Current Obsession: Alexander McQueen Skull Box Clutch

History: The controversial association of death, beauty and luxury is a theme that is never strayed too far from at Alexander McQueen - and the Skull Box clutch demonstrates this in its most iconic form. In addition to the classics, such as the Britannia, new styles and colours are introduced each season in coordination with the ready-to-wear collection.

In 2009, the Knuckle Box clutch, a play on the knuckle duster weapon associated with east London gangs,was added to the range. Both designs have become a red carpet favourite.

Launch Date: 2007 
Dimensions: 23cm width, 8cm height, 5cm depth
Material:Suede with gold finish brass frame
 

Destination of the week: Rio of Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro, commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th largest in the Americas, and 26th in the world. Rio de Janeiro has become a home of a World Heritage Site named "Rio de Janeiro: Carioca Landscapes between the Mountain and the Sea", as granted by UNESCO on 1 July 2012 in the category Cultural Landscape. Rio de Janeiro is Brazil's primary tourist attraction and resort. It receives the most visitors per year of any city in South America with 2.82 million international tourists a year.

The city was the capital of Brazil for nearly two centuries, from 1763 to 1815 during the Portuguese colonial era, 1815 to 1821 as the capital of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and Algarves, and 1822 to 1960 as an independent nation. Rio is nicknamed the Cidade Maravilhosa or "Marvelous City".
Rio de Janeiro is the most visited city in the southern hemisphere and is known for its natural settings, carnival celebrations, samba, Bossa Nova, balneario beaches such as Barra da Tijuca, Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon.
Some of the most famous landmarks in addition to the beaches include the giant statue of Christ the Redeemer ("Cristo Redentor") atop Corcovado mountain, named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World; Sugarloaf mountain (Pão de Açúcar) with its cable car; the Sambódromo, a permanent grandstand-lined parade avenue which is used during Carnival; and Maracanã Stadium, one of the world's largest football stadiums.

The 2016 Summer Olympics and the Paralympics will take place in Rio de Janeiro, which will mark the first time a South American or a Portuguese-speaking nation hosts the event. It will be the third time the Olympics will be held in a Southern Hemisphere city, and it will mean Australia will no longer be the only Southern Hemisphere country to have hosted the Olympics. Rio's Maracanã Stadium also held the final of the 1950 FIFA World Cup which Brazil's first streak to host and will host again the final match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Rio de Janeiro will also host World Youth Day in 2013.

Get killer abs now!!

Want to know the most effective ab exercises? The American Council on Exercise found out just which exercises target the abs in the most effective way in an ACE-commissioned study.
It's important to remember that, while ab exercises won't get rid of fat from the belly, a strong core is important for keeping your body healthy and protecting your spine.
The most effective ab exercises start with the bicycle, which is the best move for targeting the rectus abdominis (i.e., the 'six pack') and the obliques (the waist), according to the study.

Most Effective Ab Exercise: Bicycle

1. Lie face up on your mat and place your hands behind your head, lightly supporting it with your fingers.
2. Bring the knees in to the chest and lift the shoulder blades off the floor without pulling on the neck.
3. Rotate to the left, bringing the right elbow towards the left knee as you straighten the other leg.
4. Switch sides, bringing the left elbow towards the right knee.
5. Continue alternating sides in a 'pedaling' motion for 1-3 sets of 12-16 reps.

The vertical leg crunch is another effective move for the rectus abdominis and the obliques. It's similar to a regular crunch, but your legs are straight up, forcing you to use your abs to do all the work and adding intensity to the exercise.
How to:

1. Lie on the floor and extend the legs straight up with knees crossed.
2. Place your hands behind the head for support, but avoid pulling on the neck.
3. Contract the abs to lift the shoulder blades off the floor, as though reaching your chest towards your feet.
4. Keep the legs in a fixed position and imagine bringing your belly button towards your spine at the top of the movement.
5. Lower and repeat for 1-3 sets of 12-16 reps.

The long arm crunch is ranked the 6th most effective ab exercise, changing the traditional floor crunch by straightening the arms behind you. This adds a longer lever to the move, adding a bit more challenge and difficulty. This move also emphasizes the upper part of the abs, although it's important to remember that your rectus abdominis is actually one long muscle that travels from your lower chest to your pelvis. While you can emphasize one part, any exercise you do will work the entire muscle. How to:

1. Lie on a mat and extend the arms straight out behind the head with hands clasped, keeping the arms next to the ears.
2. Contract the abs and lift the shoulder blades off the floor.
3. Keep the arms straight and avoid straining the neck. If you feel neck pain, take one hand behind the head while keeping the other arm extended.
4. Lower and repeat for 1-3 sets of 12-16 reps.
5. You can add intensity by holding a light dumbbell if you need more of a challenge.

The reverse crunch comes in 7th place for effective ab exercises, with a focus on the rectus abdominis. With this move, you're curling the hips off the floor, so you'll feel this in the lower part of the abs. The key to this move is to avoid swinging the legs to raise the hips. This is a small, subtle move, so you only need to lift your hips a few inches off the floor.
How to:

1. Lie on the floor and place hands on the floor or behind the head.
2. Bring the knees in towards the chest until they're bent to 90 degrees, with feet together or crossed.
3. Contract the abs to curl the hips off the floor, reaching the legs up towards the ceiling.
4. Lower and repeat for 1-3 sets of 12-16 reps.
5. It's a very small movement, so try to use your abs to lift your hips rather than swinging your legs and creating momentum. 

The crunch with a heel push looks like a traditional crunch, but in this version you push your heels into the floor, which engages the rectus abdominis muscles more than regular crunches.
How to:

1. Lie on your back with the knees bent and the hands gently cradling the head.
2. Flex your feet and keep them flexed as your contract the abs, lifting the shoulder blades off the floor.
3. Try not to pull on the neck with your hands, but lightly support your head.
4. At the top of the crunch, press your heels into the floor while pressing your back against the mat and slightly raising the glutes off the floor.
5. Lower and repeat for 1-3 sets of 12-16 reps.  

 
 

The plank exercise ranked number 10 in the ACE study and is a great way to build endurance in both the abs and back, as well as the stabilizer muscles. This move is also great for building strength for pushups, an exercise that requires quite a bit of core strength.
How to:

1. Lie face down on mat resting on the forearms, palms flat on the floor.
2. Push off the floor, raising up onto toes and resting on the elbows.
3. Keep your back flat, in a straight line from head to heels.
4. Tilt your pelvis and contract your abdominals to prevent your rear end from sticking up in the air or sagging in the middle.
5. Hold for 20 to 60 seconds, lower and repeat for 3-5 reps.

 Now, you already know the ways to get killer abs... so get up and make some workouts!!

Source:http://exercise.about.com/od/abs/ss/abexercises_10.htm

Best nails from the Gammys

The Best Nails From The Grammy Awards

by Shannon Farrell

The Grammys always bring the wildest beauty moments of red carpet season, and the nails are no exception. From Kelly Osbourne’s intricate French manicure to Kelly Clarkson’s new signature polish, check out our favorite manis from the night.

Kelly Osbourne played up her sharp almond tips with a heart-shaped French manicure.



















 To match the gold on Janelle Monae’s tuxedo collar, manicurist Tracey Sutter created a statement nail with CoverGirl Outlast Nail Gloss in Black Diamond ($4.99, covergirl.com) with gold metals on the top, and then used Outlast Nail Gloss in Snow Storm to create small circle designs. The rest of her nails were painted with Outlast Nail Gloss in Forever Festive.




Rihanna wanted her signature long nails to match her dress perfectly. Celebrity manicurist Kimmie Kyees blended Red Carpet Manicure’s Ooh La Liscious LED gel polish ($9.99, redcarpetmanicure.com) with Red Carpet Reddy to get that perfect orange-red.

Kelly Clarkson wore a custom purple holographic glitter polish that Deborah Lippmann created in collaboration with the singer. The shade will be launched later this year, with the name still in the works. Kelly tweeted, “The great @deborahlippmann created a custom nail for me today! Should we call it ‘Stronger?’”


 



source: http://www.dailymakeover.com/trends/slideshow/grammy-looks-you-have-to-see/

What do we celebrate at valentine's day?

Saint Valentine's Day, commonly known as Valentine's Day, or the Feast of Saint Valentine, isobserved on February 14 each year. It is celebrated in many countries around the world, although it remains a working day in most of them.

St. Valentine's Day began as a liturgical celebration of one or more early Christian saints named Valentinus. The most popular martyrology associated with Saint Valentine was that he was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians, who were persecuted under the Roman Empire.
The day was first associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. By the 15th century, it had evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines"). Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.Valentine's Day symbols that are used today include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. In the second half of the 20th century, the practice of exchanging cards was extended to all manner of gifts. Such gifts typically include roses and chocolates packed in a red satin, heart-shaped box. In the 1980s, the diamond industry began to promote Valentine's Day as an occasion for giving jewelry.


The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately 190 million valentines are sent each year in the US. Half of those valentines are given to family members other than husband or wife, usually to children. When you include the valentine-exchange cards made in school activities the figure goes up to 1 billion, and teachers become the people receiving the most valentines.
The rise of Internet popularity at the turn of the millennium is creating new traditions. Millions of people use, every year, digital means of creating and sending Valentine's Day greeting messages such as e-cards, love coupons or printable greeting cards. An estimated 15 million e-valentines were sent in 2010.

Greek mythology

Greek Mythology is the body of myths and teachings that belong to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. It was a part of the religion in ancient Greece and is part of religion in modern Greece and around the world, known as Hellenismos.
Greek myth attempts to explain the origins of the world, and details the lives and adventures of a wide variety of gods, goddesses, heroes, heroines, and mythological creatures. These accounts initially were disseminated in an oral-poetic tradition; today the Greek myths are known primarily from Greek literature. Greek mythology has had an extensive influence on the culture, arts, and literature of Western civilization and remains part of Western heritage and language.
Each god descends from his or her own genealogy, pursues differing interests, has a certain area of expertise, governed by a unique personality, and associated with specific aspects of life. For example, Aphrodite was the goddess of love and beauty, Ares was the god of war, Hades the god of the dead, and Athena the goddess of wisdom and courage some gods, such as Apollo and Dionysus, revealed complex personalities and mixtures of functions, while others, such as Hestia (literally "hearth") and Helios (literally "sun"), were little more than personifications.

The Olympians
They are a group of gods who ruled after the overthow of the Titans. All the Olympians are related in some way. They are named after their dwelling place Mount Olympus.

• Zeus: God of the sky and ruler of the Olympian gods
• Poseidon: God of the sea, earthquakes and horses, protector of all waters
• Hades: King of the dead, god of wealth and lord of the underworld
• Hestia: Goddess of the Hearth
• Hera: Goddess of marriage and childbirth
• Ares: God of war
• Athena: Goddess of reason, intelligent activity, arts and literature.
• Apollo: God of music
• Aphrodite: Goddess of love, desire and beauty
• Hermes: Messenger of the gods; god of commerce, thieves and games
• Artemis: Goddess of chastity, virginity, the hunt, the moon, and the natural environment.
• Hephaestus: God of fire and the forge
• Dionysus: God of wine, celebrations and ecstasy
• Demeter: Goddess of fertility, agriculture, nature, and the seasons

 source:http://www.greekmythology.com/

Best perfumes for women!!

Fragrances are caused by one or more volatilized chemical compounds, generally at a very low concentration, that humans or other animals perceive by the sense of olfaction. The terms fragrance and aroma are used primarily by the food and cosmetic industry to describe a pleasant odor, and are sometimes used to refer to perfumes.
The odor molecules transmit messages to the limbic system, the area of the brain that governs emotional responses, and these messages have the power to alter moods, evoke distant memories, raise their spirits, and boost self-confidence.
That's why aroma is so important!!

Now, i'm going to show you the best perfumes for women according to Harper's Bazaar: 

- Chanel No. 5 Eau Première Rose-and-jasmin-infused is still elegant, but it's lighter and fresher than the first, more of an everyday spritz.

- Fendi Palazzo, $85, mixes rose, orange blossom, pepper, and patchouli into a scent that is enticingly both feminine and bold.

- Gucci by Gucci, $80, smells rich. Tahitian tiare flower is blended with pear and rounded out with honeyed patchouli.

- Prada Infusion d'Iris, $90, blends orange blossom, wet-smelling iris, mandarin, vetiver, and incense for a charming, light, bright scent.

- Missoni Acqua, $60, is a buoyant yet stylish scent, with notes of bergamot, melon, peony, and what perfumers call "sole," which is meant to evoke the sun hitting the water.

- Dior J'adore L'Absolu, $82, is a delightfully intense version of the classic favorite, J'adore. Turkish rose, tuberose, and jasmine combine to make a truly pretty floral. Note: This is a highly concentrated formula, so a little goes a long way.

- Marc Jacobs Daisy, $70, is free-spirited and sunny, with notes of violet leaves, wild strawberry, ruby-red grapefruit, and vanilla. Playful and sparkling, it feels effortless.

-Diesel Fuel for Life, $95, is energetic, vibrant, and fruity, with notes of black currant, jasmine, and patchouli. It's the one to spritz on when you need an instant boost.

- Bond No. 9 Central Park, Chelsea Flowers, and the Scent of Peace, $250, are all different but have a similarly calm appeal. You'll find green and clean (Central Park), chic floral shop (Chelsea Flowers), and optimistic freshness (the Scent of Peace).

- Calvin Klein Euphoria Crystalline Edition, $75, combines juicy pomegranate with black orchid, amber, black violet, and mahogany wood. A modernist head turner.

- Yves Saint Laurent Opium Parfum, $269, is a concentrated version of the original. It's opulent yet earthy and warm, with lily of the valley and mandarin balanced by jasmine, amber, and patchouli.

- Lancome Tresor Elixir, $67, is a smooth and sexy version of the original, with notes of violet, rose, sandalwood, and vanilla.

- Valentino Rock n' Rose Couture, $68, is not for wallflowers. This scent combines succulent black currant with rose, gardenia, and musk for a slightly naughty feel.

Source: http://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/fabulous-beauty/best-scents-lookbook#slide-16

Current obsession: Isabel Marant Bekket sneakers

Isabel Marant is the go-to label for pared-down Parisian cool. Since launching her eponymous accessories line in 1989 (followed by womenswear in 1994), the designer's effortlessly hip aesthetic has made her the best-kept secret of the fashion world. Her boyish trophy jackets, shoes, sleek pants and easy-chic mini dresses are the uniform of models, fashion editors and style-setters alike.

Isabel Marant Sneakers are bought by lots of customers for its excellent quality and fashion design. Made of soft suede, Isabel Marant Shoes are suitable for wearing in all kinds of outdoor activities. You can see them in the Isabel Marant Fashion show in 2012.

Description: Isabel Marant High-top Suede Sneakers:

• Concealed wedge heel measures approximately 100mm/ 4 inches
• Leather and suede
• Oversized padded tongue, perforated detailing, round toe
• Velcro-fastening straps across front

Designed in a casual style, Sneakers Isabel Marant can be donned with shorts or skirts. Its high-top style can make you look slim and charming in the crowd. I have totally fallen head-over-heels for Isabel Marant's 'Bekket' sneakers.Team them with everything from skinny jeans to mini dresses to see your style credentials soaring. 
Source: http://www.isabelmarantfanstore.com/

Recipe: Delicious Chocolate Cookie Sticks!

Who doesn't love chocolate?
How would our life be without chocolate?
Chocolate is an important ingredient for making great desserts all over the world, its exquisite flavor, scent and perfect texture, makes us want to eat it every day, but there is a bad side, the calories it has.
Searching on different sites for a chocolate recipe, I found a very interesting and healthy one at weight watchers, that can alleviate any crazy craving and also maintain the diet.

Chocolate Cookie Sticks

Perfect for dunking in coffee or ice cold skim milk. Add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon or 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper for a kick

 

Ingredients:

	1 spray(s) cooking spray, flour-variety recommended
	1/4 cup(s) regular butter, softened
	1/2 cup(s) powdered sugar
	1 tsp vanilla extract
	1 large egg white(s)
	1 oz bittersweet chocolate, melted
	1/4 tsp table salt
	1 cup(s) all-purpose flour
	2 tsp sugar

Instructions

• Coat a cookie sheet with cooking spray.
  
• In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, cream butter and powdered sugar until fluffy. Add vanilla extract and egg white; beat thoroughly. With mixer running on low, add melted chocolate. Add salt and flour; mix thoroughly (dough will be stiff).
  
• Turn dough out onto prepared cookie sheet and shape into a 4- X 6-inch rectangle. (Hint: Use a straight edge, like a knife, to help form the sides.) Cover with plastic and refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.
  
• Preheat oven to 375ºF.
  
• Remove plastic wrap from dough and sprinkle with sugar. Cut dough in half lengthwise and cut each half into 12 sticks (to yield 24 sticks total); separate sticks, leaving a small amount of space in between each one. Bake about 10 to 12 minutes. Let stand on cookie sheet for 1 or 2 minutes and then remove to a wire rack to cook completely. Yields 2 cookies per serving. 

So simple, delicious and Easy!
Source: http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/RecipePage.aspx?recipeId=141821
 

Destination of the week: Nice, France

Nice is the fifth most populous city in France, after Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Toulouse. The urban area of Nice extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of about 1 million on an area of 721 km². Located on the south east coast of France on the Mediterranean Sea, Nice is the second-largest French city on the Mediterranean coast after Marseille.The city is called Nice la Belle, which means Nice the Beautiful, which is also the title of the unofficial anthem of Nice, written by Menica Rondelly in 1912. Nice is the capital of the Alpes Maritimes département and the second biggest city of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region.

For decades now, the picturesque Nicean surroundings have attracted not only those in search of relaxation, but also those seeking inspiration. The clear air and soft light has been of particular appeal to some of Western culture’s most outstanding painters, such as Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, Niki de Saint Phalle and Arman. The climate and landscape are still what attracts most visitors today. It has the second largest hotel capacity in the country and it’s the second-most visited place in France after Paris, receiving 4 million tourists every year.
Nice experiences a Mediterranean climate. The summer/holiday season lasts for 6 months, from May to October, although in April and November sometimes there are temperatures above 20 °C (68 °F). Winters are mild, with average temperatures of 13.4 °C (56.1 °F) during the day and 5.8 °C (42.4 °F) at night in the period from December to February.
Being a vacation resort, Nice hosts many festivals throughout the year, such as the Carnaval de Nice and the Nice Jazz Festival.

Places you can't forget to visit:
- Promenade des Anglais
- Hotel Negresco
- Opéra de Nice
- Château
- Monument aux morts
- The port
- Cours Saleya
- Jardin botanique de la Ville de Nice (botanical garden)
- Musee Massena
- Marché aux fleurs
- Old Nice
- Grand Hôtel Impérial
- Fort of Mont Alban
- The Place Masséna
- The Place Garibald
- The Place Rossetti
- The Cours Saleya
- The Place du Palais

And the street parallel to the Promenade des Anglais (leading from Nice's downtown, beginning at Place Masséna and running parallel to the promenade in the direction of the airport) where tourists can find a fine selection of restaurants,cafés ,bakeries and also plenty of small shops selling clothing, shoes, and souvenirs. Source : wikipedia

Quote of the day!

Eat healthy, do exercise, love, laugh, live!

Gemstones

Gemstones are precious stones and semi-precious stones, that can be called gems. All of them are minerals that have hardness, density, refraction and color.
Stones have been called "the bones of Mother Earth" and have played a very important role in the history of humans. They have been used as talismans and amulets since recorded history and also before that.

How to choose your own gem:
It is very common today to have a personal stone. This stone may be associated with your zodiac sign or your birth month, it may also be a gem stone that has been passed down in your family or even a gem with your favorite color. Your personal gemstone is one with which you feel a deep connection.

There are different methods to discover which type of gem is adecuate for you:
- The zodiac method: Where you find stones that are linked to your sign of the zodiac. In this system, there are stones that should be avoided for each sign.
- The birth method: Where you find different stones for every month of the year, therefore, your personal stone shoud be one related to the month you were born. 
- The colored gem method: Where your instinctive reaction to various colors will help you to choose the right gemstone for you. All you have to do in this method is to close your eyes, take a deep breath, open them and the fist gem you look at is the one chosen for you.
- The gemstone meaning method: Where the qualities that some gemstones have, match your personality characteristics. These make useful personal stones. Another approach is to choose stones according to the qualities you want to develop in yourself.
You can also use the same methods for finding crystals or minerals.
 Source: http://crystal-cure.com/index.html

                                                                                                                                                                 

Quote of the day

Imagine and create everything you want