Tuesday 31 December 2013

Winter Outfits For Girls

Winter Outfits For Girls
During the winter months, we all want to look our best, but it’s just so hard to bundle up and still look GREAT. The abundance of cold weather accessories – (hats, gloves, scarves) can be overwhelming, and bulky sweaters, coats and boots can leave you looking like a haphazard snow woman if you’re not careful. So this year, instead of forfeiting style for comfort, we reached out to celebrity fashion stylist Dawn Del Russo for some practical advice on looking your best when the temperatures drop.
Here are some of her top tips for staying stylish -- and warm -- this winter.
In a word, winter is bleak. Once it sinks in that there are only months of darkness ahead, the only thing you want to do is complain and wear pajamas. However, finding pieces that make you want to leave your house and be a social human are an important part of, well, survival.
To make it easier on you, we’ve rounded up ten winter fashion ideas for 2013/2014 to help assist with holiday inspiration. And at the very least, take solace in knowing you can always just buy a great coat, and simply refuse to take it off.
Tartan
For reasons no one will ever understand, tartan tends to be pigeonholed as a “holiday” look. Well to that we say no thank you. Collections by Moshing and Alberta Ferrety featured the traditional print in heavier fabrics and matching suits this season, while Christian. So abolish the naysayer’s. They may take your movie quotes, but they may never take your tartan.

Pastels
Winter isn’t just for grey and black (everybody knows that, right?), so if you want to return to soft pastels, 2013/2014 is your time to shine. Whether you embrace the tones through pieces like the light blue coat in Prensa Scholar’s collection, or you gravitate towards a floral top paired with pastel pants like at Sonia Rykiel, you can still wear light, “spring” colours even when spring seems like the furthest thing away. In the words of "South Park," you do what you want.

Off-The-Shoulder Dresses
The best thing about winter is that coats exist. So while we’ve been conditioned to think we must bundle up in oversize sweaters, we can take a nod from Prada, who paired ‘50s-influenced off-the-shoulder blouses with full skirts and winter jackets. You can do the same thing, and vow never to wear a turtleneck again. (Even though they’re a seasonal staple, so don’t say it too loud.)
Sleeveless Jackets
As we all know, the key to winter fashion is layering. You can layer a t-shirt with an oversize flannel, you can layer a tank with a blouse, or you can take a page from the book of Chloe and layer a long, sleeveless jacket with, well, anything you’d like. Consider the sleeveless coat as the replacement for the big, puffy vest: only this time, it’s tailored, it’s flattering, and you can bulk up underneath so you aren’t freezing outside.

Classic Punk
The traditional “punk” aesthetic goes back to the days of Malcolm McLaren, the Sex Pistols, and Vivienne West wood in London during the ‘70s, but it has managed to stay prevalent in some capacity for the last 40 years. However, this winter it’s “back” in a literal sense of the word: Designers like Isabel Mi rant showcased black tops embellished with metallic, while Verses debuted a mixture of tartan (clearly a seasonal favourite), PVC and even spikes. We blame it on the 2013 MET Gala (and we don’t want it to stop).

Mixing And Matching Prints
For anyone disinterested in looking too preppy or put together, the mix-and-match trend of Fall 2013/Winter 2014 is a gift mixed with a blessing. In the first corner, designers like Cavern used mismatched animal print to bring a skirt and blouse together, while the normally dress code-appropriate Bur berry opted for a pink, printed translucent skirt and animal print blouse. Mix, match, and be fearless about both.

Pink
Are you getting tired of the pink push yet? Apologies if so, because it’s the colour of Fall/Winter 2013, as evidenced by everyone from Roksanda Ilincic (who used it as a mid-century throwback) to Cavern, who showcased a belted pink jacket. However, there’s no “right” way to wear pink. The beauty of Winter 2013/2014 is the versatility with nearly all styles, so you can either opt for a dramatic interpretation, or go for the cotton candy shade that works with winter’s pastel trend. There’s nothing but space for your creativity.

Bigger And Better
While traditional fitted styles have obviously earned a place among trends this season (as pencil skirts do every year), designers like Alexander Herchcovitch (and his dramatic layered, A-line skirt) opted for a bevy of fabric, making pieces seem over sized. Meanwhile, DelPozo boasted puffed sleeves and looser-fitting dresses, somehow mastering the best of both worlds by making pieces seem forgiving, without drowning the wearer. In other words: You can eat as much holiday desserts as you want, since trends don’t dictate a corset-like silhouette. (Just kidding, you can eat as many holiday treats regardless.)

Fur
Unless you’re picking up a vintage fur (which you can get for about $20 at Value Village or Salvation Army), splurging on a real one is: a) expensive beyond all reason, and b) the subject of a major debate. So instead, here’s a happy alternative: WhileLanvin saw a two-toned fur coat in their Fall/Winter show, H&M debuted a black and white faux piece that capitalises on the two-toned look. Surprisingly, fur can really finish an outfit off, especially paired with a heavy sweater and boots (for a more mix-and-match feel).
Cute Pink Shirt With Shorts
Cute Pink Shirt With Shorts

Monday 30 December 2013

New Year Cakes Recipes

New Year Cakes Recipes
Steamed Chinese New Year Cake Recipe
This traditional steamed Chinese New Year cake, known in Mandarin as nian gao(“higher year”), is flavoured with almond extract and Chinese brown sugar. It’ll bring you good luck in the new year! After a few days, the chewy cake will harden up; Grandma Ruby, who gave us this recipe, dips hardened leftover slices into beaten egg and pan-fries them in vegetable oil to soften the inside and crisp up the outside. What to buy: Chinese brown sugar is made from unrefined cane sugar. It can be found in the dried goods section of Asian markets and is sold in 1-pound bricks that separate into slabs.
Sweet rice flour, also known as glutinous rice flour or mochiko, is produced from sticky rice grains and is actually gluten-free. It’s available at Asian markets in the starch section. Regular rice flour, which is produced from long-grain rice, will not yield the same results.
Dried Chinese red dates, also known as jujubes, are olive-sized, sweet, and prune like, and are used in both savoury and sweet dishes. They can be found in the dried goods section of Asian markets.
Special equipment: If you don’t have a large bamboo steamer, create your own steamer. Take two 24-inch-long pieces of aluminium foil and loosely roll and crumple each one width wise into a 1-inch-thick piece. Form each piece into an “S” shape and place both in a large frying pan or a large straight-sided pan with a tight fitting lid. Add an inch of water and bring it to a simmer. Proceed with the recipe, placing the cake pan on top of the foil coils rather than in a bamboo steamer.
INGREDIENTS
   2 cups water, plus more for steaming
• 1 (1-pound) package Chinese brown sugar
• 1 pound sweet rice flour (about 3 cups)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more for coating the pan
• 2 teaspoons almond extract
• 10 dried seedless Chinese red dates, also known as jujubes, for garnish (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS 
  1.  Place the measured water and brown sugar in a medium saucepan. Set over medium heat and stir occasionally until the sugar has completely dissolved, about 10 minutes. (Do not let it boil.) Remove from heat and let cool until warm to the touch.
  2.  Meanwhile, fill a 14-inch wok with about 1 1/2 inches of water and place a 12-inch bamboo steamer inside. (The water should not touch the bottom of the steamer.) If you don’t have a wok and a bamboo steamer, use a large frying pan and foil as described above in “Special equipment.” Bring the water to a simmer over medium heat. Coat a 9-inch round cake pan with vegetable oil; set aside.
  3.  Place the rice flour in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. With the mixer on low speed, slowly pour in the sugar-water mixture, beating until smooth, about 2 minutes. If needed, stop to scrape down the sides of the mixer with a rubber spatula.
  4.  Add the measured oil and continue beating on low speed until the batter is smooth and the oil is incorporated, about 5 minutes. Add the almond extract and beat until just incorporated. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan.
  5. Carefully place the pan in the bamboo steamer or on top of the foil coils. Cover the bamboo steamer with its lid or cover the wok or frying pan with a tight fitting lid or a sheet of aluminium foil. (Do not cover the cake pan directly with a lid or foil.) Steam until the cake is very firm to the touch, about 3 hours, checking every hour and replenishing the wok or pan with hot tap water as needed. While the cake is still warm, garnish with the dates (if using) and sesame seeds. Let cool on a rack to room temperature. Run a knife around the outside of the cake, then slip a thin spatula under the cake to lift it out. Serve it sesame seed side up.
Confetti Cake
What you'll need
• Cake
• 1 1-pound box angel food cake mix
• 1/4 cup colored candy sprinkles
•  Frosting
• 2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
• 8 teaspoons cold water
• 2 cups whipping cream (unwhipped)
• 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Colored sprinkles
 Decorations
• 2 decorative cake sprays (available at party stores)
• Wire star garland (available at party stores)
• 1 sheet of shiny or metallic colored paper (for year star)
• Marker
• Tape
How to make it
  1.  Follow the directions on the cake mix box, but just before pouring the batter into the tube pan, add the sprinkles.
  2.  Mix them quickly and gently with as few strokes as possible and pour the batter into the pan immediately. If you mix and pour too slowly, the colors may bleed and color the surrounding batter.
  3.  Make the frosting right before you plan to apply it so that it doesn't set. For best results, apply the frosting, sprinkles, and decoration no more than an hour before serving.
  4.  Combine the gelatin and water in a small saucepan.
  5.  Let it stand until thick.
  6.  Set the pan over low heat, stirring constantly until the gelatin dissolves. Don't let it boil, as that would reduce the gelling power of the gelatin.
  7.  Remove the gelatin from the heat. While it cools a bit, combine the cream, sugar, and vanilla extract in a bowl and whip them with an electric mixer until the mixture thickens slightly.
  8.  Gradually pour the liquid gelatin (don't let it set) into the whipped cream mixture and continue to beat at slow speed until blended. Then whip it at high speed until it's stiff and peaks form when you lift the beaters.
  9.  Frost the completely cooled cake with a generous, fluffy layer, making swirls and peaks as you go.
  10.  Add confetti (colored sprinkles) and the sparkly year decoration. (Tip: We applied the sprinkles to the sides of the cake by lightly tossing them against the frosting. After we stuck our store-bought metallic sprays entwined with a star garland into the cake, we cut a 2-inch star out of paper, wrote the year numerals on it, and taped it to the sprays.) Store the cake in the refrigerator until ready to serve.


New Year Wallpapers 2014

New Year Wallpapers 2014
New Year is just around the corner and we all are getting ready with the preparations of celebrating it the best possible way. Each one of us has different ideas of celebrating the end of this year and the beginning of next year. What have you decided for the special day? Well, as far as designers are concerned I am sure lot many of you are planning to sit down and look for inspirational stuff while others might be looking for cool wallpapers to deck up their desktops. Correct me if I am wrong!
If this is what you are looking for then certainly you would feel glad for having open up this article for as the header goes, our article comprises of amazing fresh New Year wallpapers. With the festivity fervor on we are continuously coming up with articles to suit the festive mood and help you by making your search easier.
How about not wasting more time in talking about it further and simply jumping on to sneaking a peek at these visually stunning wallpapers for New Year 2014? Obviously, nothing like that so let me begin with it without adieu.
New Year’s Day is probably the oldest of all holidays and celebrated everywhere on the planet. New Year’s Day mark the finish of a single calendar year and beginning of a further. The date of New Year’s Day varies in nations across the globe this is for the reason that distinct nations and communities stick to distinct calendars. Most countries in the world have adopted Gregorian Calendar and celebrate their New Year Day on January 1. It truly is the celebrations of this New Year Day which we shall go over beneath this section.
Celebrating the New Year Day 2014 people today welcome the coming year and bid adieu for the old. People today express their wish that the new year are going to be filled with well being, happiness and prosperity for themselves and all their dear ones. Feasting and merry-making is an integral element of New Year’s Day celebrations

Happy New year 2014 Celebrations
New Year’s Day is mentioned to become the oldest and most universally celebrated holiday. The tradition of celebrating New Year’s Day is mentioned to possess started by Romans circa 153 BC. Romans celebrated their New Year on March 1 in line with old Roman Calendar. Even ahead of the Romans, Mesopotamians are mentioned to have celebrated new years at the time with the vernal equinox in mid-March about 2000 BC. Immediately after a series of alterations in calendar, in 1582, Pope Gregory XIII instituted the Gregorian calendar still in use today, and set January 1 as New Year’s Day.
Celebrations for New Year’s Day start on the eve of the New Year on December 31. Late night parties and bashes are organized to provide farewell to the year gone by and welcome the New Year. Just as the clock strikes for midnight, people hug absolutely everyone around and wish each other a ‘Happy New Year’. Cakes are cut and firecrackers are burst to offer a celebratory welcome to the upcoming year.
There is also a really strong tradition to make New Year Resolutions on January 1. This can be performed to give away old terrible habits and adopt far better ones. A number of the most well known New Year resolutions involve weight reduction, quitting smoking, providing up junk food and being punctual. Though it has been noticed that lots of individuals fail to help keep their resolutions a week after New Year’s Day, the importance of making a fresh New Year’s Day resolution every year is still exactly the same. Numerous countries observe a vacation on New Year’s Day. And in some countries, specially these dominated by Christians have their Christmas vacation extended till New Year’s Day. Hence, persons have each of the time and factors to celebrate the occasion. A well-liked trend is always to go out for vacations in tourist locations. Those that are unable to go in far off locations go out for picnics, campings, trekking, skiing and so on. A huge rush can also be observed in malls, theaters and restaurants as lots of individuals specifically, youngsters celebrate the New Year’s by moving out with their dear ones. Some nations organize New Year Day Parades and Sports, a lot of people participate and witness these joyful events. Individuals who choose a little of sobriety organize New Year’s Day parties in their homes and invest the initial day of your year with their mates and dear ones.
In modern day times, media, for instance newspapers, magazines, radio and tv make a evaluation from the pas year. They give reports recollecting the events of the past and make predictions for the coming year. A variety of types of astronomical predictions for the coming year are also made that are lapped up by men and women as well eager to peep into the coming year.

2014 New Year wallpaper
2014 New Year wallpaper