Red and white flaming tuilp oil painting

This white and red flaming tulip oil painting done by me

                                                        Artist:Pinky Hora

Fancy car

FLIGHT OF FANCY

  Flying car -- powered by clean technology -- to take to skies by December.

                               flight tests of the first prototype are slated for the end of 2017.

  We live in a time where fully autonomous cars are close to         becoming a reality, and more than one company is working towards taking humans to Mars. Consider all this, and it's almost surprising that flying cars haven't taken to the skies yet. But it turns out we may not have to wait too long. Airbus is planning to test a prototype, named Project Vahana, not only for a flying car but an autonomous flying car, by the end of 2017.

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More like a flying helicopter 

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 The current design looks less flying car and more flying car and more flying helicopter, which is slightly less exciting.  

  The aircraft has eight rotors on two sets of wings, both of which tilt depending on whether the car's flying vertically or horizontally.

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 There's room for a single passenger under a canopy that retracts like a visor.

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  And if something goes wrong, the Vahana will come equipped with a ballistic parachute that works even at low altitudes.

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Project Vahana

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  The project was launched in February 2016 and is one of the first project at A3, the advanced projects and partnerships outpost of Airbus Group in Silicon Valley.

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  The first conceptual renders have been revealed showing a sleek self-flying aircraft with room for one passenger who sits under a canopy that retracts similar to a motorcycle helmet visor.

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  It's also believed that the self-piloted aircraft will take of and land vertically, as there are helicopter-like struts,and tilting wings each with four electric motors.

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  The team at Vahana aims to have a full-sized prototype built by 2017 and a demonstration model by 2020.

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 " One hundred years ago, urban transport went underground, now we have the technological wherewithal to go above ground. We are in an experimentation phase, we take this development very seriously." Vahana is a Sanskrit word that refers to the vehicle or mount of a god.

                    A HISTORY OF FLYING CARS

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Flying cars sound cool, but you might want to put the brakes on your fantasies. For years. man has dreamt of taking his hotrod to the skies.

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1941 Henson Aerial Steam Carriage

William Samuel Henson and John Stringfellow- the Wright brothers before the Wright brothers exited- patented this flying car in 1841. The duo were never able to build a functional version of their monoplane, which had a theoretical wingspan of 150 feet.

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1923 Pitcairn PCA-2

Autogyros are the true predecessors of flying cars and Harold F Pitcairn's PCA-2 was sold on the mass market. It was the first rotary-wing aircraft to achieve type certification in the United States, and one promotional stunt landed on the White House lawn during Herbert Hover's presidency.

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1947 ConVairCar Model 118

The ConVairCar, Model 118 flying car was not a hoax,as evidenced by this test flight in California in November 1947. Theodore P Hall designed this creation for the Company. The one-hour demonstration flight ended early due to low fuel,an emergency landing that destroyed the car and damaged the plane's wings. Everyone survived--that is,everyone except the ConVairCar dream.

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1990 The Sky Commuter

For $71,500, you could own the Sky Commuter concept car,developed by Boeing engineers in the '80s. Run on a gas turbine engine and helicopter--like drive shafts, the Commuter was an alternative to planes--strapped-to-cars of the past. Boeing spent $6 million developing the car,though it only appeared in history books.

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2003 The M400 Sky-car

Meet the true Jetson vehicle. A "VTOL" (vertical take-off and landing)flying car, the M400 is the life's work of inventor Paul Moller.

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 Simon Winchester.....

   Simon Winchester most famous book began its journey in his bathtub. He was reading a book on dictionaries,when he chanced upon a footnote on Dr. W.C. Minor, the American madman who helped put together the Oxford English Dictionary. That eureka! moment culminated in The Professor and the Madman. "I sat bolt up-right in the bath like Archimedes," he said to a delighted audience on the first day of the Jaipur literature Festival. He had a telephone near the bath, and a lexicographer friend he thought he could tap for more on Minor. "So I reached over with  dripping hands and called," That phone call unfurled a fascinating story of the editor of the Oxford English Dictionary, the mad murderer who contributed to it from the inside of an asylum.

  The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of  Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary, who first run of 10,000 copies sold rapidly, took everyone by surprise. "My editor was as astonished as I was by the success [of the book], "he later told during an interview. That the reading public would care for a historical account of a dictionary writing exercise was genuinely surprising. Winchester's astute editor later broke down the constituent parts. "Its about an unknown person who made a major contribution to human society, the trajectory of his life was dramatically up and dramatically down, and there was an act of a grotesque bodily, mutilation in the story [Minor cut off his penis], "says Winchester, Do you, he asked, know anybody else who fits."

  In fact, he did. Winchester's  second book too managed to gather some of the same"magic ingredients". As a geologist by training, he'd heard of William Smith who drew the world-changing geological map. "His map was plagiarised, he went bankrupt, was sent to a debtors' prison, his wife went mad and became a nymphomaniac," adds Winchester. "That word -nymphomaniac - that was the 'aha moment'. It was something so unexpected."

  Since then Winchester has trotted out an astonishing range of books, from an ambitious biography of the Pacific ocean to an account of how America was welded together to form the United states, to a  narration of one of the world's most disruptive volcanic explosions, aptly titled Krakatoa: The Day the World Exploded: August 27, 1883.

  "My father used to criticise me in a congenial way, saying that i had the mind of a grasshopper,  "he says of his dizzying array of interests. "I get fascinated by one subject and move on to another. I,m afraid that's probably what happened here." After quitting geology, Winchester took to  newspaper reporting and travel writing. His non-fiction carefully gleans forgotten character and events. The key to good non-fiction is three-fold, he say. "First of all, you got to have the idea, It's got to be a good idea. The second thing would have to be good writing. But I think that's not the second most important thing. I think the second most important thing is the structure of the book. The third is good writing.

Interestingly, the seed of Winchester's next book came from a suggestion made by a reader- a history of precision- and will be out in 2018. The British-born author became an American citizen in 2011,after years of living there and loving it.

 

5 best free music apps.

  Every where you go, it seems like everyone is talking about how to stream this,how to stream that, how to stream from your PC to your phone,etc. While streaming can be convenient,it can eat up your mobile data.

  And as mobile providers become more stingy with data plans and data caps,maybe it's time we think about going back to local music files.

  But to do this, you're going to need a good music player app - .Here are the best free Android music apps currently available

AIMP

  At first glance,AIMP looks a bit overly simplistic. Flat interface designs are currently in, but AIMP's approach feels a bit empty. Maybe that's the point. This app gets straight to the point: it plays your music and doesn't muck around with distractions. Its handles nearly all audio file types - including lossy and lossless formats - and it comes with a 10-band equaliser, which is rare to see in free music players. It can also mix multi-channel files to stereo and/or mono. Overall, if you can get past the interface, it's a solid choice that won't let you down. 

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BLACKPLAYER                                             Blackplayer is the best free music player.Its clean, It's modern, its lovely on the eyes,its easy to navigate,and it's packed with features: 5-band equaliser, gapless playback,scrobbling,sleep timer, and no ads! A premium version does exist, which has extra themes,fonts, more settings to tweak,more ways to customise your experience, a visulaiser,better sorting, and a first taste of all future features. For just $2, it's well worth it

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PHONOGRAPH

  Phonograph is often considered to be the best-looking music player app,mainly because of the many built-in theme colour sets and the fact that the interface colours dynamically change to match the content on the screen. It's pretty standard as far as features go, so don't expect a lot of bells and whistles, but if you just want a simple listening experience that never gets in your way,Phonograph may be the app for you.

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PULSAR

  If you're using an older device with out-dated hardware, alot of modern apps may frustrate you with lag. Well, Pulsar strikes the perfect balance between a gorgeous appearance and lightweight performance. It comes at a price - a lack of big advanced features - but that doesn't mean Pulsar is barebones. You still get smart playlists, fast search, gapless playback, and a built-in tag editor that works quite well.
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JETAUDIO
  JetAudio also comes in a premium version, but you get so much in the  free version that most users won't even ned it. The only downside is that the free version is supported by ads, but they aren't intrusive. Here's what you get:10-band equalizer with 32 presets,lossy and lossless support, effects tlike reverb and x-bass,playback speed control, automatic gain control, and more.

What your reveals about you.

The way you keep your desk reveals a lot about who you are. Sam Gosling, renowned American psychologist and author of Snoop: What Your Stuff Says About You,believes that the way a person keeps his/her desk can help the management to understand, and thereafter, motivate him or her. You may fit in any one or a combination of these categories mentioned below.

1.THE ONE WITH THE ORGANISED DESK...

You have a calendar, strategically placed on the corner of your table that gives you a good angle and view from your desktop or laptop, just in case you need to quickly coordinate important dates. You also have a to-do list pinned in perfect alignment on the pinboard that is right in front of you.You keep checking off things marked on the list as and when the tasks are complete. Your drawer has every file and every record of every meeting you've ever had; you always have an extra pen and any other stationery at any given point. Your phone is always perfectly charged and so is your power backup. You are like an Office Guardian or something.

....A.K.A. THE DEPENDABLE ONE

You are bankable and trustworthy and the one everyone will turn to in a crisis- be it a client goof-up or a missing pen! You have a sense of responsibility, and you always follow through every task that you are assigned. Basically, you get anything done in a no-hassles and no-drama kind of way.

2. THE ONE WITH UNIQUE STATIONERY...

You have an interesting piece of art on pinboard and there are chances you made it. Also, that robot curio and those badges and cutouts from comic strips adorning your desk in an awkward, yet neat way is strangely attractive. You could even have one of those Rubik's Cubes, or a yo-yo somewhere in your drawer. You may also have a vintage desktop because you are just so hipster!

...A.K.A. THE CREATIVE ONE

Yes,that's who you are! You are as creative as creative gets. You are open to ideas and experiences and an extrovert mostly. People who enters your workspace are awed by the creativity you ooze. You thrive in places that encourage individually.

3. THE ONE WITH INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGES

We walk over to say 'Hi' to you and see that new 'Never Give up' poster. You are the one who comes to work every day, reads the new thing about positivity, takes a printout and pins it up. And there's that beaming smile on your face that reads 'This is so me!' for the nth time this week. Phew! According to Gosling. "These (inspirational) are a psychological form of trying to keep people together emotionally."

...A.K.A. THE NEUROTIC ONE

So, we're basically saying that you are a Type A personality. We want to hug you tell you everything's going to be okay; but a part of us is freaked out on how you'll react. But there's no need to take down your posters and your desk actually remind you of who is the boss (not in the literal sense!). You are one of the most successful people at the workplace, and it's because you are freaking neurotic!

4. THE ONE WITH THE COMFORT ZONES

You've got a candy jar, a box of mints, M&Ms and chocolates stashed on your desk and drawers in case anyone, including you, is just sick of all things normal. You've also got cigarettes, a spare lighter,a can of Coca Cola or Red Bull, an extra pair of socks stuffed somewhere in the drawers, a collection of the greatest music that was ever to be made, and the most comfy chair in the bay.

A.K.A. THE RESOURCEFUL ONE

You are lot like that organised guy,just more resourceful. Basically, you are the one the organised guy probably comes to when the crisis is more that a lost pen. You have charm about you that draws everyone close. You're a good talker, easy to be around, and well, you've got a fix for everything.    

  

When The Mind Is Serene.....

 Is it true that communicating with your inner being,the Divine,is called meditation?

O  Meditation is the best way to discipline and purify the mind. It is a mental discipline by which one attempts to go beyond the thinking mind into a deeper state of relaxation and awareness. Serenity of mind is meditation. Meditation is a way of removing old destructive thought patterns and replacing it with new ways of thinking positively. It is also the best technique to make the mind calm, and to connect with the Super Consciousness, enabling the soul to experience, external love,peace ,happiness ---- true nature, in other words, sat-chi-ananda.
   During meditation,transformation takes place at the conscious level. One goes within, connects  and communicates with the Supreme,attains sthitha prajna or equanimity and Self-realisation. The Supreme can only be experienced when the mind is serene and to tally clam just as the bottom of a lake can only be seen if the water is calm. The state can be achieved only through meditation. Thus,when mind is calm and relaxed only then we can communicate or connect with God and we can refer to the Almighty as One power, Inner Being, Divine or Supreme Self.

Can meditation help the individual resolve conflicts?

O  When our mind  is agitated and disturbed, it releases hormones and toxins in the body that cause stress. But when we practise meditation, our body releases healing, energy, which not only heals biological systems in the body but also calms the mind by dissolving ego and negative emotions like anger, jealousy and greed. It uplifts one from lower self to higher Self.
    The Aum mantra is the source of Divine power. By repeated chanting of the sacred syllable Aum, we invoke Anandamayi shakti within, called Anandamayi Meditation,through which one can enter into a deep healing space that will energise and heal the body, mind, every cell ,your DNA,genes of the biological and nervous systems. It will calm you and help rejuvenate you.
     Finally,you will feel totally transformed and fill yourself with Anandam energy and experience eternal happiness, Divine love, peace,blissfulness, and your true Self that is the ultimate purpose of life. Moreover, you will enjoy your life to the fullest and also extend our divine energy to others, helping them experience self-tranformation and develop Self- awareness.

How does one practise Anandamayi Meditation?
O Meditation is the process of  gathering the scattered mind and establishing the calmess, quiteness and  emotional poise within. There are different types of meditation techniques, however, one should follow the type that takes, one to one's higher Self and experience eternal happiness, peace and anandam. That is called Anandamayi  meditation.
  The easiest and simplest way to begin meditation is to sit or lie in a comfortable position and draw attention to your breadth. Becoming conscious  of your inhaling and exhaling is a way of  bringing your awareness tot he present moment. A simple and powerful mantra is the Aum mantra. Repeat the mantra silently in your mind. Whenever you start to lose focus, simply come back to the Aum mantra. When you are done with the mantra, sit quietly and become aware of the breadth and notice how your body-mind feels. Meditation is best done as a 15-20 daily practice,and can be done any time of the day, but it is good  when done first thing in the morning after you wake up.

Is the bliss experience replicable?

 O Yes, once one learns how to reach that blissful state,once can experience it anytime, any 

moment and at any place. The key to making  any change in your life is to repeat over and over to make it a habit. Remember  when you were younger and you didn't feel like brushing your teeth, but it was drummed int you that you must do it every morning, and night. Now as adult, you brush your teeth automatically. The same is true when trying to develop a new pattern in our life. Repetition is what helps rewire your brain. After a few weeks of repeating a meditation practice, your brain will begin to rewire itself and form a new pattern. This way the results will last a lifetime.
   However, results will vary depending on one's commitment,motivation, and on how often one practises it. Some people experience bliss the very first time. Usually, in a few sittings, many people experience anandam. 

for glowing face

Now,get stung by a bee or use cat litter for a glowing face

Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow's latest beauty regime comprises bee stings and has created a huge buzz online.

WHAT: BEE VENOM

GWYNETH PALTROW

WHY: SAID TO REMOVE SCARRING

Gwyneth Paltrow recently admitted she has turned to bee stings as a beauty treatment. She said. "I've been stung by bees. This treatment is thousands of years old and is called apitherapy. People use it to get rid of inflammation and scarring. It's actually pretty incredible if u research it."She did later admit." Man.it's painful,"Kate Middleton is also said to have tried bee venom facials and a few salon in the West are adopting bee venom face masks, which promise to lift and tighten the skin and make it look firm.

WHAT: AVOCODO

SALMA HAYEK

WHY:FOR SHINY HAIR

Known for her figure and gorgeous hair, Hayek attributed her locks to a treatment found in the fridge - guacamole. She was quoted as saying,"Anything that is greasy is actually really good for your hair. You can put guacamole in your hair. Not with the rest of the stuff, but u can take avacado and put it in your hair," Avocado is aid to be a powerful moisturiser and acts as a deep conditioner.

WHAT:MAYONNAISE

BLAKE LIVELY

WHY:HAIR MOISTURISER

Actress Blake Lively owes her well-maintained blonde tresses toan ingredient you might have dismissed to a corner of your fridge - mayonnaise!    She revealed that she puts the product on the bottom half of her hair just before she showers so that when she shampoos,the soap in it doesn't strip the hair of moisture,making it weak.

WHAT:APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

SCARLETT JOHANSSON

WHY:SKIN CLEANSER

Actress Scarlett Johansson has a nifty secret to her flawless skin - it's apple cider vinegar. She uses it her face wash as part if her daily routine. The vinegar has antibacterial and anti-fungal compounds and is supposed to work like a toner to balance the skin's natural pH levels and restore it's glow. When using, dilute it with warm water.

WHAT:TEASPOON

MIRANDA KERR

WHY:TO CURL LASHES

Model Miranda Kerrr swears by using a simple kitchen teaspoon to curl her eyelashes. To do so, you first heat the spoon with a hair dyer to warm it up slightly. Then keep it against the lashes facing outwards.Press the lashes against the spoon and using the same gliding movements a you would on a normal curler. To make sure the shape stays, apply mascara immediately after the curling.

WHAT:GROUND COFFEE

HALLE BERRY

WHY:SKIN SMOOTHER

Okay, don't throw away those coffee grounds after making yourself mug. Use  Halle Berry's secret instead. She adds ground coffee to her body wash to help increase blood flow and smoothen the skin. The caffeine in it acts as an anti-inflammatory  agent and is also said to reduce the appearance of cellulite. Mixed with a proper massage it is said to energise the skin.


WHAT:OIL-PULLING

SHAILENE WOODLEY

WHY:PREVENTS HEADACHES AND GUM DISEASE

Heard of oil-pulling? Also called Kavala, its an Ayurvedic process of swilling about a teaspoon of coconut oil around the mouth for a couple of minutes and then spitting it out! Shailene Woodley is said to be big fan of the craze. the technique is said to help improve gum health and freshen the breadth,whiten teeth and draw out toxins as well. It is also said to alleviate migraines.


WHAT:TO NOURISH SKIN

ANGELINA JOLIE

WHY:TO NOURISH SKIN

While most people lust after the taste of caviar, actress Angelina Jolie rubs it on her body in a cream. The fish egg extract is smeared over her skin to firm it up and leave it feeling moisturised. She is also said to have had a detoxifying body wrap followed by applying creams over her body. She is said to have tried caviar - based facials as well. The ingredient is said to be a powerful source of protein and has high oil content.

Britain Royal Mail Stamp

Put a stamp  it!I

In celebration of the upcoming Olympics and the Queen's jubilee, Britian's Royal Mail has released 10 stamps commemorating 60 years of post-war fashion.

With Stella McCartney designing the kits for English sportspersons for the upcoming London Olympics,there's no doubt how seriously the nation is taking the sporting extravaganza it's going to host in a few months. And the British Royal Mail service has earned brownie points by issuing 10 new stamps celebrating 60 years of post-war fashion in England, in honour of the Olympics and the Queen's diamond jubilee.

Zandra Rhodes

The stamps have been created by the Royal Mail and shot by fashion photographer Solve Sundsbo, with inputs from fashion experts of the Victoria and Albert Museum. They feature faceless models wearing memorable outfits by 10 prominent English designers, including an Alexander McQueen creation from his Horn of Plenty collection. The other designers include Ossie Clark, Paul Smith, Norman Hartnell {who dressed the Queen for her wedding}, Vivienne Westwood, Tommy Nutter, Hardy Amies, Jean Muir and Zandra Rhodes.

Paul Smith

Alexander McQueen                                 Vivienne Westwood                       

The Daily Mail quoted Royal Mail stamps spokeman Philip Parker as saying, "Britain is famous around the world for the creative vision of its fashion designers, from the glamour and sophistication of Norman Hartnell, the punk influence of Vivienne Westwood, to the world-class designs of Alexander McQueen... British fashion has grown to become a major national industry. So it is an honour to the able to  be able to pay homage to some of the designers who made the industry what it is today."

NATURAL TREATMENTS FOR YOUR BEAUTY

Natural treatments for your everyday beauty woes

Most women swear by expensive skin creams, but the best way to rejuvenate is by using your grandma's recipes. Here are some face packs to try out...

Luxurious beauty treatments can take a backseat this season and instead swear by natural skin treatments that not only guarantee long-lasting results but also ensure that your skin stays clean and blemish-free.

USING RIPE BANANA

It is said to be a natural source of vitamin A, E and D. Take a ripe banana and mash it well. This will make your mane smooth, soft as well as shiny. To clear blemishes off your face, mash a ripe banana and apply it evenly on your face. You can also add a few drops of lemon to help lighten your skin and get rid of pigmentation.

PAPAYA

With the sweltering heat almost upon us,your face needs to cool down a bit. To ensure that your face stays nourished as well as free from marks and blemishes. Refrigerate half a papaya overnight and squash it well the following day. Apply this paste evenly on your face and keep it on for at least an hour before you wash it away with lukewarm water.Use a moisturising lotion to keep your skin smooth.

HONEY AND LEMON

For those who want to lighten their skin the best face pack to apply is that of honey and lemon. It will lighten your skin and also tighten the pores,thereby making your facial skin a shade lighter that it is.

SEASONAL FRUITS

While we all know that the consumption of seasonal fruits cleanses your system and keep it clean, a seasonal fruit pack also ensures that your skin stays nourished and healthy. You can either do this treatment on a daily basis or once during the week.

STRAWBERRY

For those who suffer from fine lines and wrinkles and ageing skin, it is best recommended to use a strawberry face pack at least twice in a week. Simply mash a few strawberries and apply it directly on your face. You might feel an initial itch in the beginning,but once the pack settles down on your face,it will lend a cooling effect and will brighten your face.

ORANGE

Do you know applying the pulp of orange juice will make your skin brighter within minutes? For those who suffer from tanning and pigmentation issues, your best cure lies in applying the pulp of orange on your face on a daily basis. To make the pack thicker, you can combine banana or besan with it. You can alternatively add some rose water while making this paste. 

Make-up

Make-up hacks that can take years off 

                         You

There is a multi-billion dollar industry thriving globally,just on our desire to look youthful and pretty. And there are thousands of high-end creams, serums and non-surgical treatments that claim to transform you. But then,looking younger need not be such a long-drawn out process, nor one that burns a hole in your pocket. Rather,you can use simple make-up tricks to look younger that you are.Here is how....

   GROOM YOUR EYEBROWS                                               

Well-groomed eyebrows that frame your face perfectly can actually make you look youthful. First,thread or tweeze the extra hair from under your brow to get a smooth and clean look. Do not over-pluck, because thin brows can add years to your face. Then,use a brow set to fill in gaps and give it a gentle arch. Use a brow mascara to give your eyebrows some definition.

    OPEN UP YOU EYES                                                          

Use a light eye shadow on the inner corner of your eyelids, beige in the middle and dark brown on the outer corner. Blend thoroughly. take brown or black eye shadow and apply on the outer corner of your eyelids. Apply a little of the same shade on the lower lid,close to the waterline. Use a light beige eye pencil on the outside to make it look larger. Take a white eye pencil and make a 'comma' on the inner corner. And finally,use a lengthening and volumising mascara.

    HIGHLIGHT YOUR CHEEK                                                 

Use strobing to highlight your cheeks and give you a dewy complexion. Opt for a highlighter that is mineral-based, light and non-greasy on the cheekbone. Avoid spreading the product all over your face,just stick to the areas that catches the light,otherwise your face will end up looking like a greasy mess.

    PLUMP UP YOUR LIPS                                                       

As you age, your lips thin out and lose their youthful fullness. To counter that,use a nude lip pencil and carefully draw a line outside your natural lip line. Apply a lip plumper serum and a moisturising lipstick in light pinks or nudes. Dab on some gloss in the centre of your lips to get a naturally plump look. Use a white pencil to outline the centre of your upper lip with a small 'V'; you can also use a light foundation to get the same effect.

    USE CONCEALER WISELY                                                

Dab on some concealer under your eye in a 'V' shape or an inverted triangle such that the base is aligned with the lower eyelid. If you have dark blue undereye circles, you need to apply an orange concealer to hide that tone and give you a clear complexion. Blending it well is of utmost importance.

    CREATE A HIGH CHEEKBONE                                          

Image a line from the top of your ear to the corner of your lips. Now, use a blush below that line to add corner to your cheeks and give it a nice cut. Apply some highlighter on the apply of your cheeks.

     FOR A TAUT JAWLINE                                                       

You can make your jawline look contoured and sharp with the help of foundation that is two shades darker than your skin tone. Begin applying it in a smooth line from one earlobes to the other. Blend the edge thoroughly for a natural look.

Rare Species of fish

Rare Species of fish

FEATHER FIN BLACK GHOST

TYPE:Fresh water fish

ENDEMIC TO: Amazon basin,South America.

 THIS FISH LOOKS LIKE a floating feather in water,it has poor eyesight but a well-adapted sense of smell and a large mouth. The shape of its body allows its to swim forward and backwards,much like a car,at will.However, when it take a turn,its feather fins look like a black whirling robe of a Sufi dancer.It is nocturnal and possesses a weak electrical charge. It's carnivorous and can grow up to 13-14 inches in length.

ALLIGATOR GAR

TYPE:Fresh water fish

ENDEMIC TO:North America

IT HAS A LONG crocodilian snout with sharp teeth on the edge of its mouth.Of the seven know gar species,the alligator fish is the largest one growing as long as 10 feet. Unlike its fierce appearance,the fish has a passive behaviour,it preys on other small fish and has a life span of 25-50 years.

RED CHILLI AROWANA

TYPE;fresh water fish

ENDEMIC TO:Southeast Asia

IT IS ONE OF THE costliest aquarium fish.This carnivorous fish is known for its distanct scales,which are arranged in five horizontal rows. Its flowing pelvic fins allow a powerful motion,facilitating a jump of six feet from the surface of the water.Its is an endangered and is bread under license in the Singapore and Malaysia.It is considered auspicious and symbol of wealth and stature.

LION FISH

TYPE:Salt water fish

ENDEMIC TO: Indo-Pacific Ocean

THIS FISH DOESN'T come  to the surface and has to be caught during deep sea diving,which makes it rare. Its relies on camouflage and lightning fast reflexes to surprise and kill its prey. It delivers the venom through an array of needle like fins located on its back.A sting from lion-fish causes nausea and breathing difficulties to humans but is not considered life threatening.It grows to an overall size of about 15 inches.  

FLOWER HORN

TYPE:Fresh water fish

ENDEMIC TO: Malaysia, Thailand

Its is a hybrid fish which was developed in Malaysia and Thailand in the 1990s by hybridisation between different South American chichlids. It cannot be found in wild. Only 20 per cent of flowerhorn fish grow a head,making them significantly rare. The protuding hump on its head grows bigger as the fish ages. The bigger it grows,the luckier it is believed to be for the owner.Looking like a bull,the fish is aggressive and territorial. Being aggressive and territorial,two flowerhorns are usually not kept together . With a life span of about 12 years it grows as big as 12 inches.

tie

The suave man's guide to the perfect tie

A tie reveals a lot about a man's personality,as its the first thing people notice.Here's how you can look dapper and assertive with the right necktie

Whether its a formal office meeting or an evening at a fancy lounge,a tie makes for a great fashion statement. But its a tricky accessory to pull off. You need to match the colour with the correct texture and pattern,and make sure it complements the rest of your outfit. 

The Tie Guide
Just like you have different shoes for every season, the same goes for ties

• Summer: Keeping the heat and humidilty factor in mind,linen and cotton ties are your best bet.
• Winter:   Go for woollen,knitted,velvet and other warmer material ties during the cooler months.
• Fabric:   Silk,polyester,wool,cotton,linen and rayon are the usual materials in which u get ties.You can also wear those made from vegan fabrics and bamboo. These are eco-friendly and sustainable.
• Pattern:  For more casual outings, opt for printed ties avaliable in paisleys,cartoon prints,polka dots,animal prints,floral etc. These are very popular with youngsters.For a more mature look,go for woven ties which have a deeper texture that gives the tie a 3D effect.
• Size:      These ties are avaliable in various lengths, depending on their heights and body shape. Choose one to suit your frame. Similarly not all knots are created equal. Size ,symmetry and shape can vary greatly from knot to knot.  

Classic colours: Black,blue,green,red and gold.

Conventional patterns: Striped,dots,plaid,club,foulard,and paisley.

For office:Pinstripes,pin-dots and varieties with intricate details.

For parties: Experiment with fabrics and eye-catching prints.

                                        THINGS TO REMEMBER                                               

• Most men make the mistake of wearing their tie very long or short. The correct length is anywhere between just below then navel,where your belt begins.
• You knot should always be tied. Also, make sure the size isn't too big
• Avoid big and bold prints por checks,if you want a sharp look.
• People with a dusky complexion should refrain from wearing very bright coloured ties, as those will take away focus from the face.
• If you're a corporate professional,pair your pastel coloutie with a well-fitted suit and plain white shirt.
• Never yank your tie while you are removing it. Repeat all of the steps you followed to wear your tie,in reverse order. 

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TAKE A BAO

CHINESE ANCESTRY

While its difficult to determine when the first batch of baos was made for the first time(a rough estimate is 3rd century AD),there is no doubt that they originate from China. A popular tale about the mantou -the northern Chinese variation of baos - revolves around the ruler Zhuge  Liang who had to cross a strong, swift flowing river to reach safe territory after having fought in a war. He was told that if he sacrificed 49 of his men and threw their heads into the river, it will be appeased Liang, instead,slaughtered livestock and stuffed minced meat inside the bread, so that they resembled bobbing heads.

Buttermilk Fried Chicken Bao

For The BAO

INGREDIENTS . 4 cups all purpose Flour. 1 Cup warm water. 1 tbsp yeast,active dry. 1/2 cup milk. 2 tbsp butter. 

Method

1  Bloom yeast in water for 10 minutes until you see bubbles form at the top.

2  Mix all ingredients together in a dough mixer.

3  Mix at low speed for 10 minutes or knead with hand for 15 minutes till dough is elastic. You want medium gluten development.

4  Place dough in a bowl and coat with a thin layer of oil to prevent moisture loss.

5  Let it rest for 2 hours or until doubled.

6  Shape dough into 50g balls and let it rest covered with plastic wrap until doubled..

7  For the bao shape,take a rolling pin and flatten dough into an oblong shape. Brush the inside layer with oil and fold in half. Rest again until doubled.

8  Setup a steamer lined with parchment paper. Once steaming, place bao buns and steam for 8-10 minutes.

For The FILLING;

INGREDIENTS . I kg chicken breast,sliced very thin. 1 cup buttermilk. 1 Cup panko breadcrumbs. 1 cup bees honey,wildflower. 1 cup neutral oil. 2 tbsp sesame oil. 1/3 vinegar. 1 tsp lemon juice. 1 cup mayo. 2 tbsp sriracha. 

Method 

1  Marinate the chicken in buttermilk overnight.

2  Bread it with panko and deep fry at 170 celsius.

3  Mix honey and sriracha in a pot and bring to a boil,reduce until half and cool.

4  For the sesame vinaigrette,mix the neutral oil,sesame oil,vinegar and lemon juice and toss with salad of julienne carrots,yellow,red and green bell peppers and purple cabbages.

5  Mix mayo and sriracha together and keep aside.

6  Open the baos and place two pieces of the buttermilk fried chicken in each bao. Dress with the vegetable rainbow slaw and top it off with the honey sriracha glaze amd spicy mayo. Serve hot.