Spring lamb shepherd’s pie

Spring lamb shepherd’s pie

Southern sausage stew

Southern sausage stew

Every Party - Erlend Oye - lyrics and video

Every Party - Erlend Oye - lyrics and video

Sao Paulo!! it's a "call parade"..!!

The city of São Paulo, Brazil created an innovative public art project involving 100 artists.  The talented artists had to redesign 100 public telephone booths, called “orelhao” (“big ear”) around the city. The project entitled “Call Parade” has already hit the streets and everyone seems to be enjoying it.

Some of these designs made me laugh so much. I hope you also have some fun looking at them!

Lazy Make-over Tips

Ring Around the Collar

"To create the illusion of a more sculpted shoulder and neck area, shade and blend bronzer into the hollows of the collar bones," explains makeup artist Marissa Nemes, who works with Victoria's Secret Angel Candice Swanepoel. "Then, take a translucent, illuminating powder and apply it directly to the ridges of your decollete to make it stand out. This trick will slim out the top part of your body in less than two minutes!"

Bronze Beauties

"If you need definition and color, use cream bronzer to highlight your eyes, lips, and cheeks," advises celebrity makeup artist Tina Turnbow, whose client roster includes celebs like Mary Louise Parker and Natalie Portman.

Shin-y Star

"When wearing short skirts, add a little highlighter up the center of each leg to contour," suggests Meredith Baraf, a Victoria's Secret makeup artist who regularly works with Adriana Lima. "This trick reflects light to the middle of the leg and recedes over the outer leg, making your gams look leaner and longer."

Cardio Cuties

Have five minutes to spare before going out? "Do 500 jogs in place for five minutes," recommends celebrity personal trainer Terri Walsh. "It will give your face and skin an overall, healthy glow without getting you sweaty."

Curly Cues

"Always, always, always curl your lashes to widen the appearance of your eyes," says Lori Talyor, lead makeup artist for Smashbox, whose clients include Kerry Washington and Rosario Dawson. 

Parting Ways

The best 10-second makeover tip for your mane? "Change your part," says Aussie Celebrity Hairstylist Sarah Potempa, who works with stars like Faith Hill. "When you get out of the shower, create your new part and blow-dry your strands in that direction to retrain your locks."

City Mousse

"Put mousse in your hair no matter what," advises Mizu Salon hairstylist Dominick Pucciarello. "It will always make your strands look and feel fuller and sexier. Plus, it helps tame unruly ends."

Peek-a-Boo Points

"Add an accent, like feathers or a tiny braid, to your typical hairstyle for an instant upgrade," says Banowetz.

Twisted Sister

"An easy way to detox icky-feeling organs is do some seated yoga twists," suggests Walsh. "Cross one leg over the other and reach around your knee with the opposite arm, thereby turning your body. To deepen the twist, clasp arms and pull in your navel. Maintain this position for two minutes before repeating on the other side. This will stimulate circulation and promote the release of toxins."

Red-Carpet Ready

"For gorgeous, full hair in no time, set your strands in hot rollers for 15 minutes, and brush out the waves when done—it's a no-fail approach to volume," Townsend recommends.

Play Makeup Artist

"Never apply eye shadow directly from the container," Taylor warns. "Always tap or smear it on your hand first to warm it up and ensure better blending and building of color."

 

Rinse Cycle

The best tip for making your face look fresh after a sleepless night? "Soak a washcloth in very warm water, press it against your skin, and give your face a good scrub," explains Kilgore. "Then, rinse, and splash your face with ice-cold water. Your capillaries will respond to the changes in heat, which will stimulate lymph vessels and blood flow for better depuff-ing."

Face Time

"If all this fails, and you need to get ready in a flash, rely on style over skin," notes Kilgore. "Try thick-rimmed glasses, sexy neutral lipstick, a turtleneck, and a messy ponytail or top-knot." 

Neck Ties

"For a  leaner neck and a more sculpted jawline, brush matte bronzer along the jaw, the middle of the neck, and top of the chest," Kukendall recommends. "This instantly takes ten pounds off your face in photos!"

Thigh Highs

"Do a wall sit if you feel like your inner-thighs are looking less than toned," adds Walsh. "Place a book or yoga block between your knees as you sit with your back up against a wall, with your knees bent and the back of your legs parallel to the floor. Hold this position for 1-5 minutes. Your legs will definitely feel less jiggly." 

Bum Lift

"Before slipping into your favorite jeans, try a resistance band back kick to give your bum a lift," notes Walsh. Loop a long resistance band around the sides of a chair, or the rungs of a slotted chair back. Face the chair, loop your heel into the resistance band, bend at the waist, place one hand on the chair seat and one hand on the chair back, and kick the heel backwards until your leg is extended straight behind you. Do this exercise four times, one minute at a time until you get to five minutes on each side. Your butt will immediately feel higher, rounder, and tighter."

Glowing Girl

"Before you run out the door, add a moisturizer over self-tanned or sun-kissed skin to keep your glow looking fresh," adds Baraf. "Using a shimmering lotion will have the dual purpose of moisturizing and adding sheen."

Slow Lotion

"Apply your favorite body butter onto damp skin, just after showering," adds Kilgore. "It traps water in your skin’s surface layers, making you less susceptible to winter flakes."

Read more: Makeover Tips for Girls - Best Makeup, Hair, and Skin Tips - Real Beauty

 

Project 2012 NYC | The Style Marketplace

Dear Javier Bardem, Robert Downey Jr., & Johnny Depp...

Why can't you want me like the other boys do?

They stare at me while I stare at you

Why can't I keep you safe as my own?

One moment I have you the next you are gone

Rehearsed steps on an empty stage

That boy's got my heart in a silver cage

Why can't you want me like the other boys do?

They stare at me while I crave you

I walked into the room dripping in gold

Yeah dripping in gold

I walked into the room dripping in gold

Dripping in gold

A wave of heads did turn, or so I've been told

Or so I've been told

My heart broke when I saw you kept your gaze controlled

Oh I cannot solve

Why can't you want me like the other boys do?

They stare at me while I stare at you

Why can't I keep you safe as my own?

One moment I have you the next you are gone

Rehearsed steps on an empty stage

That boy's got my heart in a silver cage

Why can't you want me like the other boys do?

They stare at me while I crave you

It's true I crave you

Crave You

It's true I crave you

Let's just stop and think, before I lose face

Surely I can't fall, into a game of chase

Around his little finger, that boy has got me curled

I try to reach out, but he's in his own world

This boy's got my head tied in knots with all his games

I simply want him more because he looks the other way

Why can't you want me like the other boys do?

They stare at me while I stare at you

Why can't I keep you safe as my own?

One moment I have you the next you are gone

Rehearsed steps on an empty stage

That boy's got my heart in a silver cage

Why can't you want me like the other boys do?

They stare at me while I crave you

I am craving you

Things we have learned from movies...

1. Large, loft-style apartments in New York City are well within the price range of most people whether they are employed or not.
2. At least one of a pair of identical twins is born evil.
3. Should you decide to defuse a bomb, don't worry which wire to cut. You will always choose the right one.
4. Most laptop computers are powerful enough to override communications system of any invading alien society.
5. It does not matter if you are heavily outnumbered in a fight involving martial arts - your enemies will wait patiently to attack you one by one by dancing around in a threatening manner until you have knocked out their predecessors.
6. When you turn out the light to go to bed, everything in your bedroom will still be clearly visible, just slightly bluish.
7. If you are blonde and pretty, it is possible to become a world expert on nuclear fission at the age of 22.
8. Honest and hard working policemen are traditionally gunned down three days before their retirement.
9. Rather than wasting bullets, megalomaniacs prefer to kill their archenemies using complicated machinery involving fuses, pulley systems, deadly gasses, lasers, and man-eating sharks, which will allow their captives at least 20 minutes to escape.
10. During all police investigations, it will be necessary to visit a strip club at least once.
11. All beds have special L-shaped cover sheets that reach up to the armpit level on a woman but only to waist level on the man lying beside her.
12. All grocery shopping bags contain at least one stick of French bread.
13. It's easy for anyone to land a plane providing there is someone in the control tower to talk you down.
14. Once applied, lipstick will never rub off even while scuba diving.
15. You're very likely to survive any battle in any war unless you make the mistake of showing someone a picture of your sweetheart back home.
16. When they are alone, all foreign military officers prefer to speak to each other in English.
17. The Eiffel Tower can be seen from any window in Paris.
18. A man will show no pain while taking the most ferocious beating but will whine when a woman tries to clean his wounds.
19. If a large pane of glass is visible, someone will be thrown through it before long.
20. If staying in a haunted house, women should investigate any strange noises in their most revealing underwear.
21. Word processors never display a cursor on screen, but will always say: "Enter Password Now".
22. Even when driving down a perfectly straight road, it is necessary to turn the steering wheel vigorously from left to right every few moments. Tires will squeal on any surface, at any speed.
23. All bombs are fitted with electronic timing devices with large red readouts so you know exactly when they're going to go off.
24. A detective can only solve a case once he has been suspended from duty.
25. If you decide to start dancing in the street, everyone you meet will know all the steps.
26. Police departments give their officers personality tests to make sure they are deliberately assigned a partner who is their total opposite.

ways to love according to the bible

LIFE

a friend of mine has wrote this poem a while ago, and i think the poem is very inspiring.
i was surprised how beautiful it is, it gives you hope for life when you are down..




As thunder crashes from far away,
 the sound reminds me every day,
 ignore the thunder the rain will come yonder.
 Observe the rumbles your troubles forth come you. 
Open your life like a biblical book,
 taking each step with a worldly look. 
On like a river,follow the wind blow,
destiny show me which way to go, 
near or far,east or west. 
My soul will decide where is next. 
Grapes to wine it all takes time, 
Patience, perseverance the mind is not blind.....


by: Chris Bromwich

Appreciation

 

what gets your attention? Think  about it. Do you notice the beat of your heart, the comfort of a hot shower, or the milk in the fridge? My guess is that these things (and a million other things that are commonplace in your life) do NOT get your attention. And if they don't get your attention, then they don't get your appreciation.

Why aren't we appreciative for the things that are so essential in our life? Without them we would be miserable. But as long as we have them, we don't even notice.

Human nature is such that there is an INVERSE relationship between frequency and appreciation.
The more you get it (whatever "it" is), the more you expect it, and the less likely you are to appreciate it. And it makes no difference how crucial "it" is. The beat of your heart is a perfect example. There is nothing more crucial in your life. But there's also nothing more frequent. And probably nothing you take more for granted.  

This explains why it's so common for people to take each other for granted. As the frequency
with which we do things for each other increases (as the years go by), the experience (and the
expression) of gratitude decreases. 
 
It gets to the point where people peripheral to the marriage feel more valued than husbands and
wives feel toward each other.Husbands and wives do more for each other than anyone else in their lives, but THAT'S THE PROBLEM! A man's wife, for example, has rubbed his neck, kept a stock of his favorite cigars & drinks, and planned their anniversary celebration every year for 23 years. But he feels and expresses more gratitude when his new secretary brings him a gift from her trip to Mexico.

A woman's husband has cut the lawn, paid the bills, and taken her away on her birthday every year for 23 years. But she felt and expressed more gratitude when Uncle Billy fixed the kitchen sink.

There's an irony to this dynamic. We're so appreciative when someone does something for us ONCE, right? So whatever it was that warranted our gratitude once, shouldn't it warrant more gratitude the SECOND time? I mean if it was so wonderful early in your relationship when your spouse made a home-cooked meal, then wouldn't it be MORE wonderful the second time, and the third,
and the fourth? But it doesn't work that way, does it? It's logical; but it's not psychological. 
The psychology of it is that it becomes LESS wonderful in your eyes.
Isn't it amazing that the blessings right in front of our eyes EVERY DAY are the ones we're least likely to see. And the ones that surprise us every now and then monopolize our gratitude.

 

Drool Like a Fool

I Love this home!!!! was looking at this blog about decor, and it feature this home of a cute couple who live in Hamburg. these pictures makes me drool like a fool...

I fell in Love with the table..!! and the candle holder... and the old lamp... ahhh

All those hearts hanging from the chandelier, and the floral carpet.. i want!

 

 

The bean bag is too cute. the oceanic blue lamp is such a great idea to bring light into the plain white room.

 

As you may have noticed, the whole industrial ethnic chic vibe is huge over in my part of the world.

I personally LOVE all of the natural materials combined with gray and black with shots of bright color, ethnic touches, and the overall relaxed vibe. It’s so inspiring, global and attainable.

source: http://decor8blog.com/

9 Best Sunsets in the World

If you accidentally catch one, you suddenly become incredibly calm, contemplative and feel like you’ve snuck in on a romantic moment—I’m talking about sunsets. And snuggled up couples have been watching them since long before Glee and American Idol took up our evening free time. Some of us still skip out on modern entertainment just to go watch the sunset. Some people are sunset connoisseurs, constantly seeking out the highest rooftop, quietest beach, or most off-limits location to sneak into and watch it. For those of you out there, here are spots to watch the sunset that have probably appeared on a postcard.

 Ayers Rock in Northern Territory, Australia 

The sky is streaked in red here when the sun goes down. That is because Ayers Rock is the seat of Uluru, a 348-meter high, 500 million year old red rock and the world’s largest monolith. When the clouds move across the sky at sunset, they reflect the rock’s blood-orange hues into the sky.

  Academia Bridge in Venice, Italy
Of course one of the most romantic cities on earth offers one of the best spots to catch the sunset. Academia Bridge stretches over the Grand Canal, and from here you can watch the dying rays of light flutter across the 15th century architecture. For a more ethereal feel, go in the fall when fog makes the whole place feel like an old mystery movie.

 

The Matterhorn in Zermalt, Switzerland
No, it’s not just a ride at Disneyland. The Matterhorn is a great Alpine peak. Visitors can hike across Gornier Glacier to Monte Rosa Hut for the best view. It’s best caught at sunrise, when the sunbeams climbing up the peak light up the tip to make it look like a candle.

Mallory Square in Key West, Florida
Also a favorite spot for locals, Mallory Square pairs the view of the sun setting over the Gulf of Mexico with street performers, amazing food vendors, and the freedom to enjoy them all with a mojito in hand.

Masai Mara in Kenya
Catching the sun set here might bring back memories of a beloved childhood film, The Lion King. This is a great destination for wildlife lovers as a large wildlife migration passes through. Elephants, rhinoceros, Cape buffalo, leopards and lions get particularly active and night time and visitors can watch their silhouettes move across the sun setting over this vast desert.

 

 

Gay Head in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
The sun can play with a variety of shapes and colors here. Clay cliffs peek out of the Atlantic Ocean and North America’s last glacier disintegrated here 10,000 years ago, leaving behind boulders and clay deposits. From the lighthouse, you can watch the sun move across this entire scene with water on three sides of you.

 

Pre Rup Temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia
Already a popular destination for visitors because of its majestic temples, Pre Rup has reflective pools that face west. When the sun sets, the pools catch the reflection of these enchanting structures and light up with the rusty red from the brick and laterite.

 

Mount Haleakala in Maui, Hawaii
Mount Halealaka is a dormant volcano that rises over 10,000 feet. The volcano serves as the only display of colors on the baron landscape when the sun rushes over it’s blackened sides, lighting it up like water on hot asphalt.

 

Santa Monica Pier, Los Angeles
If you sit on the beach just far enough from the pier, you can watch the silhouettes of people playing miniature golf, the waves crashing, and the lights from the Ferris wheel reflecting on the Pacific Ocean.

They’re free. They’re accessible to everyone. And somehow, they always enchant us. Hopefully this gives you a good date idea for the next time you’re running low on money or you’ve just seen every movie on TiVo.

(ref: www.care2.com)

Se7en : World's Most Interesting Beaches

Your friends send you pictures from their mobile phone of the snow white sand under their toes while on their beach vacation. Sure, those pristine beaches are nice and few and far between, but you’re not really a devotee to finding less-chartered beaches until you’ve explored these sandy shores:

 

1. Hyams Beach in New South Wales, Australia
Since there is a fascination with snow-white beaches, it’s only right I include Hyams Beach, which is actually the whitest beach in the world. At least no other beach has yet to beat it in the Guinness Book of Records.

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 2. Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur, California
The surrounding hills are rich in Manganese Garnet and the substance has been washed down onto the beach, lending it’s purple and pink hues to the sand. The result is a beach that looks like a rainbow sorbet, or one dressed up for Valentine’s Day.

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3. Kaihalulu, or Red Sand Beach and Maui
With a canvas consisting of mainly blacks and reds, it looks like a scene straight out of Dante’s Inferno. The conjoining cindercone hill contributes tiny red deposits that stain the sand, while larger pieces of the hill make for an eery mix of rock potpourri with the slick black ones at the water.

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 4. Fraser Island
What can ruin a beach day? Rising tide? Sudden rain? How about traffic…on the beach? This can and does happen on the 75 mile beach on Australia’s Fraser Island. It’s said the world is running out of space for cars, and maybe this beach is proof of that. It’s an actual motorway and runway for airplanes. Not the safest place to doze off under the sun.

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5. Sandcut Beach
This beach offers two sites of natural beauty for the price of one. Sandcut beach in Vancouver, Canada has a waterfall running off the neighboring cliff right into the ocean. In the morning, the stony beach looks almost black, making the whole scene appear other-worldly.

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6. Papakolea Beach
Endearingly called “Green Sand Beach,” Papakolea Beach is located near South Point on the island of Hawai’i. The encircling cinder cone composed of olivine crystals is what gives the sand its foresty color. While from a distance the beach looks entirely green, if you pick up a handful of the salt, a closer look will reflect more of the gold tint in the crystals.

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7. Ramla il-Hamra beach
And to cover most of the rainbow, I had to include Ramla il-Hamra beach on the Maltese island, Gozo. The island can thank its volcanic nature for its Creamiscle colored sands. This island arose from the Mediterranean sea off the southern shores of Italy and tiny volvanic deposits, mixed with the rare local orange limestone, make it look like the sun is always shining on this beach.
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Next time you’re planning a tropical vacation, think twice before looking up the typical clean, white beach.

Deal Breakers

 From Oprah to Liz Lemon, we all have our own deal breakers.. what's yours?

1.  Brag about your finances or your shiny toys
Seriously? Message to this type of man: Not all women are gold diggers!

2.  Drag out the "ex" talk for an entire course meal
This is a date and not a therapy session. Let go much? Save the drama for your mama!

3.  Don't ever talk about your ex or other women as the "chick that went psycho on you"
FYI, we don't go psycho overnight. Not even on our worst PMS do we go psycho. When you've driven us to the point we wanna jab our stilettos on your jugular is because you did something bad, very bad!

4.  Saying that you are not willing to support your wife financially.. are you serious?
 so.. we women are gonna cook for you, wash the dishes most of the time, get pregnant, give birth, care for the kids, do everything for you basically if you're at home.. and you're telling me you're not willing to bring home the bacon for all that shit.. HELLO?? you must be out of your mind mister.. hahaha

5.  Text or be on your phone while we're together
Don't look at the cell every time it vibrates (unless you're profession requires you to be on call 24-7) Guys, we didn't go through all the trouble of dressing up and doing our hair and makeup to stand there in front of you and only get half of the attention we deserve. It's rude and we're left wondering if you're texting your wife  or god forbid planning out a booty call for that night!

6.  Undress other women with your eyes
Don't get us wrong, we're not all jealous but we'd like your attention and your eyes on us. Yes, we understand that when an Angelina Jolie enters a room all the penises in the room try to grow legs and walk right over to her. We get the magnetism of a babe cause even us ladies look. But don't do an exorcist head turn every time a pair of boobs walks past you or stare so hard that you're having sex with your eyes. 

7.  Don't tell us what YOU think we wanna hear
In other words, don't tell us how YOU'RE not a player. Although not every woman majored in psychology we're smart enough to know when a man is trying to tell us what he thinks we wanna hear. You may fool a few with your salesman pitch, but most of us know actions speak louder than words!

8. Non-Productive (AKA a Bum or Couch Potato)
Including myself, most women don't want workaholics, however they do want men that work. There's nothing worse than a lazy man. I start conjuring up images of a sloth in my head when I think about this one. Women do not want to support a man, that's perfectly capable of working.


9. Cheating
Yes, I know some women do put up with this. However there are more that just can't. I don't think anybody want to spend the rest of their life with pictures flashing in their mind over and over again, with him in bed with the whore. Most women feel the same way. It's just too painful to get over.

10. You smell
Hopefully, you already know how important it is to take a shower and brush your teeth before a date. If you really can’t, make sure you don’t eat a spicy lunch and skip that noontime workout. Bad breath, body odor, and stank feet are definite NO! eewww 

11.You eat off her plate
It’s one thing to taste each others’ food with permission, but grabbing at her grub without asking is just plain rude. Some people like to keep their space (and their meals!) on first dates. Keep your hands to yourself unless she gives you the okay. And please, for the love of God, don’t ask “Are you gonna finish that?” hahahaha :D

12. Tiny little King Dong
uhmm... as much as we love you, we also love our self.  as much as you love boobies and clams, we love mr. Ps. as much as we want you to have your sexual needs, we want to be pleased too.. so if you're one of those guy who are not so "BLESSED" go get some sex toys, sex lesson or if you're dedicated enough.. yes, mr. P enlargement pills are available on the market. *wink*wink*


13. Emotionally Unavailable
This one is certainly a biggy for women. Women are very emotional beings. We need all the lovey-dovey, attention, romance, and time a man is able to give. I now can tell, thank goodness,  from the very beginning if a man is going to be emotionally unavailable. It isn't as easy as it seems to tell at first. After all he's on his best behavior to try and impress you. I would be absolutely miserable with a man that wasn't emotional, as well as all women I know.

There you have it some of the top deal breakers for women in a relationship (according to me & some inserts from friends). I'm sure you may have some of your own that are not listed here. What ever your deal breakers might be, always remember never to settle for less than what you really want. If you are settling, perhaps some counseling for your self-esteem might help. All women deserve the best, and have what makes them truly happy!

What I would LOVE to have in my nest

A Simple sophisticated home is where i want to live in...

Lush lawns bring you to the house..

Cozy Family room..

Big Spacious Living Area..

Perfect size kitchen with small dining area..

Work corner... with all this built-in shelving, there are no more excuse to be unorganized.. :)

Entrance to work space; Library wall..

My very favorite place in the house! the bedroom!!! The beams are extremely beautiful and a fireplace is always great to have in any bedroom with taste.

Very gray and very stylish.. BUT, i'm gonna need HIM & HERS sink.. i don't like sharing sink.. haha

A nice walk to the garden and swimming pool...

simple swimming pool..

My Favorite outdoor space for winter.. or summer... *sigh*