Friday Frills

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbgkAibEaYNFvm4oVAKrAwA_IjwNHlS7ZLprjX08T8EyxCXxDtEb197wXtUiW8lL30BCeDU-PMow17972hVuit5old0BJcHYAqM0RzQZxwFhyphenhyphen3d8yvfTuJmPXEJHcTII0M80gPXIa1QOa/s1600/friday.com-357618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbgkAibEaYNFvm4oVAKrAwA_IjwNHlS7ZLprjX08T8EyxCXxDtEb197wXtUiW8lL30BCeDU-PMow17972hVuit5old0BJcHYAqM0RzQZxwFhyphenhyphen3d8yvfTuJmPXEJHcTII0M80gPXIa1QOa/s1600/friday.com-357618.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The more generous we are, the more joyous we become.
</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The more cooperative we are, the more valuable we become. </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The more enthusiastic we are, the more productive we become.
</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The more serving we are, the more prosperous we become. </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The more outgoing we are, the more helpful we become.
</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The more curious we are, the more creative we become. </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The more patient we are, the more understanding we become.
</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The more persistent we are, the more successful we become.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You are the master of your own universe...</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">How you choose to use this power</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> is all up to you</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Use it well, and you can become whatever you would like to be.</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">Words by William Arthur Ward, edited. </span></i><br /><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">Image via weheartit.com</span></i><br /><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></i></div><br />

Friday Frills

The more generous we are, the more joyous we become.
 The more cooperative we are, the more valuable we become.  The more enthusiastic we ar...

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Casadei Spring Shoes 2013

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Forget about diamond jewellery and designer clothes...Sometimes all it takes to make an outstanding style statement is a killer pair of heels. For the past 54 years, Italian footwear label <i>Casadei</i> has thrived upon it's prowess to create shoes that allow women to tower over the crowd, most literally. These 5 inch pair of heels are not for the faint hearted. With aerial proportions, acute angles & concealed platforms, they will require some skill walking in.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For Spring 2013, Casadei gingers up their usual pairs of strappy sandals and pointy-toe pumps with jazzy colours and interesting materials. Electric animal print shoes are studded with sparkly Swarovski crystals. Crackled wedge heels are crafted from a patchwork of mirrored glass and earthy wafers of wood. Transparent plexi-glass adds a futuristic effect to satin covered sandals in pastel hues.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is a look into the pioneering Spring/Summer 2013 range by Casadei.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGYXI27V_cRoFNF7QEm73lUoOIFbByATZCSfz2LhDNKUYUrMMPdD5pSjxHLyE7faPP98u8N2C4BuKq1AzYObU-l-TyMYI2O8qJfKEH_HRmcV2nsGX804_sAjBQTGaaIkb-99TXjz6fzKc/s1600/casadei1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGYXI27V_cRoFNF7QEm73lUoOIFbByATZCSfz2LhDNKUYUrMMPdD5pSjxHLyE7faPP98u8N2C4BuKq1AzYObU-l-TyMYI2O8qJfKEH_HRmcV2nsGX804_sAjBQTGaaIkb-99TXjz6fzKc/s640/casadei1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEkQNUYDp4rCU_XsTDu64GH5fFcZmeTLxc40cwQ1g1L11nk6EME34YZTZOS5zZt6gjp6r-cjs_4SiLrULwAErZrmyWAhNhUTFPoe6256g58SLBJLEgfcjly4EKMC7jubygpuxbgrTQzMA/s1600/casadei2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEkQNUYDp4rCU_XsTDu64GH5fFcZmeTLxc40cwQ1g1L11nk6EME34YZTZOS5zZt6gjp6r-cjs_4SiLrULwAErZrmyWAhNhUTFPoe6256g58SLBJLEgfcjly4EKMC7jubygpuxbgrTQzMA/s640/casadei2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguj_F6iYrB0z5qx33ftzdyH8u3bSRj-Lfl-B-6nMUxovN4m8_wqaC1we9ijsL7PeOP31xmJjwuIQcGtqR8viDMIH_pS3yPd25yoJxfUCnZqDG5dLzRlu_YbMXx7ZNGijzH9gbDjJSGiZyw/s1600/casadei3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguj_F6iYrB0z5qx33ftzdyH8u3bSRj-Lfl-B-6nMUxovN4m8_wqaC1we9ijsL7PeOP31xmJjwuIQcGtqR8viDMIH_pS3yPd25yoJxfUCnZqDG5dLzRlu_YbMXx7ZNGijzH9gbDjJSGiZyw/s640/casadei3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvaxeSd1XRv9NFQGVNoPfXXRQzRLERhGarn4r3pkN9WMfTtCdtj7_4Nqo2JQvg0j2G-dWK3GfV_ZbZajP24JrgP1HVp4h6JZgfzypzvB7RrxXUevY1W1aEqdp7LrpSwfvguc-mtrTnR_e/s1600/casadei4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvaxeSd1XRv9NFQGVNoPfXXRQzRLERhGarn4r3pkN9WMfTtCdtj7_4Nqo2JQvg0j2G-dWK3GfV_ZbZajP24JrgP1HVp4h6JZgfzypzvB7RrxXUevY1W1aEqdp7LrpSwfvguc-mtrTnR_e/s640/casadei4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A pair of Casadei pumps will set you back $650 and more. So for now, all we can do is swoon over these sensational pairs and leave it to the fashionably famous to figure out how to walk in them. Which one of these is your dream heel?</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>*See the entire range at <a href="http://www.casadei.com/">Casadei.com</a></i></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>

Casadei Spring Shoes 2013

Forget about diamond jewellery and designer clothes...Sometimes all it takes to make an outstanding style statement is a killer pair of heel...

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Who Wore H&M Better?

<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Who Wore It Better?</span></b><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">H&M Conscious Collection</span></b><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Spring 2013 dress</span></b><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love seeing celebrities wear something other than designer dresses on the red carpet. It shows humility on their path, and it also proves that a cheaper chain store brand can look just as good as any ten thousand dollar ensemble. </span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In this edition of 'Who Wore It Better', we see two young starlets wear the same ruby red cocktail dress from H&M's Spring 2013 Conscious Collection. The dress forms part of the Swedish brands' eco-friendly range of party wear, that offers sustainable fashion using organic and recycled materials.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbD3ZnAOBkWUqCEaOxSliYmE4LcsvwqdYYuSKT9IN8Tf6QrmagLDp_pCY6oTT9_aFgxAhL4Wjk_BmmpWnEzDTkDz93hFHhcintnaNptjLx0r28FgxMTiZqZnE9EbRE7oKlvgi239Fa5J8O/s1600/whoworeitbetter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbD3ZnAOBkWUqCEaOxSliYmE4LcsvwqdYYuSKT9IN8Tf6QrmagLDp_pCY6oTT9_aFgxAhL4Wjk_BmmpWnEzDTkDz93hFHhcintnaNptjLx0r28FgxMTiZqZnE9EbRE7oKlvgi239Fa5J8O/s640/whoworeitbetter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* Swedish beauty <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">Alicia Vikander</span></b> looks radiant in the red fitted dress, which is laden with delicate rose appliqués. The 24-year-old <i>Anna Karenina</i> actress wore the frock earlier this year to the Swedish Film Awards. She accessorized with a gold <i>Chanel</i> clutch bag & black sandals.</span><br /><br /><div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* Teen actress <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">Chloe Moretz</span></b> looked endearing in the rosy red dress during Paris Fashion Week, opting to style her ensemble with nude ankle strap sandals.</span></div><br /><div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* In the H&M Spring 2013 lookbook, the romantic red dress was shown with a beautiful matching floral netted fascinator.</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></b><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></b><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></b><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhBHv3W_YditjPHsS1CY0J8h1b6ZlXHypO7c_S2yvKMv81chK9twyHuGaoiUTT4ptZNNos5TnDxMPy9FtMDPfVUz72nb0YiVLj69eFPc28wnP5NHojnG5_Ic92Bm2qYrBZ2fX5A7CjDIf/s1600/hnm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhBHv3W_YditjPHsS1CY0J8h1b6ZlXHypO7c_S2yvKMv81chK9twyHuGaoiUTT4ptZNNos5TnDxMPy9FtMDPfVUz72nb0YiVLj69eFPc28wnP5NHojnG5_Ic92Bm2qYrBZ2fX5A7CjDIf/s400/hnm.jpg" width="307" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This dress is currently available at H&M stores for $129.</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As for 'Who Wore It Better?', I love the styling on the model, but from the celebrities, I would have to pick Alicia Vikander, I think the dress fits her better, although I would've preferred a more exciting pair of shoes. It does look lovely on Chloe too, but I think it is a little aging for a girl of only 16. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">What are your thoughts?</span></i></b></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><br /></div><br />

Who Wore H&M Better?

Who Wore It Better? H&M Conscious Collection Spring 2013 dress I love seeing celebrities wear something other than designer dresses on t...

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Dubai Daydreams

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dubai is a city that defies the odds, a modern metropolis made up of futuristic skyscrapers, set alongside traditional souks, man-made islands, seven star resorts, the world's tallest tower and enough shopping malls to empty any elite bank account. All this...in a <i>desert</i>.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8b3wPY0AOVmwVBfNtJhf8aI4hcphSuIEHMduceOIb0AtzQryiAU0xqbDUaFRuGklzLJ4q5FajBLIeXMPB3aotJ7GTwPLRMnXFBaYfVJSS_ozN7ZiN0sA0HvjKQUEfVaTSErXnExA3Mp9l/s1600/dubai1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8b3wPY0AOVmwVBfNtJhf8aI4hcphSuIEHMduceOIb0AtzQryiAU0xqbDUaFRuGklzLJ4q5FajBLIeXMPB3aotJ7GTwPLRMnXFBaYfVJSS_ozN7ZiN0sA0HvjKQUEfVaTSErXnExA3Mp9l/s640/dubai1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><br /><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A hazy view of the modern silver skyline of this illustrous city. In the middle is the <i>Burj Khalifa</i> tower, which towers over all the other buildings in its midst.</span></td></tr><br /></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5T5a5Ray2Pm1Pe68NUeTx7X8bECLvhenc9-lqZ2AGa2ucwbeGsV8JMhL3fSDSNxSQAD1XTsoAYtYW33Tv47V40nfJnPuJr9IeVkCbTCk3OOQl3tIden8UbVu-sWYNP8x-g35EA8seTxY/s1600/dubai3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5T5a5Ray2Pm1Pe68NUeTx7X8bECLvhenc9-lqZ2AGa2ucwbeGsV8JMhL3fSDSNxSQAD1XTsoAYtYW33Tv47V40nfJnPuJr9IeVkCbTCk3OOQl3tIden8UbVu-sWYNP8x-g35EA8seTxY/s640/dubai3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><br /><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A view from on top the world's tallest building, the <i>Burj Khalifa</i>, which stands at a staggering 828 m/2 716.5 feet. This 163 floor-structure can be seen from up to 95 km away and is less than a 3-minute elevator ride to the top.</span></td></tr><br /></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6mvdG1h2yr2rm2NGQveFcV-pEPR-YZdbHJBpm7oKlk8WId8JL44O4kidgq8qNOM1rtfxu1YnJNWcKv2zkxHiCgL2MqJbYDflB0UWHwbZPnnQ-pBWv0giKiipYHcXO0OcNJKwV_lz75sj/s1600/dubai2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6mvdG1h2yr2rm2NGQveFcV-pEPR-YZdbHJBpm7oKlk8WId8JL44O4kidgq8qNOM1rtfxu1YnJNWcKv2zkxHiCgL2MqJbYDflB0UWHwbZPnnQ-pBWv0giKiipYHcXO0OcNJKwV_lz75sj/s640/dubai2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><br /><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">An aerial view of the <i>Dubai Fountains,</i> which comes alive to a musical extravaganza at night.</span></td></tr><br /></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMygqy5ilYFkhAY2QOwoAaDc2XJ4zrWw-pbZbsF0B-2VmU3n3MnrHi9jRdKXsxsW_gY5W9WQqg9YNQkvpywwC7Aojz0XSJLwt0mVDDgQhmUeLGbdtSBczUhdOsXydrtzpb0zXv5FSzOIw2/s1600/dubai6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMygqy5ilYFkhAY2QOwoAaDc2XJ4zrWw-pbZbsF0B-2VmU3n3MnrHi9jRdKXsxsW_gY5W9WQqg9YNQkvpywwC7Aojz0XSJLwt0mVDDgQhmUeLGbdtSBczUhdOsXydrtzpb0zXv5FSzOIw2/s640/dubai6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><br /><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><u>Note to all Shopaholics:</u> <i>The Dubai Mall</i> is the largest shopping destination in the world, with over 1200 stores of buying bliss. Have a double shot of expresso to stay up on weekends, when the centre closes only after midnight. If you have a platinum credit card or miraculously inherited millions, you can indulge in one of the many luxury stores from Louis Vuitton, to Jimmy Choo, Marc Jacobs and Burberry. Or if you're just a normal-earning-human-being like the rest of us, have a browse at the usual brands of stylish chain stores like Zara, Bershka, H&M, Forever 21, Mango and a thousand more.</span></td></tr><br /></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0BjVPScj9e-Q8AZZAT9oywuLQYAzglc854X22KRzuBsYKAHsqlSQPDmzrQmoBxxkJaXfTEM1f-J2jk1o22bcw8plj3zH8gDG5NDfis7oMrVBN4Pps6rNBba_D8EfnOPAn2r6kWHMsHW5/s1600/dubai7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0BjVPScj9e-Q8AZZAT9oywuLQYAzglc854X22KRzuBsYKAHsqlSQPDmzrQmoBxxkJaXfTEM1f-J2jk1o22bcw8plj3zH8gDG5NDfis7oMrVBN4Pps6rNBba_D8EfnOPAn2r6kWHMsHW5/s640/dubai7.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><br /><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The most exciting, adrenelin-pumping part of my trip was a journey into the Sharjah desert, where an expertly trained driver steered us across the vast and rugged rolling sand dunes in a roller-coaster of a ride. </span></td></tr><br /></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1pqj5NqWq2MwMC16RmNLAcRbAKz0f08oIa63X5PEAQiDglZpTzoj8j-dGsuLSueRFaCaugHAYAp6V_0Ykyt8yJ_XwXjsVMxWAtNXAvkknGIS6CEP6Wmd1-uH8-mp8ZwGNLrRyqBlD_vs/s1600/dubai8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1pqj5NqWq2MwMC16RmNLAcRbAKz0f08oIa63X5PEAQiDglZpTzoj8j-dGsuLSueRFaCaugHAYAp6V_0Ykyt8yJ_XwXjsVMxWAtNXAvkknGIS6CEP6Wmd1-uH8-mp8ZwGNLrRyqBlD_vs/s640/dubai8.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><br /><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">After this head-spinning, stomach churning and exhilarating dune-bashing adventure, we were taken to a camp oasis set up in the middle of the desert, for a night of authentic Emirati cuisine under a golden desert sunset, and treated to dervish whirling, belly dancing, henna tattooing and a completely fascinating bedouin experience.</span></td></tr><br /></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CmfvYRV4oMvEGBWPqtuK7Wall2OB1EM2qhoG0YRiZ5z1HzoBIlpecgCxGAfNRTImw5_bCveoTa2Er5HqOTWp18lOzi3MMaYyir-ljXjJiATRSnplyatPiJAw-ZqXtS2Sm6oTBeubsb1w/s1600/dubai9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="563" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CmfvYRV4oMvEGBWPqtuK7Wall2OB1EM2qhoG0YRiZ5z1HzoBIlpecgCxGAfNRTImw5_bCveoTa2Er5HqOTWp18lOzi3MMaYyir-ljXjJiATRSnplyatPiJAw-ZqXtS2Sm6oTBeubsb1w/s640/dubai9.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><br /><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Whilst in the old city of Dubai, we followed the aromatic scent of exotic spices to <i>The Spice Bazaar</i>, where fresh and dried herbs and spices can be purchased at a bargain. The vendors offer an expansive variety of fragrant flavourants like saffron, peppercorns, cinnamon twills, turmeric, green cardamom, whole nutmeg and traditional Arabic coffee called 'Kawa'.</span></td></tr><br /></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUgZ_GXwn5eNNQxDknZoellOMXJv_XpESxoEHAFz6uoi8jfnMB265c09JR6eWbTua3mW1U_2Abq7vps2dhUPbkjvAWciOd9RTutMXaf9IOyA7qPIxjeQRINTGFczx1-TYAqKtfAMxgcjZ/s1600/dubai4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUgZ_GXwn5eNNQxDknZoellOMXJv_XpESxoEHAFz6uoi8jfnMB265c09JR6eWbTua3mW1U_2Abq7vps2dhUPbkjvAWciOd9RTutMXaf9IOyA7qPIxjeQRINTGFczx1-TYAqKtfAMxgcjZ/s640/dubai4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><br /><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The (not so lost) <i>City of Atlantis</i> is found on the edge of the artificial island Palm Jumeirah, and is based on the resort of the same name in The Bahamas. The perfect anecdote to the scorching desert sun, you can drift down a lazy river pool on a tube, go scuba diving with sharks and sting-rays, slide down one of the many mind-numbing water rides and take a walk through <i>The Lost Chambers</i> aquarium.</span></td></tr><br /></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXNOC0wd8sL6OqL9tNQw0N-fcYoTNinOcceXE65ECc00yJ1Di_hfmLFgwbZXentIx8KNVdWHpPbfjizluetttub_jkJl9eZGQcSrdf0mQVYUmvuED186ghMG_-lg1WjLYIdXbJOI71Hw9w/s1600/dubai5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXNOC0wd8sL6OqL9tNQw0N-fcYoTNinOcceXE65ECc00yJ1Di_hfmLFgwbZXentIx8KNVdWHpPbfjizluetttub_jkJl9eZGQcSrdf0mQVYUmvuED186ghMG_-lg1WjLYIdXbJOI71Hw9w/s640/dubai5.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><br /><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Pristine beaches, blue cloudless skies and aquamarine seas...the best place to relax after all those days of mall-hopping, dune-driving, souk-searching and architectural admiring.</span></td></tr><br /></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These were the highlights of my most recent trip to Dubai. </span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Is this a destination you have visited or would like to visit?</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>*All images belong to me.</i></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />

Dubai Daydreams

Dubai is a city that defies the odds, a modern metropolis made up of futuristic skyscrapers, set alongside traditional souks, man-made islan...

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Looks of the Week - 13/04/13

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The weekly roundup of celebrity style on and off the red carpet.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Femme Fetale</b></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bccJs4GsM1YWm-skbWDWO4_zJCJjVbMQypfW0dyyfOPvNZOYh5mceuRwVi13bXKcH4I5lfHFl8PBGzugDpI-dZVezbrIMYQi58xrmHgzDKGpYKnUCz-MPIEaDjNeIdaGJX58umyLph34/s1600/looks1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bccJs4GsM1YWm-skbWDWO4_zJCJjVbMQypfW0dyyfOPvNZOYh5mceuRwVi13bXKcH4I5lfHFl8PBGzugDpI-dZVezbrIMYQi58xrmHgzDKGpYKnUCz-MPIEaDjNeIdaGJX58umyLph34/s640/looks1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Russian beauty<b> Irina Shayk</b> sizzled in a red hot <i>Michael Kors </i>dress with midriff cut-out.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Selena Gomez</b> poses in a chic black <i>Marios Schwab</i> mini, the bodice embroidered with pearls.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Gwyneth Paltrow</b> displayed her minimalist style in a crisp white and black <i>Kaufman Franco</i> dress, paired with black pointy-toe pumps.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Supermodel<b> Liu Wen</b> made a dashing apparence in this sexy cut-out <i>Michael Kors dress</i>, styled with <i>Louboutin</i> heels and a metallic clutch.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Naya Rivera</b> was ladylike in a cherry red skirt and peplum lace top by <i>CH Carolina Hererra. </i>Her shoes by <i>Ferregamo</i> with a two-tone clutch by <i>Jimmy Choo</i>.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Street Scene</b></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TAlz2AkHyNM6gl-_gCNEIWmmydgbB86n_xTcU-p3h_s5ED9lAZ5vNNEkNesEtry_7hrtgjM5WS_SUZlyWQiH48-ZjjP0IarZmYdt9tUZfB_gA9vwSk2JwjYYb3fjRgFhsTypsgVkhLoE/s1600/looks2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TAlz2AkHyNM6gl-_gCNEIWmmydgbB86n_xTcU-p3h_s5ED9lAZ5vNNEkNesEtry_7hrtgjM5WS_SUZlyWQiH48-ZjjP0IarZmYdt9tUZfB_gA9vwSk2JwjYYb3fjRgFhsTypsgVkhLoE/s640/looks2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Sienna Miller</b> is back to setting new urban-chic trends, pictured here in a red jumpsuit, styled with a green leather <i>Stella McCartney</i> bag and flat beaded sandals.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Rihanna</b> is decked in all-denim, wearing a lightwash <i>Current/Elliott</i> shirt and distressed <i>Acne</i> skirt, accessorized with a <i>Chanel</i> brooch, matching blue <i>Juliette Jake</i> clutch, <i>Manolo Blahnik</i> heels and sporty black leather cap.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Jessica Alba</b> looked island ready on her way to St Barts, in a red cotton tunic by <i>Michael Stars</i>, with white pants, striped <i>Chanel</i> sandals, a floral <i>Kate Spade </i>tote & <i>Tory Burch </i>fedora.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Alessandra Ambrosio</b> slickly stepped out in a V-print <i>Sass & Bide</i> jeans, worn with a loose white shirt, <i>Celine</i> tote and black <i>Rag & Bone</i> boots.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If only we could all dress as glamorously to an airport as <b>Andrea Riseborough </b>does. The English actress was posh in red <i>David Koma </i>maxi dress with illusion panel neckline. Round sunglasses, cream <i>Casadei</i> heels & a black studded <i>Valentino</i> bag accompany her outfit.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>In Living Colour</b></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIQyPExhZhPoeQvMFXr_PBLyguozWvLTLuvEDcPcsde3Ipe5exoN_JmqDbuSS_sal-1_fSIt_PYsSVzC_OisApePQ07BLZYqwcG4McQpsw1YmwKWo2Dx7eApgpC4MeQRuJKJIjKbKcOIT/s640/looks3.jpg" width="640" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Sarah Jessica Parker</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">took a bold colour plunge in this glossy seaweed green dress by</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Alexander New York</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. She balanced her look with lilac</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Jean-Michel Cazabat</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">pumps.</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Model</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Tali Lennox</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> fearlessly wears a royal blue suit over a mustard knit sweater and then amped up her colour profile with magenta</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Jimmy Choo</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">sandals and clutch bag.</span></div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Olivia Palermo</b> is radiant in a saffron yellow high-low gown by <i>Katie Ermilio</i>, adding her unique flair with a <i>Zara</i> chain belt and colorfully tasseled sandals by <i>Jimmy Choo</i>.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Sophia Bush</b> went architectural in an exaggerated blue skirt with white top, including a pop of fuchsia in form of a <i>Coach</i> clutch. Her heels are by <i>Charlotte Olympia</i>.</span></div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Kate Mara</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> dons a cheery yellow shift from the new </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Kate Young for Target</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> collection.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Spring Blossoms</b></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEmGgijNiekxHc96sXDzC7Y_2iA8HZ2LbrgUr1gGkJqFrWE0Lk7dN3LFECbdzNjtdqz5IzSjBR1YL4iI1SWNjEA3nHODGGTfjiU9iu182wmA85yLMpu8D4EqvoePC8W6nKk2ZU21MrknH/s1600/looks4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEmGgijNiekxHc96sXDzC7Y_2iA8HZ2LbrgUr1gGkJqFrWE0Lk7dN3LFECbdzNjtdqz5IzSjBR1YL4iI1SWNjEA3nHODGGTfjiU9iu182wmA85yLMpu8D4EqvoePC8W6nKk2ZU21MrknH/s640/looks4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Chloe Sevigny</b> opted for this feminine printed dress with waist bow by<i> Balenciag</i>a. The usually eccentric actress paired her look with a coral <i>Coach</i> bag and pastel pink <i>Balenciaga</i> heels.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Miss Universe <b>Olivia Culpo</b> dressed up her floral print blouse with coral skinny jeans and a sleek white tuxedo blazer. Sparkly silver sandals complete her look.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Katy Perry </b>delighted in a quaint dandelion print dress by <i>Thakoon</i>, with sheer hemmed panel. Ankle strap <i>Louboutin</i> heels and a purple <i>Coach</i> clutch finalize her outfit.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Emmy Rossum</b> picked out a pretty ivory, black and cerise pink printed dress by <i>Schumacher</i>, fancied up with a neon yellow belt and fuchsia ankle-strap sandals.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Emmanuelle Chriqui</b> looked trés chic in a watercolour printed pants by <i>Parker</i>, styled with a simple black tee and white and black blazer. I'd love to recreate this outfit.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Who is your favourite 'Look of the Week'?</i></b></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>

Looks of the Week - 13/04/13

The weekly roundup of celebrity style on and off the red carpet. Femme Fetale Russian beauty Irina Shayk  sizzled in a red hot Michael Kors...

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Friday Frills

<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVzLpQLokUDD9sQjgMbnmDyT_a3R0Pg4O8CU7B_fXnyhuMNyQ5SSd8D5twQNIaB8VeFXg51hu2zUcxfjrmPGYW4ByL8zMO2_H74Xs559w260PoZnz27seJTl1n6C77QWRCmf9OjDOoGYVW/s1600/leopard+skirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVzLpQLokUDD9sQjgMbnmDyT_a3R0Pg4O8CU7B_fXnyhuMNyQ5SSd8D5twQNIaB8VeFXg51hu2zUcxfjrmPGYW4ByL8zMO2_H74Xs559w260PoZnz27seJTl1n6C77QWRCmf9OjDOoGYVW/s1600/leopard+skirt.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>You are unique.</b> </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In all the history of the world there was never anyone else exactly like you, </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And in all the infinity to come there will never be another you. </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Never affirm self-limitations. What you believe yourself to be, you are. </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To accomplish great things, you must not only act, but also dream,</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not only plan, but also believe. </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you have built castles in the air - p</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ut foundations under them.</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Believing is magic, you can always better your best. </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You don’t know what you can do until you try. </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nothing will come of nothing. </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you don’t go out on a limb, you’re never going to get the fruit. </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is no failure except in no longer trying. </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Define your goals</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and go after them. </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Defeat may test you, but it need not stop you. </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If at first you don’t succeed, try another way. </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For every obstacle there is a solution. </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The greatest mistake is giving up. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There's a gold mine within you from which you can </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">extract all the ingredients of success. </span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whatever your mind can conceive and believe, it will achieve. </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dream great dreams and make them come true. Do it now! </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><br /><div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i><br /></i></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>Author unknown.  Image found via weheartit, edited by me.</i></span></div><br /><div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><br />

Friday Frills

You are unique.   In all the history of the world there was never anyone else exactly like you,  And in all the infinity to come there will ...

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Just Cruisin'

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dearest Friends,</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I blame my recent blog sabbatical on too much sun on the high seas, where the world of </span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">wi-fi was left behind, along with dry land, work deadlines, college exams, daily life stresses...and above all, reality. I joined the Royal Caribbean's <i>Serenade of the Seas</i> cruiseliner for a memorable voyage along the tranquil waters of the Persian Gulf. </span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These are a few snapshots from the trip.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3PAceiuRXwFvuo85R1Gl9vrOsDGpSwIt5DUFh77joG5dEZB-msFQq0j2hPm3sgPWzw72t5xmk2welzu8nHJRd_smWBgXYorAGISWIKsvumYpfKtUuob576TXZNHFub0XZqzLzcmIfu0za/s1600/cruise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3PAceiuRXwFvuo85R1Gl9vrOsDGpSwIt5DUFh77joG5dEZB-msFQq0j2hPm3sgPWzw72t5xmk2welzu8nHJRd_smWBgXYorAGISWIKsvumYpfKtUuob576TXZNHFub0XZqzLzcmIfu0za/s640/cruise.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The ship sails along the United Arab Emirates, through the Sultanate of Oman and Abu Dhabi. We were over 2200 guests on board from 65 different countries. It's a luxurious floating island fitted with a cinema, theatre, rock climbing wall, mini golf course, outdoor and indoor pools, hot tubs, steam room, a casino, spa, fitness centre and a range of bars & restaurants.</span></div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hPzlUJnE8HR98H9QyCyC08sWb2xeYeIwc2-OLFQXTOT93WjCAuv7KgcbQhRZnWkOcKymh3CD8OF6cUuLYH8TpQypTbjtK2YvqGdoV8GR_QUUx5kSwOMeO7BhByhyp9VLnfhysMOzmxev/s1600/cruise2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hPzlUJnE8HR98H9QyCyC08sWb2xeYeIwc2-OLFQXTOT93WjCAuv7KgcbQhRZnWkOcKymh3CD8OF6cUuLYH8TpQypTbjtK2YvqGdoV8GR_QUUx5kSwOMeO7BhByhyp9VLnfhysMOzmxev/s640/cruise2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The <i>Centrum </i>(pictured above) is the central meeting point of the ship where all 13 floors reach a pinnacle. It's a great place for relaxing the day away, listening to live bands perform everything from Jazz to Lounge and Latin music. I spent hours here attending fun creative classes like sushi making, towel folding and cake decorating. The entertainment varied with quiz shows, dance classes and amazing aerial acts, with performers from <i>Cirque du Soleil</i>.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipiQ4Hfd-cLdnkXBXNwdGfaY-lUxdl2q1XxJSPmCoDz1rwzJy-PnL4Hs_RBNRqGhGtTRMyAQFSpETUSLgpvN7ubSFhycZIOzZ-YGMnu9Fdb-vXthkhYAYgUievsHOYwrng_FMocyOST66M/s1600/cruise6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipiQ4Hfd-cLdnkXBXNwdGfaY-lUxdl2q1XxJSPmCoDz1rwzJy-PnL4Hs_RBNRqGhGtTRMyAQFSpETUSLgpvN7ubSFhycZIOzZ-YGMnu9Fdb-vXthkhYAYgUievsHOYwrng_FMocyOST66M/s640/cruise6.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The best place to be while out in the 36 degree sun is at one of the swimming pools. </span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisj0lZ1y7bgqGLaoXZRoIyOpwUCdXGAveUV59Vhb0XjFVOZEgskng2yj8MCIEFREbOLH_1VnnN0rpg-nZFbuWbZWKmq1HVm6YGLrAntRNTd4V7RaPwIv7_3ry47lPCwAb2q6CktWL2kAEJ/s1600/cruise3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisj0lZ1y7bgqGLaoXZRoIyOpwUCdXGAveUV59Vhb0XjFVOZEgskng2yj8MCIEFREbOLH_1VnnN0rpg-nZFbuWbZWKmq1HVm6YGLrAntRNTd4V7RaPwIv7_3ry47lPCwAb2q6CktWL2kAEJ/s640/cruise3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> This dining room with the sweeping staircase reminded me of The Titanic (in a good way, of course). The decor along the many bars and cafés on the indoor decks was richly opulent and grandly romantic </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in velvet burgundy, cream and gold.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBbRwIyGhEubIH1CzAVE_LaMmEhGijzhwrTC8rIpjFMLG7_t26b1p1LQ_uym53_4Y6_Y3Nt8eDn7e9Bcft6lMMtru_04B_cAfye9W-VrofCJxZQrEdfsqI9zCSxegD1L80ohSWgBj5HgL/s1600/cruise4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBbRwIyGhEubIH1CzAVE_LaMmEhGijzhwrTC8rIpjFMLG7_t26b1p1LQ_uym53_4Y6_Y3Nt8eDn7e9Bcft6lMMtru_04B_cAfye9W-VrofCJxZQrEdfsqI9zCSxegD1L80ohSWgBj5HgL/s640/cruise4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> One of the themed evenings was an <i>Arabian White Night</i>, where the dress code was all white or anything out of <i>Aladdin's </i>wardrobe. The spicy scent of hookah shishah filled the air, spirits were through the (open-air) roof, buffet tables were laid out with an abundance of delicious midnight snacks & the DJ spun the perfect soundtrack for guests to dance the night away.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfy_aRYZrpDU2k5w0v7ZwDHhDiHkpH-Nquk66puwiMxL-n6dEERZ6fFoW11x9j0AS7igjxzBiylgQ6WZPSfCr6-XTnLnokWCtBA-NEVGWZ3ABfhMmw6odh3lyF9IZUUzldLEPhDYo85eZ/s1600/cruise7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfy_aRYZrpDU2k5w0v7ZwDHhDiHkpH-Nquk66puwiMxL-n6dEERZ6fFoW11x9j0AS7igjxzBiylgQ6WZPSfCr6-XTnLnokWCtBA-NEVGWZ3ABfhMmw6odh3lyF9IZUUzldLEPhDYo85eZ/s640/cruise7.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A Beautiful Sunset at Sea </span></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCRCVBjl__2CZmQbD-7uhusPTQQg5geb7vPMKErK8maT8lAb0TCNTVF957A5X1Gn3AVjA9R-knOQceb89pQQrOcWsM-XNiJxIxpKVXEoXC3mjQjnVqWKDLt-8sPT67TnK8NmJVt5m4za0/s1600/cruise4-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCRCVBjl__2CZmQbD-7uhusPTQQg5geb7vPMKErK8maT8lAb0TCNTVF957A5X1Gn3AVjA9R-knOQceb89pQQrOcWsM-XNiJxIxpKVXEoXC3mjQjnVqWKDLt-8sPT67TnK8NmJVt5m4za0/s640/cruise4-001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another themed event was the very lively and energetic <i>70's Disco Party</i>, where the entertainment team led everyone in line dancing - although, to some people that meant 'zig-zag'. Also, the <i>Village People</i> made a surprise appearance to perform their 2013 cruise-line edition of 'YMCA', (pictured right). Not really - these guys are actually part of the crew. I hope they're being paid well enough to wear these costumes.</span></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdVXxqNiAXkR0im6k_j14limC0kKYpoMRomcP8_jBFG4gIzaqu0gf-6JderiW3kNqeNmgn_8mJNAuWJwgE4rDlu704oYG7XgWLOc8u2VldD2wroDye7z0ydxeLdC2dFnpVGW-GbchDh42/s1600/cruise8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdVXxqNiAXkR0im6k_j14limC0kKYpoMRomcP8_jBFG4gIzaqu0gf-6JderiW3kNqeNmgn_8mJNAuWJwgE4rDlu704oYG7XgWLOc8u2VldD2wroDye7z0ydxeLdC2dFnpVGW-GbchDh42/s640/cruise8.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A scenic view from the shoreline.</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope you've enjoyed my mini tour onboard the <i>Serenade of the Seas</i>. I will share pictures of some of the ports of call I visited soon.</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">*All images belong to me. </span></i></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></i></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></i></div><br />

Just Cruisin'

Dearest Friends, I blame my recent blog sabbatical on too much sun on the high seas, where the world of  wi-fi was left behind, along with d...

Read more »