$100 million De Guigné estate comes with quite a contingency

Here's one of the more unusual home sale restrictions we've come across -- and we aren't referring to the estate's whopping $100 million price tag, although that does indeed put the home among the top five or so most expensive properties in the nation. (The most expensive is the Crespi-Hicks estate, in Dallas of all places, offered at $135 million.)

No, here's the real catch: You can't move in right away.

In fact, who knows when you'll be able to move in.

The property has been in the De Guigné family for 150 years. It's currently owned and occupied by Christian de Guigné IV (pronounced de-GEEN-yay), who was born there 76 years ago, the Contra Costa Times reports, and doesn't plan to leave the estate before he leaves this vale of tears. So it's being offered with the stipulation that the new owner can only move in after De Guigné dies. Quite a contingency, that "life estate" arrangement.

But here's what the farsighted buyer will get: 16,000 square feet of living space and, perhaps more stunningly, 47 acres of land in Hillsborough, Calif., halfway between San Francisco and Silicon Valley -- in one of the most expensive ZIP codes in the nation. The mansion was designed by architects Bliss & Faville and decorated by interior designer Anthony Hail. Its "grand-scale ballroom, living room, library and pavilion are aligned to open to a pool courtyard, revealing sweeping views of San Francisco and the East Bay," the listing at Sotheby's International Realty says. (My quote omits the listing's inexplicably eccentric capitalization.) The listing doesn't reveal the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, but it's safe to say that the Contra Costa Times' characterization of bedrooms as "numerous" is accurate. The real estate blog Curbed says the estate has seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms and a "flower-arranging room"; the Contra Costa Times puts the number of bathrooms at 11.

And while $100 million might seem stratospheric, a new neighbor over in Woodside recently paid the highest on-the-record price ever for a home in the United States: $117.5 million, for an estate on a mere 9 acres.

Any takers?

End winter chapped lips once and for all

The all-knowing beauty professionals were asked: "I get the worst chapped lips in the winter. What remedy will stop this once and for all?"

The dermatologist says: "The thin skin on your mouth loses moisture faster than any other area--especially when it's cold. Your instinct may be to buff off the flakes, but don't: This can leave the skin raw and allow bacteria in. Instead, focus on hydration. By keeping the skin nourished and protected, it'll repair itself quickly and stay soft."

If you're going to be outdoors for the day, swipe on a lip balm that contains SPF 30, since the delicate skin on your lips is especially vulnerable to UV rays. (Try Nivea A Kiss Of Protection Lip Care SPF 30, $2.99; drugstore.com.) And watch out for triggers that can aggravate dryness, such as acidic juices like orange and grapefruit, toothpaste that contains guaiazulene or sodium lauryl sulfate (it'll say so on the label), and fragranced lipsticks and glosses.
"Avoid all these for a bit and your lips will heal much faster." -- Jennifer M. Segal, M.D., fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and consulting dermatologist for Simple Skincare.

The cosmetic chemist says:"To soothe and prevent chapped lips, try doubling up on products. During the day you want a balm that contains a rich emollient like shea or mango butter--they're loaded with fatty acids and lipids that help repair skin--and reapply it often. It's a myth that you can become addicted to lip balm, so don't worry!" (Try Aquaphor Lip Repair, $4.59; amazon.com.)
"Then, before bed, slather on a thick ointment that contains petrolatum, lanolin, or mineral oil to seal in moisture." A good choice is Vaseline Lip Therapy Mini Original, $2.36; amazon.com, which is pure petroleum jelly.
What's not ideal for chapped lips, though, are those "medicated" balms that contain tingly ingredients like camphor, menthol, eucalyptus, and peppermint oil: "Their cooling effect may feel good, but sometimes they can further irritate chapped lips."

The makeup artist says:
"Very pale or very bold lip colors will make a dry mouth look even more scaly, so stick with soft, natural shades like rose or, for darker skin, a subtle, reddish berry. If you wear lipstick, make sure it's a creamy formula--the matte or long-wearing ones can be drying. Or switch to a tinted lip balm until chapping heals."
Korres Lip Butters, $12 each; sephora.com, offer a nice range of colors; try (from top) Quince on dark skin, Jasmine for fair skin, or Pomegranate on olive skin.
If you're a lipgloss-lover, first swipe on a clear lip balm and give it a minute to sink in before you apply your favorite product. "Otherwise, the shade can separate and show all the little cracks in your skin." (This trick works under lipstick, too!)

Slavery-math questions cause uproar at NYC school

NEW YORK (AP) — A school principal said she's "appalled" by a homework assignment that used scenarios about killing and whipping slaves to teach math.

Adele Schroeter has ordered sensitivity training for the entire staff of Public School 59 in Manhattan following last month's assignment, the Daily News reported Friday.
A teacher had asked fourth-graders to write homework questions that blended math and social studies, education officials said. The teacher then used the students' questions, including the slave-related ones, as homework for the class.
One question stated the number of slaves who died while taking over a ship. It asked how many slaves were still alive. The other said a slave was whipped five times a day and asked students to calculate how many times a month he was whipped.
A student-teacher said she was shocked by the wording and later refused to hand out the worksheet in another class.
"I looked at the questions and was like, 'Wow! This is kind of inappropriate,'" Aziza Harding told the New York Post, saying the questions contained "desensitized" violence.
"I just found it alarming that this would happen in a state that you would think was more liberal," said Harding.
The Department of Education said the situation was "obviously unacceptable." It said "appropriate disciplinary action" would be taken.

The Best Time To Do Everything

A new book confirms what most of us already suspect—timing is everything. In The Book of Times, which was published in early February, Lesley Alderman, a health and finance reporter, compiled data from hundreds of studies to offer insight into how we spend our time. 

Women’s Perfect Day: Can You Schedule Yourself Into Happiness?

“I initially meant to write a short-term time guide to how long we spend each day on grooming, eating, gossiping, but the book grew into something broader.” Alderman told Yahoo! Shine. Some of the most interesting data is her insight into the best times we should do everything from scheduling appointments to celebrating happy hour. Sometimes it's less about how you do it, and more about when you do it. 

Best time to exercise: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., body temperature is at its peak, meaning your muscles are more flexible. Plus, muscle strength peaks between 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and and hand-eye coordination is sharpest in the evening.  (Fascinatingly, employees who exercise more earn more money—approximately 7 to 11 percent more than those who don’t.)

Best time to have a cocktail: Between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., the liver is most efficient at detoxifying alcohol. That said, it can still take an hour for your liver to complete the detox.

Best time to solve problems: At 10 a.m., your mind is at its most alert. Also, when making major relationship decisions, keep in mind that men's brains don't fully mature until they're 25. Women's brains complete their growth spurt at 22.

Best time to avoid stress: Cardiac arrest is most likely to occur at 7 a.m. Not a good time to have a stressful conversation or argument.

Best time to get pregnant:  Alderman claims sperm are "friskiest" in the afternoon, and doctors concur that sperm counts are higher in the morning and early afternoon.

Best time for surgery: Grab that early appointment: at 8 a.m. according to the book, "your clot-forming platelets are at their stickiest," and a study from Duke University claims that complications are more likely as the day goes on.

Best time for the dentist appointment: If you can't stand going to the dentist, Alderman says to make an appointment for the afternoon, when your "dental pain threshold is at its highest." Dr. Oz echoes the idea, claiming the best time is 2 p.m., when local anesthesia lasts longer.
Best time of your day: Turns out, most of us are morning people. The a.m. hours are generally when we're in the best mood.

Best times of the year: The happiest days of the year are holidays: Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, Easter, July 4th, New Year's Day, and the day after Christmas—presumably because there's plenty of time to sleep in and relax.

Best time of your life: Your post-mid-life crisis years. People aged 60 to 70 have the highest levels of happiness.

America's worst cities for dating

 

It's not you. Really. It's them. Single people, that is. The cities that ranked poorly for dating may be quite lovely for couples, families, tourists and retirees. But based on economic and demographic factors, we found these cities to be far from perfect matches for singles. For one thing, each city's percentage of unmarried people (i.e., the dating pool) falls well below the national average of 51.7%. Financial indicators didn't boost the cities' attractiveness, either. Household incomes came in far short of the national median of $50,054 and couldn't cover the spread even in cities with lower than average living costs, as reported by the Council for Community and Economic Research.
We also factored in education level, keeping in mind that people with bachelor's degrees are more likely to be gainfully employed. After all, broke and jobless are hardly attractive qualities. We didn't consider metropolitan areas with populations under 125,000 people. Finally, we threw in a date-night tab for each city that shows the typical cost of two movie tickets, a pizza and a bottle of wine.
Yahoo! Homes is publishing the top five worst cities for singles. To see the rest of the top 10, go to Kiplinger's website.
5. McAllen, Texas
Metro population: 797,810
Percentage of unmarried adults: 46.2%
Cost of living: 14.0% below U.S. average
Median household income: $31,077
Date-night tab: $34.79
The financial situation is bleak for McAllen residents, regardless of marital status. The metro area's median household income ranks lowest in the country, and its poverty rate ranks highest with 37.7% of households living below the poverty line, compared to 15.0% for the nation. The local unemployment rate comes in at 10.3%.
The scene isn't so appealing for the singles set, either. The area boasts one of the highest percentages of families, 81.9% of households, of which 54.9% include kids younger than 18. The nearby Brownsville metro area posts similarly discouraging economic statistics — the second-lowest median income in the country and the second-highest percentage of people living in poverty. Coupled with a below-average percentage of unmarried households, the numbers add up to a negative singles scene in South Texas.

---

4. Punta Gorda, Fla.
Metro population: 160,511
Percentage of unmarried adults: 43.2%
Cost of living: 6.1% below U.S. average
Median household income: $41,190
Date-night tab: $37.54
The worst for singles among our trio of Florida cities, Punta Gorda, with its quaint historic district and Harborwalk, might be better suited for a relaxing retirement than an active dating life. The local crowd comes in as the most senior of our ranked cities with a median age of 56.1 (the national median is 37.3), and 34.9% of the population is 65 and up. Only about four in ten adults are unmarried, the second-lowest share on our list.
And we don't mean to hate on Florida. Seven Florida cities pulled above-average scores for our singles rankings. Jacksonville, Miami and Tallahassee were our top three in-state cities for singles with unmarried populations of 53.0%, 56.8% and 61.2%, respectively.

---

3. Medford, Ore.

Metro population: 204,822
Percentage of unmarried adults: 48.4%
Cost of living: 5.9% below U.S. average
Median household income: $39,138
Date-night tab: $41.51
Single people might enjoy visiting Medford and Oregon's Rogue Valley to take in the scenery and taste the local wines. But living there proves less attractive.
Not only is the dating pool limited, with less than half of the population unmarried, the financial situation is not pretty, either. Median household income is 21.8% lower than the national level, and living costs fall just 5.9% below the U.S. average. And, with the unemployment rate at 9.5% as of December 2012 — compared with that month's national rate of 7.8% — the majority of locals aren't likely to be getting raises anytime soon. Plus, the date-night tab is the priciest of any city on this list.

---

2. Morristown, Tenn.

Metro population: 137,494
Percentage of unmarried adults: 43.6%
Cost of living: 10.0% below U.S. average
Median household income: $35,027
Date-night tab: $38.98
Tennessee didn't fare well in our rankings. Clarksville, Cleveland, Johnson City and Kingsport were among the 20 worst cities for singles. But Morristown, where living costs are low but pay is even lower, trumped them all. The abundance of married folks, at 56.4% of the population, and families, 70.2% of households, also puts a damper on singles life. Plus, Morristown's share of bachelor's degree holders is just 12.7%, far below the national average of 25.8% and the lowest on this list.
But before you brand us with a bias against Tennessee, allow us to recommend Memphis for a strong singles setting: 59.5% of the population is unmarried; the cost of living is 14.4% below the U.S. average; and though the median household income still falls short of the national level, it's about $10,000 more than that of Morristown.

---

1. Yuma, Ariz.

Metro population: 200,870
Percentage of unmarried adults: 43.0%
Cost of living: 4.7% above U.S. average
Median household income: $38,390
Date-night tab: $32.34
Our worst city for singles might be a bad choice for anyone, at least based on the local job market. As of December 2012, this border town suffered the nation's worst unemployment rate at 27.3% — a striking figure that was three and a half times the national average at the time and moving in the wrong direction. A year earlier, Yuma's jobless rate was 25.4%.
Piling on to the financial woes of local residents, despite the low median income, the cost of living actually inches above the national average. If it's any consolation, our proposed date night in Yuma rings up the lowest tab of any city on our list. But good luck finding another singleton to join you for dinner and a movie. Yuma has the lowest percentage of unmarried adults on this list and the eleventh-lowest in the nation.

World's Worst Tattoo is Fixed

The man with the "world's worst portrait tattoo" finally got his happy ending on Thursday when he had the opportunity to fix the botched ink job of his late wife that had plagued him for so many years.

In 2007, on the one-year anniversary of his wife Mindy's death, Chad Stahl, 38, owner of Cutright Lawn and Landscaping, LLC, visited On the Edge Tattoo Studio in Bowling Green, Ohio to honor her with a portrait tattoo. The couple had been dating for 10 years, had 3 children, and were married for less than 3 months when Mindy died in a household fire.
Tattoo artist Dennis Foust inked the $450 portrait tattoo. "I had seen Faust's portrait work on his website and he even tattooed some of my in-laws with designs in honor of Mindy so I was confident going in," Stahl told Yahoo! Shine in his first media interview. "But when the swelling subsided, it didn't look like Mindy at all—her teeth looked evil." To add insult to injury, a friend had emailed him a link to a blog post titled "Worst Tattoo Ever" with a photo of Stahl's tattoo posted by a disgruntled On the Edge ex-employee. A few months later, Stahl returned to the studio and Faust tried to fix it, adding the words, "In loving memory of Mindy" but the damage was too great. "I was embarrassed to wear sleeveless shirts and didn't want anyone to see the tattoo but everyone in my town knew about it," says Stahl.

Foust told Shine: "This was my very first portrait tattoo done years ago. I've since moved forward, improved my skills, and my work has been featured in magazines."

Recently, a friend of Stahl's recommended that he visit Scott Versago at Empire Ink in Akron, Ohio, who had heard of the infamous tattoo and on Thursday Versago fixed it—for free. Vergaso wrote on his Facebook page: "I got to tackle the official '#1 worst portrait tattoo in the world' today. I'm sure you've all seen it a million times online, as had I. I couldn't believe my eyes when this guy walked in and showed me this project. I think my jaw literally hit the floor. He went on to tell me the story behind the portrait; He had just married his beautiful wife and not even three months afterwards she was killed in a horrible house fire accident leaving him to raise their three children alone. Shortly after he went to a local tattoo studio to memorialize his wife and was left with this abomination. He later returned to that studio for one more session, thinking that perhaps 'he had done something wrong in the healing of the tattoo' and they butchered it even more the second time. Finally, he drove all the way to my studio, Empire Ink, just to meet me and to see what his options were. Touched by his story, I gifted the entire project to him for free. Now he has closure and I have an amazing story to add to my portfolio!"
The fix-it job took just three hours. "I'm so happy and want everyone to see it," Stahl told Shine. "I'm going to enter the tattoo in a contest hosted by On the Edge to see if they recognize me."

18 Ways Your Office Job Is Destroying Your Body

If you're used to the hours of sedentary, stressful working conditions that come with your office job, you may want to know that this kind of working environment is killing you a lot faster than you think.
Aside from the stress that comes from tight deadlines, plenty of things you do every day in the workplace are slowly chipping away at you.
From the printer to your keyboard, the dangers presented in an office can have real effects on your physical well-being, just as mental strains can hurt you in the long-term.
1. Sitting at your desk all day

Sitting for lengthy periods is terrible for your body. Aches and pains are the least of your problems — it can lead to an early death. You're at a higher risk of muscular skeletal disorders, obesity, diabetes, cancer, heart disease and more, even if you work out regularly.
2. ... And slouching is even worse
If your job requires you to sit most of the day, it's best if you get a sitting device that allows you to straighten your poor posture. If not, you're "contributing to a pool of chronic, long-term ailments — including arthritis and bursitis."
3. Increased chances of physically hurting yourself
 
"Dateline"Although a treadmill desk may help with the risk of obesity and heart disease, these desks are also prone to increased typos and might cause you to fall more often than merely sitting in a chair.
4. Motivational meetings
In order to get workers excited about the company's mission, employers may host team building exercises or motivational meetings.
But research has shown that forcing people to feel positive for something they're unsure about can actually "highlight how unhappy they are" and, ultimately, will make them even more depressed.
5. Bad air quality in your building

The EPA calls it "Sick Building Syndrome." The air inside a building can be up to 100 times dirtier than outside, and you're exposed to a variety of unhealthy gases and chemicals. There are pollutants in the air conditioning, toxic particles, dangerous bacteria and mold all flying around, especially in buildings that aren't well taken care of.
6. Over-exposure to printers and photocopiers
Photocopiers are a source of potentially deadly ozone if the filter isn't periodically changed, and even small amounts can cause chest pain and irritation. Laser printers do too, along with toner particles that can get in your lungs and blood stream, which could lead to lung disease and other ailments.
7. Spending too much time on a hot laptop
 
Anyone can experience skin problems from the heat if you use a laptop on your lap instead of a desk or or stand, but there's particularly concerning news for men. NYU researchers found that laptops can raise the temperature of the scrotum, which would affect a man's sperm count.
8. Working for over 10 hours per day
European researchers found that people who work 10 hours or more every day have a 60 percent greater risk of a multitude of cardiovascular problems, including heart attack and angina.
9. Endlessly staring at a computer screen


Even though computer screens don't give off radiation, the strain from staring over long periods of time can cause harm to your vision, though many effects are temporary. Beyond that, you can also experience headaches and migraines.
10. Being exposed to way too much light
Over-illumination can cause you many more problems than an everyday headache. Our body treats over-illumination as total darkness, so it messes with our internal clocks. Health problems can include a particularly high level of fatigue, stress, high blood pressure and an increased risk of certain carcinomas.
11. Being really, really bored

Boredom can actually shorten your life, according to researchers. A study from University College London showed that those who complain of boredom are more likely to die young, and those who report high levels of tedium are much more likely to die from heart disease or stroke. It also puts you at higher risk for workplace accidents.
12. Dirty keyboards
Keyboards can be a breeding ground for bacteria if not kept clean. Microbiologists found that keyboards can even have up to five times as many bacteria as a bathroom, and can include dangerous ones like e.Coli and coliforms — both commonly associated with food poisoning — along with staphylococcus, which causes a range of infections.
13. Germs in high-traffic areas


Your keyboard isn't the only bacteria farm in the office. Door and faucet knobs, handles, elevator and printer buttons, hand-shakes and more all are hotspots for bacteria. Microbes are everywhere, and some can even kill you.
14. Typing too much
Excessive amounts of typing is a well-known cause of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), which is a painful wrist strain that can go up your arm. CTS can get bad enough to cause permanent nerve damage and muscle wasting.
15. Tight deadlines


You get stressed out when you have to meet a strict deadline, which can affect your learning and memory according to Science Daily. This sort of short-term stress can be just as bad as stress that lasts weeks or months.
16. Keeping your mouse in the same spot
If your mouse stays in the same spot all day, you can be prone to repetitive strain injury (RSI). Upper limb RSI occurs when your tendons are straining more than they should for long periods of time, which can be because of movement repetition, a sustained awkward position, or prolonged pressing against hard surfaces.
17. Smartphone overuse


People who use their smartphones heavily to text and email are prone to muscle fatigue and "Blackberry Thumb," which is a type of RSI. The effects can get so bad that the pain can reach all the way up to your wrist and can be utterly debilitating to your hands.
18. Eating fast food for lunch
Most office-folk go out for an unhealthy lunch once in a while — some more than others, but even the occasional indulgence has its negative effects. A portion of fast food usually has around double the calories to another similar food of the same size, and they have a lot of oxidized fat, which increases the risk of heart disease.

10 Sneaky Tricks to Get Rid of Every Stain

1. Lipstick: Place the soiled fabric facedown on a paper towel. With a wet makeup-remover wipe, dab the back of the stain. Spritz the spot with prewash spray, then launder.
2. Grease: Odd, but it works: Sponge the stain with a product that removes tape residue (like Goo Gone), or use grease-cutting dish liquid; wash in warm water.
3. Chocolate: Use a spoon to scrape off as much as you can. When at home, apply liquid laundry detergent and massage in with your fingers; let set five minutes. Wash with chlorine or all-fabric bleach.
Red Wine4. Red Wine: Grab some paper towels or absorbent cloths and blot up as much of the liquid as you can, or soak for about 30 minutes in a basin of cool water as soon as possible. Treat the stain with a prewash stain remover and launder. If it's safe for the fabric, add chlorine bleach to the wash.
5. Coffee: Dab a little water on the stain, or soak the item for about 30 minutes in cool water. When you get home, pretreat with a prewash stain remover, and then launder. You may add chlorine bleach to the wash if it's safe for the fabric.
6. Salad Dressing: Sprinkle the stain immediately with baby powder, cornstarch, or packets of artificial sweetener to absorb the oil, which will lift most of the stain. Treat any blot that's left with a prewash spray, or rub liquid laundry detergent into the spot. Launder in the hottest water appropriate for the fabric (read the care label). Before you put clothing into the dryer, check to see if the stain has disappeared and retreat if necessary.
7. Champagne: Sponge the spot with cool water or soak for about 30 minutes in a basin of cool water. Then, treat the stain with a prewash stain remover andallow it to set. Launder the garment, and if it's safe for the fabric, use a chlorine bleach.
8. Spaghetti Sauce: As soon as possible, flush with cool water working from the back of the stain. Pretreat with a liquid laundry detergent; tamp the stain and let stand for several minutes, rinsing well afterward. Next, sponge with white vinegar and rinse again. Repeat this process until you have removed as much stain as possible. Pretreat with a prewash stain remover and launder. If the stain remains, rub with a liquid laundry detergent, and then soak in warm water for up to 30 minutes. Launder again with fabric-appropriate bleach, if necessary.
9. Popcorn Butter: Scrape off excess butter right away. When you get home, pretreat with a prewash stain remover. After it has set, launder, using the hottest water safe for the fabric.
10. Soft Drink: Sponge the spot with cool water or soak for about 30 minutes in a basin of cool water when you get home. Then pretreat with a prewash stain remover. After the stain remover sets, launder and if it's safe for the fabric, add chlorine bleach to the wash.

Oscars ageless ladies

As the years pass by, these Oscar winners do new justice to the phrase, 'aging gracefully'. While we don't know the exact secrets to their youthful looks, we do know all these years later, they still rock the red carpet.

The towering Geena Davis won a gold man as Best Supporting Actress for her role in "The Accidental Tourist" in 1989. Years later when she took to the red carpet again, it was like time had stood still.

 

She took the golden man home for her role in Monster's Ball and when she did, Halle Berry didn't look a day older than her first Oscar appearance in 1998

 

A sight larger and perhaps wiser, Jamie Lee Curtis has made her mark with her trademark salt and pepper look. Well worn and definitely not worn out!

 

 

 

 

Now, look slim instantly! Without GYM

The extra kilos don’t have to be translated into boring, oversized outfits. Rather, you must get more careful about camouflaging the trouble areas to look thinner. Getting your hands on the correct colours and styles will not only ensure that you look thin but also feel more confident and sexy.

Let low-fat dressing not just be restricted to the salads and sandwiches, but also extend to what you wear and how. Find some secrets to shopping below.

1. Wardrobe Wonder
Trade your unassuming loose kurta salwars for shirts and business suits. A suit can make you look slender when that jacket is fitted along with straight-legged pants. Tunic tops build an illusion of a trimmer waistline, perfect for weekend breaks. If you have thinner bottom, get some A-line skirts made out of structured fabrics that would show off those curves. Empire waist dresses and tops can flatter every body type.


2. Colour Me Right
Wearing one colour from head to toe can add length to your body. Sporting many colours together has a chance of making one appear heavier and shorter. By same colour, we do not mean exactly the same. But, learn to match-much in the family like white, beige and peach go well together. Black is every girl’s best friend, isn’t it?


3. Eye to Details
It is imperative to wear clothes with some detailing so it distracts the other person from concentrating on your body shape and weight. An interesting ruffled neckline or Swarovski on the skirt can really shift the focus. Wear an interesting belt or bangles to add to the otherwise plain outfit.


4. Tailor Tricks
If you are not finding size 16, buy an 18 and go to your tailor and tell him to fix it. Do not end up buying a 14 and say that it looks okay. Wearing tight clothes on a big body is not the best thing to do. It is much better to tailor down a garment that is too big than too small. Remember, doing any alteration to the hip and shoulder area can really ruin the outfit.



5. Lingerie Luxury
Inner beauty is as important as the outer. This might not have been said in this context ever but it holds true. Yes, what you wear under your garments can also make or break the look. A good rule of thumb is wearing the right bra size and pantyhose under the garment.
Must haves
Make sure you have a black dress with a neckline that suits you. This can undoubtedly work for all your special occasions styling it with a different bag and piece of jewellery. For the cold weather, don’t end up wearing big jackets to warm you up, rather invest in some belted coats clinched at the waist. A cardigan that is part shawl and part sweater can be draped beautifully to cover the bulge.

What homemakers wish from the Budget

A letter from an Indian homemaker to the Finance Manager ahead of the budget!
Dear FM, I would like to introduce myself as the Finance Manager of my household. As I read the newspapers every day, I see so many expectations from so many segments. You must surely be overwhelmed.
As an FM I understand how it is to handle expectations and hence this letter is not my expectations but my advice to you on what you can do in the Budget.
By BankBazaar.com - an online marketplace for your personal loan and home loan needs.

Income tax
I see so many articles talking about income tax and the expectations to raise the income tax slabs. I’d say, you know better and this expectation to hike the slabs is a perennial thing that crops up every budget, raises hopes so high and mostly ends up in disappointment. Some years it was Mr. Mukerjee and sometimes it’s been you – PC. I advice, do not hike the slabs, I doubt if any housewife really cares about taxation issues as what we are bothered is the cash flow to the house.

 

My advice – Please make the tax collection systems stronger and efficient so there is a bigger mop up and you do not have to depend on the revenue from common people like us along. Also show us projects which will ensure that the money my husband pays as tax is used to make life better for us.

 

Help me reduce my expenses
A penny saved is a penny earned is what I have taught my children. I am sure you have known it all your life. Housewives are called so because of our inability to ‘earn’ income. But no one credits us for the savings we make on expenses. We don’t mind that as long as we can save more. Today, the biggest expense for our household is the school fees and children’s education. I can compromise on our lifestyle but cannot do so with children’s education.

 

My advice – Please announce schemes which can result in a reduction in the cost of QUALITY education thus reducing my monthly outflow on fees. Please strengthen the Public Distribution System, so we are able to get quality food products at affordable prices. Please announce strong schemes for agriculture so we can better vegetables and grains at lower prices.

 

Salary for Housewife
There has been a lot of debate over husbands paying a salary to a housewife. It is a highly sensitive issue and hence I would not like to explore that. But, at the same time, I am sure you understand that a housewife is an employee who is paid only in love and affection. Why don’t you break that taboo and fix a monetary value to our services and make it an expense which is tax deductible for my husband. You could have a fixed component common for all housewives and a variable component based on number of married years – this will also help reduce the huge cost of divorces our country is facing right now.

 

Housewives as part of SME sector
Every budget has so much talk about SMEs and supporting them. But what about the informal SME sector that runs is so many households? Tailoring, Crafts, Tuitions etc. We contribute so much to the GDP but it is never accounted. Actually, we like it to stay that way. But, can you announce some schemes so that housewives get better financial opportunities to render their services without actually walking out of the house.

 

Gold and its irony
It’s funny that when I want to buy gold I want the prices to come crashing down, but the moment I have bought it, I want the prices to sky rocket. Today a lot of housewives invest in Gold as that is one of the few investments we easily understand.

 

Advice – can you announce simple yet effective financially effective investment schemes run by the government so we can have more liquidity? From an economics perspective too this will give cash flow for the government rather than all that money lying idle in the form of bangles and necklaces which I rarely wear –what with the law and order situation outside. Lower demand for gold will also help rationalize the prices in the gold market and help me buy better stuff at affordable prices. 

 

I wrote this with the best intentions in mind and also as I understand that you do not have a housewife (your wife is an earning member isn’t it) and hence do not have first hand experience of our wishes from the budget.

 

The bottom-line – Give us ways in which cost of Food, Education and Shelter come down. We don’t care if CTBT is imposed or some new form of taxation is scrapped. At the end of the day, can you help me put more money in the saving jar at home? If you can do that, you have my vote!

Regards
The aam aadmi ki gharelu biwi

Do you have an ex-box?

Are you secretly holding on to a photo of your ex after a bitter breakup? Fret not! Remembering the past can improve your mood. Study

If you're secretly holding on to a photo of an ex after a breakup, you're not alone. A recent survey by Friends Reunited in the UK found that over 43 percent of women keep hard copies of their ex's pictures. In fact, a majority of us have similar memories packed away in an 'ex box' at the bottom of the cupboard. And it isn't just photographs, it could be all sorts of memorabilia like cinema tickets, dead flowers, and teenage journals! Good thing, because studies have found that remembering the past helps improve moods and increases self-esteem, and as psychologist Clay Routledge suggests, nostalgia is a 'good psychological medicine'.

Shruti Bhardwaj, 21
"It doesn't mean I still have feelings for my ex...""I've got a plastic piggy bank that an ex gave me because I was bad at saving money, and he knew I wanted to, for a college trip. Then there are little knick knacks from all over the world, like bracelets and key chains-most of my exes travelled a lot. I've also have a journal I used to write in high school, chronicling my 'crushes'. These things are a big part of who I am today, and keeping them doesn't mean I'm still in love with the people who gave them to me."

Akriti Narula, 26
"I don't see why I should throw away some of my best memories."
"My friends have often asked me why I still keep that box filled with cards, bracelets, dried flowers, and an old-school camera, under lock and key at the back of my cupboard. I've asked myself the same thing and my logic is this: these were great memories created with someone I once cared for deeply. It's a part of who I am. We're still friends, and that hasn't stopped me for continuing my search for Prince Charming."

Swati Talwar, 23
"It helps me remember how far I've come, and how strong I am."
"I've got this box of stuff that's kept hidden and out-of-sight, under my bed. It's full of cards, love letters, and even some make-up, that I've held on to over the years. I was in a serious relationship for three years, and it was a painful break-up. I guess, holding on to these memories reminds me of what I've been through-and survived. I don't go through the contents often, but when I do, I just feel confident about the future...and finding my perfect match!"

Chromebook Pixel—Google’s groundbreaker laptop

Google has once again stunned the tech world. The new laptop they unveiled yesterday in San Francisco—the ‘Chromebook Pixel’— stands out for many things radically new.

Its specs compete with any of the existing Ultrabooks or Macbooks; its resolution outdoes the best existing ones by almost 100 percent. That’s as good as, if not better than, what Apple calls ‘retina display’. 

It has touchscreen, along with a keyboard and mousepad; the high-res touchscreen allows all the fancies and utilities like ‘tap’, ‘pinch to zoom’ and ‘swipe’.

Chromebook Pixel runs on Intel Core i5 processor and comes out in two models: 32 GB model with WiFi only, 64 GB model with WiFi and LTE.

Apart from the 32 GB or 64 GB built-in storage, Google offers 1TB free space on Google Drive for three years.

In addition to all regular Google apps and docs, Chrome Pixel buyers can enjoy seamless integration with Microsoft Office—to satisfy the MS Office fanatics Google is offering Quick Office for free.

Where to buy: The Chromebook Pixel is already available in Google Play, and shall soon be available on bestbuy.com.

The Price: The google blog says it has aimed the Chromebook Pixel for ‘especially for power users who have fully embraced the cloud’.  Hence, unlike the earlier Chromebooks from Google and its partner manufacturers like Samsung, Acer and HP, which are sold for as low as $199, the Chromebook Pixel targets an elite class of buyers who don’t bother about the price, but minds the performance; users who are happy working on the cloud across superfast connectivity. Hence the price is in the upper band: $ 1299 for 32 GB WiFi model; $ 1449 for the 64 GB LTE model.

More details (as touted by Google and gleaned from sneak previews)

Screen: 12.85-inch touch-sensitive Gorilla Glass screen. 2560 x 1700 pixels on 12.85 inch screen translate to 4.3 million pixels, i.e. 239 pixels per inch whereas the best current laptops give a resolution of 118 ppi according to Google.

OS: Chrome

Webcam: 720p

Audio: Powerful, full-range speakers tucked under the backlit keyboard. Three microphones designed and deployed in a manner that cancels all surrounding noise—two mics on either side of the cam, one laser mic under the keyboard. These ensure, Google claims, that the system cancels out even some keyboard tapping noises that you may make during videoconferences.

Look and feel: Anodized aluminium alloy body that is smooth and durable; vents and screws are hidden, ports are not marked.

Speed: Driven by Intel Core i5 processor and solid state flash memory architecture, it is quick and agile.

Security: built-in antivirus protection, regular updates every few weeks

5 things every woman gets wrong

From our body weight to our choice of literature, you may be surprised by all the things us ladies get wrong! Uncover some surprising female health mistakes and misconceptions with these 5 things every woman gets wrong.

Body weight

We have bad news, ladies – according to research studies, we’re all fatter than we think! A British Government survey found that we are all guilty of underestimating our size, with women misjudging their weight the most. The study found that the average woman is 5lbs heavier than she thinks she is, and for women in their late 30s this goes up to 8lbs. Furthermore, nearly half of all parents of obese children thought their child was the right weight.

These results corroborate findings by Columbia University researchers which showed that overweight mothers tend to underestimate their own and their children’s weight. Experts believe many of us underestimate our weight in a bid to convince ourselves we’re not too far off our ideal size, while the lead author of the study of Columbia University believes it may also be because perception of weight has become skewed as obesity and being overweight are becoming the norm.

Body shape

Not only do many of us believe we weigh less than we actually do, according to research we are also not quite as curvaceous as we think. A study of about 3000 women commissioned by the Vitality Show showed that 27 per cent of women believed they had an hourglass figure – one of the most sought after body shapes – while only 21 per cent believed they were the less coveted apple shaped. However, in reality more than half had an apple shaped figure and far fewer women were hourglass shaped than they thought.

In fact, experts believe that just 8 per cent of women have the coveted hourglass shape, which is not only thought to be desirable to the opposite sex but is also believed to have health benefits including increased fertility and intelligence levels. Experts believe that the lifestyle of modern working women is to blame for the decline in the hourglass shape as stress increases the distribution of fat around the abdomen.

Reading material

You might not think your choice of novel has any implications on your wellbeing, however research by Virginia Tech has found that reading chick lit could be bad for your health. It is well-documented that many modern women (and men) suffer from body image issues and feel under pressure to look a certain way. However, while many put this down to the influence of underweight celebrities and models, the study suggests that fictional icons could be just as bad for your self-esteem.

The study looked at the effect of chick lit protagonists with low self esteem on readers, and found that reading about characters with low body confidence made female readers more aware of their own size. The participants reported feeling significantly less attractive when they read about a slim character and significantly more worried about their weight when they read about one with low self esteem. While this doesn’t mean you need to ditch chick lit entirely, choosing novels with characters with normal or high body confidence could help to give your own a boost.

Self-worth

Research shows that many women underestimate themselves both physically and intellectually, while men are more likely to overestimate their virtues. Research results published in the journal Psychological Science found that, when participants were placed in a setup described as “speed meeting” with members of the opposite sex and asked to rate the sexual interest of their partner, the men were more likely to overestimate their attractiveness and the interest of their partner, while most women underestimated their partner’s sexual interest.

Furthermore, an analysis of 25 studies by a professor at University College London showed that, although men and women tend to have the same average IQ, women also underestimate their intelligence while men overestimate theirs. Also, not only did female participants give a lower estimate of their own intelligence, both men and women tended to think their male relations were more intelligent than their female ones.

Workouts

While your workouts may keep you fit and slim, research suggests that women are failing in one key aspect when it comes to exercise – improving strength. In fact, studies suggest that women are weaker than they have ever been, which may be because many focus purely on weight loss rather than strength. Concerns that muscles aren’t feminine are also a key factor in our dwindling strength. However, while you may not care about gaining muscles, poor muscle strength has many implications for our health, including increased risk of osteoporosis and back and joint pain.

Another mistake women make when it comes to workouts is following the same regimes as their partner. A new study by researchers at the University of Missouri shows that women and men respond to exercise and diet in different ways, and that women need to do a lot more exercise and pay more attention to their diet to reap the same results as men. While exercising with your partner is a great way to stay motivated, try to tailor your workout to get the results you want.

Bollywood This Week

From Sonam’s bikini to PC’s desi look, here are the movers and shakers of this week.

From Sonam’s bikini to PC’s desi look, here are the movers and shakers of this week.

 

Filmmaker Anurag Basu, who is scripting late singer Kishore Kumar's biopic, is still hunting for the actress to play yesteryear diva Madhubala in the film. While Ranbir Kapoor is set to play Kishore Kumar, sources say that Katrina or Kangna are the hot contenders for Madhubala’s role.

 

After shunning the bikini all this while, Sonam Kapoor is all set to don one for her untitled Yash Raj film. Sonam who has always been bikini-shy had earlier said that her body is not fit for donning a bikini.

 

Director Satish Kaushik will return to direction with the remake of 2012 hit Bengali film 'Bhooter Bhabishyat'. The film traces the life of a group of ghosts in an abandoned bungalow, was one of the highest grossers of last year in the Bengali film industry.

 

PVR Pictures has issued an apology to actor Aamir Khan for misquoting him on Hollywood filmmaker Kathryn Bigelow's new film ‘Zero Dark Thirty’. The actor was quoted talking about the Hollywood film, and Bigelow, in a statement issued by PVR Pictures

 

After playing an autistic girl, Priyanka Chopra will don a desi look for Gunday. The star was recently seen in a pale blue saree on crowded truck laden with bananas and livestock in West Bengal where she was seen shooting with Arjun Kapoor.

 

This is confirmed. Saif Ali Khan is all set to launch wife Kareena’s cousin Arman Kapoor. The film will be directed by Imtiyaz Ali’s brother.

Luxury brands are the most popular products that any shopper talks about. Louis Vuitton tops the list of the best luxury brands in the world, according to Interbrand. The world’s biggest brand consultancy, Interbrand has ranked companies based on its brand value.

Louis Vuitton
The French fashion house, Louis Vuitton tops the list of luxury brands in the world. The company’s products include luxury trunks, leather goods, shoes, watches, jewelry, accessories, sunglasses, and books.Brand value: $23,577 million
 

Gucci
The house of Gucci is an Italian fashion and leather goods brand. The company features finely crafted leather accessories like handbags, shoes, clothing, watches and jewelry.Brand value: $9,446 million
Hermes
The luxury French brand, Hermes is very well known for its silk scarves, leather and perfumes. Hermes specializes in lifestyle accessories, ties, clothing, watches, stationery, footwear, gloves and decorative among other products.
Brand value: $6,182 million
Cartier
Founded in Paris, Cartier is very well known for its exquisite jewelry and wrist watches. Apart from having a long history of selling its watches to royalty and celebrities, the company’s collections include leather goods and accessories.
Brand value: $5,495 million
 

Tiffany & Co
Tiffany & Co is often referred to as Tiffany’s and is this luxury American multinational jewelry and silverware corporation sells china, crystal, fragrances, personal accessories and leather goods apart from its renowned diamond jewelry.Brand value: $5,159 million
 

Burberry
The British luxury fashion house is distinctively known for its tartan pattern. Apart from its popular trench coat the company is known for its accessories, bags, shoes, watches and fragrance among other products.Brand value: $4,342 million

 

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Shocker! Kate Upton Sheds Bikini Top on Leaked Cover

 

Kate does SI ... again.Kate Upton made such a splash last year on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, the magazine has apparently asked her back for a second round.

But this time, she’s not wearing a bikini top!
Instead, the curvy 20-year-old is oddly “bundled up” in a white parka, which of course is paired with white bikini bottoms in the purported cover photo, which leaked on Friday … three days before it was to be officially unveiled. But Upton fans shouldn’t worry: the jacket is unzipped, therefore her cleavage is still on full display.
[Related: 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition (Photos)]
Also strange about the cover shot? Upton is set against a snowy Antarctic backdrop – with the cover line “Kate Upton Goes Polar Bare” – instead of the usual beach scene. What gives?!
[Related: Kate Upton on Super Bowl Etiquette, Deep-Fried Discipline]

What Were Celebs Thinking?!

Vanessa Hudgens looked far from foxy at Wednesday's Wildfox Fall 2013 presentation during New York Fashion Week. The former "High School Musical" hottie -- who's become a What Were They Thinking?! staple since splitting with Zac Efron two years ago -- made the mistake of pairing this chintzy cheetah coat with an unshapely, shimmering mess of a dress. A top knot, excessively long earrings, and mismatched, bow-adorned peep-toes made for equally upsetting accessories. 

Ms. Hudgens delivered her second fashion faux pas of the week upon arriving at designer John Varvatos' recent NYC soiree in this ill-suited ensemble, which featured a tired, Rachel Zoe-esque faux fur vest, clunky boots, and Indiana Jones' signature chapeau. Talk about a temple of doom! 

Hudgens' "HSM" co-star Ashley Tisdale is also known for her excessive use of accoutrement. Earlier this week, The Tiz was spotted leaving lunch at West Hollywood's Urth Cafe in an absurd amalgamation that included a knit cap, oversize sweater, monstrous Chanel handbag, and buckled, suede booties.

Whenever Kelis is captured on film, she winds up in What Were They Thinking?!. This week, the "Milkshake" rapper earned herself a spot in our style snafus gallery by sporting this leather-infused look -- and two-tone weave -- to the Essence Black Women in Music event at L.A.'s Greystone Manor Supperclub.

We adore Sarah Jessica Parker and realize that -- as a fashion icon -- she's allowed to take risks on the red carpet, but we just can't support the wearing of disco-era drapes to a charity function as classy as the annual amfAR gala. Steven Tyler's scarf isn't doing her any favors either. 

Following in SJP's footsteps was our beloved "Big Love" alum Chloe Sevigny, who's catastrophic coif overshadowed her edgy Proenza Schouler ensemble. It's time for a new 'do, boo! 

Fellow hipster Lena Dunham also failed in the fashion department this week. Based on her facial expression, it seems like the "Girls" star/scribe would agree with our unfavorable assessment of the color-blocked Thakoon dud she donned at the Directors Guild of America Awards last Saturday. 

We are obsessed with Ashley Olsen's adorable dachshund; we'd just prefer to see him in a better sweater next time. Otherwise, super-cute!

Just when we were starting to support Miley Cyrus' mod phase, she slipped back into a pair of tasteless Daisy Dukes ... and a floral top worthy of the What Were They Thinking?! Hall of Fame. 

Britney. In boxers. In public. 'Nuff said.

Few women can pull off a jumpsuit. Needless to say, "How I Met Your Mother's" Cobie Smulders isn't one of them. What's your take on her plunging Yves St. Laurent one-piece? Awkward or awesome? 

Rihanna wannabe Rita Ora ravaged our retinas once again on Tuesday, thanks to this flagrant House of Holland frock. And what's up with those nurse-approved kicks and matching doctor's bag? Perhaps she's making house calls ever since her music career failed to take flight in the U.S. 

Here's to hoping Jennifer Lawrence gets her locks properly coiffed before hitting the red carpet at the 85th Annual Academy Awards later this month. Don't get it twisted; we treasure her. We just wanted her tresses to look a little more luxurious at the Oscar nominees luncheon. That's all. 

One of these days, Justin Bieber will buy a belt or learn to pull up his pants, right? OK, probably not.

Suffice it to say, Ginnifer Goodwin should say "buh-bye" ("SNL"-style) to the flight attendant flop she boarded at Tuesday's Listerine launch event. David Spade would not approve.