’s categories. Just remember when choosing your recipes, stick to dishes that aren’t too messy and won’t require a lot of last-minute prep. Anything that will hold up well in an insulated food container and/or is easily hand-held is a good choice.
Source: http://www.picnictips.com/2006/12/planning_a_roma.html
Throughout the cold, snowy days of winter, opportunities abound to get close to your loved one – snuggling in front of a fire, watching the snowflakes fall, enjoying the sparkling lights of holiday décor and sipping some warm, comforting beverages. What brings all of these things together better than a winter picnic? It’s the perfect way to celebrate your love, make a connection or just get some one-on-one time with that special person who’s caught your eye. Here are some tips for planning the perfect romantic picnic that you’ll never forget.
Choose an unexpected picnic site. Picnics can be held nearly anywhere, but some locations are more special than others. Spread a warm, cozy blanket out in front of your fireplace, light candles, put on some holiday music and enjoy a delicious meal as you trim the tree. Find the best neighborhood in your town for Christmas light displays, and take a slow, romantic drive through the area with some hot cocoa or mulled wine in a thermos. Take a trip to the nearest outdoor ice skating rink for a truly romantic experience with all the magical winter atmosphere you could ask for.
Be prepared with elegant, seasonally appropriate picnic gear. A picnic pack that comes with an insulated vacuum-flask beverage holder and mugs is a great choice – nothing could be more perfect than the Hot Stuff Picnic Backpack for 2, pictured left, which also comes with insulated tubs for hot food and two waterproof seating mats. Some other great ideas include the Hot Pack Coffee Shoulder Bag for 2, the comfy waterproof Mega Picnic Mat and the Kona Coffee Flask. The beautiful fabrics, excellent craftsmanship and high-quality details are sure to impress your date.
Use the internet to your advantage to find the perfect recipes. Recipezaar.com has a collection of Christmas cocktails in addition to all of their holiday meal recipes, including Hot Buttered Rum, Hot Chocolate Deluxe, Black Forest Martini and Traditional Eggnog. Over at FoodNetwork.com you’ll find a special section called ‘Season’s Eatings’ that divide up their vast collection of impressive, delicious holiday recipes into Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year’s categories. Just remember when choosing your recipes, stick to dishes that aren’t too messy and won’t require a lot of last-minute prep. Anything that will hold up well in an insulated food container and/or is easily hand-held is a good choice.
Source: http://www.picnictips.com/2006/12/planning_a_roma.html
Dressing your Christmas Tree
Christmas Tree Decoration
Very little time is left before the Christmas Eve and you are still left with so many preparations. You haven't purchased your new dress, some gifts are still pending and though you have purchased the Christmas tree, its decoration is still left.
Decorating the Christmas tree is perhaps the most important aspect of the holiday celebrations. It is when we start decorating the Christmas tree that we truly feel that Christmas has come. Numerous ornaments are available in the market, with which you can decorate your Christmas tree.
From fancy lights to musical décor, anything and everything is easily available in the shops. Given below are some great tips for decorating the Christmas tree.
The lights should always be distributed throughout the tree, from top to bottom. However, do ensure that the lights are in a working condition.
It is not necessary to use very expensive ornaments. Even simple things, like ribbons and candy, if used tastefully, can make your Christmas tree look very beautiful.
Lit candles lend a very traditional as well as warm look to your home. However, make sure that the candles are kept at considerable distance from the Christmas tree, gifts and other inflammable items.
Never ever use decorations that are fragile or have sharp edges.
If the decorations have removable parts, place them out of the reach of children.
Colorful balls give the Christmas tree a very beautiful look and are not too expensive.
Fairies as well as butterflies look very nice on the Christmas tree and complement the festive spirit also.
Artificial snowflakes can also be used for decorating the tree, especially when there is no snow on Christmas.
Nothing beats the traditional stars as far as the decorating the Christmas tree is concerned.
Source: http://www.worldofchristmas.net/christmas-trees/decoration.html
Very little time is left before the Christmas Eve and you are still left with so many preparations. You haven't purchased your new dress, some gifts are still pending and though you have purchased the Christmas tree, its decoration is still left.
Decorating the Christmas tree is perhaps the most important aspect of the holiday celebrations. It is when we start decorating the Christmas tree that we truly feel that Christmas has come. Numerous ornaments are available in the market, with which you can decorate your Christmas tree.
From fancy lights to musical décor, anything and everything is easily available in the shops. Given below are some great tips for decorating the Christmas tree.
The lights should always be distributed throughout the tree, from top to bottom. However, do ensure that the lights are in a working condition.
It is not necessary to use very expensive ornaments. Even simple things, like ribbons and candy, if used tastefully, can make your Christmas tree look very beautiful.
Lit candles lend a very traditional as well as warm look to your home. However, make sure that the candles are kept at considerable distance from the Christmas tree, gifts and other inflammable items.
Never ever use decorations that are fragile or have sharp edges.
If the decorations have removable parts, place them out of the reach of children.
Colorful balls give the Christmas tree a very beautiful look and are not too expensive.
Fairies as well as butterflies look very nice on the Christmas tree and complement the festive spirit also.
Artificial snowflakes can also be used for decorating the tree, especially when there is no snow on Christmas.
Nothing beats the traditional stars as far as the decorating the Christmas tree is concerned.
Source: http://www.worldofchristmas.net/christmas-trees/decoration.html
Christmas Cake Recipe made easy
Christmas is not Christmas without a Christmas cake. If you can't manage eating a whole cake over the Christmas period, don't worry. Our Christmas Cake Recipe will give you a cake that will stay tasty for at least three months.
Baking a Christmas Cake can be a bit daunting but our recipe is illustrated with step by step pictures to ease you gently through the process. At key stages in the recipe we give you hints and tips which will make the whole process as easy as pie!
KEY POINTS
Preparation Time: 45 minutes
Cooking Time: 3½ hours
How Difficult Medium
Freeze? No
Servings 25cm (10 in) cake
We use the Christmas Cake baked with this recipe for marzipan and icing.
TIME
45 minutes preparation time
3 to 3½ hours hour cooking time
INGREDIENTS
The ingredients below will make enough to fill a 20 to 25 cm (8 to 10 inch) cake tin.
Ingredients Imperial Metric
Butter or margarine at room temperature (1 hour or so out of the fridge) 8 oz 230 g
5 medium eggs
Mixed Fruit (e.g. currants, raisins, sultanas, peel) 1½ lb 680 g
Glace cherries - roughly chopped 2 oz 60 g
Mixed spice ½ teaspoon ½ teaspoon
Ground almonds 2 oz 60 g
Demerara sugar 8 oz 230 g
Almonds - roughly chopped 2 oz 60 g
Self-raising flour 12 oz 340 g
Brandy or rum 4 fl oz 110 ml
Milk - if needed to adjust consistency of mixture 2 fl oz 55 ml
NOTE: You will need more brandy to add to the cake as it matures.
Allow for another 4 fl oz / 110 ml.
COOKING EQUIPMENT
1 cake tin - 20 to 25cm diameter
Food blender or a a lot of manual stirring!
A large bowl
Grease proof paper
OVEN TEMPERATURE
170 C, 325 F, Gas Mark 3
METHOD Grease the inside of the cake tin with butter, margarine or oil. Cover the inside of the cake tin with greaseproof paper as shown in the picture on the left.
It's important to get the paper sat neatly in the cake tin. Click here for our page on how to do this the professional and easy way! With step by step pictures of course
Place the sugar and butter in your food blender and mix them well - this will take around a minute at medium to high speed.
The texture after blending will be thick and creamy. Start the blender going again and add the eggs. Keeping the blender going at medium to high speed will stop the eggs curdling.
The process of blending in the eggs will incorporate a lot of air into the cake mixture (click picture to enlarge it and see more clearly the air bubbles).
It's the air in the cake mixture which will keep the cake 'light'. Turn the oven on now so that it is pre-heated to the right temperature.
Remove the mixture from the blender and gently spoon it into a wide bowl Add the flour, ground almonds and mixed spice into the bowl and gently mix them in. The object here is to mix all the ingredients well but not to 'knock' the air out of the mixture. Do this by using a spoon and gently stir in a figure of 8. It will take about 30 seconds to mix up all the ingredients.
Add the mixed fruit, glace cherries, chopped almonds and brandy. Gently mix the ingredients together using a spoon as described in the previous paragraph.
The consistency of the mix should be such that the mixture will drop off a spoon with some reluctance (click picture to see more clearly). If the mixture is too thick, add some of the milk and mix gently again.
Gently spoon the mixture into the cake tin lined with greaseproof paper. Level out the mixture using the spoon.
Make a small well in the centre of the mixture. This will prevent the cake form rising too excessively in the centre when it is baking. Click picture to see more clearly.
Put the cake tin in the oven and bake for 3 to 3 1/2 hours (pre-heated oven 170C, 325F, Gas Mark 3).
Turn the cake round in the oven once or twice during baking to ensure that it evenly cooked. When the cake is cooked (see next para for judging this), the top will probably be slightly cracked. This matters not one jot because we will turn the cake over to ice it!
Check if the Christmas Cake is cooked properly by inserting a skewer or thin knife into the cake. If it's reasonably clean when you take it out, the cake is cooked. If there are bits stuck to the skewer / knife it needs cooking a bit more.
The example on the left was from a cake that needed about 20 minutes more cooking.
Let the cake cool for a couple of hours then prepare it for storage. Cover with greaseproof paper then either wrap it in foil or store it in an airtight container.
Ideally, the cake should be matured for a month or more before icing it. If storing the cake for more than two weeks, add a small amount of brandy to the cake every two weeks.
The best way to add brandy is to turn the cake upside down, prick it with a fork in several places then sprinkle a couple of tablespoons of brandy over the base of the cake. Rewrap the cake as before, base downwards.
Source: http://www.cookuk.co.uk/cake/recipe_christmas-cake.htm
yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmy :)
Baking a Christmas Cake can be a bit daunting but our recipe is illustrated with step by step pictures to ease you gently through the process. At key stages in the recipe we give you hints and tips which will make the whole process as easy as pie!
KEY POINTS
Preparation Time: 45 minutes
Cooking Time: 3½ hours
How Difficult Medium
Freeze? No
Servings 25cm (10 in) cake
We use the Christmas Cake baked with this recipe for marzipan and icing.
TIME
45 minutes preparation time
3 to 3½ hours hour cooking time
INGREDIENTS
The ingredients below will make enough to fill a 20 to 25 cm (8 to 10 inch) cake tin.
Ingredients Imperial Metric
Butter or margarine at room temperature (1 hour or so out of the fridge) 8 oz 230 g
5 medium eggs
Mixed Fruit (e.g. currants, raisins, sultanas, peel) 1½ lb 680 g
Glace cherries - roughly chopped 2 oz 60 g
Mixed spice ½ teaspoon ½ teaspoon
Ground almonds 2 oz 60 g
Demerara sugar 8 oz 230 g
Almonds - roughly chopped 2 oz 60 g
Self-raising flour 12 oz 340 g
Brandy or rum 4 fl oz 110 ml
Milk - if needed to adjust consistency of mixture 2 fl oz 55 ml
NOTE: You will need more brandy to add to the cake as it matures.
Allow for another 4 fl oz / 110 ml.
COOKING EQUIPMENT
1 cake tin - 20 to 25cm diameter
Food blender or a a lot of manual stirring!
A large bowl
Grease proof paper
OVEN TEMPERATURE
170 C, 325 F, Gas Mark 3
METHOD Grease the inside of the cake tin with butter, margarine or oil. Cover the inside of the cake tin with greaseproof paper as shown in the picture on the left.
It's important to get the paper sat neatly in the cake tin. Click here for our page on how to do this the professional and easy way! With step by step pictures of course
Place the sugar and butter in your food blender and mix them well - this will take around a minute at medium to high speed.
The texture after blending will be thick and creamy. Start the blender going again and add the eggs. Keeping the blender going at medium to high speed will stop the eggs curdling.
The process of blending in the eggs will incorporate a lot of air into the cake mixture (click picture to enlarge it and see more clearly the air bubbles).
It's the air in the cake mixture which will keep the cake 'light'. Turn the oven on now so that it is pre-heated to the right temperature.
Remove the mixture from the blender and gently spoon it into a wide bowl Add the flour, ground almonds and mixed spice into the bowl and gently mix them in. The object here is to mix all the ingredients well but not to 'knock' the air out of the mixture. Do this by using a spoon and gently stir in a figure of 8. It will take about 30 seconds to mix up all the ingredients.
Add the mixed fruit, glace cherries, chopped almonds and brandy. Gently mix the ingredients together using a spoon as described in the previous paragraph.
The consistency of the mix should be such that the mixture will drop off a spoon with some reluctance (click picture to see more clearly). If the mixture is too thick, add some of the milk and mix gently again.
Gently spoon the mixture into the cake tin lined with greaseproof paper. Level out the mixture using the spoon.
Make a small well in the centre of the mixture. This will prevent the cake form rising too excessively in the centre when it is baking. Click picture to see more clearly.
Put the cake tin in the oven and bake for 3 to 3 1/2 hours (pre-heated oven 170C, 325F, Gas Mark 3).
Turn the cake round in the oven once or twice during baking to ensure that it evenly cooked. When the cake is cooked (see next para for judging this), the top will probably be slightly cracked. This matters not one jot because we will turn the cake over to ice it!
Check if the Christmas Cake is cooked properly by inserting a skewer or thin knife into the cake. If it's reasonably clean when you take it out, the cake is cooked. If there are bits stuck to the skewer / knife it needs cooking a bit more.
The example on the left was from a cake that needed about 20 minutes more cooking.
Let the cake cool for a couple of hours then prepare it for storage. Cover with greaseproof paper then either wrap it in foil or store it in an airtight container.
Ideally, the cake should be matured for a month or more before icing it. If storing the cake for more than two weeks, add a small amount of brandy to the cake every two weeks.
The best way to add brandy is to turn the cake upside down, prick it with a fork in several places then sprinkle a couple of tablespoons of brandy over the base of the cake. Rewrap the cake as before, base downwards.
Source: http://www.cookuk.co.uk/cake/recipe_christmas-cake.htm
yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmy :)
How To Decorate For a Memorable Holiday Party
If you're planning a Christmas party, you'll find some good and simple ideas for making it a memorable occasion.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Varies
Here's How:
Plan your party around a theme or a seasonal color scheme. Finding decorations and making plans will be easier. Choose anything from Santa to snowmen, music to angels.
Find some other ideas for holiday theme ideas. Red, white, green, gold, and silver are traditional holiday colors. Use just one color or combine several for your decorations.
Making a simple phone call to invite your guests is easiest for a spur-of-the-moment party. But if you're planning ahead, design your party invitation after you've chosen your theme. Create an invitation that your guests will really remember.
Cut out a paper shape for your theme and write the party information on the back. Embellish it with ribbon or glitter and add a tie for hanging.
Make an impression right from the start. Think about wrapping your front door with Christmas gift wrapping paper. Create a giant bow and tie it around the door. Don't forget a beautiful wreath.
Arrange luminarias along the sidewalk and have Christmas music playing from the minute the guests arrive.
To add a holiday touch to every room in your home, tie bows on everything from candlesticks to doorknobs, teddy bears to chair backs. If you know how, make the bows with a wire tie. They'll be easy to remove and reuse year after year.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Place a small floral centerpiece or cluster of candles on a coffee table, piano, desk, or side table. Select a color to enhance your decorating theme and color scheme.
To add a festive look everywhere, sprinkle glitter on every surface you can see. Think lamp shades, table tops, buffet, bathroom countertops, buffet, table, dining table, and under glass serving plates. Be sure you don't get the glitter on food service dishes.
Select several tapes or CDs and play Christmas music all evening. Choose a type of music that compliments your decorating theme.
If you have a fireplace, pile it high with logs and keep it blazing all through the party. Recruit a friend to keep it going. If your fireplace does not burn real logs, arrange pillar candles at different heights and burn them. They'll cast a beautiful flickering light around the room.
Whether you're serving food as a buffet or seating your guests at the table, decorate the table with elements of your chosen theme or color scheme. In this case, "more" is good. Sprinkle glitter around the table. Your centerpiece, table linens, even the food, can compliment your decorating plan. Arrange colored, candied apples around a roast, green parsley or rosemary on white potatoes, white pearl onions mixed with green peas. The possibilities are endless.
Offer a small gift to each guest at the table. Decorate and personalize a tree ornament and use it as a place card. Or decorate cut-out cookies with your guests' names. Tie a small sheer bag with pot pourri or have a mini pointsettia at each place. Place your guest's name at the favor and date it as a memento of the occasion.
Even if you don't have enough for every guest, use your holiday china. For a buffet service, alternate holiday plates with plain, regular ones on the pile. If guests are seated, alternate the patterns around the table. Be sure to use a tablecloth or mats and napkins to continue your color scheme. And don't forget the polished silver and crystal. After all, it's a party!
Have a simple holiday decoration in every room that your guests will enter. Use a pretty wreath on the door of the room where they'll leave their coats, a glowing candle in the powder room, a beautiful pointsettia in the kitchen, small arrangement on the hall table, or mini Christmas tree on the coffee table. The possibilities are endless. And what a difference these special touches will make!
For a fun addition, and for the fun-at-heart, hang some mistletoe or a kissing ball from a chandelier.
Tips:
If you're on a budget, you'll find that candle tapers, pillars, or votives give a beautiful glow and festive look to any room.
A footed clear glass bowl piled high with colored glass tree ornaments makes a pretty centerpiece in place of flowers.
Don't forget to turn on all your Christmas lights before your guests arrive.
Place candles all around the house and turn out all the lights except the ones on the Christmas tree. Everything will look romantic and cozy for your party.
What You Need:
Candles-- lots of them!
Holiday Lights- lots of them!
Holiday Patterned China
Glitter-- lots of it!
CD's of Your Favorite Christmas Music
Lots of Firewood and Matches
A Beautiful Christmas Tree
Ivy, Holly, and Pine Boughs
Pointsettias
Source: From Coral Nafie,
Your Guide to Interior Decorating
Designer Tips and Advice: Decorating Trends
Using Trends and Developing Personal Style
Q. People are often eager to know what is the "latest" color, design, and furnishings trend, when it seems they might be better off working to discover their own personal style. Can you comment on what you see in trends and how homeowners might create interiors that are up-to-date but classic.
HERE ARE SOME TIPS AND VIEWS THAT YOU COULD USE THIS SEASON :)
Mary Baltz: "I think watching the trends is a useful tool in helping to create your own style, because you find out sometimes what you don't like. I think in getting started with your project it's important to know the basics -- colors you like, furniture styles, and simply how your home makes you feel when you enter a room.
"Trends can be good in obtaining direction, but remember that you'll have to live with your choices. Keeping with classics and perhaps using a color or furniture trend in small doses can keep a room from looking dated."
Lyn Peterson: "The thing about the latest 'latest' is that you never know if it will stand the test of time. Blue jeans are a classic. Blue jeans with embroidered cuffs are last year's embarrassment. The thing about classic decorating is that it has stood the test of time, not like a pair of embroidered jeans. We can't bury them in the closet and pretend we didn't actually buy them. We want to appear up to date, but not foolish.
"New homeowners are using honed stones for counters in kitchens and baths. They're asking for more moldings and added detail in their homes. Design is in the details and these sophisticated new homeowners seem to know that.
"Quality never goes out of fashion. I see quality as a trend now. Maybe we're going to be smarter about how we spend our decorating dollar. (I know I plan to be.) Leave the faddy stuff to the smalls. Get that silk, beaded throw pillow, or that sisal tapestry bordered small throw rug. Be safe with the big purchases, and playful with the accessories."
Tricia Foley: "Again, it's never made sense to me to create a Southwestern style home or a farmhouse look in a high rise apartment building in a city... My main objective is to design a space appropriately . It just makes sense and everything seems to fall into place visually.
A classic neutral color scheme creates a soothing backdrop for the life you lead in your home, surrounded by the things that have meaning to you. Although I've seen beautiful red living rooms, or soft pink bedrooms that I've loved, I don't think I would want to live in them every day - a bunch of red tulips or bouquet of pale pink peonies does the trick for me!"
Rachel Ashwell: "I don't really follow trends as I stick to my palette of pale green, pale pink, pale blue, cream and ivories."
Charlotte Moss: "I'd say stick with the classics, trust yourself, and every once in a while experiment . I think what's basic, what is 'classic', will hang around for a long time. It's about being true to yourself and not being a fashion victim. It's about trusting your instincts and if you want to try that kiwi color on the walls, just do it. It's about yourself and listening to yourself, not reading the magazines and thinking 'I've really got to go beige this year.'
"On the other hand, sometimes there are people who are a little reluctant to do certain things. They need that push, and oftentimes something comes along within a trend that they happen to like, and it validates their choice."
Ann Fox: "I am very anti-trend. It only gets people into a 'dated' look. Clients are directed to not fall into a narrow style, but to go for a more eclectic look, to collect pieces they love. Definite trends such as Mission, lodge, etc. are 'fashion items' just like in the apparel industry. Accents are great, but don't go overboard..."
SOURCE: All photos courtesy of
Designers In Residence
a book from the editors of Victoria Magazine
~ Glenna J. Morton
Shonal Rawat----First Runners-Up @ Miss Asia Pacific 2003---------- My Best Friend
She stands 5'11 and 3/4 inches tall and is a Kolkata native with numerous accolades in her kitty.
She won the first runners-up title of the Miss Asia Pacific 2003 besides bagging the titles of Miss Talent, Miss Congeniality, Miss Creamsilk and Miss Gandang Rickyreyes (a local contest for the best hairstyle) in Manila, Phillippines.
She also got a chance to host one show for MTV's Most Wanted.
This science graduate has also done various ad campaigns like Nescafe and Shalimar paints.
Photographs: Dominic Xavier
Source:
http://specials.rediff.com/getahead/2007/apr/12lfwshonal1.htm
Dev R Nil --------------------- My two best designers and my Best pals
Dev R Nil
Profile | Contact Info
Dev 'the dreamer' of the two is a Commerce graduate from St Xavier's, Kolkata. He studied Fashion at NiFD Kolkata and was a 'Style File Young Masters' finalist in 2004. Nil 'the entrepreneur' studied Fashion from Canberra Institute of Technology, Australia, interned under Akira Isogawa, which helped him understand the importance of Art in Fashion. At their studio in Kolkata, they have aptly elevated fashion designing to an art form where art is not only for art's sake but it has been made into a viable business venture.
Without a doubt these guys KNOW what WOMEN today want.
Source: http://sifymax.com/lfw/designers/dev_r_nil/
Profile | Contact Info
Dev 'the dreamer' of the two is a Commerce graduate from St Xavier's, Kolkata. He studied Fashion at NiFD Kolkata and was a 'Style File Young Masters' finalist in 2004. Nil 'the entrepreneur' studied Fashion from Canberra Institute of Technology, Australia, interned under Akira Isogawa, which helped him understand the importance of Art in Fashion. At their studio in Kolkata, they have aptly elevated fashion designing to an art form where art is not only for art's sake but it has been made into a viable business venture.
Without a doubt these guys KNOW what WOMEN today want.
Source: http://sifymax.com/lfw/designers/dev_r_nil/
If you liked New Winter Fashion Trend, you may also enjoy...
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Source: http://www.infashionkids.com/
Baby Clothes, Kids Swimwear,Childrens Swimwearand Fine Childrens Clothing
Scarecrow Costume,lobster costume, Mullins Square Costumes and childrens' clothing exclusively by In Fashion Kids Childrens Clothing, Childrens Swimwear and Halloween Costume Store. Adorable and unique Girls Christmas Dresses, Baby Clothes,Ladybug Costume,kids clothing and childrens pajamasare just some of the unique things you'll find shopping online! From Baby Halloween Costumes to sailor suits,to unique kids and childrens halloween costumes we've got it all. Dont forget to pick up childrens swimwear or kids pajamas, childrens halloween costumes and baby costumes! Add on fun monkeycostume, a baby halloween costume or animal costume, which always make great presents or costume ideas for children. Great baby gifts, girls christmas dresses and childrens swimsuits at great or even discount prices!
We offer a unique selection of baby clothes, infant dresses, childrens bathing suits, kids pajamas and infant costumes including Princess Costumes or Barbie Costumes, Kate Mack, Biscotti swimwear and flower girl dresses, Rubies and Disguise Halloween costumes, designer baby clothes and toddler casual clothing, Le Top Baby clothes and childrens coats and infant shoes. You'll also find great baby and toddler clothes from Vitamins Baby clothing, Hartstrings, Baby Togs and Baby's Own baby clothes. Shop for fancy girls dresses and boys suits, a unique baby halloween costume or childrens swimwear from Gossip Girls, Hartstrings or Kate Mack. From traditional smocked dresses in toile to baby's first birthday dresses and hats & childrens swimsuits you will find it all at our online kids clothing store. We have one of the widest selections of childrens halloween costumes and costumes for babies on the internet. From Carters baby clothes to Kids halloween costumes~ have fun shopping quality clothing at great prices online from the convenience of your home!
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Source: http://www.infashionkids.com/
Man Fashion Trend
The term fashion is a conglomeration of innumerable items which when combined together make a complete man fashion trend. The list of men fashion catalog is extensive and encompasses primarily four segments namely apparels, footwear, accessories and jewelry.
But again the reservoir of these individual segments is comprehensive. Urban man fashion is modernistic hip-hop style. When men go shopping they usually hunt for things that are stylish, durable and comfortable.
While deciding on man fashion style, the first and foremost thing that one should take care of is how formal is event. For party purpose or special occasion, you need something that can accentuate your personality. Everything should be special from head to toe.
For men as important is to attire smart clothing equally vital is to maintain a nice cool hairstyle, neat shoes and not to forget our fashionable accessories that truly adorn your personality. Pick up stuff that reflects your style.
Don't get fascinated by celebrity styles but take a pause and see whether the particular style can become your fashion trend or not. Little things can make a big difference to your styling and always remember that first impression is the last impression so next time you go for a job interview make sure you are dressed up rightly as per the need of situation. Guys if you want to impress your girlfriend then check out some fragrance perfumes. Girls always tend to notice smallest of the things you do then be it your dressing, style or your manners. Men one thing which is very precious but unfortunately we do not value it is smile.
It costs nothing but does wonders. A pleasing person is always welcomed. Men fashion apparel list includes formal office wear business attire, informal casual informal clothing (e.g. funky cargo pants, T-shirt, jeans etc), sports wear track pant and comfy drawstring shorts and winter man ensemble is simply fantastic consisting of designer sweaters, leather jackets, pullovers etc. Now the good news is that our favorite jeans have now entered office premises.Ethnic section for men is mind-blowing consisting of fashionable sherwani, jodhpuri suits, silk kurta etc.
These ethnic wear for men have made their way to ramps. There are distinctive styles in ethnic ensemble like band galas, achkans etc. In fact now the cool dudes are preferring ethnics over western when it comes to wedding time. But the charm of these fabulous clothing comes when they are teamed with the right accessories which contains multiple items like leather wallets & briefcase, sleek eye wear, trendy belt, fragrance perfume, handkerchief, stylish scarf, hat, cufflink etc.
Don't be under the misconception that jewelry is reserved for women because now men have entered women's arena and are making their fashion statement. It's exciting to explore the men jewelry section consisting of men bracelets, earring, chains, and pendants etc.Men you need to give due consideration to your shoes. Leather shoes are in vogue and next time you go for jogging or for a gym workout, be properly dressed in your sports shoes.
For summer season there are funky leather thongs and sandals that are comfortable and are apt for hot summers. But winter comes with a style as it brings along fashionable winter boots. Though boots can be worn at any time but looks fabulous during winters. It is not only stylish but a very practical shoe type and please before stepping out of home polish your shoes. for the complete ethnic look, there are splendid varieties of Punjabi jutties and royal Mojris. So, guys by now you must have got an idea as to what is fashion all about. What are you waiting for; you too can become a fashion icon.
Source: Fashion : Man Fashion Trend
But again the reservoir of these individual segments is comprehensive. Urban man fashion is modernistic hip-hop style. When men go shopping they usually hunt for things that are stylish, durable and comfortable.
While deciding on man fashion style, the first and foremost thing that one should take care of is how formal is event. For party purpose or special occasion, you need something that can accentuate your personality. Everything should be special from head to toe.
For men as important is to attire smart clothing equally vital is to maintain a nice cool hairstyle, neat shoes and not to forget our fashionable accessories that truly adorn your personality. Pick up stuff that reflects your style.
Don't get fascinated by celebrity styles but take a pause and see whether the particular style can become your fashion trend or not. Little things can make a big difference to your styling and always remember that first impression is the last impression so next time you go for a job interview make sure you are dressed up rightly as per the need of situation. Guys if you want to impress your girlfriend then check out some fragrance perfumes. Girls always tend to notice smallest of the things you do then be it your dressing, style or your manners. Men one thing which is very precious but unfortunately we do not value it is smile.
It costs nothing but does wonders. A pleasing person is always welcomed. Men fashion apparel list includes formal office wear business attire, informal casual informal clothing (e.g. funky cargo pants, T-shirt, jeans etc), sports wear track pant and comfy drawstring shorts and winter man ensemble is simply fantastic consisting of designer sweaters, leather jackets, pullovers etc. Now the good news is that our favorite jeans have now entered office premises.Ethnic section for men is mind-blowing consisting of fashionable sherwani, jodhpuri suits, silk kurta etc.
These ethnic wear for men have made their way to ramps. There are distinctive styles in ethnic ensemble like band galas, achkans etc. In fact now the cool dudes are preferring ethnics over western when it comes to wedding time. But the charm of these fabulous clothing comes when they are teamed with the right accessories which contains multiple items like leather wallets & briefcase, sleek eye wear, trendy belt, fragrance perfume, handkerchief, stylish scarf, hat, cufflink etc.
Don't be under the misconception that jewelry is reserved for women because now men have entered women's arena and are making their fashion statement. It's exciting to explore the men jewelry section consisting of men bracelets, earring, chains, and pendants etc.Men you need to give due consideration to your shoes. Leather shoes are in vogue and next time you go for jogging or for a gym workout, be properly dressed in your sports shoes.
For summer season there are funky leather thongs and sandals that are comfortable and are apt for hot summers. But winter comes with a style as it brings along fashionable winter boots. Though boots can be worn at any time but looks fabulous during winters. It is not only stylish but a very practical shoe type and please before stepping out of home polish your shoes. for the complete ethnic look, there are splendid varieties of Punjabi jutties and royal Mojris. So, guys by now you must have got an idea as to what is fashion all about. What are you waiting for; you too can become a fashion icon.
Source: Fashion : Man Fashion Trend
Why Should You Dress Your Dogs?
Dog fashions can be fun! Your dog can look flirty, funky, flashy or glamorous. Never before in the history of our dog have there been so many fun choices to make. There are clothes and shoes, and an overwhelming choice of collars, leashes and dog carriers.
Dog fashions can also practical. If all you are interested in is keeping your dog warm on chilly days and nights, you certainly will find the perfect sweater, jacket of fleece shirt. We as humans really share a common trait with our dogs. We both love attention! We enjoy dressing our dogs up in the latest of dog clothes, hats and jewelry because it is interactive. People stop and talk about it. The same is true when we humans dress up in the latest of fashion. It’s fun. It opens up channels of communication with others and gives us the attention, whether we admit it or not, we all crave.
For those of us with little toy dogs, the days of putting on a plain acrylic sweater are over. Top dog clothes designers are making trendy, fashionable dog clothes. There are dresses out there that match the same little dresses you might have worn as a kid. There is rainwear, real leather and faux fur, boots and hats, necklaces and hair jewelry by the dozens. It is actually enough to make your head swim! If you are indecisive like I am, that is. This revolution in dog fashions is just as varied as human clothing. You can spend hundreds of dollars on an outfit or very little and still have your little dog looking fabulous. Dressing your dog is here to stay.
Clothes for Warmth:
If you and your little toy dog will outside in Maine in the winter, it truly matters that your little guy is in a nice, warm coat. Sure your main objective here is to keep the little guy warm, but it is more fun if that coat is “mink,” or even faux fur. Wow! How cute can that be? Real cute! Even long-coated little dogs sometimes need a little help keeping warm. Small dogs do lose their body heat much faster and are prone to hypoglycemia. A fleece t-shirt inside is also great to help keep your little guys from losing too much body heat.
Clothes for Worried Dogs:
When you are a Teacup Shih Tzu and you only weigh 5 pounds, you will have lots to worry about if the larger size Shih Tzu is around. Dressing the little guys in clothes will actually relieve some of the tensions between them and their rivals – the bigger guys. It creates calming to wrap up your little guy in something warm and cozy like a fleece t-shirt or sweater for inside. It gives the little guys more confidence.
Dogs like attention. When you dress up your dog in a beautiful party dress, people pay that attention. Your little dog will probably respond with lots of tail wagging and an increase self confidence. Most dogs love to interact with people and clothes are very good conversation starters. Dress your dog up in something really, really pretty and unusual and have fun watching her/his reactions when people stop and tell him or her just how precious they look.
People won’t be able to resist smiling and petting your little dog. Dressing up your pet in beautiful dog fashions is definitely a way for the two of you to meet new people anywhere you decide to go.
Source:
Connie Limon is a Shih Tzu breeder. Purchase fleece t-shirts in a variety of colors and hand crochet dog blankets at: http://www.littleguysdogclothesshop.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Connie_Limon
Dog fashions can also practical. If all you are interested in is keeping your dog warm on chilly days and nights, you certainly will find the perfect sweater, jacket of fleece shirt. We as humans really share a common trait with our dogs. We both love attention! We enjoy dressing our dogs up in the latest of dog clothes, hats and jewelry because it is interactive. People stop and talk about it. The same is true when we humans dress up in the latest of fashion. It’s fun. It opens up channels of communication with others and gives us the attention, whether we admit it or not, we all crave.
For those of us with little toy dogs, the days of putting on a plain acrylic sweater are over. Top dog clothes designers are making trendy, fashionable dog clothes. There are dresses out there that match the same little dresses you might have worn as a kid. There is rainwear, real leather and faux fur, boots and hats, necklaces and hair jewelry by the dozens. It is actually enough to make your head swim! If you are indecisive like I am, that is. This revolution in dog fashions is just as varied as human clothing. You can spend hundreds of dollars on an outfit or very little and still have your little dog looking fabulous. Dressing your dog is here to stay.
Clothes for Warmth:
If you and your little toy dog will outside in Maine in the winter, it truly matters that your little guy is in a nice, warm coat. Sure your main objective here is to keep the little guy warm, but it is more fun if that coat is “mink,” or even faux fur. Wow! How cute can that be? Real cute! Even long-coated little dogs sometimes need a little help keeping warm. Small dogs do lose their body heat much faster and are prone to hypoglycemia. A fleece t-shirt inside is also great to help keep your little guys from losing too much body heat.
Clothes for Worried Dogs:
When you are a Teacup Shih Tzu and you only weigh 5 pounds, you will have lots to worry about if the larger size Shih Tzu is around. Dressing the little guys in clothes will actually relieve some of the tensions between them and their rivals – the bigger guys. It creates calming to wrap up your little guy in something warm and cozy like a fleece t-shirt or sweater for inside. It gives the little guys more confidence.
Dogs like attention. When you dress up your dog in a beautiful party dress, people pay that attention. Your little dog will probably respond with lots of tail wagging and an increase self confidence. Most dogs love to interact with people and clothes are very good conversation starters. Dress your dog up in something really, really pretty and unusual and have fun watching her/his reactions when people stop and tell him or her just how precious they look.
People won’t be able to resist smiling and petting your little dog. Dressing up your pet in beautiful dog fashions is definitely a way for the two of you to meet new people anywhere you decide to go.
Source:
Connie Limon is a Shih Tzu breeder. Purchase fleece t-shirts in a variety of colors and hand crochet dog blankets at: http://www.littleguysdogclothesshop.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Connie_Limon
Effective Lighting Tips For Your Bedroom
Bedroom Lighting needs to be carefully thought out and planned because usually the bedroom tends to function as multiple rooms and can require effective task lighting for its various roles. The bedroom can double up as a study, or a television room, or as a reading room and most usually as a dressing room and sometimes it has to function as all these rooms!
Also the bedroom is the first room you see in the morning upon waking and is the last room you see at night before going to sleep. Given that its main function is to be a room of rest,tranquility and comfort, this is one room where getting the lighting right is of paramount importance.
The color scheme of a bedroom has a large role to play in the mood and ambience of the bedroom. And the way in which lighting is used to great effect in a room, will depend on the color of the walls and the furnishings in that room.
For instance, bright colors such as orange and yellow are very popular for young children's rooms, pink tends to be more popular with girls, blue is thought of as a cool and calming color. No matter what color the room, by using suitable lighting fixtures, it is possible to change the effect and ambiance of the room by day and by night by simply using different types of lights.
An example would be having a blue room - during the day this would come across as being calm and tranquil however, by using color-tinted lamps and warm-colored lighting and having bedside lamps with colored light bulbs, the room can take on a more warm and welcoming appearance by night.
As mentioned earlier, effective task lighting is key to good bedroom lighting and can be provided through a variety of different ways. Fixed fittings are one option but whilst they remove dangling wires and the risk of overturning table lamps etc, they may confine the bed to a particular place in the room. Portable lighting is the other option and effective task lighting in bedrooms can be easily achieved by using adjustable reading lamps near to the bed to facilitate reading or desk lamps for the dressing table areas. It is also possible to use special clip-on reading lights (for the bedhead) or spotlights clipped to a wall shelf or even use a floor standing uplighter at each end of the bed.
If the room does not need to be brightly lit up, then table lamps dotted around the bedroom are sufficient and can create a low-lit, cosy and comfortable bedroom. Usually two light fixtures at either side of the bed and a few table lamps placed on a desk or dressing table will suffice.
It is possible to use the more familiar lighting effects, commonly used in other rooms, to great effect in the bedroom. For example, effective use of picture lights to create specific focus on portraits or paintings hung on walls as well as using uplighters under a bay window to highlight curtains - these methods are just as effective in the bedroom as they would be in the living room or hallway areas.
For more dramatic bedroom lighting effects, consider placing a linear light underneath the bed itself - this results in a beautiful warm glow and gives the appearance that the bed is almost floating. The same sort of effect can be achieved by placing light fixtures under the bottom of shelves.
Therefore, using a variety of lighting fixtures such as table lamps, uplighters, pendants and so forth, there are many different effects and moods that can be achieved within the bedroom, making it a warm, comfortable and relaxing room but also one in which you can read, watch TV and get dressed in.
Source:
Lauren Tyler writes exclusively for http://www.lamplightworld.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lauren_Tyler
Also the bedroom is the first room you see in the morning upon waking and is the last room you see at night before going to sleep. Given that its main function is to be a room of rest,tranquility and comfort, this is one room where getting the lighting right is of paramount importance.
The color scheme of a bedroom has a large role to play in the mood and ambience of the bedroom. And the way in which lighting is used to great effect in a room, will depend on the color of the walls and the furnishings in that room.
For instance, bright colors such as orange and yellow are very popular for young children's rooms, pink tends to be more popular with girls, blue is thought of as a cool and calming color. No matter what color the room, by using suitable lighting fixtures, it is possible to change the effect and ambiance of the room by day and by night by simply using different types of lights.
An example would be having a blue room - during the day this would come across as being calm and tranquil however, by using color-tinted lamps and warm-colored lighting and having bedside lamps with colored light bulbs, the room can take on a more warm and welcoming appearance by night.
As mentioned earlier, effective task lighting is key to good bedroom lighting and can be provided through a variety of different ways. Fixed fittings are one option but whilst they remove dangling wires and the risk of overturning table lamps etc, they may confine the bed to a particular place in the room. Portable lighting is the other option and effective task lighting in bedrooms can be easily achieved by using adjustable reading lamps near to the bed to facilitate reading or desk lamps for the dressing table areas. It is also possible to use special clip-on reading lights (for the bedhead) or spotlights clipped to a wall shelf or even use a floor standing uplighter at each end of the bed.
If the room does not need to be brightly lit up, then table lamps dotted around the bedroom are sufficient and can create a low-lit, cosy and comfortable bedroom. Usually two light fixtures at either side of the bed and a few table lamps placed on a desk or dressing table will suffice.
It is possible to use the more familiar lighting effects, commonly used in other rooms, to great effect in the bedroom. For example, effective use of picture lights to create specific focus on portraits or paintings hung on walls as well as using uplighters under a bay window to highlight curtains - these methods are just as effective in the bedroom as they would be in the living room or hallway areas.
For more dramatic bedroom lighting effects, consider placing a linear light underneath the bed itself - this results in a beautiful warm glow and gives the appearance that the bed is almost floating. The same sort of effect can be achieved by placing light fixtures under the bottom of shelves.
Therefore, using a variety of lighting fixtures such as table lamps, uplighters, pendants and so forth, there are many different effects and moods that can be achieved within the bedroom, making it a warm, comfortable and relaxing room but also one in which you can read, watch TV and get dressed in.
Source:
Lauren Tyler writes exclusively for http://www.lamplightworld.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lauren_Tyler
Feng Shui For the Home
Entrance Ways
It is important that the flow of Chi from the front to the back of your home is not hindered. It is also best to have it flow through in a meandering path and not a direct line. Entrance ways off the street or through your garden to the front door will determine the qualities of Chi that flow into your home. Therefore it is important to use curved pathways or garden beds. Breaking up the direction of pavers to allow curved lines will also help. A birdbath, fountain or a small pond along the way will bring balance and improve the qualities of Chi.
Too large a doorway will allow Chi to escape from your home. If this is a problem for you it can be easily counteracted by placing Windchimes outside the door. This will also discourage Sha (negative energy) from entering your home. Too small a doorway will not allow enough Chi to enter the home, but placing a mirror on either side of the door or on a wall opposite the door will help to fix the problem.
If the back door can be seen from the front door, Chi can flow straight through your home without circulating. Placing a large potted plant or a screen in between the two will break up the straight lines and help to deflect Chi.
The entrance hall is most auspicious in terms of Feng Shui as it is the place where one might pause upon entering or leaving the home, thus being energized by the Chi that flows through it. Entrance halls that have no windows or doors leading from them or are enclosed in some way can cause Chi to stagnate. Again mirrors or a ceiling fan or maybe a small water fountain will solve this problem.
Stairways
Poorly positioned stairways can cause problems in the way they defect Chi. A stairway directly opposite the front door will allow most of the Chi to rush through and up to the next level causing the ground floor to starve. Mirrors, Windchimes, potted plants and screens are all effective ways of slowing down the movement of Chi in this case.
If you have an open stairway that uses risers as opposed to filled in steps it will not allow enough Chi to flow to the next floor. Placing plants beneath the stairs will help to deflect Chi upwards, thus allowing the flow to continue. A skylight over the stairs will also help improve the situation.
Stairways that curve along their path are obviously ideal, but what can be done to help if there is too sharp a bend. Again we solve this dilemma with the use of mirrors, plants or Windchimes.
Lounge Room
The lounge room is the place reserved for relaxation, conversation, interaction and relationships. It is therefore considered in Feng Shui terms to be the heart of the home.
The lounge room should be in the south side of the home or should face south. West is also a good outlook and it should have a pleasant view. If the view from your lounge room has harsh lines or angles such as a neighbouring home or a city skyline, try breaking the lines up with large plants
Your lounge room should be square or rectangular in shape and the furniture should be placed so as to break opposing straight lines. This will allow Chi to flow gently through a room. Alcoves and dead areas can be broken up with the placement of plants, large items of furniture or fish tanks.
Flat ceilings are best for promoting the flow of Chi. If, however, you have a sloped ceiling or exposed beams you should use Windchimes or bamboo flutes as a remedy.
Many lounge rooms are adjacent to dining rooms or kitchens and in these cases it is best to have a visual barrier placed between them such as a screen or large plants. If you have doors in between, try to keep them closed.
Seating in your lounge room should be placed in a way that breaks up direct pathways. Avoid placing the back of a lounge chair or settee directly toward a wall. This will break the lines and secret arrows which produce Sha energy. There should also be an even number of seats in the room. The most comfortable seat in the room should be reserved for a guest and should never have its back facing a door. The lounge room should have an open and inviting feel to it. Avoid overcrowding the room with furniture. If necessary remove the least used items in the room to achieve this feeling. An area that has stagnant Chi is best remedied with an aquarium or a television. The placement of flowers or potted plants are also effective enhancers for these areas.
Feng Shui Decorating
Color your room wisely. Don't use harsh colours or colours that oppose the furniture or artwork. Where possible derive the colours from your artwork to help create a harmony between the two. Soft pastels are always good. Before making a final decision on colour, check the symbolic definition for them.
Feng Shui Colors
Yellow = authority,
White = purity,
Green = longevity,
Blue = heavenly blessings,
Red = happiness.
Dining Room
The seating arrangements for the family dining table are based on the order of the trigram in the Bagwa. The ideal shape for your table is the octagon of the eight sided Bagwa. However tables of this shape are difficult to come by and not always practical. A round table is said by some experts to be "as good" symbolising earth and stability. If your table is rectangular or square, the placing of an octagonal centre piece or place mats is good Feng Shui. To enhance your health, wealth and happiness place the Three Star Gods over looking your dining table.
When arranging furniture in the dining room ensure that chairs do not restrict doorways. There should be ample space for guests to walk around the table without having to manoeuvre around chairs or other furniture.
There should be an even number of dining chairs and remember to seat an honoured guest facing the doorway. Dining chairs with a horseshoe shaped back are ideal Feng Shui as this shape represents the "Dragon embracing the Tiger".
If your dining room has no windows a chandelier or a ceiling fan will assist the flow of Chi. Always use soft even lighting in the dining room as well as soft colours such as shades of green or yellow.
Kitchen
The Chinese believe malevolent spirits come from the North and so Good Feng Shui dictates that your Kitchen should NOT face this direction as it may increase the chance of mishaps. The use of crystals or Windchimes hanging from windows or doorways facing this direction is an effective cure.
The kitchen sink represents water and your stove represents fire. Ideally these two elements should not be side-by-side. The stove should be positioned so as to avoid the cook standing with their back to a doorway. A mirror or any highly reflective kitchen appliance placed above the stove will counteract this problem by providing reflection so that the cook can not be taken by surprise. Good lighting and ventilation by the stove will reduce the influence of Sha.
White is the preferred colour for kitchens. It symbolises purity and therefore promotes good health from well prepared (pure) food. Cutlery should not be stored in a stagnant area as the negative influence on sharp object will serve to cut your health. Place them in a drawer nearest to the doorway or window.
A toilet next to a kitchen produces Sha (negative energy). Keeping the door closed and the toilet lid down will help as will the placement of a Bagwa on the toilet door.
Feng Shui Bedroom
Adults will benefit more from a bedroom facing west into gentle rays of the setting sun, where as children will reap the rewards of the bedroom facing east toward the invigorating morning rays. Those with no children should decide which is best for themselves, be it a deeper more relaxing sleep (west) or the vitality and motivation of morning (east).
The bed should not be placed so that the occupants feet face a doorway. This is the way the deceased are carried from a room. Neither should your bed directly face a window as the glare attracts Sha energy. A Windchimes will remedy this situation.
No more than two mirrors should be placed in a bedroom as this will excite Chi and avoid placing a mirror at the foot of the bed or opposite a window. A bedroom beside the living room is good Feng Shui and in the case of a two-storey home directly above a lounge room.
Remember this is a room for relaxation the colours you choose should be peaceful and tranquil. Too vibrant a colour will excite Chi making it difficult to rest. This also applies to the lighting in your bedroom. Try lowering the wattage of the globes used in this room.
Feng Shui in the Bathroom
The bathroom facing north is ideal as this direction is associated with water. The colours Blue and Black are favoured here for their significance to water also. North is also associated with malevolent spirits and therefore subject to mishap. Great care should be taken to ensure the Protection of children and the elderly for this reason. Sharp objects and non-slip surfaces are things to consider as are the proximity of water to electrical outlets.
Bathrooms and toilets are used for hygiene. These rooms can actually pollute Chi and so we encourage the speedy flow of Chi here. The aim is to wash away the pollution and replace the Chi as quickly as possible. Breezy windows, mirrors and Feng Shui Crystals will assist the flow of Chi. Keep the toilet door closed and the lid down also place a Octagonal Mirror on the door
Since we are encouraging the flow of Chi in this area we need to be careful not to drain Chi from a wealth area such as a home office or study nearby.
Ensure that from the bath or shower the door can be seen, a carefully placed mirrors can help prevent the bather from being taken by surprise.
Feng Shui Your Study or Office
It is important to keep this room tidy and uncluttered as failing to do so will produce Sha'. As this is a room where we require creativity and contemplation we must do all we can to produce Chi. It is helpful to have an area with no shelving where a comfortable high-backed chair can be placed for quite contemplation. The Chinese refer to this area as the Ming T'ang. Placing a picture symbolising water behind the chair will help encourage the flow of creative energy.
Place the desk so that the window is to the left of the seating position and so that the door can be seen from the desk. Do not allow the occupants back to face the door. If there is no window available put a mirror in its place.
Take care to remedy the view of threatening elements from the window with Windchimes or plants. Cactus and Bamboo are plants grown in very harsh conditions and symbolise good fortune, thus making them ideal for placement in the home office, study or wealth area. Any sharp leaved plants are good Feng Shui in this area as they are believed to deter harmful influences.
Source: Feng Shui Tips Courtesy of jian Australia
It is important that the flow of Chi from the front to the back of your home is not hindered. It is also best to have it flow through in a meandering path and not a direct line. Entrance ways off the street or through your garden to the front door will determine the qualities of Chi that flow into your home. Therefore it is important to use curved pathways or garden beds. Breaking up the direction of pavers to allow curved lines will also help. A birdbath, fountain or a small pond along the way will bring balance and improve the qualities of Chi.
Too large a doorway will allow Chi to escape from your home. If this is a problem for you it can be easily counteracted by placing Windchimes outside the door. This will also discourage Sha (negative energy) from entering your home. Too small a doorway will not allow enough Chi to enter the home, but placing a mirror on either side of the door or on a wall opposite the door will help to fix the problem.
If the back door can be seen from the front door, Chi can flow straight through your home without circulating. Placing a large potted plant or a screen in between the two will break up the straight lines and help to deflect Chi.
The entrance hall is most auspicious in terms of Feng Shui as it is the place where one might pause upon entering or leaving the home, thus being energized by the Chi that flows through it. Entrance halls that have no windows or doors leading from them or are enclosed in some way can cause Chi to stagnate. Again mirrors or a ceiling fan or maybe a small water fountain will solve this problem.
Stairways
Poorly positioned stairways can cause problems in the way they defect Chi. A stairway directly opposite the front door will allow most of the Chi to rush through and up to the next level causing the ground floor to starve. Mirrors, Windchimes, potted plants and screens are all effective ways of slowing down the movement of Chi in this case.
If you have an open stairway that uses risers as opposed to filled in steps it will not allow enough Chi to flow to the next floor. Placing plants beneath the stairs will help to deflect Chi upwards, thus allowing the flow to continue. A skylight over the stairs will also help improve the situation.
Stairways that curve along their path are obviously ideal, but what can be done to help if there is too sharp a bend. Again we solve this dilemma with the use of mirrors, plants or Windchimes.
Lounge Room
The lounge room is the place reserved for relaxation, conversation, interaction and relationships. It is therefore considered in Feng Shui terms to be the heart of the home.
The lounge room should be in the south side of the home or should face south. West is also a good outlook and it should have a pleasant view. If the view from your lounge room has harsh lines or angles such as a neighbouring home or a city skyline, try breaking the lines up with large plants
Your lounge room should be square or rectangular in shape and the furniture should be placed so as to break opposing straight lines. This will allow Chi to flow gently through a room. Alcoves and dead areas can be broken up with the placement of plants, large items of furniture or fish tanks.
Flat ceilings are best for promoting the flow of Chi. If, however, you have a sloped ceiling or exposed beams you should use Windchimes or bamboo flutes as a remedy.
Many lounge rooms are adjacent to dining rooms or kitchens and in these cases it is best to have a visual barrier placed between them such as a screen or large plants. If you have doors in between, try to keep them closed.
Seating in your lounge room should be placed in a way that breaks up direct pathways. Avoid placing the back of a lounge chair or settee directly toward a wall. This will break the lines and secret arrows which produce Sha energy. There should also be an even number of seats in the room. The most comfortable seat in the room should be reserved for a guest and should never have its back facing a door. The lounge room should have an open and inviting feel to it. Avoid overcrowding the room with furniture. If necessary remove the least used items in the room to achieve this feeling. An area that has stagnant Chi is best remedied with an aquarium or a television. The placement of flowers or potted plants are also effective enhancers for these areas.
Feng Shui Decorating
Color your room wisely. Don't use harsh colours or colours that oppose the furniture or artwork. Where possible derive the colours from your artwork to help create a harmony between the two. Soft pastels are always good. Before making a final decision on colour, check the symbolic definition for them.
Feng Shui Colors
Yellow = authority,
White = purity,
Green = longevity,
Blue = heavenly blessings,
Red = happiness.
Dining Room
The seating arrangements for the family dining table are based on the order of the trigram in the Bagwa. The ideal shape for your table is the octagon of the eight sided Bagwa. However tables of this shape are difficult to come by and not always practical. A round table is said by some experts to be "as good" symbolising earth and stability. If your table is rectangular or square, the placing of an octagonal centre piece or place mats is good Feng Shui. To enhance your health, wealth and happiness place the Three Star Gods over looking your dining table.
When arranging furniture in the dining room ensure that chairs do not restrict doorways. There should be ample space for guests to walk around the table without having to manoeuvre around chairs or other furniture.
There should be an even number of dining chairs and remember to seat an honoured guest facing the doorway. Dining chairs with a horseshoe shaped back are ideal Feng Shui as this shape represents the "Dragon embracing the Tiger".
If your dining room has no windows a chandelier or a ceiling fan will assist the flow of Chi. Always use soft even lighting in the dining room as well as soft colours such as shades of green or yellow.
Kitchen
The Chinese believe malevolent spirits come from the North and so Good Feng Shui dictates that your Kitchen should NOT face this direction as it may increase the chance of mishaps. The use of crystals or Windchimes hanging from windows or doorways facing this direction is an effective cure.
The kitchen sink represents water and your stove represents fire. Ideally these two elements should not be side-by-side. The stove should be positioned so as to avoid the cook standing with their back to a doorway. A mirror or any highly reflective kitchen appliance placed above the stove will counteract this problem by providing reflection so that the cook can not be taken by surprise. Good lighting and ventilation by the stove will reduce the influence of Sha.
White is the preferred colour for kitchens. It symbolises purity and therefore promotes good health from well prepared (pure) food. Cutlery should not be stored in a stagnant area as the negative influence on sharp object will serve to cut your health. Place them in a drawer nearest to the doorway or window.
A toilet next to a kitchen produces Sha (negative energy). Keeping the door closed and the toilet lid down will help as will the placement of a Bagwa on the toilet door.
Feng Shui Bedroom
Adults will benefit more from a bedroom facing west into gentle rays of the setting sun, where as children will reap the rewards of the bedroom facing east toward the invigorating morning rays. Those with no children should decide which is best for themselves, be it a deeper more relaxing sleep (west) or the vitality and motivation of morning (east).
The bed should not be placed so that the occupants feet face a doorway. This is the way the deceased are carried from a room. Neither should your bed directly face a window as the glare attracts Sha energy. A Windchimes will remedy this situation.
No more than two mirrors should be placed in a bedroom as this will excite Chi and avoid placing a mirror at the foot of the bed or opposite a window. A bedroom beside the living room is good Feng Shui and in the case of a two-storey home directly above a lounge room.
Remember this is a room for relaxation the colours you choose should be peaceful and tranquil. Too vibrant a colour will excite Chi making it difficult to rest. This also applies to the lighting in your bedroom. Try lowering the wattage of the globes used in this room.
Feng Shui in the Bathroom
The bathroom facing north is ideal as this direction is associated with water. The colours Blue and Black are favoured here for their significance to water also. North is also associated with malevolent spirits and therefore subject to mishap. Great care should be taken to ensure the Protection of children and the elderly for this reason. Sharp objects and non-slip surfaces are things to consider as are the proximity of water to electrical outlets.
Bathrooms and toilets are used for hygiene. These rooms can actually pollute Chi and so we encourage the speedy flow of Chi here. The aim is to wash away the pollution and replace the Chi as quickly as possible. Breezy windows, mirrors and Feng Shui Crystals will assist the flow of Chi. Keep the toilet door closed and the lid down also place a Octagonal Mirror on the door
Since we are encouraging the flow of Chi in this area we need to be careful not to drain Chi from a wealth area such as a home office or study nearby.
Ensure that from the bath or shower the door can be seen, a carefully placed mirrors can help prevent the bather from being taken by surprise.
Feng Shui Your Study or Office
It is important to keep this room tidy and uncluttered as failing to do so will produce Sha'. As this is a room where we require creativity and contemplation we must do all we can to produce Chi. It is helpful to have an area with no shelving where a comfortable high-backed chair can be placed for quite contemplation. The Chinese refer to this area as the Ming T'ang. Placing a picture symbolising water behind the chair will help encourage the flow of creative energy.
Place the desk so that the window is to the left of the seating position and so that the door can be seen from the desk. Do not allow the occupants back to face the door. If there is no window available put a mirror in its place.
Take care to remedy the view of threatening elements from the window with Windchimes or plants. Cactus and Bamboo are plants grown in very harsh conditions and symbolise good fortune, thus making them ideal for placement in the home office, study or wealth area. Any sharp leaved plants are good Feng Shui in this area as they are believed to deter harmful influences.
Source: Feng Shui Tips Courtesy of jian Australia
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Only for men
Russian men's care market is swiftly developing. The sector reports 15% annual growth. Industry watchers anticipate $195.4 mln by results of 2005, not taking into consideration men's fragrances, deodorants, blades and razors. Still, however, shaving products contribute to the major part of cosmetic sales (87%), while hair care and bath products effect 10% of retail malegrooming turnover, and skin care share is negligible.
Premium brands – Shiseido Men, Biotherm Homme, Clarins Men, Decleor, Lancome – fuel the development of skin care and colour cosmetics for men in Russia.
As a rule, premium brands adherents are stylish men at the age of 30-50 years old, working at prestigious and well-paid position.
Though colour cosmetics for men is hardly to report magnificent sales in the next few years, premium brands manage to raise appreciative consumers. If buying makeup products, men choose several articles at once. Selective XXI, exclusive representative of BPI in Russia and distributor of Le Male Tout Beau, claims flatting powder, correcting pencil and lip balm are the most popular products in the range.
No doubt, the development of specialized retail chains, the main distribution channel for premium products, will fuel men's skin care and colour cosmetics consumption growth. Equally indisputably the products will find the majority of their clients in large cities with over one million people population, for these cities provide acceptable infrastructure and income level. Industry players should pay attention to local specialized retail chains in regional cities rather to wait for entrance and development of large national retailers.
Both premium and massmarket brand groups use popularity of shaving products to involve men in pampering process. Brand managers enlarge post and pre shaving lines with hair care, bath care and skin care novelties.
Another popular trick is to target women, who eagerly add in their purchase bag something for their mates. Valex M, a Russian distributor of Cellcosmet, a premium cosmetic line for women, remembers to offer its lady customers products under Cellmen banner. The company claims to appeal conservative men after forty. Massmarket players take the pace. For example, Clinique distributes thousands of men's care testers among women.
Opposite approach is to address men as a special independent group and organize separate trading areas for them. For example, TSUM, the most recognized Moscow department store, opened Only for Men section. The trade zone is closed from unwanted eyes. The assortment is totally composed of over 20 premium brands range of skin care and colour cosmetics. No perfumery is sold.
Winter is the most profitable period for men's cosmetics companies. Women are in a hurry to present men with perfumery or cosmetic sets on New Year, Christmas celebration and especially on February 23 (analogue of Father's Day in Russia). Retailers make 40% of annual turnover in this period.
Ukrainian mail grooming reports extensive growth rate of 20% a year. The segment is envisaged to reach Hr645 mln in 2005. Value growth is more dynamic than volume growth due to men's growing preference towards quality and thus more expensive brands. This has also been stimulated by such premium brands as Clinique becoming more widely available.
The variety of men's grooming products had also become much wider with such offerings as deodorants, hair care products, and bath and shower products, whereas previously men only purchased products necessary for shaving, such as razors, pre-shave products and post-shave products.
Razors and blades lead sales of men's grooming products and also witnessed the highest growth rate. These products have a long presence in Ukraine and are considered as necessities. Furthermore, unlike pre-shave, which still can be substituted with soap by Ukrainians with limited disposable incomes, razors and blades are bought by practically every man. Thus in 2005 sales are expected to reach approximate Hr340 mln.
Ukrainian consumers usually welcome innovations in razors and blades. Shaving systems are the most popular razor format and the popularity of electric shavers has been strongly reduced in recent years. The number of men using Gillette and Schick products had gradually increased in recent years.
Post shave reports dynamic development as novelties regularly appear on retail shelves. Added-value products with skin care properties, such as moisturizing, enjoy increasing demand, particularly amongst the younger generation. Shaving foam remains the most popular pre-shave product although gel and oils are available but have proven far less popular.
Sales of men's hair care and skin care products remain negligible. However, Ukrainian men are increasingly showing an interest in personal grooming and are therefore building demand for male-specific products. A number of new brands are expected to be launched in the near future which should see men's hair and skin care taking off.
Russian men, especially that in the regions, are very susceptible to mass media. Cosmetic companies turn to popular sportsmen and actors to seduce male population. Which star to choose depends on the people in focus.
The “tribe concept” is gaining popularity in Russia and cosmetic companies order researchers to track the profiles of TV star fans. For example, an inquiry showed Lube is the most popular band among men at the age 35-44 years old, while Alexander Abdulov is the most liked actor among married men after forty (ROMIR Monitoring).
Russian companies actively develop low and middle massmarket, offering men a wide choice from bier shampoo at $0.3 to extraordinary packed cosmetic sets at $10. Green Mama redesigned its Severnyi Koeffitsient and put scrub for sensitive skin, hand cream and hair styling gel into a matting sack to create a masculine image.
Aprel, a well known Russian manufacturer of deodorants and other cosmetic products, launched a set of shaving cream, razor and a shaving brush. DeKAROline, a local direct seller, enlarged its assortment with hair strengthening shampoo, shower deodorant gel, shaving foam and after-shave gel, claimed to be developed with taking into close consideration all peculiarities of male skin.
Still the majority of Russian men are not used to spend substantial sums for cosmetics. However, if a man decides to improve its image with cosmetic tools, he very often prefers foreign brands positioned in middle massmarket to nationally made cosmetics at low price. The tendency, clearly seen in other sectors of Russian perfumery and cosmetics market, is expected to determine future development of male grooming as well.
Russian manufacturers faced the necessity to find the way to consumer’s heart. Some experts see an opportunity to compete with foreign brands in contrasting the “metrosexual” and “retrosexual” concepts. As the most of foreign products are promoted on the wave of metrosexual images, Russian companies think about using pictures of “real men” and offer all-in-one products, for real men are considered to have little time to spend it for intricate caring procedures.
At the same time plenty of niches are still undeveloped. Special cosmetic novelties for sports, office and various outdoor activities find the demand of Russian men. Local companies can develop the niches and set their stable position in increasing male grooming market.
29th May 2006.
Source: http://www.cosmeticsinrussia.com/showart.phtm?reg=full&type=m&num=1374
Premium brands – Shiseido Men, Biotherm Homme, Clarins Men, Decleor, Lancome – fuel the development of skin care and colour cosmetics for men in Russia.
As a rule, premium brands adherents are stylish men at the age of 30-50 years old, working at prestigious and well-paid position.
Though colour cosmetics for men is hardly to report magnificent sales in the next few years, premium brands manage to raise appreciative consumers. If buying makeup products, men choose several articles at once. Selective XXI, exclusive representative of BPI in Russia and distributor of Le Male Tout Beau, claims flatting powder, correcting pencil and lip balm are the most popular products in the range.
No doubt, the development of specialized retail chains, the main distribution channel for premium products, will fuel men's skin care and colour cosmetics consumption growth. Equally indisputably the products will find the majority of their clients in large cities with over one million people population, for these cities provide acceptable infrastructure and income level. Industry players should pay attention to local specialized retail chains in regional cities rather to wait for entrance and development of large national retailers.
Both premium and massmarket brand groups use popularity of shaving products to involve men in pampering process. Brand managers enlarge post and pre shaving lines with hair care, bath care and skin care novelties.
Another popular trick is to target women, who eagerly add in their purchase bag something for their mates. Valex M, a Russian distributor of Cellcosmet, a premium cosmetic line for women, remembers to offer its lady customers products under Cellmen banner. The company claims to appeal conservative men after forty. Massmarket players take the pace. For example, Clinique distributes thousands of men's care testers among women.
Opposite approach is to address men as a special independent group and organize separate trading areas for them. For example, TSUM, the most recognized Moscow department store, opened Only for Men section. The trade zone is closed from unwanted eyes. The assortment is totally composed of over 20 premium brands range of skin care and colour cosmetics. No perfumery is sold.
Winter is the most profitable period for men's cosmetics companies. Women are in a hurry to present men with perfumery or cosmetic sets on New Year, Christmas celebration and especially on February 23 (analogue of Father's Day in Russia). Retailers make 40% of annual turnover in this period.
Ukrainian mail grooming reports extensive growth rate of 20% a year. The segment is envisaged to reach Hr645 mln in 2005. Value growth is more dynamic than volume growth due to men's growing preference towards quality and thus more expensive brands. This has also been stimulated by such premium brands as Clinique becoming more widely available.
The variety of men's grooming products had also become much wider with such offerings as deodorants, hair care products, and bath and shower products, whereas previously men only purchased products necessary for shaving, such as razors, pre-shave products and post-shave products.
Razors and blades lead sales of men's grooming products and also witnessed the highest growth rate. These products have a long presence in Ukraine and are considered as necessities. Furthermore, unlike pre-shave, which still can be substituted with soap by Ukrainians with limited disposable incomes, razors and blades are bought by practically every man. Thus in 2005 sales are expected to reach approximate Hr340 mln.
Ukrainian consumers usually welcome innovations in razors and blades. Shaving systems are the most popular razor format and the popularity of electric shavers has been strongly reduced in recent years. The number of men using Gillette and Schick products had gradually increased in recent years.
Post shave reports dynamic development as novelties regularly appear on retail shelves. Added-value products with skin care properties, such as moisturizing, enjoy increasing demand, particularly amongst the younger generation. Shaving foam remains the most popular pre-shave product although gel and oils are available but have proven far less popular.
Sales of men's hair care and skin care products remain negligible. However, Ukrainian men are increasingly showing an interest in personal grooming and are therefore building demand for male-specific products. A number of new brands are expected to be launched in the near future which should see men's hair and skin care taking off.
Russian men, especially that in the regions, are very susceptible to mass media. Cosmetic companies turn to popular sportsmen and actors to seduce male population. Which star to choose depends on the people in focus.
The “tribe concept” is gaining popularity in Russia and cosmetic companies order researchers to track the profiles of TV star fans. For example, an inquiry showed Lube is the most popular band among men at the age 35-44 years old, while Alexander Abdulov is the most liked actor among married men after forty (ROMIR Monitoring).
Russian companies actively develop low and middle massmarket, offering men a wide choice from bier shampoo at $0.3 to extraordinary packed cosmetic sets at $10. Green Mama redesigned its Severnyi Koeffitsient and put scrub for sensitive skin, hand cream and hair styling gel into a matting sack to create a masculine image.
Aprel, a well known Russian manufacturer of deodorants and other cosmetic products, launched a set of shaving cream, razor and a shaving brush. DeKAROline, a local direct seller, enlarged its assortment with hair strengthening shampoo, shower deodorant gel, shaving foam and after-shave gel, claimed to be developed with taking into close consideration all peculiarities of male skin.
Still the majority of Russian men are not used to spend substantial sums for cosmetics. However, if a man decides to improve its image with cosmetic tools, he very often prefers foreign brands positioned in middle massmarket to nationally made cosmetics at low price. The tendency, clearly seen in other sectors of Russian perfumery and cosmetics market, is expected to determine future development of male grooming as well.
Russian manufacturers faced the necessity to find the way to consumer’s heart. Some experts see an opportunity to compete with foreign brands in contrasting the “metrosexual” and “retrosexual” concepts. As the most of foreign products are promoted on the wave of metrosexual images, Russian companies think about using pictures of “real men” and offer all-in-one products, for real men are considered to have little time to spend it for intricate caring procedures.
At the same time plenty of niches are still undeveloped. Special cosmetic novelties for sports, office and various outdoor activities find the demand of Russian men. Local companies can develop the niches and set their stable position in increasing male grooming market.
29th May 2006.
Source: http://www.cosmeticsinrussia.com/showart.phtm?reg=full&type=m&num=1374
Book Lovers Gift Ideas
It is said that nothing can be a better gift than books. Books are an all time favorite gift item. And especially if you are presenting books to book lover for him or her it will really be a treasure to preserve. Books are the gateway to wisdom and knowledge.
It not only educates you but also develops the analytical power within you. It's the best way to know the world. It opens a new vista for you. So if you are confused that what kind of gift you should give to a book lover than you can look for suggestions in your list of gift ideas for book lovers.Some of the ideas you can refer to are first of all you should categorize books according to different genre and than according to different people and their preferences you can gift books.
Like for instance if a person loves reading romantic novels than the best gift for him will be a collection of romantic novels. It can be classic novels or best sellers depending on his or her liking. For people who like to read suspense thriller for them you can gift detective novels. They will really enjoy reading it.
For a horror story lover horror novels will be an appropriate gift. So you can gift books according to individual tastes and liking. It is not necessary that you have give fiction books you can also opt for non-fiction books like there are people who loves reading books on various subjects like cooking, gardening, interior decoration, traveling, sports, religion, black magic, astrology, etc for them you can gift books according to the subject they like to read.
You will get variety of books on these subjects.Other than these gift ideas there are various other options too you can opt for like you can gift them an annual subscription of their favorite magazine. They will really love it. For kids you can opt for books on various topics and subjects. You can gift them books on various occasions like festivals and birthdays. Some of the gift ideas for children books are you can opt for books on fairy tales, books on art and craft, classic children stories, children dictionary, etc.
It is very important to introduce children to good books because that's the only way they can build their vocabulary and knowledge. People who loves language you can gift them books on language. There are people who loves reading best sellers you can gift them that also. They will really enjoy that gift. So these are some of the gift ideas you can try out while opting gifts for book lovers. It will definitely be of great help. But remember one thing be very particular while selecting books for book lovers as they are very particular in choosing a book to read.
Source: http://gift-ideas.iloveindia.com/closetoheart/book-lovers-gifts.html
It not only educates you but also develops the analytical power within you. It's the best way to know the world. It opens a new vista for you. So if you are confused that what kind of gift you should give to a book lover than you can look for suggestions in your list of gift ideas for book lovers.Some of the ideas you can refer to are first of all you should categorize books according to different genre and than according to different people and their preferences you can gift books.
Like for instance if a person loves reading romantic novels than the best gift for him will be a collection of romantic novels. It can be classic novels or best sellers depending on his or her liking. For people who like to read suspense thriller for them you can gift detective novels. They will really enjoy reading it.
For a horror story lover horror novels will be an appropriate gift. So you can gift books according to individual tastes and liking. It is not necessary that you have give fiction books you can also opt for non-fiction books like there are people who loves reading books on various subjects like cooking, gardening, interior decoration, traveling, sports, religion, black magic, astrology, etc for them you can gift books according to the subject they like to read.
You will get variety of books on these subjects.Other than these gift ideas there are various other options too you can opt for like you can gift them an annual subscription of their favorite magazine. They will really love it. For kids you can opt for books on various topics and subjects. You can gift them books on various occasions like festivals and birthdays. Some of the gift ideas for children books are you can opt for books on fairy tales, books on art and craft, classic children stories, children dictionary, etc.
It is very important to introduce children to good books because that's the only way they can build their vocabulary and knowledge. People who loves language you can gift them books on language. There are people who loves reading best sellers you can gift them that also. They will really enjoy that gift. So these are some of the gift ideas you can try out while opting gifts for book lovers. It will definitely be of great help. But remember one thing be very particular while selecting books for book lovers as they are very particular in choosing a book to read.
Source: http://gift-ideas.iloveindia.com/closetoheart/book-lovers-gifts.html
Romantic Gift Ideas for Him
No gift is more precious than true love.
The best gift you can give your partner is true love. Make him feel his presence in your life. Make him understand how important he is in your life. Take him for a movie, an exhibition, a drama or a opera show or go for a candle night dinner or make a special meal for your partner. These are some of the ways you can make him feel special and pamper. But buying him a gift of his choice and liking will be a wonderful way to express your love and concern.
Gifts don't have to be expensive. Sometimes it's the simple gifts that are the most memorable and loved ones. Gift him something, which you have promised to give him or something, which he wanted to buy from a long period of time.
It will show you still remember and care for his emotions. So here we present you certain gift ideas you can opt for while deciding what to gift your husband or boyfriend or someone you love the most. There are various ways you can show your love and concern some of them are like before buying gifts for men you should understand their needs and that they like those gifts with, which they can associate.
Gift them something according to their interests and hobbies. Like for instance somebody loves reading then for him a good book of his favorite author or of his interest can be a really romantic valentine gift. If he likes dressing than go for formal or informal wears according to his taste. For a college student you can buy jeans and t-shirt and for someone who is working you can opt for formal wear like formal shirts, pants and tie.
Grooming products like perfumes, after-shave lotion, shaving kit and deodrant, sunglasses, glares, etc can be a good gift option. Accessories are also given to men like watches they are really fond of them. You can also opt for tiepins, bracelets, cuff links, leather belts even good shoes both formal and party wear depending on their tastes.
It is said that men loves gadgets so you can also gift them latest range of mobile phones, new technology products, novelties, digital cameras, handy cam, computers and accessories, DVD players, music CD's, video CD's, home audio system, other accessories, etc. Games can also be gifted to them. You can also take them to some trip or vacation to his favorite destination. So these are some of the gift ideas you can try out or refer while deciding on what to gift him.
Source:http://gift-ideas.iloveindia.com/closetoheart/gifts-for-him.html
The best gift you can give your partner is true love. Make him feel his presence in your life. Make him understand how important he is in your life. Take him for a movie, an exhibition, a drama or a opera show or go for a candle night dinner or make a special meal for your partner. These are some of the ways you can make him feel special and pamper. But buying him a gift of his choice and liking will be a wonderful way to express your love and concern.
Gifts don't have to be expensive. Sometimes it's the simple gifts that are the most memorable and loved ones. Gift him something, which you have promised to give him or something, which he wanted to buy from a long period of time.
It will show you still remember and care for his emotions. So here we present you certain gift ideas you can opt for while deciding what to gift your husband or boyfriend or someone you love the most. There are various ways you can show your love and concern some of them are like before buying gifts for men you should understand their needs and that they like those gifts with, which they can associate.
Gift them something according to their interests and hobbies. Like for instance somebody loves reading then for him a good book of his favorite author or of his interest can be a really romantic valentine gift. If he likes dressing than go for formal or informal wears according to his taste. For a college student you can buy jeans and t-shirt and for someone who is working you can opt for formal wear like formal shirts, pants and tie.
Grooming products like perfumes, after-shave lotion, shaving kit and deodrant, sunglasses, glares, etc can be a good gift option. Accessories are also given to men like watches they are really fond of them. You can also opt for tiepins, bracelets, cuff links, leather belts even good shoes both formal and party wear depending on their tastes.
It is said that men loves gadgets so you can also gift them latest range of mobile phones, new technology products, novelties, digital cameras, handy cam, computers and accessories, DVD players, music CD's, video CD's, home audio system, other accessories, etc. Games can also be gifted to them. You can also take them to some trip or vacation to his favorite destination. So these are some of the gift ideas you can try out or refer while deciding on what to gift him.
Source:http://gift-ideas.iloveindia.com/closetoheart/gifts-for-him.html
Living a Better Life--- Inexpensive Gifts this Christmas
63 Gift Ideas for Under $10 - For Any Occasion of the Year!by Michelle Jones
Stop! Before you go out and spend hundreds of dollars (or thousands!) on Christmas presents, read through our favorite list of inexpensive gift ideas. This column has been a favorite among our readers since it was first published in 2001. We hope it will help you find that perfect gift for everyone on your list, while spending less!
These frugal gifts are great for any occasion all throughout the year, including Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, end-of-school teacher gifts and more. They also make great hostess gifts during the holidays.
There are hundreds of great gifts that can be purchased or made by hand for under $10, gifts that are both thoughtful and frugal at the same time. Put them in an inexpensive basket or wrap them with a pretty ribbon and you'll truly have a beautiful gift--without breaking the bank!
I know you've probably heard it before but it's really true that you don't have to spend a lot of money to find that perfect gift for someone. Just be sure to put some time and thought into it and your gift will be well received...
Our loved ones probably appreciate our time and love more than anything.
Here's a few of my favorite inexpensive gift ideas...
1. Gourmet coffees with a personal coffee cup
2. Pound of pistachios
3. Child's artwork, framed
4. Journal with special inscription inside
5. Teacup with box of herbal tea
6. Deck of cards and book of card game rules
7. Homemade cocoa mix in a pretty jar
8. Collage of special photos
9. Gel pens and pretty stationary
10. Bottle of sparkling cider
11. Home baked bread, include recipe
12. Disposable camera or rolls of film
13. Basket filled with deli cheese and fruit
14. Craft supplies
15. Holiday serving bowl or platter
16. Pretty basket filled with special jams or mustards
17. Decorative napkins and napkin rings
18. Fancy chocolate bars tied with a ribbon
19. Gardening gloves with a plant or flower seeds
20. Photo album, hand decorated is even better
21. Makeup tote
22. Prepaid photo developing envelopes
23. Homemade cookie mix with instructions for baking
24. Variety of bread mixes
25. Special coffee cup filled with candy
26. Fancy magazines tied together with a pretty ribbon
27. Gourmet popcorn and flavored oil
28. Locally made barbeque or steak sauce with basting brush
29. Pancake or waffle mix and a bottle of real maple syrup
30. Movie theater gift certificates
31. Board games
32. Jar of sourwood or pure honey with biscuit mix
33. Note cards and book of stamps
34. Picture frames, buy them on sale!
35. Specialty cookbook
36. Pretty glass jar filled with candy
37. Collectible sports cards
38. Muffin mixes with muffin pan
39. Books, there are still a few for under $10
40. Set of dish towels and dish cloths
41. Nail polish kit
42. Pretty night shirt
43. Basket filled with kitchen gadgets
44. Video rental gift certificates
45. Pepper mill and fresh peppercorns
46. Handwritten copies of your favorite recipes
47. For the pets, gourmet dog biscuits or cat treats
48. Baking pans and supplies
49. Prepaid long distance phone cards
50. Small clock or radio
51. Pretty box for keepsakes
52. Colorful Post-It notepads
53. Address book
54. Christmas ornaments
55. Puzzles
56. Blank video or cassette tapes
57. Sewing supplies
58. Flashlight with batteries
59. Favorite quote embroidered on a nice handkerchief
60. Makeup brush set
61. Expensive socks, still under $10
62. Special soaps and bath puff
63. and don't forget my absolute favorite... home baked cookies!
I hope you will be inspired by this list, after all, it's not the amount of money you spend for a gift that matters the most, but that you cared enough to give something special.
* * *
Source: http://www.google.co.in/search?hl=en&q=inexpensive+gifts+this+christmas&meta
Stop! Before you go out and spend hundreds of dollars (or thousands!) on Christmas presents, read through our favorite list of inexpensive gift ideas. This column has been a favorite among our readers since it was first published in 2001. We hope it will help you find that perfect gift for everyone on your list, while spending less!
These frugal gifts are great for any occasion all throughout the year, including Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, end-of-school teacher gifts and more. They also make great hostess gifts during the holidays.
There are hundreds of great gifts that can be purchased or made by hand for under $10, gifts that are both thoughtful and frugal at the same time. Put them in an inexpensive basket or wrap them with a pretty ribbon and you'll truly have a beautiful gift--without breaking the bank!
I know you've probably heard it before but it's really true that you don't have to spend a lot of money to find that perfect gift for someone. Just be sure to put some time and thought into it and your gift will be well received...
Our loved ones probably appreciate our time and love more than anything.
Here's a few of my favorite inexpensive gift ideas...
1. Gourmet coffees with a personal coffee cup
2. Pound of pistachios
3. Child's artwork, framed
4. Journal with special inscription inside
5. Teacup with box of herbal tea
6. Deck of cards and book of card game rules
7. Homemade cocoa mix in a pretty jar
8. Collage of special photos
9. Gel pens and pretty stationary
10. Bottle of sparkling cider
11. Home baked bread, include recipe
12. Disposable camera or rolls of film
13. Basket filled with deli cheese and fruit
14. Craft supplies
15. Holiday serving bowl or platter
16. Pretty basket filled with special jams or mustards
17. Decorative napkins and napkin rings
18. Fancy chocolate bars tied with a ribbon
19. Gardening gloves with a plant or flower seeds
20. Photo album, hand decorated is even better
21. Makeup tote
22. Prepaid photo developing envelopes
23. Homemade cookie mix with instructions for baking
24. Variety of bread mixes
25. Special coffee cup filled with candy
26. Fancy magazines tied together with a pretty ribbon
27. Gourmet popcorn and flavored oil
28. Locally made barbeque or steak sauce with basting brush
29. Pancake or waffle mix and a bottle of real maple syrup
30. Movie theater gift certificates
31. Board games
32. Jar of sourwood or pure honey with biscuit mix
33. Note cards and book of stamps
34. Picture frames, buy them on sale!
35. Specialty cookbook
36. Pretty glass jar filled with candy
37. Collectible sports cards
38. Muffin mixes with muffin pan
39. Books, there are still a few for under $10
40. Set of dish towels and dish cloths
41. Nail polish kit
42. Pretty night shirt
43. Basket filled with kitchen gadgets
44. Video rental gift certificates
45. Pepper mill and fresh peppercorns
46. Handwritten copies of your favorite recipes
47. For the pets, gourmet dog biscuits or cat treats
48. Baking pans and supplies
49. Prepaid long distance phone cards
50. Small clock or radio
51. Pretty box for keepsakes
52. Colorful Post-It notepads
53. Address book
54. Christmas ornaments
55. Puzzles
56. Blank video or cassette tapes
57. Sewing supplies
58. Flashlight with batteries
59. Favorite quote embroidered on a nice handkerchief
60. Makeup brush set
61. Expensive socks, still under $10
62. Special soaps and bath puff
63. and don't forget my absolute favorite... home baked cookies!
I hope you will be inspired by this list, after all, it's not the amount of money you spend for a gift that matters the most, but that you cared enough to give something special.
* * *
Source: http://www.google.co.in/search?hl=en&q=inexpensive+gifts+this+christmas&meta
Lowering the Fat in Holiday Treats
Want to indulge in some healthy cooking and eating this Christmas? Is the Holiday party season taxing your weight? These low fat Christmas recipes might just be an easy way out:Lowering the Fat in Holiday Treats
Eggnog:
Use egg whites or egg substitute instead of whole eggs.
Use fat-free half and half or evaporated fat-free milk instead of their whole milk counterparts.
Substitute rum extract for the alcohol if you want the taste without the effect.
Cakes, Bars and Muffins:
Use heart-healthy canola oil instead of butter, or use applesauce or mashed bananas if you want to cut the fat completely. Other fruit purees will work too. If you must use shortening, there is at least a new trans fat-free version available.
Substitute egg whites for whole eggs in cakes and quick breads.
Use cocoa powder instead of chocolate in your baked goods to add a rich chocolate flavor without the fat, or use smaller quantities of miniature chocolate chips instead of the regular versions. Dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips add more flavor than milk chocolate ones.
Cookies:
The key here is to cut the fat rather than eliminate it altogether. If you take the butter out completely, the end result is not very satisfying in terms of texture or taste. Many recipes that typically call for a whole stick of butter or more can be made over with about half that quantity. Avoid using whipped butter or tub margarine: the air and water content in these makes them unsuitable for baking. Again, consider using cocoa and add smaller quantities of chocolate chips.
Nuts:
In moderation, these make a great holiday snack. True, nuts are high in fat and dense in calories, but most of the fat is unsaturated. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help protect the heart. Nuts are also an excellent source of B vitamins, as well as iron, zinc and potassium.
Holiday Appetizers:
Substitute low-fat or fat-free versions of mayonnaise, yogurt and sour cream to make dips.
Serve plenty of raw vegetables to accompany your dips.
Make a fresh salsa and serve with home-baked tortilla chips.
Use fat-free cream cheese and lean cuts of turkey or ham in pinwheels and roll-ups.
In soups, use fat-free and low sodium broths as your base. Use pureed root vegetables or beans to thicken them instead of cream.
Holiday Dinner:
Serve lean cuts of meat, such as pork or beef tenderloin. If a ham is your centerpiece, be sure to trim the fat. And if turkey is making a comeback at your table, remove the skin and choose white meat over dark if you can.
Provide plenty of vegetables. Steam, braise or roast them. Glaze with a very small amount of butter if you like, or use broth and herbs for flavor instead. If you are serving mashed potatoes, substitute reduced fat or fat-free sour cream or cream cheese for the full-fat versions.
Holiday Desserts:
If you are serving a holiday pie, consider using Phyllo dough as a base or topping. Phyllo dough is light and flaky, and virtually fat free. Enjoy fruit cobblers or crisps with less butter and use oats for added fiber. Top with fat-free whip or low fat frozen yogurt instead of ice cream or heavy cream.
Use reduced-fat and fat-free cream cheeses for cheesecakes.
Serve poached or baked seasonal fruits such as apples or pears, again topping with low fat or fat free frozen yogurt or whip.
Posted by Sean Carter
Source:http://christmas4all.blogspot.com/2006/12/low-fat-christmas-diet.html
Eggnog:
Use egg whites or egg substitute instead of whole eggs.
Use fat-free half and half or evaporated fat-free milk instead of their whole milk counterparts.
Substitute rum extract for the alcohol if you want the taste without the effect.
Cakes, Bars and Muffins:
Use heart-healthy canola oil instead of butter, or use applesauce or mashed bananas if you want to cut the fat completely. Other fruit purees will work too. If you must use shortening, there is at least a new trans fat-free version available.
Substitute egg whites for whole eggs in cakes and quick breads.
Use cocoa powder instead of chocolate in your baked goods to add a rich chocolate flavor without the fat, or use smaller quantities of miniature chocolate chips instead of the regular versions. Dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips add more flavor than milk chocolate ones.
Cookies:
The key here is to cut the fat rather than eliminate it altogether. If you take the butter out completely, the end result is not very satisfying in terms of texture or taste. Many recipes that typically call for a whole stick of butter or more can be made over with about half that quantity. Avoid using whipped butter or tub margarine: the air and water content in these makes them unsuitable for baking. Again, consider using cocoa and add smaller quantities of chocolate chips.
Nuts:
In moderation, these make a great holiday snack. True, nuts are high in fat and dense in calories, but most of the fat is unsaturated. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help protect the heart. Nuts are also an excellent source of B vitamins, as well as iron, zinc and potassium.
Holiday Appetizers:
Substitute low-fat or fat-free versions of mayonnaise, yogurt and sour cream to make dips.
Serve plenty of raw vegetables to accompany your dips.
Make a fresh salsa and serve with home-baked tortilla chips.
Use fat-free cream cheese and lean cuts of turkey or ham in pinwheels and roll-ups.
In soups, use fat-free and low sodium broths as your base. Use pureed root vegetables or beans to thicken them instead of cream.
Holiday Dinner:
Serve lean cuts of meat, such as pork or beef tenderloin. If a ham is your centerpiece, be sure to trim the fat. And if turkey is making a comeback at your table, remove the skin and choose white meat over dark if you can.
Provide plenty of vegetables. Steam, braise or roast them. Glaze with a very small amount of butter if you like, or use broth and herbs for flavor instead. If you are serving mashed potatoes, substitute reduced fat or fat-free sour cream or cream cheese for the full-fat versions.
Holiday Desserts:
If you are serving a holiday pie, consider using Phyllo dough as a base or topping. Phyllo dough is light and flaky, and virtually fat free. Enjoy fruit cobblers or crisps with less butter and use oats for added fiber. Top with fat-free whip or low fat frozen yogurt instead of ice cream or heavy cream.
Use reduced-fat and fat-free cream cheeses for cheesecakes.
Serve poached or baked seasonal fruits such as apples or pears, again topping with low fat or fat free frozen yogurt or whip.
Posted by Sean Carter
Source:http://christmas4all.blogspot.com/2006/12/low-fat-christmas-diet.html
Top 10 bargain destinations for winter 2003/2004
For the past few months, we've had our ears to the ground, following winter travel trends all over the world.
We've selected what we think are the top 10 bargain destinations for this winter, all of which offer exceptional discounts and unique appeal. And, we've made sure to factor in weather as well, with a combination of cold and much-desired warm locales.
The sample deals we've found illustrate the type of savings you're likely to find throughout the winter season. However, because prices tend to fluctuate, especially as space fills up, we recommend checking with the providers we've mentioned and doing some of your own sleuthing.
And now, without further ado, we bring you our picks:
Top 10 bargain destinations
1. Costa Rica
6. London and Paris
2. Caribbean cruise
7. Malta
3. Ireland
8. Portugal
4. The Bahamas
9. Athens
5. Quebec
10. Budapest
by Christine Sarkis, SmarterTravel.com Staff - December 11, 2003
Source: For more information please visit :
http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/bargain-destinations-winter-2003.html?id=11592
We've selected what we think are the top 10 bargain destinations for this winter, all of which offer exceptional discounts and unique appeal. And, we've made sure to factor in weather as well, with a combination of cold and much-desired warm locales.
The sample deals we've found illustrate the type of savings you're likely to find throughout the winter season. However, because prices tend to fluctuate, especially as space fills up, we recommend checking with the providers we've mentioned and doing some of your own sleuthing.
And now, without further ado, we bring you our picks:
Top 10 bargain destinations
1. Costa Rica
6. London and Paris
2. Caribbean cruise
7. Malta
3. Ireland
8. Portugal
4. The Bahamas
9. Athens
5. Quebec
10. Budapest
by Christine Sarkis, SmarterTravel.com Staff - December 11, 2003
Source: For more information please visit :
http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/bargain-destinations-winter-2003.html?id=11592
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